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The article titled "WHEN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS DETRACT VALUE FROM SOCIETY: A REJOINDER" by Gamble and Munoz examines the potential negative impact of some tax-exempt nonprofit organizations (TENPOs) on society. The authors identify 12 factors that contribute to this value detraction, including government policies and choices made by TENPO managers. They argue that the benefits of tax-exempt status and tax-deductible donations do not outweigh the lost tax revenues. However, the analysis has some limitations, such as a lack of clarity in defining TENPOs and a failure to estimate the value provided by TENPOs compared to lost tax revenues. The text also critiques the article for not considering the value provided by TENPOs and the impact of corporate tax avoidance and evasion. It emphasizes the importance of diverse approaches to organizing and governing, and acknowledges the valuable work of TENPOs in areas like education, diversity, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. The article concludes by calling for further research and policy changes related to TENPOs and tax exemption. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: This study aims to examine member attachment in hybrid identity organizations (HIOs), assessing the distinct effects of identification with respect to two elements (normative and utilitarian) of a hybrid's identity. Specifically, the author explored how such dual identifications influence commitment and exit/voice/loyalty. Design/methodology/approach: To distinguish the effects of the two identities, the author used the mechanism of identity congruence – the gap between identity perceptions and expectations – as an analog of identification. The models of identity gap, commitment and exit/voice/loyalty were examined via a survey of agricultural cooperative members. Findings: Both the social and economic forms of identity gap were significantly related to commitment and exit/voice/loyalty. In addition, commitment mediated the relationship between identity gap and exit/voice/loyalty. Research limitations/implications: The results demonstrate the distinctive effects of the dual identities and reinforce the importance of delineating such differences when examining identification in hybrid organizations. Practical implications: Managers should recognize the duality inherent in hybrid organizational identification and understand the potential for different outcomes stemming from the separate identities. Originality/value: This study represents the first quantitative examination of an integrated model of dual identification and commitment in HIOs. It is also unique in exploring the exit/voice/loyalty framework as a consequent of identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperatives have long been recognized as a collaborative effort by a group of individuals to address their social and economic needs. In South Africa, cooperatives have been adopted to address the triple challenge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Drawing on 15 face-to-face interviews with members of agricultural cooperatives in a township in South Africa, this study interrogates the extent to which agricultural cooperative can enhance local economic development and sustain livelihoods. Agricultural cooperatives have been widely supported and promoted as a vehicle for smallholder farmers to directly participate in the mainstream economy of South Africa. The interviews suggest that some cooperatives were found to efficiently sustain livelihoods, and create limited job opportunities in the community. However, challenges like lack of resources, inadequate training, unregulated management, as well as other underlying internal and external shocks are hindering the contribution of the cooperatives to the local economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study constructed a system dynamics (SD) evolutionary game model, from which we analyzed the conditions that need to be met by multi-agents to achieve cooperation in agricultural water conservancy (AWC) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. Simultaneously, this study used numerical simulation to depict the impact of initial participation willingness, reward, punishment, income, and other parameters of local governments, project enterprises, and farmers on the evolution strategy. The results firstly showed that the basic conditions for tripartite cooperation are to strengthen the rewards and punishments for project enterprises and improve the participation benefits of farmers. Secondly, it showed that increasing the rewards for farmers and improving the project dividend benefits can effectively motivate farmers to participate. Thirdly, it showed that enhancing the incentive subsidies and reputation benefits for project enterprise's participation, as well as strengthening the supervision of local government, boosts the motivation of project enterprises significantly. However, it is vital to ensure that the reward amounts are not too high to allow local government to play its guiding role efficiently. Lastly, the results indicated that digital technology can help reduce the participation cost of local government, project enterprises and farmers, and improve the external reputation benefits of each participant, thus forming a win-win situation for all three participants. Analyzing the cooperation strategies of the three parties in AWC PPP projects provides theoretical support and a decision-making basis for the efficient operation of AWC PPP projects under the digital background, and also provides practical policy recommendations for the high-quality development of AWC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Contemporary large-scale and systematic agricultural operations demand the collaborative efforts of multiple agricultural machines with distinct functionalities. However, the failure of a single agricultural machine during collaborative operations jeopardizes the entire undertaking. