Co-operatives and mutual businesses are amongst the oldest and most enduring in the world. They comprise some of the largest business enterprises, take a wide variety of forms, and operate within many different industries. And yet, co-operatives have a lot in common - including a democratic model of governance and their member-owned structure.

Co-operatives in the Fourth Sector: The Role of Member-Owned Businesses in the Global Economy contributes to the development of a better understanding of a co-operative and mutual business, and how the member -focused nature of the co-operatives is the fundamental driver of their success. Part I of this book contains four chapters that deal with the governance and financing of co-operatives. Part II includes two international cases that explore the significance of delivering member value to ensure co-operatives sustainability.

Part III, then, contains three chapters that examine the potential contribution of co-operatives in developing economies. Drawn from the research of a cross-section of international scholars, this work was a collaborative project between The University of Western Australia and Co-operatives WA. "Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility."--UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Table of Contents:
Part I ? Co-operative Governance and Financing:

Chapter 1 ? The co-operative enterprise business model
Chapter 2 ? `Club' versus `shareholder' dichotomy of co-operatives
Chapter 3 ? The P-network as an interpretation tool for co-ops
Chapter 4 ? Co-operative capital units.

Part II ? Member Value Creation:

Chapter 5 ? Generating member value;
Chapter 6 ? Mobility.

Part III ? Co-operatives in Developing Economies:

Chapter 7 ? Collaborative marketing groups in developing economies
Chapter 8 ? Agricultural co-operatives
Chapter 9 ? Identification of successful animal husbandry co-ops.