Organizational Culture of Cooperative Enterprises in Poland: An Empirical Study

Purpose: The main purpose of the article was to determine the impact of organizational culture on the effectiveness of management of agricultural cooperatives. Cooperative movement is an important element, significantly influencing the development of rural areas and agriculture. Among scientists and practitioners, the condition of the Polish cooperative movement raises concerns about its future in confrontation with modern agriculture in highly developed countries. Design/Methodology/Approach: The methods used in the study include literature analysis and critique, participant observation, comparisons, case studies, induction and deduction, synthesis. The main research tool was the OCAI (Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument) questionnaire by K.S Cameron and E. Quinn, based on the competing value model. 133 entities located in various regions of Poland from various cooperative industries were deliberately selected for the study. These were dairy cooperatives, beekeeping horticulture and groups of agricultural producers. The research sample accounted for 20% of each type of cooperative. The questionnaires were addressed to these industries because they were able to adapt to the new challenges related to the transformation of the Polish economy after 1990. Practical Implications: The conducted research shows that the autocratic style of management dominates in the studied cooperatives. On the other hand, the measure of success is the development of human resources, greater involvement of members and teamwork. Meanwhile, the autocratic style of managing human capital and the lack of involvement of members in the results of these entities' activities cause these entities to drop out of the market and lack interest in this form of business. On the other hand, agricultural cooperatives in developed countries in Europe and the world successfully compete with capital companies. Originality/value: To improve the functioning of these entities and stop the downward trend, it is necessary to change the way of management and the legal and organizational modification of these entities. The creation of new styles and management models in the surveyed entities and modification of the law is the added value of the research undertaken.