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a multi-machine collaborative dynamic job allocation method based on the improved ant colony algorithm. Initially, the improved ant colony algorithm is employed to determine the optimal solution for harvester scheduling. This solution is then fed into the data conversion algorithm to acquire the necessary unloading point information for transport vehicle scheduling. Subsequently, the improved ant colony algorithm is once again utilized to optimize the transport vehicle scheduling. In cases of agricultural machinery failure or changes in the operating environment, two distinct methods are employed based on the situation. The first involves double-layer rescheduling of both harvester and transport vehicles, while the second employs single-layer rescheduling exclusively for the transport vehicles, yielding the respective rescheduling results. The outcomes demonstrate that the proposed solution method effectively identifies the current optimal scheduling plan for both the harvester and transport vehicle in the event of malfunctions. Moreover, under the premise that the unproductive waiting time of the harvester is reduced to zero, and the number of transport vehicles is minimized, it achieves the minimization of operating time cost and transportation cost. This method exhibits significant potential for seamless integration into the practical application of unmanned farms, providing a foundation for addressing scheduling and management challenges in multi-agricultural machinery collaborative operations within complex farmland operating environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of rural credit cooperatives is closely linked to regional economic development in China's vast rural areas. This study aims to investigate how rural credit cooperatives in China can enhance their stability and achieve high-quality development using panel data from 87 county rural credit cooperatives in Shaanxi Province from 2008 to 2016. The Cov-AHP is employed to build an evaluation system and the effect of inclusive finance on the risk-taking capacity of rural credit cooperatives is analysed using a fixed effects model. Results demonstrate that inclusive finance can improve the risk-taking capacity of rural credit cooperatives and enhance their stability. This effect is more significant for rural credit cooperatives with a larger share of corporate shares, although property rights reform and the launch of community banks may weaken this effect. This study recommends vigorously promoting the development of inclusive finance, improving the operational mode of rural commercial banks, strengthening the corporate governance system of rural credit cooperatives, and enhancing the level of financial services for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. These implications are important for promoting the further reform of rural credit cooperatives, especially in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are at a turning point towards more sustainable socio-economic systems that will shape the future of the agri-food sector by configuring improved production models. This article contends that research, experimentation, vocational training, and cooperation are essential to carry out the transformations needed. To support this contention, this article assesses the evolution of Sa Granja from its creation in Menorca in 1922 until today and its transformation from a General Agricultural Station to a Rural Lab in line with the "living lab" model. It also explores the reasons that made Sa Granja become a benchmark for innovation and training and its contribution to Menorcan agriculture as well as to the transition to a more sustainable agriculture. Finally, some best practices that can be applied elsewhere are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the impact of agricultural cooperatives on poverty depth of cocoa farmers' poverty levels in Southwestern Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 362 cocoa farmers in the study area. The results of a two-step control function quasi-maximum likelihood revealed that age, household size, farm size, and farming experience positively influenced the poverty depth while cooperative membership negatively influenced the depth of poverty among cocoa farmers. This study concludes that cooperative organizations have the potential to reduce poverty effectively, provided their values and principles are respected. Hence, an advocate for continued policy incentives targeted at encouraging farmers to form as well as participate in agricultural cooperatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of EURE is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of utilizing cooperatives as a technique for promoting local economic development (LED) in the Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality area. This article outlines the concepts of collaboration and progress in agricultural co-operatives in both developed and underdeveloped countries, with a specific focus on the Republic of South Africa. In August 2013, the Republic of South Africa introduced a new co-operatives statute, known as the co-operative's amendment act, no.6 of 2013, which is based on worldwide principles of co-operation. The articles' findings indicate that there are multiple issues that hinder the establishment of co-operatives as a strategy for local economic development (LED). These issues encompass the lack of financial support from the government, limited prospects in the markets, scarcity of specialized knowledge, and failure to establish monitoring and evaluation of cooperative ventures. The papers suggest that these variables hinder efforts to effectively address the widespread issues of poverty, unemployment, and inequality in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Member commitment has an impact on the viability and success of cooperatives. While there are studies on member engagement in European and American cooperatives, empirical research on member commitment in Chinese agricultural cooperatives is rare. Using a sample of 391 farmer cooperative members in China, this study investigates the factors associated with member commitment, particularly whether trust in the cooperative leadership and social pressure at village level affect member commitment. In addition, the study explores the pathway how trust and social pressure affect member commitment by employing structural equation modelling. Our results show that both trust and social pressure are positively associated with the three components of member commitment – affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment – in a direct way. Furthermore, trust in the leadership impacts affective commitment indirectly via the mediation of member participation. These findings can be used by cooperative leaders, policy makers and rural administrators to strengthen member commitment and thereby the economic viability of agricultural cooperatives and the communities in which they are embedded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sub‐Saharan Africa, there are growing calls for policy reforms to revive the farmer cooperative movement. However, questions remain over whether farmer participation in agricultural cooperatives brings the desired innovation for markets and commercialization. This study uses a sample of 206 farmers from northern Uganda to examine what drives farmer participation and commercialization among members of groundnut producer cooperatives. Results from a two‐stage Heckman regression reveal that cooperative functioning in the form of hiring equipment to farmers, value addition, farmer training, and product quality assessment drives farmer participation in cooperative business. The study also shows that equity