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Circular economy and cooperatives -an exploratory survey

Ziegler, Rafael, Poirier, Cynthia, Lacasse, Marie, Murray, Evan·2023·Sustainability
DOI 10.3390/su15032530
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Abstract

Global sustainability assessments call for a rethinking of prevailing systems of production and consumption. We focus on the circular economy as an alternative system, and the role of cooperatives as transformative actors for sustainability. While cooperatives have been studied in relation to specific circularity strategies, notably recycling, we present the first study on cooperatives in relation to all circularity strategies. We ask how circular economy strategies and business models resonate with cooperatives. The research is based on an exploratory database and survey of 165 cooperatives in the Canadian province of Québec. Our research shows circularity to be anchored in the mutualisation at the heart of the cooperative model, which emphasizes a shared taking of responsibility in response to needs. The survey shows that cooperatives contribute comprehensively to the circular economy, not just to downstream categories of recycling and revalorization but also to upstream categories of rethinking production and consumption, sharing, and durable use. They can contribute to an embedding of circular economy in regional economies and circular societies. To advance this potential, further integration and improvement of circularity strategies and associated socio-technical questions, support with business model development and finance, as well as education and peer exchange are needed.

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Figure 1 Circular Economy and business models of cooperatives. Figure 1. Circular Economy and business models of cooperatives.
Figure 1 Circular Economy and business models of cooperatives. Figure 1. Circular Economy and business models of cooperatives.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 2 Distribution of Responses by Type of Cooperative (n = 48, 2 consumer cooperatives, 22 producer cooperatives, 7 worker cooperatives, 0 shareholding worker cooperatives, 17 solidarity cooperatives). Figure 2. Distribution of Responses by Type of Cooperative (n = 48, 2 consumer cooperatives, 22 producer cooperatives, 7 worker cooperatives, 0 shareholding worker cooperatives, 17 solidarity cooperatives).
Figure 2 Distribution of Responses by Type of Cooperative (n = 48, 2 consumer cooperatives, 22 producer cooperatives, 7 worker cooperatives, 0 shareholding worker cooperatives, 17 solidarity cooperatives). Figure 2. Distribution of Responses by Type of Cooperative (n = 48, 2 consumer cooperatives, 22 producer cooperatives, 7 worker cooperatives, 0 shareholding worker cooperatives, 17 solidarity cooperatives).CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 3 Cooperatives' identification with business models: ( a ) first business model, ( b ) second business model, ( c ) third business model. Figure 3. Cooperatives' identification with business models: ( a ) first business model, ( b ) second business model, ( c ) third business model.
Figure 3 Cooperatives' identification with business models: ( a ) first business model, ( b ) second business model, ( c ) third business model. Figure 3. Cooperatives' identification with business models: ( a ) first business model, ( b ) second business model, ( c ) third business model.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 4 Histogram with years of foundation in 5 -year interval. Figure 4. Histogram with years of foundation in 5-year interval.
Figure 4 Histogram with years of foundation in 5 -year interval. Figure 4. Histogram with years of foundation in 5-year interval.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 5 Cooperatives and employment (number of respondents on the x -axis). Figure 5. Cooperatives and employment (number of respondents on the x -axis).
Figure 5 Cooperatives and employment (number of respondents on the x -axis). Figure 5. Cooperatives and employment (number of respondents on the x -axis).CC-BY · From the PDF

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Research works printed but not linked: 23

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Metadata

Authors
Ziegler, R., Poirier, C., Lacasse, M., & Murray, E.
Affiliations
  • Institut International des Coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada
  • Conseil Québécois de la Coopération et de la Mutualité, Lévis, QC G6V 0P6, Canada
  • Coopérative de Développement Régional du Québec, Amos, QC J9T 1V3, Canada
ORCID
Ziegler, Rafael
Venue
Sustainability
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2023-01-31
Volume
15
Issue
3
Pages
2530
ISSN
2071-1050
DOI
10.3390/su15032530
Cited by
54
References
0
Language
en
Licence
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Funders
HEC Montréal

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