Cooperative Principles and Values - Perceptions and Evaluations

Österreichischer Raiffeisenverband

Österreichischer Genossenschaftsverband - Schulze Delitzsch

Austrian Association of Non-Profit Construction Incorporations

Raiffeisen Central Bank

Raiffeisen Holding Nö Wien

The particular capacity of co-operatives results from – following the tradition of the respective founders such as Raiffeisen, Schulze-Delitsch, Huber, or Desjardins – their strong orientation towards values. Those values oblige the members of the co-operative to act for the benefit of the co-operative within the meaning of generalized reciprocity. Thus, the essential co-operative principles mobilize dedication, commitment, as well as resources that are exclusive to the co-operative. From these values thus derives the ability of co-operatives to mobilize and further develop social capital and consequently explore resources exclusive to the co-operative, which in turn are the essence of the competitiveness of co-operatives and their characteristic as pioneer enterprises. Against this backdrop, the question as to the extent to which Austrians are familiar with the co-operative principles and how they perceive them is directly relevant for the chances of success of newly established co-operatives.