strategies, notably through subscription fees and farm‐inputs supply negatively impact commercialization among cooperative participant farmers. This study deepens the literature on cooperatives pinpointing the role of cooperative services in farmer participation and how stringent equity strategies reduce farmer commercialization among cooperative participants. We call for policy interventions that prioritize capacity building of producer cooperatives for improved functioning and better provision of services. This approach will enable these cooperatives to be effectively harnessed for market innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has become normative in organization and management studies literature to consider scaling as a synonym for organizational growth. Scaling is typically understood as scaling-up. This article demonstrates that, in the context of post-growth organizations, scaling involves a more complex set of dynamics. Directing scholarly attention to scaling in the context of Italian Social Agricultural Cooperatives (i.e. organizations that hold a different rationale and modus operandi from the capitalist enterprise), this research contributes to the literature on scaling the impact of post-growth organizations by identifying nine different scaling routes: organizational growth (vertical and horizontal); organizational downscaling; impact on policies; multiplication; impact on organizational culture; impact on societal culture; aggregation; and diffusion. This article demonstrates that post-growth scaling: (1) requires the synergistic interaction of different strategies; (2) focuses on impacting societal culture; (3) does not necessarily require organizational growth; and (4) is a relational process, embedded in socio-ecological systems. The typology presented in this article empowers post-growth organizations to become more aware of different available scaling routes, unlocking their transformative potential and supporting the transition towards a post-growth future, in which the goal of economics is the pursuit of human and ecological flourishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change in developing nations has become a severe obstacle to extensive land productivity. Farmer's resilience to climate change impact can be boosted via adaptation measures. Smallholder farmers' expertise, however, can be fragmented and inconsistent, especially in times of climatic stress. It is worth mentioning that social networks play a part in how farmers decide how to adapt. Formal and informal social ties are the categories we use to categorize social networks. Using primary data obtained from banana growers on the island of Ngazidja in the Comoros archipelago, this study need to analyze the variable effects of social ties on farmers' adaptation decisions and further assess the impact of adaptation strategies on land productivity under climate change. According to the findings, less than 32% of banana growers used adaptation measures to lessen the effects of climate change on agricultural practices. Banana producers favored replanting trees, boosting sucker reduction, improving irrigation, and mixing crops. Farmers applied adaptation tactics at a higher rate when they were members of agricultural cooperatives and connected to sellers of agricultural inputs. The connection to local farmers, on the other hand, prevented farmers from taking proactive measures to counteract climate change. We also revealed that banana producers' land production increased dramatically due to adaptation measures. These results illustrate the significance of smallholder farmers' various social connections when formulating a policy package to improve land productivity and increase their responses to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maintenance of a satisfactory quality of life in rural areas is fundamental for sustainable development. One of the ways to improve quality of life indicators is through the gathering of rural workers in solidarity economy organizations as these enterprises aim to integrate development with economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Because solidarity economy organizations have a robust social purpose, their performance must be evaluated based on both social and financial indicators. The objective of this article is to propose a performance evaluation model for rural solidarity economy enterprises, aiming to support decision making in these enterprises based on multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA), particularly the ELECTRE-TRI methodology. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the developed model and to perform sensitivity analyses, the model was applied to a group of eight family agriculture co-operatives in the southwest state of Paraná, Brazil. All the participating co-ops were considered part of the solidarity economy, and they served 2500 rural producer families across at least 15 municipalities. The results showed the applicability and stability of the model, enabling us to identify the dimensions in which each co-op should concentrate their efforts to improve not only their performance but also the outcomes for the farmers that they serve. Based on these results, organizational and improvement activities can be developed and implemented. This analysis contributes to economic and social indicators by offering improvement strategies for the professionalization and strategic management of RSEEs, thus strengthening these enterprises and, consequently, family agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key component in Heath's position is a claim about the "scope" (92) of ethical theory: morality in capitalist markets and firms I differs i from everyday morality. I would also register a second concern, regarding the notion of role morality I in mercatu. i The philosopher's role morality in business ethics is quite minimalist, according to Heath. Heath has been writing about the market failures approach (MFA) to business ethics for two decades (Heath [3]). This is surprising given Heath's idiosyncratic approach to moral justification: in an effort to make philosophical sense of the "counterintuitive moral context" (92) in business ethics, Heath is meticulous about articulating norms in light of empirical social scientific research. [Extracted from the article]

