Deslocalizaciones y empleo cooperativo. El caso de Fagor Electrodomésticos, S. Coop

This paper looks at the question of industrial relocation and its impact on cooperative employment from a theoretical and empirical perspective. In defining and contextualising the relocation phenomenon, the paper starts by analysing its scale, causes and some of its consequences in the context of globalisation. Following this theoretical analysis, the paper then embarks on a case study of economic and social aspects in the international expansion of Fagor Electrodomésticos S. Coop. Fagor is attempting to consolidate its position in the European domestic appliance market in a climate in which production is being concentrated and relocated in the east and the threat of Asian competition looms large. It is doing so by pursuing an international growth strategy that has led to it setting up in countries such as Morocco, Argentina, Poland and France. The paper thus sets out to examine the business, economic, social and cooperative implications of this strategy. By way of conclusion, we put forward some possible strategies for the cooperative world to deal with the challenge of globalisation and relocation.