Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.17234/SocEkol.29.3.2
Cooperatives in Croatia - Inefficient, Undesirable or Unrecognized Type of Organization?
Krešimir Žažar
orcid.org/0000-0002-6133-8625
; Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Odsjek za sociologiju, Ivana Lučića 3, 10 000 Zagreb
Sažetak
After initial definitions, this paper offers a brief retrospective of the historical importance of cooperatives in both global and specific Croatian contexts, as well as certain numerical indicators of the immense importance of cooperative organizations, especially in Western European countries. However, it also warns about the lack of importance of cooperatives in Croatia today. We, therefore, then present findings from a wider empirical research conducted at the end of 2018 as part of the scientific project “The role of local and regional self-government units in the development of cooperatives”. This qualitative research was conducted using the method of semi-structured interviews on a non-probabilistic intentional sample (N=11) with interviewees of different profiles (representatives of cooperatives, representatives of regional and local governments, development agencies, etc.) in two counties: Međimurje County and Sisak-Moslavina county, as examples of more and less development Croatian regions. The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which cooperatives are considered relevant stakeholders in social development at the regional / local level, as well as to detect social factors that have positive or negative effects on cooperatives (external factors) and intra-organizational factors that affect the economic, social and general performance of cooperatives (internal factors). Main findings indicate that certain structural factors appear as obstacles to more successful operation of cooperatives, such as unclear and frequently changing regulatory framework, a lack of awareness among business entities about the potentials of cooperative organizations, a lack of recognition of cooperatives as distinctive organizational forms, as well as certain level of skepticism of cooperative members regarding their own participatory role within the cooperative organization. The latter indicates a deficit in social capital, which can be related back to the characteristics of the dominant cultural matrix marked by a reluctance towards cooperatives, which are perceived as a negative legacy of socialism, although the tradition of cooperatives in Croatia runs much deeper than the socialist regime. The comparison between our two cases reveals that there are essentially no differences in the way that cooperatives function in either of these two counties. Finally, certain guidelines are indicated regarding the direction in which we should act to improve cooperatives in Croatia.
Ključne riječi
social capital deficit; insufficient institutional support; cultural baggage; cooperatives
Hrčak ID:
247730
URI
Datum izdavanja:
13.12.2020.
Posjeta: 2.132 *