The group of vegetables known collectively as Kyo-yasai is a key part of food culture in Kyoto, once Japan's capital city for over 1000 years. A favorable climate and other cultural influences enabled Kyo-yasai culture to flourish. This study reviews the history, work to preserve, and marketing of Kyo-yasai. It also summarizes the scientific research conducted in the past few decades concerning breeding, functionality, nutrition, and taxonomy to provide an overview of Kyo-yasai today. The first record of heirloom vegetables in Japan was in the third century. After Kyoto became the capital in 794, a variety of vegetables were gradually introduced, and these have been developed and selected as Kyo-yasai for many centuries now. However, F1 vegetable cultivars became the national norm after World War II, and Kyo-yasai faced the risk of extinction. Consequently, farmers, researchers, municipalities, and other groups decided to preserve Kyo-yasai. In 1974, the Kyoto prefectural government began preserving Kyo-yasai seeds. At the time it also defined 37 heirloom vegetables as 'traditional Kyo-yasai.' Additionally, agricultural cooperatives, wholesale markets, restaurants, and municipalities started to promote sales of Kyo-yasai. Furthermore, a breeding program was set up by Kyoto prefectural institutes looking at ways of improving cultivation suitability. Functional and taxonomical research by Kyoto Prefectural University and other organizations has revealed not only that Kyo-yasai has higher functionality overall compared than common F1 cultivars, but also the genomic uniqueness of Kyo-yasai. These efforts collectively improved our understanding of Kyo-yasai and promoted their production. The preservation of these heirloom vegetables has a clear benefit in that it would contribute to the diversity of species and food cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El-Nafiris an informal cooperation form practiced in Sudan to accomplish various daily activities. Despite the important role of El-Nafir,especially in offering labours to farmers, no studies have been conducted to highlight its importance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of El-Nafirin improving agricultural practices in Abu Jubahyah Locality, South Kordofan State, Sudan. Heads of household (HHHs) questionnaires and field observations were used for primary data, where 75 HHHs were selected randomly. Descriptive analysis, T-test, and correlation analysis were performed using SPSS. The results showed that El-Nafirhas contributed to improving agricultural production. The findings indicated that implementation per Feddan (4200 m²) is cost-effective and time-efficient. Implementing agricultural activities per Feddan via El-Nafirwas low cost (18.01 US$) compared to hired labourers (42.89 US$). The study found that lack of financial support, shortage of skilled labours, lack of collective action awareness, war, and insecurity are the factors that influenced the success of El-Nafir's strategy. The study concluded that El-Nafir'sstrategy improved agricultural practices inside and outside the farms, including cultivation, crop harvesting, protection, and cleaning of the harvested crops. The study recommends the adoption of El-Nafirto enhance the agricultural production and marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue d'Économie Régionale & urbaine is the property of Librairie Armand Colin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Equity investment in agricultural cooperatives (co-ops) is typically limited to farmer-members; yet farmers are usually cash-constrained. In addition to the common stock that is held by farmer-members, many co-ops are changing their financial structure by raising equity from external investors. This helps co-ops to collect capital, but also brings to the fore the conflicting benefits of farmers and external investors. In this paper, we develop a two-stage game-theoretic model to examine a start-up co-op's farm-gate pricing and financing strategies, considering two types of external fund: preferred stock that bears a fixed return rate and outside stock that shares the net profit (in proportion to equity) with common stock. We characterize the co-op's strategies in different scenarios and generate the following insights. First, while both types of external equity outperform the case with common stock only, the preferred stock generally outperforms outside stock due to its lower financial cost, higher tolerance for fund size limits, and flexibility in setting farm-gate prices. However, outside stock can outperform preferred stock if it allows a higher fund size limit. Second, the co-op's financial strategy exhibits a similar structure in equilibrium regardless of whether it is preferred stock or outside stock, despite their distinct financial terms. Finally, farm-gate pricing has a unique role in co-ops affecting the returns to farmers and external investors, which also highlights the conflicting roles of farmers as both patrons and investors when external equity is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a cooperative positioning algorithm for agricultural vehicles, which uses the relative distance of the workshop to improve the performance of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), to improve the positioning accuracy and stability. Firstly, the extended Kalman filter (EKF) fuses the vehicle motion state data with GNSS observation data to improve the independent GNSS positioning accuracy. Subsequently, vehicle state and observation models are formulated using Bayesian theory, incorporating GNSS/UWB data with UWB tag network ranging and with GNSS positioning data among agricultural vehicles and Inter-Vehicular Ranges (IVRs). This integration addresses the significant drift issue in GNSS elevation positioning by employing a high-dimensional decoupling algorithm, standardizing the discrete elevation data, and improving the data's continuity and predictability. A particle filter is used to refine the vehicle's position estimation further. Finally, experiments are carried out to verify the robustness of the proposed algorithm under different working conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable mulch (BDMs) films are ecologically safe substitutes for polyethylene mulches (PEMs) in agricultural systems. However, since it is an innovative technology on the market, it is not easy for farmers to adopt it. Understanding farmers' familiarity with BDM and their willingness to adopt it in the future could play a crucial role in the design and implementation of effective agricultural interventions for promoting the adoption of BDM to reduce environmental pollution. