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Competition and Inclusion: Co-operatives’ Role in the Australian Retail, Care, and Farming Sectors

Author

Listed:
  • Filip Premik
  • Paul Thambar
  • Chengsi Wang
  • Frank Yao
  • Dan Yu

Abstract

Co-operatives are different from standard profit-maximizing firms. They instead maximize their members’ benefits. In this report, we examine their role across three key sectors in Australia: Retail, Care, and Farming. We lay out new economic theories about this less common type of firm organization. We discuss the implications of the existence and development of co-operatives on entry, competition, inclusion, and consumer welfare. Further discussion is devoted to evaluating policies regarding co-operatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Filip Premik & Paul Thambar & Chengsi Wang & Frank Yao & Dan Yu, 2026. "Competition and Inclusion: Co-operatives’ Role in the Australian Retail, Care, and Farming Sectors," Monash Economics Working Papers 2026-02, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mos:moswps:paper_1773636919735_919
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Richard J. Sexton & Terri A. Sexton, 1987. "Cooperatives as Entrants," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 18(4), pages 581-595, Winter.
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    3. Craig, Ben & Pencavel, John, 1992. "The Behavior of Worker Cooperatives: The Plywood Companies of the Pacific Northwest," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 82(5), pages 1083-1105, December.
    4. Matthew Backus & Christopher Conlon & Michael Sinkinson, 2021. "Common Ownership and Competition in the Ready-to-Eat Cereal Industry," NBER Working Papers 28350, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Konstantinos Giannakas & Murray Fulton, 2005. "Process Innovation Activity in a Mixed Oligopoly: The Role of Cooperatives," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 87(2), pages 406-422.
    6. Marco Duarte & Lorenzo Magnolfi & Camilla Roncoroni, 2025. "The Competitive Conduct of Consumer Cooperatives," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 56(1), pages 106-125, March.
    7. Rey, Patrick & Tirole, Jean, 2007. "Financing and access in cooperatives," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 1061-1088, October.
    8. Abhijit V. Banerjee & Timothy Besley & Timothy W. Guinnane, 1994. "Thy Neighbor's Keeper: The Design of a Credit Cooperative with Theory and a Test," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 109(2), pages 491-515.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L31 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs; Social Entrepreneurship
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory

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