Co-operative Organization is an association of persons, usually of limited means, who have voluntarily joined together to achieve a common economic end through the formation of a democratically controlled organization, making equitable distributions to the capital required, and accepting a fair share of risk and benefits of the undertaking.
The word ‘co-operation’ stands for the idea of living together and working together. Cooperation is a form of business organization the only system of voluntary organization suitable for poorer people. It is an organization wherein persons voluntarily associate together as human beings on a basis of equality, for the promotion of economic interests of themselves.
Characteristics/Features of Cooperative Organization:
1. Voluntary Association
A cooperative society is a voluntary association of persons and not of capital. Any person can join a cooperative society of his free will and can leave it at any time. When he leaves, he can withdraw his capital from the society. He cannot transfer his share to another person.
The voluntary character of the cooperative association has two implications:
(i) None will be denied the right to become a member and
(ii) The cooperative society will not compete anybody to become a member.
2. Spirit of Cooperation
The spirit of cooperation works under the motto, ‘each for all and all for each.’ This means that every member of a cooperative organization shall work in the general interest of the organization as a whole and not for his self-interest. Under cooperation, service is of supreme importance and self-interest is of secondary importance.
3. Democratic Management
An individual member is considered not as a capitalist but as a human being and under cooperation, economic equality is fully ensured by a general rule—one man one vote. Whether one contributes 50 rupees or 100 rupees as share capital, all enjoy equal rights and equal duties. A person having only one share can even become the president of cooperative society.
4. Capital
Capital of a cooperative society is raised from members through share capital. Cooperatives are formed by relatively poorer sections of society; share capital is usually very limited. Since it is a part of govt. policy to encourage cooperatives, a cooperative society can increase its capital by taking loans from the State and Central Cooperative Banks.
5. Fixed Return on Capital
In a cooperative organization, we do not have the dividend hunting element. In a consumers’ cooperative store, return on capital is fixed and it is usually not more than 12 p.c. per annum. The surplus profits are distributed in the form of bonus but it is directly connected with the amount of purchases by the member in one year.
6. Cash Sale
In a cooperative organization “cash and carry system” is a universal feature. In the absence of adequate capital, grant of credit is not possible. Cash sales also avoided risk of loss due to bad debts and it could also encourage the habit of thrift among the members.
7. Moral Emphasis
A cooperative organization generally originates in the poorer section of population; hence more emphasis is laid on the development of moral character of the individual member. The absence of capital is compensated by honesty, integrity and loyalty. Under cooperation, honesty is regarded as the best security. Thus cooperation prepares a band of honest and selfless workers for the good of humanity.
8. Corporate Status
A cooperative association has to be registered under the separate legislation—Cooperative Societies Act. Every society must have at least 10 members. Registration is desirable. It gives a separate legal status to all cooperative organizations just like a company. It also gives exemptions and privileges under the Act.
Types of Cooperatives Company
1. Cooperative Credit Societies
Cooperative Credit Societies are voluntary associations of people with moderate means formed with the object of extending short-term financial accommodation to them and developing the habit of thrift among them.
Germany is the birth place of credit cooperation. Credit cooperation was born in the middle of the 19th century. Rural credit cooperative societies were started in the villages to solve the problem of agricultural finance.
The village societies were federated into central cooperative banks and central cooperative banks federated into the apex of state cooperative banks. Thus rural cooperative finance has a federal structure like a pyramid. The primary society is the base. The central bank in the middle and the apex bank in the top of the structure. The members of the primary society are villagers.
In the similar manner urban cooperative credit societies were started in India. These urban cooperative banks look after the financial needs of artisans and labour population of the towns. These urban cooperative banks are based on limited liability while the village cooperative societies are based on unlimited liability.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has been established with an Authorised Capital of Rs. 500 crores. It will act as an Apex Agricultural Bank for disbursement of agricultural credit and for implementation of the programme of integrated rural development. It is jointly owned by the Central Govt. and the Reserve Bank of India.
2. Consumers’ Cooperative Societies
28 Rochedale Pioneers in Manchester in UK laid the foundation for the Consumers’ Cooperative Movement in 1844 and paved the way for a peaceful revolution. The Rochedale Pioneers who were mainly weavers, set an example by collective purchasing and distribution of consumer goods at bazar rates and for cash price and by declaration of bonus at the end of the year on the purchase made.
