Institutional Logics and Practice Variation in an Agricultural Cooperative. Results of a Delphi Study

This article contributes to new institutional theory by exploring intra-organizational change in a developing agricultural cooperative. It empirically shows the influence of two contradictory institutional logics on practice variation by studying the case of Champagne Céréales, an agricultural cooperative group with subsidiaries, heavily involved with downstream activities, in which cooperative and financial logics rub shoulders. It also explores how the link between institutional logics and practice variation leads to a particular performance level in the newly created practice. The Delphi research method has been used to test theoretical concepts, interviewing a panel of 24 experts. Results show that the influence of practice variation can become a key element in evaluating the performance of new practices in agricultural cooperatives. The results highlight the fact that it might be possible to find a balance between cooperative and capitalist logics, by implementing an appropriate governance structure. These results show how important it is for a cooperative group to communicate effectively, to maintain democratic management and links with the membership, and to give its administrators top-quality training.