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess farmers' familiarity with BDM and their willingness to adopt it in the future. Data were collected fromfruit and vegetable growers located in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, using a simple random sampling approach with the help of a pre-tested paper-based questionnaire. The findings revealed that most of the farmers were not familiar with BDM. Despite the lack of awareness, a considerable portion indicated their willingness to adopt BDM in the future. The farmers' education level, farm size, and membership in agricultural cooperatives significantly influenced their familiarity with BDM. Education level, farming experience, and membership in agricultural cooperatives also showed significant relationships with their willingness to adopt BDM in the future. Moreover, the farmers were not aware of the potential benefits of this new innovation. The study recommends that extension education programs through the active involvement of agricultural cooperatives should be implemented to make farmers aware of the advantages of BDM over PEM. In addition, the government should facilitate the adoption of this promising innovation by enhancing its availability on the market and affordability to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After completing the land reform and achieving the first rural social revolution of "and for the tillers", Mao Zedong actively led the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce. Of these, the socialist transformation of agriculture focused on the great goal of agricultural modernization, achieving a shift from individual agricultural economy to collective agricultural economy and from private ownership to public ownership through the promotion of agricultural cooperatives, mechanization, water conservancy, rural industrialization, and the education of farmers. Mao Zedong's thought on agricultural modernization, a scientific theoretical system, provides us with significant insights, whether in aspects of "top-level design" rooted in institutional foundations, basis of science and technology as the "primary productive force", or emphasis of farmers as the "primary resource". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to identify some general characteristics of the respondents, identify the sources of information from which the respondents obtain their information in the field of agriculture, evaluate the role of the agricultural cooperative society in providing services from the farmers’ point of view, evaluate the role of the extension center in providing services from the farmers’ point of view, and identify the degree of Agricultural associations provide the services they provide to farmers, and evaluate the role of the village bank in providing services from the farmers’ point of view. This research was conducted in the Sharkia Governorate and four villages were selected from four different centers. The total number of farmers in the selected villages was limited to 39,207 farmers, representing the size of Overall, by applying Stephen Thompson’s equation, the size of the selected sample was 210 farmers. The sample was distributed among the selected villages on the basis of the relative weight of the number of farmers in each village in relation to the total number of farmers in the four selected villages. The results indicated that about (22.4%) of the total respondents were in the low exposure category to agricultural information sources (14-27 degrees), and about (41%) of the total respondents were in the medium exposure category (28-41 degrees), and about (36.7%) Of the total respondents in the high exposure category (42-56 degrees), the results also showed that (54.8%) of the respondents believe that the level of the association’s provision of services for agricultural production requirements is low, while (35.2%) see it as average, while (10%) They see it as high, and about (41%) of the respondents see that the level of the community’s provision of extension services is low, while about (39.5%) see it as medium, while about (19.5%) see it as high, and about (61.4%) see it as The level of the association’s provision of marketing services is low, while (27.1%) see it as average, about (11.4%) see it as high, and about (77.6) see the level of the association’s provision of public services as low, while (14.8) see it as average, about (about) 7.6) They think it is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess whether cooperatives are the ideal setting for promoting the work-life balance, a right whose protection has been built in close connection with the promotion of gender equality. To this end, we intend to answer the following questions: (i) What are the main dimensions of the right to work-life balance, and what is the relevance of protecting this right to promote gender equality? (ii) To what extent can the legal regime of cooperatives promote the right to work-life balance and, consequently, gender equality? (iii) What are the main facilitators and obstacles to work-life balance in cooperatives from the perspective of women and men? From a methodological point of view, our study is based on a review of the literature, legislation, and an empirical study. The empirical analysis was based on the results of a questionnaire survey, which yielded 414 valid responses from employees of SEEs, including 62 from cooperatives. The statistical methods followed were descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and post-hoc tests. The findings shed light on the specific challenges faced by employees in cooperatives regarding work-life balance and highlight the importance of open and supportive communication channels within the workplace and flexibility in time management. The results also suggest that cooperatives, according to the perception of employees, are the ones that promote more facilitators and that their organisational culture and climate are favourable to fostering a healthy work-life balance. The observed outcomes can be primarily attributed to the democratic and participatory management inherent in cooperative structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperatives are social economy societies that give priority to the interests of the members and/or the social purpose over capital. This relevance follows the Principles of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). This study focuses mainly on the cooperative principle of democratic and participatory management in the cooperative and the principle of equality. The cooperative principle of equality implies the absence of inequality or discrimination, among other aspects, due to gender. Therefore, regardless of gender, the member of the cooperative is entitled to participate in the cooperative activity and also in the organizational structure by being part of the social bodies that manage and administer the cooperative. One of the main purposes of the current proposal for the reform of the law that promotes the social economy (Draft Comprehensive Law) is to adapt the national text to the new economic and social requirements. Consequently, the regulatory proposal promotes the cooperative principle of equality through the effectiveness of equality between men and women and, in particular, in the management of the cooperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the role of the state in the development of Vietnamese agricultural cooperatives. The results show that state intervention does not ensure the independence, autonomy, private ownership, and operation according to market mechanisms of agricultural cooperatives; causes a conflict between the state's direction and management perspective and the operation of the