What Makes Rural Co-operatives Resilient in Developing Countries?

Co-authors: Alexander Borda-Rodriguez, Hazel Johnson, Linda Shaw

Abstract

It has been argued that current interest in co-operatives is because they can reduce poverty and are resilient organisations. However histories of co-operatives’ successes and failures suggests that co- operative organisational resilience needs better understanding. This article reviews the literature, particularly with respect to sub-Saharan Africa. It argues that co-operative organisational resilience centres on co-operatives’ multi-dimensionality and the development of collective capability in five mutually reinforcing areas of activity. These are: membership, networks, collective skills in governance, innovation, and engagement with governments. Together, they strengthen co- operatives’ resilience but, where lacking, they undermine it. The article adds to thinking about ‘co- operative advantage’.

Available in English

Latest publications

Cooperative Bene Comune

Cooperative Bene Comune

2020
Climate change Community wealth Platform cooperatives Youth
Investing responsibly in agriculture through smallholder cooperatives: insights from Uganda

Investing responsibly in agriculture through smallholder cooperatives: insights from Uganda

2020
Agricultural cooperatives Responsible investments
Parole chiave per l’impresa cooperativa del futuro

Parole chiave per l’impresa cooperativa del futuro

2019
Human development Resilience Women empowerment
Tana Libera Tutte!

Tana Libera Tutte!

2019
Resilience Women empowerment
Rural civil society and the role of social mobilisation in poverty reduction and sustainable rural development

Rural civil society and the role of social mobilisation in poverty reduction and sustainable rural development

2019
Agricultural cooperatives Human development
The co-operative firm. Keywords

The co-operative firm. Keywords

2016
Human development Resilience Women empowerment

Authors

Interested in our work?

This website or third-party tools used by Aroundtheworld.coop use the cookies necessary for operation and useful for the objectives illustrated in the Privacy and Cookie policy. If you want to know more or refuse consent to all or some of the cookies, please consult the Cookie policy.

By closing this banner, scrolling the pace, clicking on a link or continuing browsing in any other way, you will agree to use the cookies.