Agri-food cooperatives in Europe. Dimension, governance and BCG analysis of cooperative societies TOP25 of the EU-28 and TOP10 in Spain

Abstract

This work aims to analyze the situation of agri-food cooperatives in Europe, to identify the common strategies that have appeared in European scenarios and to analyze the dynamics towards the future in this 21st century. A fundamental pillar of this work is, on the one hand, to analyze the dimension and the models of European agri-food cooperatives, on the other, the dynamism and business position, carrying out an analysis according to the portfolio matrix of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and finalizing with the study and analysis of the forms or models of internal government. The new forms of internal governance appeared within an integrating context seeking greater efficiency and effectiveness, and for this, with a tendency toward organizational improvement and greater structural dimension and international trade, are compatible with these legal forms of cooperative enterprises. As well as that they are the integrated performances of these, with other legal forms of mercantile aspect, sometimes called hybrid models, but that they plead for the utility and advantages of the assumption and application of cooperative principles and values. The agri-food cooperative, as enterprise, has shown in its evolution over time, to be a model capable of adapting to changes and global dynamics of the economy and society, integrating in its cooperative activity specific elements of good practices for obtaining good results: social and economic, with the commitment of environmental respect and conservation.