market mechanism; creates a mentality of dependence, waiting and reliance of the Board of Directors of agricultural cooperatives on the state; creates inequality between economic sectors, and creates a burden on the state budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Opuntia Brava is the property of Universidad de Ciencias Pedagogicas de Las Tunas, Centro de Documentacion e Informacion Pedagogica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research investigates the determinants of financial performance in Primary Cooperative Agriculture Development Banks operating in Punjab, India. By analysing the impact of Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management Efficiency, Earnings, and Liquidity on Return on Assets (ROA), the study aims to offer insights into enhancing financial health and regional economic growth. Using a panel regression model, financial data from multiple periods and banks are analysed. Key findings indicate that maintaining adequate capital positively influences ROA, while prudent lending practices are crucial for asset quality maintenance. Efficient management enhances ROA, and higher earnings and effective asset use contribute to profitability. While liquidity management's impact is limited, its role in meeting short-term obligations remains significant. This study provides actionable insights for banks and policymakers, emphasising capital reserves, prudent lending, operational efficiency, and asset utilisation. Effective liquidity management remains important. This research contributes uniquely to understanding financial determinants in cooperative banks, guiding decision-making, policy formulation, and promoting agricultural development and economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement of farmer professional cooperatives in China, the prevalence of the "empty shell" phenomenon has posed a significant challenge to the health and sustainability of these cooperatives. Utilizing data from 1570 such cooperatives in Guizhou Province, China, this study uses the multi-time differential model and the spatial Durbin model to study the impact of demonstration cooperatives on the "empty shell" of cooperatives and the spatial spillover effect of demonstration cooperatives. The study results show the following: (1) Agricultural professional cooperatives are rated as national or provincial demonstration cooperatives, which are conducive to their development, and the policy evaluation of demonstration cooperatives can effectively inhibit the "empty shell" phenomenon of cooperatives. (2) National and provincial demonstration cooperatives can effectively inhibit the "empty shell" of cooperatives in the region. (3) When there are provincial demonstration cooperatives in the surrounding areas, there will be a spatial spillover effect and the empty shell of regional cooperatives will be inhibited. However, to restrain the "empty shell" of cooperatives, it is essential to capitalize on the spatial policy influence of "demonstration cooperatives" while being vigilant against potential spatial siphoning effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization has brought ease in managing the operations of organizations in the world. However, education and digital literacy become hurdles for involving marginalized people. The participation of women is crucial for the overall development of humankind. "Gender equality and women's empowerment are essential for achieving sustainable development and creating a more just and equitable world"[1]. Indeed, greater women's participation can significantly boost qualitative and quantitative output in all fields. Promoting women's participation in rural areas can significantly impact agricultural economies, including increasing food production and dairy output. However, the participation of women in decision-making, particularly in rural areas, is often limited. This paper focuses on Identifying and analyzing the factors that prevent women from playing a more significant role in rural economies, which is an essential step towards promoting women's economic empowerment and achieving more equitable and sustainable development outcomes in the digital era. The study's finding suggests that education levels, lack of adequate training, and household work are key factors that limit the participation of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the variables covered in this study - the Accounting Information System and environmental uncertainty among agri-related cooperatives- and provide personal knowledge and a framework for the contingency theory. The research advocates that most entities need to modernize their business operations due to the emergence of technological advances to support organizational change and decisionmaking. The study's findings aim to benefit agri-related cooperatives, such as the Board of Directors, the Management, the Entrepreneurs, and future researchers seeking insights. The study focused on agrirelated cooperatives in Davao del Norte, targeting accountants or bookkeepers. The selection of respondents was made in a complete enumeration involving seventy-four (74) respondents for the survey as per the data provided by the Cooperative Development Authority. The methodology aims for more reliable insights into the Accounting Information System and environmental uncertainty representing the agri-related cooperative sector. The findings indicate that adequately using a reliable Accounting Information System helps businesses deal with uncertainties. However, the greater the likelihood of environmental uncertainty, the greater the possibility that the Accounting Information System is unlikely to capture operational issues useful for decision-making. Thus, this study concludes that the Agri-related cooperatives in Davao del Norte are highly uncertain, and the usage of the Accounting Information system did not significantly affect the decision- making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agricultural Outlook (1673-3908) is the property of Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examines the impact of farmers' professional cooperatives (FPCs) on agricultural technical efficiency (TE), using panel data from 30 provinces of China from 2015 to 2020 and the stochastic frontier function (SFF) method. The number of members of each cooperative, the proportion of demonstration cooperatives, and the proportion of standard cooperatives are introduced as proxy variables for the development level of FPCs. The results show that although the development of FPCs is imperfect, its development has a significant positive impact on improving China's agricultural TE. Through the continuous increase in the number of cooperative members and the vigorous promotion of standardized production, agricultural TE has been significantly improved. However, the construction of model cooperatives has not played a positive role but inhibited