Stewartry Care
Turning into an employee-owned business protected the long-term independence of this company. Read about how this worked for them and other co-operative success stories.
About Co-ops
By definition, a co-operative is an independent trading enterprise or business, which is formed to meet common economic and/or social needs, jointly owned by all its members, with a democratically-controlled structure.
Co-operatives can be found in almost any sector: manufacturing, agriculture, housing, retail, consumer and financial services, credit unions, green energy, recycling, as well as tourism, food and drink. That's because a co-operative approach works with any business activity.
Co-ops add real value to business and economic output with many success stories. The main benefit is that each member and the group of owners enjoy more control and independence, and they are bound together by common ethics and goals.
Many social enterprises are formed as co-ops. For information about social enterprises contact the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition.
In this section you can also read about:
Co-operative principles >
The seven guiding principles that direct and shape every co-operative.
History of the co-operative movement >
A brief look at the evolution of co-ops from the first enterprises in New Lanark to today,
Co-operatives internationally >
Facts and figures about co-ops around the world
Co-operatives in Scotland >
Results from intensive research reveals the full extent of co-op growth.