Smart Iberica: Image of Business Development Co-operatives

Abstract

This research determined the profile of SMart Ibérica (SMartib), an entrepreneurial co-operative (CIE) in Spain. From the co-operative's website, public information was collected from 271 members on several variables such as occupation, gender and location. A descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out, and the relationship of the variables studied with the GDP of the municipality of residence was tested. It was found that SMartib focuses on performing, plastic and audiovisual arts activities, and is most represented in three regions: Andalusia (43%), Catalonia (24%) and Madrid (17%). There is no analogy between SMartib's three locations and the local approach of national social co-operatives. If the members live in a capital city, this does not mean that fewer cultural activities are developed. Members are natural persons (91.88%), with a predominance of men (51.29%) as opposed to women (40.59%). Being male makes it less likely that their professional occupation is linked to education and sport. The corporate occupation shows a gender difference. Women are engaged in cultural management, training/translation and crafts, while men are engaged in audiovisual production.