Their example has brought a revolution in the purchase and sale of consumer goods by eliminating profit motive and introducing in its place service motive. In India, consumers’ cooperatives have received impetus from the govt, attempts to check rise in prices of consumer goods.
3. Producers’ Cooperatives
Producers’ Cooperatives, also known as industrial cooperatives, are voluntary associations of small producers formed with the object of eliminating the capitalist class from the system of industrial production. These societies produce goods for meeting the requirements of consumers. Sometimes their production may be sold to outsiders at a profit.
There are two types of producers’ cooperatives. In the first type, producer-members produce individually and not as employees of the society. The society supplies raw materials, chemicals, tools and equipment’s to the members. The members are supposed to sell their individual products to the society.
In the second type of such societies, the member-producers are treated as employees of the society and are paid wages for their work.
4. Housing Cooperatives
Housing cooperatives are formed by persons who are interested in making houses of their own. Such societies are formed mostly in urban areas. Through these societies persons who want to have their own houses secure financial assistance.
5. Cooperative Farming Societies
The cooperative farming societies are basically agricultural cooperatives formed for the purpose of achieving the benefits of large scale farming and maximizing agricultural output. Such societies are encouraged in India to overcome the difficulties of subdivision and fragmentation of holdings in the country.
Advantages of Cooperatives Company
1. Democratic Management
Cooperative organizations follow the principle of democratic control, where members generally have equal voting rights regardless of the amount of capital contributed. This promotes participation, equality, and collective decision-making. Members can elect representatives and influence important organizational policies. Democratic management reduces excessive concentration of power and encourages members to take an active interest in the cooperative’s activities. It also strengthens transparency, accountability, and trust between members and management, making the organization more responsive to the common needs and interests of its members.
2. Easy Formation
A cooperative organization is comparatively easy to establish because its formation generally requires a group of individuals with common economic or social interests. Members contribute capital according to their capacity and register the organization under applicable cooperative laws. Unlike large business organizations, cooperatives can often begin operations with relatively modest resources. Their simple formation encourages small producers, consumers, workers, and farmers to organize themselves and collectively undertake activities that may be difficult for individuals to perform independently.
3. Limited Liability
Members of a cooperative generally enjoy limited liability, meaning their financial responsibility is usually restricted to the amount they have agreed to contribute or invest in the cooperative. This provides members with protection against excessive personal financial risk arising from the organization’s operations. Limited liability makes cooperative membership more attractive and encourages individuals to participate without fearing unlimited losses. It also provides greater financial security to members while allowing the cooperative to undertake business activities for achieving common economic objectives.
4. Mutual Benefit
The primary objective of a cooperative is mutual benefit rather than maximizing profits for a small group of owners. Members join together to satisfy common economic, social, or professional needs. Cooperatives may provide goods at reasonable prices, secure better returns for producers, offer credit facilities, or provide other useful services. Surplus generated from operations may be distributed or utilized according to cooperative principles. This focus on mutual benefit promotes collective welfare, economic cooperation, and member satisfaction.
5. Elimination of Middlemen
Cooperatives can help reduce dependence on unnecessary intermediaries or middlemen by allowing members to collectively purchase inputs, market products, or distribute goods. For producers, collective marketing can improve bargaining power and provide better access to markets. For consumers, cooperative purchasing may reduce distribution costs and provide goods at reasonable prices. By establishing more direct connections between producers, consumers, and markets, cooperatives can improve operational efficiency, price transparency, and members’ economic benefits.
6. Better Bargaining Power
Individual members may have limited bargaining strength when dealing with suppliers, buyers, financial institutions, or other market participants. A cooperative combines the resources and requirements of many members, creating stronger collective bargaining power. Through bulk purchasing, collective selling, or joint negotiations, members may obtain more favorable terms than they could achieve individually. This strengthens their position in the marketplace and can improve access to resources, markets, services, and financial opportunities while reducing disadvantages arising from small-scale operations.
