The possible evolution of the co-operative form in a digitized world: An effective contribution to the shared governance of digitization?

Abstract

This conceptual paper considers the cooperative enterprise model in the light of how it can be affected by the digital world and-at the same time-of how it can positively affect both the Internet and its users. The aim of the paper is therefore twofold: (i) to consider the extent and the way in which cooperative principles are going to be affected by the transition of these firms towards ‘digital materiality’ [1]; (ii) to outline the potential implications of a diffusion of cooperative forms to Internet organizations and users. Based on the traits of this enterprise model, an emerging perspective is described whereby the ‘cooperative’ (especially if considered as a ‘service system’) has an interesting potential both as a competent actor in the domain of virtual enterprises and as a possible driver for safeguarding Internet users.