〈企業化・顧客化〉型生協の実態と課題

ある首都圏生協の事例を中心として

抄録

Although consumers' co-operative societies (co-ops) are supposed to be voluntary associations, some previous studies show that they have become business-oriented and that their members have become like clients. This is because consumers' co-operatives have to survive in market competition with commercial companies. This paper examines whether and how it is possible for a co-operative which has adopted a business-oriented policy to revive some characteristics of a voluntary association, such as active membership participation. Based on a case study of the TM Co-op, the paper analyzes the way this co-operative is managed and its membership's opinions. Its findings show that the co-operative has outsourced its delivery services, and that workers of subcontracted companies are working under poor working conditions. The outsourcing of delivery services has made it very difficult for members to communicate with the co-operative's management. The findings also show that the co-operative's business-oriented policy created a lot of strains in workplace relations and promoted the client-like behaviors of its members. Some employees as well as members, however, are critical of the co-operative's business-oriented policy. In order to transform the co-operative from a business-oriented organization into a participatory association, the presence of these critical employees and members is essential. The prospect for the transformation depends on their initiative and the way that they transform the co-operative's nature.