7. Promotion of Savings and Self-Help
Cooperative organizations encourage saving, self-help, and financial discipline among their members. Members contribute capital regularly and participate in activities designed to improve their collective economic position. Credit cooperatives, for example, can mobilize savings and provide loans to members under cooperative principles. Such arrangements encourage responsible financial behavior and reduce dependence on costly external sources of finance. The principle of self-help also develops a sense of financial responsibility, cooperation, independence, and collective economic development among members.
8. Social and Economic Development
Cooperatives contribute to social and economic development by creating employment, supporting local enterprises, improving access to services, and strengthening community participation. They can assist farmers, workers, consumers, small producers, and other groups in improving their economic conditions through collective action. Cooperatives may also promote equality, social responsibility, and community welfare. By combining economic activities with social objectives, they contribute to inclusive development and help members achieve greater economic security and opportunities through organized cooperation.
Disadvantages of Cooperatives Company
Co-operative societies are not able to raise their own resources. Their sources of financing are limited and they depend on government funds. The funding and the amount of funds that would be released by the government are uncertain. Therefore, co-operatives are not able to plan their activities in the right manner.
Co-operative societies have limited membership and are promoted by the weaker sections. The membership fees collected is low. Therefore, the funds available with the co-operatives are limited. The principle of one-man one-vote and limited dividends also reduce the enthusiasm of members. They cannot expand their activities beyond a particular level because of the limited financial resources.
Co-operatives have benefited the rural rich and not the rural poor. The rich people elect themselves to the managing committee and manage the affairs of the co-operatives for their own benefit.
The agricultural produce of the small farmers is just sufficient to fulfill the needs of their family. They do not have any surplus to market. The rich farmers with vast tracts of land, produce in surplus quantities and the services of co-operatives such as processing, grading, correct weighment and fair prices actually benefit them.
In the Western countries, co-operative societies were voluntarily started by the weaker sections. The objective is to improve their economic status and protect themselves from exploitation by businessmen. But in India, the co-operative movement was initiated and established by the government. Wide participation of people is lacking. Therefore, the benefit of the co-operatives has still not reached many poorer sections.
Co-operative societies are managed by the managing committee elected by its members. The members of the managing committee may not have the required qualification, skill or experience. Since it has limited financial resources, its ability to compensate its employees is also limited. Therefore, it cannot employ the best talent.
Co-operative societies give loans only for productive purposes and not for personal or family expenses. Therefore, the rural poor continue to depend on the money lenders for meeting expenses of marriage, medical care, social commitments etc. Co-operatives have not been successful in freeing the rural poor from the clutches of the money lenders.
Co-operative societies are subject to excessive government regulation which affects their autonomy and flexibility. Adhering to various regulations takes up much of the management’s time and effort.
If the members of the managing committee are corrupt, they can swindle the funds of the co-operative society. Many cooperative societies have faced financial troubles and closed down because of corruption and misuse of funds.
Co-operative societies operate with limited financial resources. Therefore, they cannot recruit the best talent, acquire latest technology or adopt modern management practices. They operate in the traditional mold which may not be suitable in the modern business environment and therefore suffer losses.
Maintenance of business secrets is the key for the competitiveness of any business organization. But business secrets cannot be maintained in cooperatives because all members are aware of the activities of the enterprise. Further, reports and accounts have to be submitted to the Registrar of Co-operative Societies. Therefore, information relating to activities, revenues, members etc becomes public knowledge.
Cooperative societies are based on the principles of co-operation and therefore harmony among members is important. But in practice, there might be internal politics, differences of opinions, quarrels etc. among members which may lead to disputes. Such disputes affect the functioning of the co-operative societies.
Co-operative societies cannot be introduced in all industries. Their scope is limited to only certain areas of enterprise. Since the funds available are limited they cannot undertake large scale operations and is not suitable in industries requiring large investments.
Since the management is taken care of by the managing committee, no individual can be made accountable for in efficient performance. There is a tendency to shift responsibility among the members of the managing committee.
Members lack motivation to put in their whole hearted efforts for the success of the enterprise. It is because there is very little link between effort and reward. Co-operative societies distribute their surplus equitably to all members and not based on the efforts of members. Further there are legal restrictions regarding dividend and bonus that can be distributed to members.
Public confidence in the co-operative societies is low. The reason is, in many of the co-operatives there is political interference and domination. The members of the ruling party dictate terms and therefore the purpose for which cooperatives are formed is lost.
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