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Abstract
This paper develops a model of heterogeneous individuals to analyze the interacting horizon and
free-rider problems faced by cooperative organizations. Analytical results identify the conditions
under which a cooperative will form despite these property rights problems and show that
(i) differences in members’ time horizons need not necessarily lead to short-term cooperative
investments and (ii) free riding is not always a problem for cooperatives. The analysis also
shows how a cooperative can use a membership fee to address these property rights problems
and provides additional insights into the relationship between a cooperative’s cost structure and
membership fees.