Research

RESEARCH APPROACH

The RG designs, directly undertakes and partners with academic and practitioner partners to carry out rigorous research that helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Policy-oriented focus including conducive environments

Practice-oriented focus including performance

Current interests include

Within these areas, research interests reflect member priorities and fill gaps in existing research.

Business Performance: Adapting to and harnessing technology. What do buyers want from cooperatives? Challenges to member equity. Challenges and opportunities for new equity mechanisms. Ethical business practices and cooperative values.

Enabling Environments: Evidence gathering regarding the benefits of cooperatives & cooperative business model. What costs and benefits arise from serving the “last mile” of electricity and health? Characteristics of successful models.

Greater Support to Cooperatives: Deeper understanding of the penetration of cooperatives. Effective strategies for engagement of youth. Creation of greater agency for women. Donor policies supporting effective programming. Exit strategies that ensure sustainability.

The Research Group Working Hypothesis

Is that cooperative development, when done well is a powerful instrument for measurably enhancing the economic, social and community well-being of cooperative members.

However, the research activities are carried out in an objective manner, following the evidence where it leads. It also seeks to understand nuance and complexity while at the same time seeking generalizable outcomes.

IT GENERALLY HAS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS:

Rigorous design and research methods.

Research implementation in partnerships with member CDOs, other organizations and scholars and experts.

Applicability of results.

Transparency Wide and diverse methods for dissemination of results to diverse constituencies.

Tools and training materials based on research outcomes where appropriate.

Research inquiry and results at the heart of the cooperative development learning community.

THE CURRENT RESEARCH AGENDA

The Research Group is focused on an agenda approved by OCDC’s board of directors, which is updated annually.

Lessons derived from this research will be applied in the design of cooperative development programs by OCDC members, as well as shared widely within the international cooperative development community. Visit our Initiatives page to learn more about our ongoing research!

KEY THEMES IN OUR BROADER RESEARCH AGENDA INCLUDE:

The role of cooperatives in alleviating poverty.

The role of cooperatives in increasing equity and reducing inequality.

The elements necessary for enhancing cooperative capacity and economic sustainability.

The illumination of the comparative advantages of co-ops and conditions necessary for them.

WE ALSO WILL EXPLORE:

Enhancement of roles of women and youth

Role of good governance in keeping cooperatives democratic and economically viable

Impact of cooperative size and complexity on member benefits and cooperative viability

Ways in which raising equity capital keeps cooperatives financially strong

Impact of cooperatives on the broader community in which they are located

CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY

The Research Group works independently, as well as with partners. It works collaboratively with OCDC members on issues of common interest. In addition, it supports individual cooperative development organization (CDO) research through technical assistance and dissemination of results.

The Research Group also works with other organizations to design, co-fund and carry out specific research initiatives. Organizations interested in partnering with the Research Group to carry out research in partnership or to disseminate their own research may contact us at researchgroup@www.ocdc.coop