How do the worker cooperatives manage their legitimacy in transition economies?

Details

Supervisors

Frédéric Dufays ; Lejeune, Christophe

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de gestion

Abstract

The thesis presents a comparative analysis between Poland and Romanian worker cooperatives’ legitimacy management practices. It draws on data from 5 semi-structured interviews using exploratory approach which focused on the issues faced by worker cooperatives in post-communist countries after the economic transition. The results show that in both countries, legitimacy of worker cooperatives is not considered an issue and legitimacy management practices are not widely used. Legitimation in cooperatives is pragmatic and based on the exchange of benefits. Cooperative values are not important for the audiences. Moreover it shows that in Romania, where cooperative movement’s development after the economic transition was more regulated, these organisations are doing better and have more perspectives for the future than in Poland. Due to the specific topic of the study and the fact that the number of cooperatives is decreasing in transition economies, the study has some limitations. Nevertheless, it provides a comprehensive image of legitimacy issue of worker cooperatives in transition economies and other challenges they are facing. The topic also gives foundation for further research in this field.