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Democratic Administration and Commitment of Members of Agricultural Cooperatives: A Case Study from a Prefecture in Greece

Author

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  • Konstantina Ragazou

    (Department of Planning and Regional Development, Polytechnic School, University of Thessaly, 38 334 Volos, Greece)

  • Evgenia Anastasiou

    (Department of Planning and Regional Development, Polytechnic School, University of Thessaly, 38 334 Volos, Greece)

  • George Theodossiou

    (Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Business, University of Thessaly, 41 500 Larisa, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Koutsogeorgos

    (Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Business, University of Thessaly, 41 500 Larisa, Greece)

Abstract

Cooperatives are democratic organizations, governed and controlled by their members, who are actively involved in their policy-making and decision-making process. The aim of this paper is to investigate the correlation between cooperative culture and the way that cooperatives are governed. To this end, a probability sampling method is used in the agricultural cooperatives of the Greek prefecture of Larissa, which is one of the most powerful and dynamic in the agricultural economy. The data collection was carried out to 100 members of agricultural cooperatives through the use of a closed-ended questionnaire. The findings highlighted that agricultural cooperatives are distinguished for their increased level of cooperative culture and commitment, provided that the conditions for the democratic governance of cooperatives are met. The role played by the level of education of the members of the agricultural cooperatives was also important, thus confirming the main purpose of the research, which was none other than to prove this correlation. Finally, this correlation can lead to the improvement of certain elements which contribute to the optimization of agricultural governance.

Suggested Citation

  • Konstantina Ragazou & Evgenia Anastasiou & George Theodossiou & Konstantinos Koutsogeorgos, 2021. "Democratic Administration and Commitment of Members of Agricultural Cooperatives: A Case Study from a Prefecture in Greece," Businesses, MDPI, vol. 1(2), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jbusin:v:1:y:2021:i:2:p:9-126:d:629633
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hakelius, Karin & Hansson, Helena, 2016. "Members’ attitudes towards cooperatives and their perception of agency problems," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 19(4), October.
    2. Fulton, Joan R. & Adamowicz, Wiktor L., 1993. "Factors That Influence the Commitment of Members to Their Cooperative Organization," Journal of Agricultural Cooperation, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, vol. 8, pages 1-15.
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    4. Stella Manika & Evgenia Anastasiou, 2020. "Regional Economics in Greece: A Spatial Analysis of Business and Population Dynamics," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), International Hellenic University (IHU), Kavala Campus, Greece (formerly Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology - EMaTTech), vol. 13(2), pages 70-82, September.
    5. Andrei CECHIN & Jos BIJMAN & Stefano PASCUCCI & Decio ZYLBERSZTAJN & Onno OMTA, 2013. "Drivers Of Pro-Active Member Participation In Agricultural Cooperatives: Evidence From Brazil," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 84(4), pages 443-468, December.
    6. Grashuis, Jasper & Cook, Michael Lee, 2019. "A structural equation model of cooperative member satisfaction and long-term commitment," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 22(2).
    7. Wolz, Axel & Möllers, Judith & Micu, Marius Mihai, 2020. "Options for agricultural service cooperatives in a postsocialist economy: Evidence from Romania," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 49(1), pages 57-65.
    8. Jerker NILSSON, 1996. "The Nature Of Cooperative Values And Principles," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(4), pages 633-653, December.
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    1. Amiquero, K. (Katty) Sanchez & Wubben, E.F.M. (Emiel) & van Dam, Y.K. (Ynte) & Trienekens, J.H. (Jacques), 2023. "Success and failure factors in agricultural cooperatives," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 14(01), January.

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