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Bringing democracy to life in cooperatives: ongoing experiments. The cases of Railcoop and SmartCoop

Author

Listed:
  • Justine Monique Florine Ballon
  • Thomas Blondeel
  • Marius Chevallier

    (GEOLAB - Laboratoire de Géographie Physique et Environnementale - UBP - Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 - IR SHS UNILIM - Institut Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société - UNILIM - Université de Limoges - UCA [2017-2020] - Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne, GEOLAB-CE - Capital Environnemental - GEOLAB - Laboratoire de Géographie Physique et Environnementale - UBP - Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 - IR SHS UNILIM - Institut Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société - UNILIM - Université de Limoges - UCA [2017-2020] - Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne)

  • Orville Pletschette

Abstract

This paper examines the democratic governance of large cooperatives (in terms of number of members) through the prism of systems and practices designed to strengthen member participation. We compare the evolution of formal and informal mechanisms supporting the dynamics of participative democracy at Railcoop and SmartCoop. This research is based on an ongoing action-research based on statistics and qualitative data. It sheds light on their practices, the tensions encountered and the experiments undertaken to reduce them. This working paper puts into perspective the initial results of a descriptive and comparative analysis of two schemes designed to increase member participation: circles at Railcoop and the Smart in Progress process at SmartCoop. In this respect, we demonstrate the importance of ongoing reflexivity on our practices, through surveys, collective writing, and spaces conducive to critical and contradictory discussions, provided this is done in a constructive and transparent manner. Beyond this, we show the value of highlighting the 5th and 6th principles of ICA - education, training and information on the one hand, and intercooperation on the other - between two cooperatives sharing issues relating to governance and democratic participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Justine Monique Florine Ballon & Thomas Blondeel & Marius Chevallier & Orville Pletschette, 2023. "Bringing democracy to life in cooperatives: ongoing experiments. The cases of Railcoop and SmartCoop," Post-Print hal-04576634, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04576634
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04576634
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roger Spear, 2004. "Governance in Democratic Member‐Based Organisations," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(1), pages 33-60, March.
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    3. Julien Charles & Isabelle Ferreras & Auriane Lamine, 2020. "A freelancers’ cooperative as a case of democratic institutional experimentation for better work: a case study of SMart-Belgium," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 26(2), pages 157-174, May.
    4. Chris Cornforth, 2004. "The Governance of cooperatives and mutual associations: a paradox perspective," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(1), pages 11-32, March.
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    Keywords

    cooperative governance; democracy; participation; experimentation; action-research; democracy cooperative; social innovations;
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