Essays on Governance in Cooperative Enterprises

Cooperative enterprises are value-driven, member-owned, and democratically controlled organizations that operate outside of the traditional profit to capital owners’ model. Governance is often set forth as the most distinctive element of cooperatives. However, cooperatives are confronted with several pressures that challenge the nature of their governance. This doctoral research project will study the dynamics within the board of directors of Belgian cooperatives and focus specifically on the profile of board members and the role of the Chairperson.