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Cooperatives at Work
For too long, cooperatives have been considered marginal players in the global economy, and as unrealistic venues for the aspirations of new and experienced members of the labour force. This marginalization shows in business, municipal and legal discussions, and curricula, where cooperative structures are rarely mentioned, let alone presented as viable options.
Cooperatives at Work presents a range of success stories in employee ownership and worker owned-and-governed cooperatives. The authors further show how such firms embody important and highly contested ideals of democracy, shared equity, and social transformation. Throughout this volume, the authors present a range of practical lessons, strategies, and resources based on their pioneering, international research.
This latest volume in The Future of Work series has a strong ethical stream, consistent with yearnings for more inspired forms of business revealed in many public opinion polls. The book is future-oriented, using contemporary as well as historical examples to teach lessons that are not necessarily time-bound. It is essential for anyone seeking a window onto the future of cooperative entrepreneurial practice and grassroots democracy.
Cooperatives at Work presents a range of success stories in employee ownership and worker owned-and-governed cooperatives. The authors further show how such firms embody important and highly contested ideals of democracy, shared equity, and social transformation. Throughout this volume, the authors present a range of practical lessons, strategies, and resources based on their pioneering, international research.
This latest volume in The Future of Work series has a strong ethical stream, consistent with yearnings for more inspired forms of business revealed in many public opinion polls. The book is future-oriented, using contemporary as well as historical examples to teach lessons that are not necessarily time-bound. It is essential for anyone seeking a window onto the future of cooperative entrepreneurial practice and grassroots democracy.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2023
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March 23, 2025
This is a lovingly researched book, with strong insights and detailed examples of current worker cooperative efforts around the world. The bibliography alone is immensely valuable in bringing together many resources. There are many excellent quotes from personal interviews, which you won’t find anywhere else.
At the same time, the book’s two challenges are in structure and audience, no doubt from the challenge of harmonizing the perspectives of six diverse authors. In a single chapter, the focus will shift jarringly or niche tangents will take over. Some of these issues might be resolved with shorter, more diverse chapters. In terms of audience, even as a cooperative developer and practitioner, I couldn’t always connect with the tone or approach, which tended toward the abstract and academic.
I believe this book could be a valuable tool for cooperative researchers, but I might hesitate to recommend it to co-op members as a tool for their own education or for deepening their own business practices.
At the same time, the book’s two challenges are in structure and audience, no doubt from the challenge of harmonizing the perspectives of six diverse authors. In a single chapter, the focus will shift jarringly or niche tangents will take over. Some of these issues might be resolved with shorter, more diverse chapters. In terms of audience, even as a cooperative developer and practitioner, I couldn’t always connect with the tone or approach, which tended toward the abstract and academic.
I believe this book could be a valuable tool for cooperative researchers, but I might hesitate to recommend it to co-op members as a tool for their own education or for deepening their own business practices.
Displaying 1 of 1 review