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Module

Co-operative Enterprise

Module description

Summary:

In this module, students work in groups to develop a co-operative business plan that could be launched on graduation. This could be anything where there is an identified primary social need (e.g. housing) or secondary social need (e.g. leisure). Students are given step by step guidance about how to form a co-operative business. Through the process of developing a co-operative business plan, the students will be required to engage with the aims of the module.

 

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Co-operatives are found throughout the world and the principles enshrined by the International Co-operative Alliance form the basis of the business models developed in this module.

 

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key consideration in the viability of the business plans developed in this module, in line with the seventh principle of co-operation set out by the ICA, which states: ‘Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members’.

 

Employability

The module will be of value to students seeking to work in environments where knowledge of co-operative principles and working practices are important. For example, government posts, NGOs and businesses that transact with co-operatives. You will also develop team work skills and co-operative solutions to common problems like ‘free riders’ and leadership conflict.

 

Full module specification

Module title:Co-operative Enterprise
Module code:BEM3038
Module level:3
Academic year:2023/4
Module lecturers:
  • Dr Adrian Bailey - Convenor
Module credit:15
ECTS value:

7.5

Pre-requisites:

None

Co-requisites:

None

Duration of module: Duration (weeks) - term 2:

11

Module aims

The aims of this module are to:

  • explain the importance of co-operative values and principles to member based businesses
  • explore how co-operatives as a social economic model can contribute to community development
  • provide an in-depth analysis of different types of member owned business
  • equip students with the skills, knowledge and experience to develop a co-operative business plan that aligns with co-operative values and principles

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. articulate the elements that make co-operatives distinctive organisations vis-à-vis, state run enterprises, investor owned businesses and social purpose enterprises (e.g. charities);
  • 2. identify opportunities in which co-operative enterprises might be best placed to meet social needs;
  • 3. design and communicate a co-operative business plan, using oral presentations and written documents, that is congruent with co-operative values and principles;
  • 4. critically evaluate the effectiveness of different co-operative enterprises and their associated legal, financial and organisational forms.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 5. relate, in writing and verbally, how co-operative enterprises can be designed to solve economic, social, cultural and environmental problems;
  • 6. connect the practitioner and academic worlds vital to the success of co-operative enterprise, in the presentation of theory, concept and evidence.

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 7. identify the value of specific skills that support co-operative enquiry. These skills involve individuals developing an awareness about the challenges faced by the co-operating group, effectively evaluating their personal capabilities in relation to those possessed by other group members, and taking on different roles at different times in the collaborative process in the best of interests of the group; for example, with respect to teamwork, leadership, empathy, and inter and intra group collaboration;
  • 8. exercise autonomy through independent learning including the effective use of time and resources to deliver a group presentation and contribute to a business plan;
  • 9. demonstrate appropriate and innovative use of technology.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
241260

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity14Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity8Tutorials
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity2Workshops
Guided Independent Study126Research, reading, reflection. Preparation for lectures, tutorials and assessments.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Class DiscussionsVaries each session1-9Verbal
Class ExercisesVaries each session1-9Verbal

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
454015

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
MCQ test4030 minutes and 20 questions1,4,6,7Automated online feedback
Group presentation1510 minute presentation, followed by Q&A with Dragons1-9Written and verbal
Group business plan45Max 1500 words per student1-9Written
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
MCQ testMCQ test (40%)1,4,6,7August/September Reassessment Period
Group presentationIndividual presentation (5 minute recorded presentation, 15%)1-6,9August/September Reassessment Period
Group business planIndividual essay (2,250 words, 45%)1,2,4,5,6,9August/September Reassessment Period

Re-assessment notes

MCQ Test 40%; Individual Presentation 15%; Individual Essay 45%.

Syllabus plan

  1. Co-operative Social Enterprise
  2. Co-operative Organisational Forms
  3. Co-operative Teams: Theoretical Approaches
  4. Co-operative Legal Frameworks
  5. Co-operative Case Study
  6. Mid-Term Test
  7. Capitalisation
  8. Dragon’s Den Presentations
  9. Marketing Co-operative Impacts
  10. Workshop
  11. Workshop

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Birchall, J. (2011) People-Centred Business: Co-operatives, Mutuals and the Idea of Membership, Basingstoke: Palgrave-Macmillan

Mazzarol, T., Soutar, G. & Mamouni Limnios, E. (2019), ‘Member loyalty and WOM in co-operative and mutual enterprises’, Journal of Services Marketing, 33(3), 303-315. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSM-07-2018-0195

Ridley-Duff, R., & Bull, M. (2015). Understanding social enterprise: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Ridley-Duff, R. J. (2009) ‘Cooperative Social Enterprises: Company Rules, Access to Finance and Management Practice’, Social Enterprise Journal 5(1), 50-67

Scholz, T. (2016). Platform cooperativism. Challenging the corporate sharing economy. New York, NY: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. https://eticasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Scholz_Platform-Cooperativism.pdf

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Co-operatives UK

The Co-operative Movement and Related Institutions

http://www.thenews.coop/

http://www.ica.coop

http://www.plunkett.co.uk/

http://www.coopfinance.coop/

http://www.employeeownership.co.uk/

Origin date

12/03/2012

Last revision date

07/06/2022