Univ., Diss.--Erlangen-Nürnberg, 2000.

This diploma thesis inquires into organic box distribution analysis. The main purpose of this thesis is to look more closely at organic box schemes and consumer behaviour related to organic boxes. First part focuses on organic farming and particular types of distribution channels used in organic farming. Second part identifies chosen organic box schemes and their members, such as farmers and co-operatives. These members as well as consumers were interviewed on a specific questionnaire-basis. All gathered data were later evaluated and synthesized. According to those, working hypotheses were assessed. At the end of this thesis, it was established that the supply of organic box schemes (farmers, co-operatives) meets its particular demand (consumers of organic food).

A procura de novos modelos econômicos reacendeu a discussão em torno de conceitos de autogestão, de cooperação, de solidariedade, de inclusão social e digital. No Brasil, os Empreendimentos Econômicos Solidários surgem como uma opção de organização social do trabalho, de renda e um ambiente profícuo para a criação coletiva e compartilhamento do conhecimento. O propósito desta pesquisa é entender a construção e compartilhamento do conhecimento nos Empreendimentos Econômicos Solidários, mediante o conceito de Comunidade de Prática, aqui entendido como um elemento de aprendizagem coletiva dentro da organização social do trabalho. Para tal, adotamos a conceituação de Comunidade de Prática proposta por Wenger (2000), cujas características são: domínio (engajamento mútuo), a própria comunidade (empreendimento comum) e a prática (repertório compartilhado). Considerando que os princípios e os valores do Cooperativismo orientam os Empreendimentos Econômicos Solidários, os quais têm no formato de cooperativa, a sua maior expressão e referência, delineamos o escopo da investigação científica. Apresentamos o estudo de caso da Cooperativa de Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis - a CRUMA Cooperativa Reunidos pelo Meio Ambiente (Poá-SP), para exemplificar a relevância da construção e do compartilhamento do conhecimento de modo solidário nos processos associativos, com vistas a impulsionar um desenvolvimento efetivamente sustentado. / The search of new economical models relighted the discussion around selfmanagement concepts, of cooperation, of solidarity, of social and digital inclusion. In Brazil, the Solidary Economical Enterprises appear as an option of social organization of the work, of income and an useful atmosphere for the collective creation and sharing of the knowledge. The purpose of this research is to understand the construction and sharing of the knowledge in the Solidary Economical Enterprises, by Community\'s of Practice concept, here expert as an element of collective learning inside of the social organization of the work. For such, we adopted Community\'s of Practice concepts proposed by Wenger (2000), whose characteristics are: domain (mutual engagement), the own community (common enterprise) and the practice (shared repertoire). Considering that the beginnings and the values of Co-operatives guide the Solidary Economical Enterprises, which have in the cooperative format, her largest expression and reference, we delineated the mark of the scientific investigation. We presented the study of case of the Cooperative of Recyclable Materials - CRUMA - Cooperative Gathered by the Environment (Poá-SP), to exemplify the relevance of the construction and of the sharing of the knowledge in a solidary way in the associative processes, with views to impel a development indeed sustained.

A caracterização social de cooperativas e organizações similares inspirou estudos científicos e ações sociais no Brasil e no mundo. A abordagem do tema inicia-se, pela economia institucional, com enfoque na concepção de estruturas de governança como nível analítico baseado na Economia de Custos de Transação (ECT). Na agricultura, as experiências cooperativas objetivaram a inserção ou manutenção de agentes econômicos no mercado. Por outro lado, no caso da questão da reforma agrária as ações governamentais tiveram a finalidade de promover a organização da produção. O papel das mobilizações sociais em defesa da reforma agrária é constatado como proponente de formas de inserção alternativas, a exemplo ao modelo de cooperativas do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra (MST). O objetivo deste trabalho é compreender como as relações de poder da mobilização de grupos, como os movimentos sociais, influenciam a configuração de organizações cooperativas. Para atingi-lo toma-se o caso do assentamento Pirituba II, palco de diversas experiências que continham os elementos da mobilização política, da intervenção agrária do governo e de propostas de cooperação por diferentes atores. Os resultados demonstram que a lógica da ação coletiva intencionada pelos assentados corresponde a uma dinâmica familiar. Tomando as intervenções no sentido da indução da cooperação, observaram-se problemas da sua realização diante desta dinâmica. / The social characteristics of co-operatives and similar organisations inspired scientific studies and social actions in Brazil and around the world. The initial approach on the theme by institutional economics focused on the conception of governance structures as an analytical level based on Transaction Costs Economics (TCE). In agriculture, the cooperative experiences aimed at the insertion or the maintenance of the economic agents in the market. However, in the case of agrarian reform the Governmental actions were in order to promote the organisation of the production. The role of social mobilisations in defence of agrarian reform was observed as a proponent of alternative insertion forms. In this study the co-operatives\' model by the Landless Rural Workers\' Movement (MST) is the object of this phenomenon. The objective of this work is to understand how power relations by groups\' mobilisations, as social movements, influence the co-operative organisations\' configuration. To that end, we used the case of the Pirituba II settlement, since it was the scene of several experiences containing the political mobilisation elements, the government\'s agrarian intervention and the motions of co-operation by different actors. The results show that the logic of collective action intended by the settlers corresponds to a family dynamics. In analysing the interventions aiming to induce co-operation, we observed that problems of its execution were due to this dynamics.

