Institutional maturity and challenges of regional cooperatives: evidence from the credit and agricultural sectors

Abstract

The third sector, through cooperatives, plays a relevant role in regional development by promoting social inclusion and strengthening the economic foundations of the communities in which they operate. In this regard, the main objective of this study was to investigate the practices of cooperatives in the agricultural, credit, and educational sectors as vectors of local and regional development. The methodology was exploratory–descriptive, with a quantitative–qualitative approach, using a questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions administered to cooperatives. A total of 199 questionnaires were distributed, yielding 11 responses, all from the agricultural and credit sectors, with no participation from educational cooperatives, which suggests challenges or a lack of interest, particularly within this segment. Data analysis revealed that the responding cooperatives are well established and aligned with cooperative principles such as ethics, transparency, solidarity, and social responsibility. Notable findings include governance maturity, an emphasis on strategic planning, and continuous capacity building. It is concluded that the findings provide insights into the practices of a specific group of consolidated cooperatives; however, the low response rate (5.5%) limits the generalizability of the results to the broader regional sector.