Genossenschaften als Teil des Dritten Sektors

History provides a strong argument for locating co-operatives within the third sector. In the late 19th century, co-operatives came into being as a combination of two contradictory organizational concepts: the one of the democratically organized “association” working in favor of the common weal, and the business enterprise that primarily serves the interests of its owners. Thus, hybridity as a nexus of very different institutional logics constitutes a very important characteristic of the organizational form co-operative. Also, the article highlights that hybrid organizations and hence co-operatives are particularly suited to cope with problems and challenges triggered by societal and economic changes. However, currently, as indicated by empirical studies, the potential of co-operatives to combine a common weal orientation with the interests of individual entrepreneurs are not being put into practice to its best. Despite severe societal and economic problems there is no boom of co-operatives serving the interest of both their members and the common weal in Germany. And surprisingly, there are more new co-operatives in thriving regions than in deprived ones. The article highlights a need for support in terms of knowledge transfer and counseling during the founding period of new co-operatives. This is particularly the case in economically underdeveloped regions where co-operatives are earmarked for serving the needs of the poor instead of providing a playground for well-educated members of the middle class.