Digital Transformation and Solidarity in Cooperatives

Abstract

The digital transformation amounts to a fundamental reorganisation of the entire institutional setting. Potentials and dangers include new power asymmetries and a precarious “carving out” of specific functions of “traditional” institutions. Digital tools are particularly relevant for knowledge-based and data-intensive activities, goods and services. Based on an institutional-theoretical framework specifically suited to the comparative discussion of cooperatives, firms and markets, the potential functionality of cooperatives in a digitalised world is found to be promising in specific ways.