@article{Seipel:280003,
      recid = {280003},
      author = {Seipel, Michael F. and Heffeman, William D.},
      title = {Cooperatives in a Changing Global Food System},
      address = {1997-10},
      number = {1502-2018-7775},
      pages = {23},
      year = {1997},
      abstract = {This study examines how U.S. agricultural cooperatives are  responding to current trends toward the globalization of  the agricultural and food sector. Information from three  case studies illustrates the extent to which cooperatives’  organizational structure may limit or enhance their ability  to compete with investor-owned firms (IOFs) on a global  scale. Concentration levels in key agricultural production,  processing, and distribution markets are reviewed. Next,  the report examines new global strategies being employed by  IOFs and their impact on farmer-owned cooperatives. The  international activities of three regional cooperatives are  examined in detail and data are used to highlight  advantages and disadvantages that cooperatives may  experience in global competition with IOFs. Factors  limiting international involvement by cooperatives include  the diverse interests of their members, ties to domestic  resource bases and social groups, the high risk levels and  long-term nature of international investment, and symbolic  barriers, including language barriers and the different  connotations of the term “cooperative” in other nations.  Potential advantages for cooperatives include their  reputation as reliable, high-quality suppliers and ethical  business partners and their ability to meet specialty,  niche demand created within a global food system.  Cooperatives must seek opportunities in the new global  system that their organizational structure makes them  uniquely qualified to fill. They must also seek member  response to questions of international involvement and  encourage a spirit of “permanent innovation” among  cooperative members and staff. Finally, cooperatives must  enhance the potential social, cultural and economic  benefits from international cooperation for their  membership.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/280003},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.280003},
}