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Women in Business: The Co‑operative Option
Co‑operatives are businesses that are democratically owned by their members. There are many types of co‑operative enterprise, but all are responsive to the needs of their members and the needs of the markets and communities that they serve. Because their members control them, co‑operatives can ensure that work patterns and terms and conditions meet the members' needs. They provide a supportive environment for women new to business, building their confidence and effectively harnessing their skills and enterprise.
The case studies (see below) and other work involved in this project have been funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Statement from Meg Munn MP, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, DTI
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Having been a director of a co‑operative enterprise in the service sector for a number of years, as well as serving on a local committee of a consumer co‑operative, I know at first hand the positive benefits of co‑operation. Succeeding within a co‑operative business is a win-win situation - it's great for the individual, the business and society as a whole. There's no doubt in my mind that the co‑operative business model offers a lot to women.
Women will continue to develop their place in society and the business world is no different. To fully exploit the potential that co‑operative and mutual enterprises offer, women need easy access to information on the various business models available. Organisations like Co‑operativesUK have unique expertise in this field. Not only are they part of the co‑operative world and want to see it grow and succeed, they also know the issues that have held women back from starting and growing businesses. |
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Women and co‑operatives - why it is such a good marriage:
- Supportive environment
- Participative decision-making
- Control of work
- Equal opportunities
- Work-life balance
- Skills development
- Access
- Flexible working
- Bringing women into enterprise
- Responsiveness to market need
- Doing good in the community
Case Studies
The case studies below illustrate these qualities in real-life co‑operatives. Click on the links for details:
A co‑operative is...
A people-centred organisation, jointly owned and democratically controlled by its members. Trade is a fundamental human activity, and co‑operatives are trading enterprises, providing goods and services and generating profits. Those profits are not taken by outside shareholders as with many investor owned businesses, but are under the control of the members, who decide democratically how they should be used.
- Co‑operatives invest in education and training for their members, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the sustainable development of their enterprises.
- Co‑operatives are part of and work for the sustainable development of their communities.
- Co‑operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Co‑operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
- The thousands of co‑operative enterprises throughout the UK are just part of a global movement that employs an estimated 100 million people. The UN estimates that the livelihoods of half the world's population are made secure by co‑operative enterprise.
There are various types of co‑operative business
Worker co‑operatives are businesses owned and controlled by their employees. Some are managed on a collective basis, in which all employees will be members and directors. Or the employee members may decide to elect a Board of directors to spearhead the business. The day to day management of the business will vary according to the number and wishes of the members. In all of these businesses the management (who are also members) is accountable to its fellow members.
Co‑operative consortia are owned by a group of self-employed people, or other businesses. For example, a group of independent craftspeople may form a co‑operative for joint work or marketing activities. Actors co‑operatives (like Rba Management) or social care co‑operatives (like Carers Direct) are examples of this consortium approach.
There are also user or consumer co‑operatives, and co‑operatives whereby representatives of all the key stakeholders can be members. These are known as multi-stakeholder co‑operatives.
In terms of legal structures there is a range of options. Co‑operativesUK can guide you through the pros and cons of incorporation and help you choose the right structure to fit the needs of your business and its members.
Decision making in co‑operative businesses
According to the size of the business, strategic decisions are taken either by all member directors or they are delegated to an elected board of directors. Whilst the directors are responsible for the direction of the business, a manager or management team is usually given the responsibility of taking the day-to-day business decisions.
Research
There has been very little research done on women and co‑operatives in the UK. However, thanks to the DTI, we have commissioned a valuable piece of desk research to begin to examine the evidence for why women might be attracted to work in co‑operatives and in a co‑operative way.
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