Social networks and member participation in cooperative governance

Abstract

This study explored the relations between the farmer‐members' social networks and their interest in cooperative governance, specifically their willingness to be elected representatives. Several researchers assert that member interest in cooperative governance is related to social factors. The empirical basis consists of surveys of random samples of Swedish farmers conducted in 1993, 2003, and 2013. The results indicate a strong relationship between the social networks and the farmers' propensity to participate in cooperative governance. This relationship has persisted even though the investigated 20‐year period was very turbulent for Swedish agriculture. Over time, members have become more willing to be elected when they receive backing from their social networks, with personal networks being more important than professional networks. The professional networks are related only to the level of aspiration and not actual participation in governance. [EconLit Citations: D73, P13, Q13].

The Logic behind the Internal Governance of Sweden’s Largest Agricultural Cooperatives

“…This study supports the conclusions of Morfi, Nilsson, Hakelius and Karantininis (in press) [4] when these authors wrote about the essential role that social capital has in cooperative governance. A well-functioning government depends on the elected representatives' involvement.…”

“…The introduction of individualized ownership in the case cooperatives took place over some years, starting in about 2000 (Södra) and 2010 (Lantmännen). One reason was that the farmers are becoming fewer, have increasingly large farming operations, have large investments, and are professional, all of which indicate an trend towards a focus on economic benefits and an individualistic mentality [4,51]. In order to keep member involvement, business volumes, and equity, the cooperatives adapted to the emerging member requirements.…”

“…Since the two investigated cooperatives introduced individualized ownership structures, more social capital within the memberships have strengthened the member democracy, whereby the cooperatives have added to the economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability for their members, as well as for non-members, the countryside and society at large [1]. The investigated cooperatives play a major role in the Swedish agricultural sector, and they-as well as their predecessors-have been important throughout the history of Swedish cooperatives [2][3][4].…”

Co-operative Governance: A Systematic Review of Member Participation

“…Meanwhile, based on the results shown in Table 3, five studies addressed the "Pro-Active" involvement of members who hold positions as board members (Berge et al, 2016;Cechin et al, 2013;Morfi et al, 2021;Mwambi et al, 2020;Pozzobon & Zylbersztajn, 2013). In their latest study of identifying members' social networks and their desire to participate in the governance of co-operative, Morfi et al (2021) discovered that the farmers' personal networks influence their propensity to occupy the board position through bridging and bonding social capital (Putnam, 2000).…”

“…Meanwhile, based on the results shown in Table 3, five studies addressed the "Pro-Active" involvement of members who hold positions as board members (Berge et al, 2016;Cechin et al, 2013;Morfi et al, 2021;Mwambi et al, 2020;Pozzobon & Zylbersztajn, 2013). In their latest study of identifying members' social networks and their desire to participate in the governance of co-operative, Morfi et al (2021) discovered that the farmers' personal networks influence their propensity to occupy the board position through bridging and bonding social capital (Putnam, 2000). Furthermore, in order to be effective while sitting on the board, Mwambi et al (2020) recommended that very young farmers not be elected since they have not yet built up social capital, which is supported by Cechin et al (2013), who found that the duration of membership is an important driver of pro-active participation, which involves those of older farmers.…”