Integral Cooperatives: An integrated model

TOPIC 8 - STAGE 3 - MESO. The cooperatives are organizations which represent an entrepreneurship model based on democratic, social and solidarity values, that contributing for sustainable development of their community. Among... [ view full abstract ]

TOPIC 8 - STAGE 3 - MESO. The cooperatives are organizations which represent an entrepreneurship model based on democratic, social and solidarity values, that contributing for sustainable development of their community. Among traditional cooperatives are Associated Work Cooperatives and Social Cooperatives. The Integral Cooperative goes one step beyond, it is an entrepreneurship model of self management at its maximum exponent. It is a current trend that meet the needs of consumers, firms or institutions, offering different solutions at the same workplace.
Indeed, this entrepreneurship model is understood as the integration in the same company of different activities which provides a holistic satisfaction of the economic and social needs of each group. This can be only achieve with the integration of producers, workers and consumers under an Integral Cooperative producing a better communication, interaction and participation in comparison with other business models.
This model framed within Social Economy does not have the aim on patrimonial enrichment. Furthermore, the profits are continuously reinvested in social commitment. For this reason, its ability of a sustainable growth and business strength are increased by the commitment and a sense of belonging of the main players involved, especially the ones who motivated its creation.
We believe that is important to highlighted advantages and strengths of this Integral Cooperative Model, with regard to other more traditional business models. The integral Cooperatives provide a social and economic dimension, focusing in the ethical financial, encouraging sustainable economy by aiming for local, handmade and ecological production.
The Integral Cooperatives stand as an opportunity to economic and social development involving the values and economic regeneration our society is longing for, becoming in alternative for progress and employment creation.
Moreover, this kind of Enterprise transforms consumers in “prosumers” where the consumer implication in the final product becomes so significant that takes part into its design and production.
On the other hand, the Integral Cooperatives create vast networks with the main players involved providing a horizontal and near access among them, democratizing the participation and encouraging decision making process with a transversal perspective which benefits every player.
In conclusion, the attractiveness of this model in contrast to the others is that its creation implies the construction of a joint enterprise that produces goods and gives services satisfying the needs of every member, promoting mutual help and creation of shared wealth in a supportive and collaborative way.