Agricultural cooperatives
Agricultural cooperatives are a widespread phenomenon throughout the world. One key goal of the course is to explain and exemplify the cooperative organization and its role in agricultural markets. Of great importance is how these organizations are governed and challenges that are facing them. Also, comparisons are made, between agricultural cooperatives from different parts of the world, aiming at students getting an understanding of the role and farmer-benefits of cooperatives.
You will read several recent journal articles focusing agricultural cooperatives worldwide, and also be introduced to theories that can be used to analyze agricultural cooperatives. In addition, study visits and guest lectures will increase your understanding of these organizations. Also, a course-essay is an important part of the course, giving a possibility for students to ‘dig deeper into’ a topic related to agricultural cooperatives.
Course evaluation
Additional course evaluations for FÖ0442
Academic year 2024/2025
Agricultural cooperatives (FÖ0442-30219)
2025-01-20 - 2025-03-24
Academic year 2023/2024
Agricultural cooperatives (FÖ0442-30323)
2024-01-15 - 2024-03-19
Academic year 2022/2023
Agricultural cooperatives (FÖ0442-40088)
2023-03-22 - 2023-06-04
Academic year 2021/2022
Agricultural cooperatives (FÖ0442-40105)
2022-03-24 - 2022-06-05
Academic year 2020/2021
Agricultural cooperatives (FÖ0442-40087)
2021-03-24 - 2021-06-06
Academic year 2019/2020
Agricultural cooperatives (FÖ0442-40072)
2020-03-25 - 2020-06-07
Academic year 2018/2019
Agricultural cooperatives (FÖ0442-40116)
2019-03-26 - 2019-06-09
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
FÖ0442 Agricultural cooperatives, 7.5 Credits
Lantbrukskooperativa företagSubjects
Business AdministrationEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 180 hp at university level, of which at least 90 hp in business studies. English 6.Objectives
The aim of the course is to convey theoretical knowledge about agricultural cooperatives – why they are formed, what their main characteristics are, the governance system of different sizes and types of cooperatives, and which problems may arise when running the cooperative.
After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Have the theoretical background and skills to account for the reasons to form agricultural cooperatives.
Have the theoretical background and skills to account for the main characteristics of agricultural cooperatives, including the governance systems.
Have the theoretical background and skills to account for problems that may arise when running an agricultural cooperative.
Problematize the differences between agricultural cooperatives and other types of organizations and firms, based on theories treated in the course.
Content
The course is based on lectures and literature seminars, based on academic journal articles, a course project, a mandatory study visit, mandatory guest lectures and written exam.
The course covers relevant theories, which may contribute to the understanding of the agricultural cooperative, focusing organizational structure, governance structure, leadership, and agency relationships. The course includes concrete examples of various agricultural cooperatives in Sweden and abroad.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed exam.
Passed project work.
Participation in mandatory activities.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Economics
Further information
Litterature list
Literature list, FÖ0442 Agricultural Cooperatives
Spring semester 2025
Beber, Caetano Luiz; Ludwig Theuvsen & Verena Otter. 2018. “Organizational structures and the evolution of dairy cooperatives in Southern Brazil: A life cycle analysis”. *Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management*, 6: 64-77.
Benos, Theo, Nikos Kalogeras, Martin Wetzels, Ko de Ruyter; Joost ME Pennings. 2018. “Harnessing a ‘currency matrix’ for performance measurement in cooperatives: A multi-phased study”. Sustainability, 10.
Bijman, Jos. 2018. “Exploring the sustainability of the cooperative model in dairy: The case of Netherlands”. Sustainability, 10.
Chaddad, Fabio R & Michael L Cook. 2004. “Understanding new cooperative models: An ownership-control rights typology”, Review of Agricultural Economics, 26(3): 348-360.
Chaddad, Fabio & Constantine Iliopoulos. 2012. “Control rights, governance, and the costs of ownership in agricultural cooperatives”, Agribusiness, 29(1): 3-22.
Cobia, David & Bruce Andersson (eds). 2004. Cooperatives: An Economic and Management Perspective. (Unpublished) Chapters 1, 2, 12, 13, 14.[1]
Donker, Ebenezer & Jiri Hejkrlik. 2021. “Does commitment to cooperatives affect the economic benefits of small-holder farmers? Evidence from rice cooperatives in the Western province of Zambia”. Agrekon, 60(4): 408-423
Eisenhardt, Kathleen. 1989. “Agency theory: An assessment and review”, The* Academy of Management Review*, 14(1): 57-74.
Grashuis, Jasper & Michael Cook. 2018.”An examination of new generation cooperatives in the upper Midwest: Successes, failures, and limitations”, Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 89(4): 623-644.
Grashuis, Jasper & Ye Su. 2019. “A review of the empirical literature on farmer cooperatives: Performance, ownership, and member attitude”. Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 90(1): 77-102.
Hakelius, Karin; Kostas Karantininis & Li Feng. 2013. “The resilience of the cooperative form: Cooperative beehiving by Swedish cooperatives”. Chapter in Ehrmann, Windsperger, Cliquet & Hendrikse (eds): Governance of Alliances, Cooperatives and Franchise Chains. Berlin: Springer Verlag: 127-147.
Iliopoulos, Constantine & Vladislav Valentinov. 2022. “Cooperative governance under increasing member diversity: Towards a new theoretical framework”. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 38.
Morfi, Chrysoula; Jerker Nilsson & Hanna Österberg. 2018. “Why farers involve themselves in co-operative district councils”. Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 89(4): 581-598.
Mugwagwa, Innocent; Jos Bijman & Jacques Trienekens. 2020. “Typology of contract farming arrangements: A transaction cost perspective”. Agrekon, 59(2): 169-187.
Nilsson, Jerker. 2018. “Governance costs and the problems of large traditional co-operatives”. Outlook on Agriculture, 47(2): 87-92.
Nilsson, Jerker. 2023. “Social capital and governance of agricultural cooperatives”. Chapter in Handbook of Research on Cooperatives and Mutuals, Elliott & Boland (eds). Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing: 116-134.
Rixon, Daphne & Fiona Duguid. 2022. “Co-operative leaders need to lead the way on global and local SDG adoption”. [Version 1, not peer reviewed]. Emerald Open Res, 4(11).
Williamson, Oliver. 2008. “Outsourcing: Transaction cost economics and supply chain management”, Journal of Supply Chain Management, 44(2): 5-16.
Zhong, Zhen; Chen Zhang; Fu Jia & Jos Bijman. 2018. “Vertical coordination and cooperative member benefits: Case studies of four dairy farmers’ cooperatives in China”. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172: 2266-2277.
[[1]](<#_ftnref1>) This is chapters from an unpublished book, hence it is not possible (as far as I know) to find them on the Web.