Resumen de Humanism and the Cooperative Enterprise: Theoretical Foundations
In line with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Statement on the Cooperative Identity and definition of a cooperative enterprise (ICA in Guidance notes to the co-operative principles. https://www.ica.coop/en/media/library/research-and-reviews/guidance-notes-cooperative-principles, 2015), we set out to frame a theory of cooperative governance with the focus on a collective membership, whereby control of the enterprise is acquired by engaging with (via patronage/usership/work) rather than investing in the firm. The term often used to describe this type of enterprise is “member-owned business” (MOB; Birchall in People-centred businesses: Co-operatives, mutuals and the idea of membership. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), underscoring the primacy of member contribution to the operations and governance of the enterprise in different capacities as workers, consumers, and suppliers, rather than merely investors.
