کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
---|---|---|---|---|
1019971 | 940822 | 2014 | 10 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
• We examine the largest co-operative unions in Malawi.
• We provide new and original findings on co-operative resilience in the African context.
• We present a novel analytical framework that can be used in the study of co-operative resilience in developing countries.
• We investigate the role of unions and primary co-operatives in the formation of co-operative resilience.
Underexplored and barely known, the Malawian co-operative movement has experienced serious challenges since its inception in 1946. Rural co-operatives in the country have endured crises and yet they are thriving in adverse circumstances. In this article we asked to what extent and in what ways rural Malawian co-operatives are resilient social and economic organisations? In the absence of a consolidated body of literature on ‘co-operative resilience’ we address this question by (1) reviewing the existing literature on co-operatives and identifying key factors that appear to be conducive to resilience and (2) by analysing extensive field data on four of the biggest co-operatives Unions in Malawi and establishing how they have coped with challenges. The field-based data and our literature findings shed new insights into the nature of resilience. Co-operative resilience is a long term processes, one based on reflexivity and interactions between members, leaders and national and international organisations. Resilient strategies developed by rural Malawian co-operatives are also outlined and explored.
Journal: Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management - Volume 2, Issue 1, June 2014, Pages 43–52