2020 Volume 63.64 Issue 2_1 Pages 57-71
In the field of fishery economics research, studies on the formation of cooperatives have increased our knowledge of the effectiveness of cooperatives from an efficiency perspective. However, studies on the diversification of business activities by cooperatives are currently lacking. Moreover, although it has been proposed that forming cooperatives may facilitate the acquisition of management resources by newcomers, this aspect has not been verified by case studies.
We therefore examined the effectiveness of diversifying the business activities of cooperatives. Specifically, this case study examined the diversification activities of a cooperative that implemented new business processes in order to sell the fish that they caught. The studied cooperative included both experienced fishermen and newcomers. We clarified the benefits associated with forming a cooperative, of newcomers belonging to a cooperative, and diversification of business activities by the cooperative. We also clarified the requirements of forming a cooperative while diversifying business activities.
The term ‘cooperative’ is not precisely defined and can take many forms. Thus, by examining the formation of cooperatives as a means of diversifying business activities within the fishing industry and facilitating the establishment and independence of newcomers, it is possible to increase our understanding of the effectiveness of establishing cooperatives in similar fields.
