What are some advantages and disadvantages of cooperatives changing to a cooperation what would be the major reason to do so. American Worker Cooperative. US Federation of Worker Cooperatives. Why Worker Cooperatives? - Green Worker Cooperatives. Artwork by Ricardo Levins MoralesThis isn’t some obscure utopian fantasy from the 1970’s.
Worker cooperatives exist all over the world in all industries large and small, from home health care in the Bronx to manufacturing in Spain. By workers having a direct role in decision-making and a share of all profits, worker cooperatives build community wealth and help make a democratic economy real. Cooperative. In short, a coop can be defined as "a jointly owned enterprise engaging in the production or distribution of goods or the supplying of services, operated by its members for their mutual benefit, typically organized by consumers or farmers.
"[4] Cooperative businesses are typically more economically resilient than many other forms of enterprise, with twice the number of co-operatives (80%) surviving their first five years compared with other business ownership models (41%).[5] Cooperatives frequently have social goals which they aim to accomplish by investing a proportion of trading profits back into their communities. How to Start a Cooperative. This guide outlines the process of organizing and financing a cooperative business.
Rather than being a complete handbook, this publication represents the most important elements to consider when forming a cooperative. It lists what special expertise is necessary, and where to look for help. Earlier versions of this publication emphasized working with groups of agricultural producers to develop markets and sources of supply for farm operators. This version has been broadened to also include nonfarm cooperative applications. the cooperative business structure, already shown to be successful in agriculture, also has been useful in helping others obtain desired benefits or provide needed services in areas like housing, utilities, finance, health care, child care, and small business support.