the growth of agricultural TE. It is suggested to expand the cooperative membership and promote standardized production. The government and policymakers should focus on improving the standardization level of cooperatives and the development quality of FPCs from the aspects of innovating cooperation models, standardizing internal governance, and giving full play to the synergistic effect of agricultural science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to develop and validate a measurement scale for investigating the principle of intercooperation, in order to provide researchers in the field of cooperativism with a valid and reliable measure. To this end, four main steps were followed: conceptual mastery, theoretical validation, semantic validation, and statistical validation. First, a preliminary scale was developed based on a literature review and interviews with 20 representatives of cooperatives and representative organizations. Later, the evaluation was carried out by eight academic judges and analyzed using the Content Validity Coefficient. A pre‐test was then carried out with subjects from the population, and subsequently the scale was applied to a sample of 213 cooperatives. Finally, factor analysis was performed with the aim of evaluating convergent and factorial validity as well as individual and construct reliability. Thus, it is proposed that the principle of intercooperation be measured by two different scales. The first, called "Horizontal Intercooperation", presented a Composite Reliability equal to 0.81 and Average Variance Extracted equal to 0.68. The second, called "Vertical Intercooperation", presented a Composite Reliability equal to 0.96 and Average Variance Extracted equal to 0.69. After the analyses, the proposed intercooperation scales showed signs of validity and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic & Regional Studies/Studia Ekonomiczne i Regionalne is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this article is to describe characteristics of the cooperative sector and highlight the contributions of agricultural cooperatives in promoting sustainable and resilient food systems in Brazil, Guinea‐Bissau, Portugal, and São Tomé and Principe. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with representatives of national organizations linked to cooperativism and leaders of agricultural cooperatives in the four countries. We found great discrepancies between the institutional and regulatory environments of cooperativism in Brazil and Portugal, which have institutionalized national systems of representation, regulation, and support for the sector, and São Tomé and Principe and Guinea‐Bissau, whose environments are fragile and insecure for cooperatives. However, despite the challenges, the cases of cooperatives analyzed show how these organizations are fundamental to their members and their communities, offering technologies, social and cultural support, and technical services to their members and undertaking actions and projects to make agriculture more sustainable and productive. We conclude that the cooperative sector and cooperatives, especially those formed and run by family farmers, have taken on the role of sustainable development agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the school-local cooperation of the agricultural major of Yichun University to service rural revitalization as the starting point, with the cultivation of innovation and entrepreneurship ability of undergraduate students in agriculture major as the research object, the measures were taken such as clarifying the purpose of innovation and entrepreneurship education in agriculture major, improving the curriculum system, strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ability construction of professional teaching staff, strengthening the operation mechanism construction of practical bases, and optimizing assessment indicators of practice innovation and entrepreneurship ability in agriculture major, to improve the innovation and entrepreneurship abilities of undergraduate students in agriculture major and formulate the cultivation model of agricultural undergraduates, so as to provide references for the reform of talent cultivation mode for undergraduate students in agriculture major. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that many of the worker-recuperated enterprises were in bankruptcy procedures, the worker-recuperated co-operatives were in a legal gray zone and thus relied on the courts' discretion or political support to continue operating. Book Review: Co-operative Struggles: Work Conflicts in Argentina's New Worker Co-operatives, by Denise Kasparian Co-operative Struggles: Work Conflicts in Argentina's New Worker Co-operatives. [Extracted from the article]

Crop insurance, as a crucial tool for agricultural risk management, holds significant importance in increasing farmers' income. This study analyzed the intrinsic relationship and mechanism between crop insurance, factor allocation, and pear farmers' income. Using field survey data from 1,337 pear farmers in Xixian and Weixian counties in China, we employed OLS regression models and mediation effect models to empirically investigate the direct and indirect impacts of crop insurance on pear farmers' income. Additionally, we examined the moderating role of agricultural cooperatives and group heterogeneity. The research findings revealed the following: (1) Although crop insurance increases agricultural expenses, it mitigates income losses due to disasters, ultimately leading to a net increase in pear farmers' income. (2) Crop insurance enhances agricultural labor and machinery inputs, and encourages pear farmers to adopt green production techniques, thereby boosting their income. (3) The beneficial impact of crop insurance on pear farmers' income is even more pronounced when farmers are members of cooperatives. (4) Heterogeneity analysis showed that for pear farmers who make individual decisions and have smaller land areas, crop insurance can increase their income, while its impact on farmers who make group decisions or have larger land areas is not significant. In conclusion, this study proposes to promote the development of crop insurance, deepen factor market-oriented reforms, support and guide the development of cooperatives, and pay attention to the heterogeneity among different groups of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limited engagement of farmers and their community agents in the process of variety development and evaluation is one of the main factors for lower rates of variety adoption, which resulted in lower crop productivity. Participatory bread wheat variety evaluation was jointly conducted by breeders, members of seed producer cooperative (SPC) and local experts with the objectives to identify farmers' selection criteria, to assess farmers' preferred varieties and to increase the SPC's variety