Co-operative Enterprise
| Module title | Co-operative Enterprise |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEM3038 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Andreas Georgiou (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 150 |
|---|
Module description
Summary:
In this module, you will work in groups to develop a co-operative business plan that could be launched on graduation. The plan must address 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, you 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 those 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 teamwork skills and co-operative solutions to common problems like ‘free riders’ and leadership conflict.
Module aims - intentions of the module
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 overview 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
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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 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 organizational forms.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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
- 8. exercise autonomy through independent learning including the effective use of time and resources to deliver a group presentation and contribute to the design of a business plan;
- 9. demonstrate appropriate and innovative use of technology.
Syllabus plan
- Co-operative Social Enterprise
- Co-operative Organisational Forms
- Co-operative Formation
- Co-operative Legal Frameworks
- Co-operative Governance
- Co-operative Capitalisation
- Co-operative Marketing
- Presentation Workshop
- Dragon’s Den Presentations
- Individual Assessment Workshop
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 126 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 14 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 10 | Tutorials, Workshops, Presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | 126 | Research, reading, reflection. Preparation for lectures, tutorials and assessments. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Discussions | Varies each session | 1-9 | Verbal |
| Class Exercises | Varies each session | 1-9 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentation | 30 | 10-minute presentation, followed by Q&A with Dragons | 1-9 | Written and verbal |
| Individual assignment | 70 | 2000 words | 1-7 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentation | Individual presentation (5 minute recorded presentation) | 1-6, 9 | Referral/Deferral Period |
| Individual assignment | Individual Assignment (2000 words) | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%
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
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web-based and electronic resources:
Co-operatives UK
- https://www.uk.coop/
- https://www.uk.coop/resources/simply-finance - a comprehensive guide to the different options for financing a community enterprise.
- https://www.uk.coop/resources/simply-governance-guide - A comprehensive guide to understanding the systems and processes concerned with the running of a sustainable community enterprise
- https://www.uk.coop/resources/simply-start - A guide for anyone involved in the creation of an enterprise that will be owned by, run by, and supported by the community in which it operates
- https://www.uk.coop/resources/simply-legal - A comprehensive guide to the legal forms and organisational types for community enterprises
- https://www.uk.coop/the-hive/
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/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 12/03/2012 |
| Last revision date | 01/02/2024 |
