COOPERATIVISMO: ESTRATÉGIA COMPETITIVA PARA A POPULAÇÃO DE BAIXA RENDA E PEQUENOS EMPREENDIMENTOS.

This paper describes the formal and informal socio-economic scenario that affects low income earners and small businesses in Brazil by identifying incentives for their legalization and by contextualizing co-operative solutions as a more adequate business strategy to increase productivity in the universe of small firms. Examples of co-operative solution applications at opposite poles, showing strategic flexibility, will be presented. In conclusion, it is observed that co-operative solutions comprise a wide spectrum of economic issues that is capable of catering to multiple levels of market needs, with significant competitive advantages for traditional business organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]