Small-scale industrial co-operative in developing countries/ by Peter Abell and Nicholas Mahoney

There is a growing realization in the Third World that impoverished countries cannot rely upon flows of aid from the economically developed world; moreover, that they must forge specific regional concepts of social and economic organization which can address their problems, relying upon their own resources. Social and economic institutions, as much as technology, must be 'appropriate' before they can be effective.

This study explores the role which small scale co-operatives might play in the process of socio-economic development, focusing on industrial producer co-operatives. While the record of such co-operatives has not been impressive, either in developed or less developed countries, it is uncertain whether this unexciting performance is due to a flaw in the nature of the organization or to the socio-economic climate within which the organizations have to operate. The policy of co-operative banks and sponsoring banks, and the nature of national co-operative law are also important elements for the successful

functioning of co-operatives. This volume explores these issues, on the basis of research conducted in detail in India,

Peru, Senegal and Indonesia. Specific case studies were made of co-operatives in the first three countries, and the industrial-producer co-operative movement was also studied at first hand in Ethiopia, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The research base for the volume thus covers countries with very different socio-economic conditions, and political ideologies. It provides important primary data for a serious re-examination of the role of the industrial producer co-operative movement in developing economies.