Welford, Richard (1990) Aspects of the organisation and behaviour of U.K. producer cooperatives. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Reflecting the fact that the cooperative sector in the U.K. has
experienced record growth over the past fifteen years, this thesis forms
an investigation of the organisation and behaviour of producer
cooperatives. The theoretical literature surrounding the labour —
managed firm is examined and subjected to testing and empirical
observation. In this way a fuller understanding of the cooperative
sector and of participatory arrangements in general is achieved. The
theory and issues underlying this approach are based on Williamson's
(1980) notion of hierarchy, the neoclassical literature surrounding
perverse supply effects and extensions of that, examining the nature of
the cooperative objective function, growth, managerialism and
degeneration, and the nature of self— exploitation in an economy
dominated by large capital. The empirical contributions are derived
from a data set of 78 producer cooperatives collected by the author.
In the analysis contained in this thesis it has been possible to question
accepted theory, to offer some alternative modelling approaches, largely
based on the use of probit analysis and to seek to describe and
explain more fully certain aspects of the organisation and behaviour of
U.K. cooperatives. In doing so some attempt has been made to
extend the analysis beyond the boundaries of pure economics and to
consider facets of participation provided in other disciplines.
Many different measures have been used in the thesis which indicate
that whilst cooperatives, like many small businesses, will face problems
surviving in the market place, they nevertheless seem largely successful
in pursuing their stated objectives. Many of the 'accepted' negative
aspects of the cooperative form of organisation, such as perverse
supply — side responses, have been shown to be based on restrictive
assumptions about the labour — managed enterprise. Assertions about
the existence and survival of cooperatives based on ideas of
degeneration and self— exploitation have been shown to be
questionable. Perhaps surprising to some, it is shown that
management does play an important role in the organisation and
behaviour of many cooperatives. For example, the existence of some
sort of management structure seems important in those firms with high
growth aspirations.
Much of the discussion in this thesis suggests that worker involvement
can bring about productivity increases. In effect, it is argued that
participation can lead to augmentation of the production function.
Traditional businesses in general might therefore be advised to consider
adopting participation in the workplace. On the other hand
cooperatives should also realise that success in conventional terms can
often enable them to better pursue their political motivations.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Producer cooperatives -- Great Britain
Official Date:	August 1990
Dates:	Date Event August 1990 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Economics
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Ireland, Norman J. ; Law, Peter J.
Extent:	v, 358, [17] leaves
Language:	eng

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