Cooperative Education in the US: The Case of MU's Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership (GICL)

The Graduate Institute for Cooperative Leadership (GICL) is a global, research-based executive education center drawing on recent advances in organizational economics/sociology and management science to develop life cycle... [ view full abstract ]

The Graduate Institute for Cooperative Leadership (GICL) is a global, research-based executive education center drawing on recent advances in organizational economics/sociology and management science to develop life cycle organizational models and diagnostic tools for producer-owned firms. GICL’s advanced learning programs focus on meeting unique educational needs for senior management and boards of directors from leading agricultural cooperatives. Topics include life cycle analysis, governance, board/management relations, executive development, leadership development, and residual control and claim rights incentive alignment in patron-owned firms. GICL’s hallmark programs include Summer Institute, an annual, weeklong program featuring a unique mix of research and experiential-based learning for senior management, and the GICL Board Chair/CEO Conference, held biennially. The conference focuses on the shared leadership of the CEO/Board Chair team and unique aspects of governance in the cooperative firm. Both programs are developed in conjunction with the GICL Board of Trustees, an advisory board comprised of CEOs from premiere agricultural cooperatives. In addition, GICL conducts approximately 15 customized programs each year, and has worked in more than 40 countries. GICL fills a unique research and educational need in the specialized field of producer owned and controlled firms. GICL also provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge among a widely diverse group of participants. Recognized for leading edge thinking about cooperatives, GICL recently celebrated its 40th year, with more than 1800 alumni. This paper sheds light on GICL’s evolution and discusses the institute’s impact on cooperative education in the US and abroad.