Are worker-owned cooperatives the brewing pots for social capital?

Abstract

Worker-owned cooperatives, through open membership and democratic local ownership of the enterprise, are believed to provide a platform on which participation of local people in both social and economic activities can be enhanced. This paper explores the social capital creation processes of a worker-owned homecare cooperative. Data were collected through interviews, survey and document review and thematically analyzed. The study observed that frequent interaction among cooperative worker-owners improves participation and fosters network building among worker-owners and between them, their clients and professionals. This leads to increased self confidence, better business and relational skills, and optimism, which in turn, increases participation in business and societal activities. Interaction with professionals and other workers was observed to connect cooperative members with other individuals and resources outside the cooperative. This leads to growing self, business and community confidence, which, in turn, improves negotiation skills, and yields more civic engagement.

Keywords:

• cooperatives
• group participation
• network building
• social capital

Notes

1. For a detailed discussion of cooperative classification refer to Cropp & Zeuli (2005) and McCulloch & Robinson (2000).