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / Social dynamics and sustainability in three community garden projects in the City of Johannesburg M. Lewis MPhil Master’s full thesis, the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), Faculty of Economic and Management Science, University of the Western Cape This Master’s thesis explores the social dynamics of three urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) community projects in the City of Johannesburg (COJ), Gauteng. It explores how these projects originated, are organised and supported, while describing how these factors impact on their sustainability and on the livelihoods of the people who work within them. Sayer’s (1984) combined, extensive and intensive research design was adopted and utilised participant observation methods, key informant interviews, literature reviews, and surveys to gather data. A political economy framework was used to situate this data. The thesis argues that in Johannesburg, UPA has an important role to play as a livelihood strategy for city residents. Urban food production is typically one of many livelihood strategies that the urban poor pursue to survive in the city. Support offered to UPA needs to consider these dynamics and aim to provide the necessary space and assistance to facilitate such varied livelihood activities. I argue that the current co-operative model that is being promoted for UPA community projects is not suitable within this multiple livelihood context and that a reconceptualization of the model should be considered that incorporates an allotment approach. An allotment model, appropriately tailored to each individual context, could enable multiplelivelihood strategies to flourish. The thesis also contends that informal food networks are important food distribution mechanisms within the South African urban context and that local food producers should be supported in their efforts to supply to them. I argue that an allotment model would support informal food networks which could ultimately foster various niche market sectors. Ultimately, I argue for a better conceived support structure for UPA community projects that is less prescriptive, more facilitative, and bases its support and development solely in participatory decision-making and community engagement. Successful and sustainable agricultural projects in urban and peri-urban areas will be key components in ensuring food security in Africa in the future.

Escalating global warming-induced cloudbursts and intense precipitations are already causing an increase of material damages in Sweden. Flooding is therefore one of the main focus pointsin Sweden’s national strategy for climate adaptation. Studies of climate adaptation in the built environment and among private property owners are however lacking in Sweden, compared to the public sector and new construction. Housing co-operatives are a private property owner important to understand since this form of ownership currently are growing exponentially in Sweden, and co-operatives are predicted to not be engaged in flood risk reduction work. While individual homeowners have previously been studied, housing co-operatives have only been studied once in this field, and there are therefore large knowledge gaps. This study consists of a qualitative interview study of seven Swedish Riksbyggen housing co-operatives.This study shows that as information surrounding flooding and adaptation was not communicated to co-operatives, housing co-operatives’ adaptation, as well as their awareness and perceptions of various factors, and perceptions of risk, coping, and incentives, is largely based on risk experience. Moreover, due to this lack of information, the interviewed chairpersons’ perceptions of risk, coping, and incentives are found low. More targeted support and communication related to climate adaptation is identified as needed. Risk perceptionappeared to increase with more local risk information, and especially the social consequences should be highlighted. The perceived coping and incentives for proactive adaptation wouldlikely increase with more awareness of easier and cheaper measures which generates other financial and social benefits.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Development Studies in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Zululand, 2018 / This study analyses the effects of institutional gaps on food security in rural households in the uThungulu District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study found that inadequate access to and low production of food was common in poor households. When compared to other African countries, the South African Government is seen to have established sound policies aimed at eradicating food insecurity in historically disadvantaged communities, inter alia, by reprioritising public spending. However, these policies have not been well implemented, resulting in an increase in the number of food-insecure people in the country, irrespective of food availability. In this study, participants comprised community members aged 20 years and above (n=147), nine key informants and focus groups (n=11). Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were used to obtain data related to the institutional gaps that contributed to food insecurity. Both content and statistical analysis was used to realise the study objectives. The results of the study showed that participants had to contend with numerous challenges in sustaining their community development projects towards achieving food security and received only limited support from various institutions. In general, communities with a poor socio-economic profile are vulnerable to food insecurity because their low status denies them access to credit provision, skills and information. In the uThungulu District, agriculture was widely practised as a strategy to eradicate food insecurity: crop farming particularly, in the form of community and home gardens, was undertaken, but very few participants engaged in livestock farming. The study revealed that the issue of land access and ownership compromised rural production. Rural business people had inadequate knowledge of how to participate and compete in the market. The study’s results also showed that local municipalities’ services were often politically aligned and politicians as heads of institutions made poor, top-down decisions that did not meet the needs of poor people. Local municipalities were mostly dependent on governmental funding which was limited. Furthermore, governmental institutions themselves were faced with challenges, including inadequate staff, capacity and skills to serve communities satisfactorily. The study concluded that while South Africa as a nation was food secure, households – particularly in rural areas – were not yet free from food insecurity. Food in/security is a multi-sectoral issue that needs to be tackled by all institutions and sectors and should not be aligned with the agricultural sector only. It is recommended that the government should improve food security policies, determine methods of financing rural entrepreneurs and small-scale farmers and expand the institutions committed to rural food security programmes. It also needs to provide training in entrepreneurial skills and assist and empower poor people to adopt modern farming practices which include intensifying livestock production. Policies and strategies to alleviate food insecurity need to be analysed and improved as a matter of urgency. Further research should investigate and monitor the implementation of food security interventions in rural areas. / National Institute For the Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarship

