Naslov
Croatian co-operatives’ story of revival: overcoming internal obstacles

Autori
Božić, Jasmina ; Srbljinović, Armano ; Lučan Lucija

Izvornik
Socijalna ekologija (1330-0113) 29 (2020), 3; 335-361

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
co-operatives ; Croatia ; horizontal cooperation ; networking ; qualitative research ; small entrepreneurship ; vertical cooperation

Sažetak
We conducted semi-structured interviews with leaders or members of 45 Croatian co-operatives covering the different types of co-operatives from all historical regions to identify six main groups of internal obstacles to stronger development of co-operatives in Croatia: 1) those stemming from the “dual” nature of co- operatives, 2) free riding, 3) lack of innovative management, 4) insufficient focus on vertical cooperation among co-operatives, 5) lack of strategic steps toward a division of labor and horizontal cooperation, and 6) underdeveloped cooperation maps and protocols. Upon discussing each of these with a view on how the respective obstacles could be overcome, we conclude that through combined top-down and bottom-up efforts much can still be done to revive hundreds of local co-operatives that have barely survived or are inactive. The co- operatives themselves should be more pro-active in establishing bottom-up platforms for cooperation. Among possible improvements of governmental actions, we particularly recommend extending targeted project grants to also cover specific activities intended to enhance horizontal and vertical cooperation.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Sociologija

POVEZANOST RADA