Cooperativismo no Tocantins: Uma análise da prática dos princípios cooperativistas nas cooperativas filiadas à OCB/TO

Abstract

The general objective of this thesis is to analyze the practice of cooperative principles in cooperatives affiliated to OCB/TO in June 2022. Specific objectives were to identify the paths adopted by cooperatives in the management of administrative and operational processes guided by cooperative principles; to investigate the measures adopted by cooperatives in internal management processes guided by cooperative principles; to examine the relations of cooperatives with members, partners, and community guided by cooperative principles; and to compare the administrative criteria of cooperatives with the application of cooperative principles. The research was carried out from the interpretative paradigm. As for the purposes, it is exploratory, descriptive and explanatory. With regard to the means of research, it has a bibliographic, documentary and field character. The methods used were qualitative and quantitative. In the interpretative method, the Content Analysis method was used. The survey was carried out in seven of 34 cooperatives registered with OCB/TO in June 2022. The choice of these cooperatives was due to the accessibility of the leaders and considering that they are located in environments that require the management of administrative and operational processes guided by cooperative principles, both in relations with members and employees, and in partnerships with other cooperatives and the community. Subjects participating in the research were seven leaders and 120 cooperative members, and nonprobabilistic accessibility sampling was used. Data collection was carried out through a semi-structured script, with 23 questions (one closed and 22 open), applied to the leaders of the cooperatives. The interviews were conducted by email, videoconference, and in person. As a complement to the research, a questionnaire was applied to the cooperative members, structuring 22 questions (21 closed and one open), applied through an online form. Emailaddresses and telephone numbersof cooperative members were provided bycooperative leaders. The collections took place between the months of January and June 2022. The analyses of the primary and secondary data were made from the application of qualitative-interpretative methods and content analysis. The main results indicate that leaders know and are well aware of the importance of applying cooperative principles as doctrinal instruments, guiding and guiding the objectives, goals, and actions. However, most cooperatives do not execute the actions guided by the universal principles of cooperativism. Regarding cooperative members, approximately 80% know and follow the actions that cooperatives carry out related to the applications from the first to the fifth principle. On the other hand, 50% said they do not know the partnerships, projects and actions related to the application of the principles of inter-cooperation and concern for the community. This result allows us to conclude that the application of all cooperative principles in a cooperative society are processes of great complexity. Sometimes, the non-application in the form that the International Cooperative Alliance determines, the internal weaknesses of cooperatives are manifested in their performance in the market.