This dissertation addresses key questions raised in Human Geography and Economic Geography concerning scale and the production of space, alternative economic geographies and co-operative economic development. It is the product of a five year ethnographic investigation with co-operative enterprises in Western Massachusetts and the broader Connecticut River Valley of Western New England. It explores neglected questions about how subjects are producing co-operative economic identities, enterprises and development strategies amid capitalist cultural dominance; and how structural, financial and governmental aspects of their enterprises participate in cultivating the desire and capacity to expand co-operative space. In line with poststructuralist feminist perspectives within and outside the disciplines of Human and Economic Geography, each chapter challenges ontological presumptions often made about the economy, scale, power and size and offers theoretical contributions based upon empirical research with co-operative enterprises.The three chapters of this dissertation explore the co-production of co-operative space and subjects; the "practices of scale" in the Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives; and co-operative development in a regional context. They challenge the presumptions that space and economy are (and must be) structured by capitalism; power is constituted by hierarchy, size and "scale"; and subjects and subjectivity are insignificant to the project of constructive development. Contrary to structuralist critiques of worker co-operatives based upon size, political conservatism and vulnerability, I argue that worker owned enterprises empower workers despite capitalist cultural dominance and relative size.

A democratic workplace is one where workers as a body have the right to determine the internal organization and future direction of the firm. Worker co-operatives are a type of democratic firm. In a worker co-operative employees are joint-owners of the firm and participate democratically in workplace governance. Much has been written about the supposed benefits of worker co-operatives for workers and for society. One thread of this research, originating with Carole Pateman’s theoretical work (Pateman 1970), argues that worker co-operatives act as sites of political learning for workers. By participating democratically in workplace decisions, individuals are thought to learn the skills and psychological dispositions needed to participate in political democracy. A second thread argues that co-operatives will improve worker well-being. Democratic governance will give workers control over work organization, increasing autonomy in their daily lives, and leading to an increase in non-material work rewards such as job satisfaction. Worker ownership will equalize the material rewards from work and improve job security. These arguments are premised on the idea that democratic governance structures and worker ownership will lead to widespread, effective worker participation in decision-making and the equalization of power at work. However, insufficient attention is given to the contextual factors beyond formal governance and ownership structures that shape the internal dynamics of workplace democracy. I conduct an in-depth, mixed-methods case study of a worker co-operative with 158 employees in the UK cycling retail industry. Using survey research, social network analysis, in-depth interviews and direct observation, I show how individual differences, firm-level contextual factors such as the social composition of the organization, and macro-level factors such as economic and cultural context, lead to unequal participation opportunities and different outcomes for different groups of workers within the firm. My research leads to three conclusions. First, the outcomes of workplace democracy for workers are highly context-dependent. They will differ across groups of workers within co-operatives, across different democratic firms, and across cultures. Second, the relationship between workplace democracy and political participation is more complex than the Pateman thesis suggests. It is contingent on the political identities of workers, which are themselves shaped by wider political economic context. Political identity affects both participation behaviour at work, and how workplace experience shapes political views. Third, the subjective well-being outcomes of workplace democracy depend on workers’ expectations about work. Expectations are shaped by the same forces that mould political identity. Workplace democracy raises expectations for certain groups of workers, leading to well-being harms when expectations are not met. Overall, the benefits of workplace democracy for workers and for society are overstated. In the UK context, co-ops are unlikely to realize the benefits attributed to them without large-scale public policy interventions.

The goal of this thesis is to identify strategies that promote resident empowerment, involvement and cooperation in housing co-operatives that can be applied to mixed-income developments in order to bridge social capital. Numerous American policy makers, housing professionals and planners support the development of mixed-income housing to address the social and economic isolation of low-income, urban citizens living in public housing. Social capital, or social relationships developed from social networks, is an anticipated result of physically integrating individuals of varying income levels in the same housing environment. Despite efforts for integration, numerous studies have found that limited interaction occurs across class in many mixed-income housing developments, which hinders the development of social capital. Some literature points to empowerment, involvement and cooperation as methods of helping bridge social capital in mixed-income housing. Bridging social capital refers to building relationships among people who are demographically dissimilar to one another, such as in age, race or socioeconomic status. In an effort to learn how to bridge social capital through empowerment, involvement and cooperation, the housing co-operative model is analyzed. This research analyses six housing co-operative case studies. The data collected is from websites, published documents, newsletters and other literary sources provided by the co-ops and informal telephone conversations with co-op management staff. The findings indicate that housing management plays a vital role in promoting empowerment, involvement and cooperation. Recommendations include mixed-income housing management encouraging residents to develop and contribute personal skills to accomplish housing goals; housing management soliciting ideas from residents regarding projects or activities that they desire to be involved in; and housing management facilitating group tasks where residents can collectively achieve a goal such as creating a community garden or creating a mural that reflects various cultures or values of residents.