Resources on cooperatives

  1. Economic and other benefits of the entreprenuers’ cooperative as a specific form of enterprise cluster

    03 January 2011

    This book presents entrepreneurs’ cooperatives - cooperatives formed by groups of entrepreneurs, independently owned businesses, tradesmen, professionals, or by municipalities and other public bodies. It shows that cooperatives have helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in many countries to become and remain competitive. Although this form of business clustering is not wide spread, there are signs that its development and entrepreneurship effects are gradually being considered. This study analyses the set up and the economic, social and employment benefits of entrepreneurs‘ cooperatives as well as the reasons why their use has not spread. It further indicates those features which allow for replication of the model elsewhere and concludes with a number of recommendations.

  2. What role for labour market policies and institutions in development? Enhancing security in developing countries and emerging economies

    17 December 2010

    Employment Working Paper No. 67

  3. Helping micro and small enterprises cope with HIV/AIDS - A handbook for small business associations and service providers

    01 January 2007

    This handbook attempts to respond to the needs and constraints of small and micro enterprises, formal or informal, by providing practical guidance for those who regulate, advise and support them. The objectives of the handbook are to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on micro and small enterprise owners, managers and workers and to offer policy and technical guidance to the individuals and institutions that provide support and services to small businesses.

  4. MATCOM Cooperative management training

    01 November 1986

    The MATCOM Project was launched in 1978 by the International Labour Office, with the financial support of Sweden. In its third phase (1984-1986) MATCOM is financed by Denmark, Finland and Norway. In collaboration with cooperative organizations and training institutes in all regions of the world, MATCOM designs and produces material for the training of managers of cooperatives and assists in the preparation of adapted versions for use in various countries. MATCOM also provides support for improving the methodology of cooperative training and for the training of trainers.