portfolios. Twelve released bread wheat varieties were evaluated during 2019 cropping season at Sekela district of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Pair-wise ranking was used to identify farmers' selection criteria and direct matrix ranking to prioritize those selected criteria. Varieties were planted in two sets with and without lime application. Grain yield, followed by earliness, disease tolerance, and tillering capacity, was identified the first preferred criterion by farmers. The mean values showed that higher yield was recorded with the lime application compared to no lime application. Lemu (6.4 t/ha), Alidoro (6.3 t/ha), Dambal (6.3 t/ha), Obora (6.1 t/ha) and Liben (6.1 t/ha) had greater yield with lime application. The t-test results indicated that significant difference between with and without liming for the number of tillers per plant, spike length per plant, plant height, 1000 seed weight, and hectoliter weight, but non-significant difference for grain yield. The selected varieties should be included in the production plan of the cooperatives for large scale production to increase the variety portfolios and to address the demand of the farming community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Estudios Cooperativos is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Estudios Cooperativos is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Estudios Cooperativos is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Climate change significantly impacts the livelihoods of farmer households. Particularly vulnerable areas, both economically and environmentally, face significant threats from climate change. This study developed a framework to assess household-level vulnerability to climate change by integrating the Exposure-Sensitivity-Resilience Analysis (ESRA) and Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis (SLA) frameworks. Using Gui-Zhou Province as the study area, the study examined whether livelihood vulnerability differs among various types of farmer households in economically and environmentally vulnerable areas and identified the main factors contributing to vulnerability. Results indicate significant differences in livelihood vulnerability among the three household types, with pure agricultural households (PAH) being the most vulnerable due to high exposure, sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity. Further analysis revealed minor differences in sensitivity but significant differences in adaptive capacity among the three farmer categories. In terms of sensitivity, all three farmer household categories exhibit high sensitivity to water, housing, and agricultural production. Regarding adaptive capacity, significant differences in human and financial capital exist among the three household types, with off-farm households (OFH) possessing the highest adaptive capacity due to their substantial human and financial capital. Further research identified high exposure and low adaptive capacity as the primary causes of livelihood vulnerability, noting no significant difference in the main contributing factors among the three types of farmer households. Common factors contributing to the livelihood vulnerability of farmer households include agricultural cooperatives, labor capacity, temperature changes, drought frequency changes, precipitation changes, agricultural insurance, and losses in agricultural production. Overall, the proposed livelihood vulnerability framework offers guidance for analyzing the vulnerability of farmer households in areas with both economic and environmental vulnerabilities under climate change. Concurrently, tailored measures to reduce farmer households' livelihood vulnerability should be developed for different household types, considering the local climatic, geographic, and socioeconomic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of global environmental challenges and sustainable development goals, this paper pioneers the application of social network analysis to the study of spatial associations in China's agricultural green development. It not only enhances the understanding of the spatial interconnectivity and network structural characteristics of agricultural green developments, but also captures the complex dependencies and interactions among provinces through a network lens, offering a fresh perspective on regional agricultural cooperation and competition. The study reveals: (1) The spatial network of China's agricultural green development displays strong overall connectivity and enhanced stability, with regional green development trends becoming increasingly interlinked and interdependent. (2) The network exhibits a clear hierarchical and core-periphery structure which, over time, shows signs of diminishing, indicating a narrowing of developmental disparities among regions. (3) Significant shifts in the roles and positions of provinces within the network occur due to the relocation of industrial focal points and adjustments in development strategies, highlighting the complexity of dynamic changes among regions. (4) The spatial association network can be divided into four main clusters: Net spillover block, Bidirectional spillover block, Net beneficial block, and Broker block, with significant gradient characteristics in the relationships between these clusters, suggesting directional and differential flows and exchanges of resources and information among regions. (5) Geographic proximity, economic development level, informatization, and agricultural technological advancement significantly influenced the development and structural evolution of the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on farm productivity and food security, climate-smart agricultural practices (CAPs) have become increasingly crucial in smallholder farming systems. However, the adoption rate of CAPs remains quite low. This study explores whether agricultural cooperatives can serve as an assistor in promoting farmers' adoption of CAPs. Unlike previous studies that account for one or two practices, we consider CAP adoption intensity by capturing the number of CAPs adopted. We employ an endogenous treatment Poisson regression model to address the selection bias issue and estimate data collected from banana-producing farmers in China. The results show that cooperative membership significantly increases the adoption of CAPs. Specifically, the incidence rate ratio estimates reveal that cooperative membership incites banana farmers to adopt 1.205 times more CAPs, and the treatment effect estimation further verifies the positive impact. Among the ten CAPs considered, cooperative membership particularly increases farmers' adoption of banana diversification, crop residual turnover, and soil testing. Our findings highlight the importance of encouraging farmers to join agricultural cooperatives in promoting adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]