Cooperative organizational identity: the declaration in the perspective of organizational identity theory

Abstract

There are specific organizations such as cooperative societies whose particular characteristics mean they need to be studied closely. This study focuses on determining which characteristics of cooperatives societies can be considered part of their identity based on the organizational identity theory. The unit of analysis is the Statement on Cooperative Identity, and the categories which were applied emerged from the Organizational Identity Theory. The main finding is the concept of a specific organizational identity. Theoretically, this study contributes in elaborating a new construct for cooperative theory. On the practical side, cooperative organizations may have a better understanding of the values they need to maintain in order to be considered cooperatives. Therefore, this model can be used by other specific organizations. In the second phase of the study, a survey was issued to 344 employees, and an interview was conducted with 3 managers of three distinct cooperatives in the southern region of Brazil, so as to investigate their perception of the cooperative identity. Data analysis identified that the responses gathered from managers were well aligned with the responses of the employees.