The "concept of the co-operative identity" (consisting from the definition, aims and functions of cooperatives and the so-termed co-operative principles) serves as a general theoretical background for the economic analysis of agricultural co-operation. The development of Dutch dairy co-operatives is used as a case study example, which suitably illustrates and represents the processes taking pla...

* Dr Linda Shaw is Head of Research and Project Development at the Co-operative College. She has worked in higher and adult education as a researcher and a lecturer at the University of Manchester and the Open University and also within the NGO sector internationally. She has written on gender and labour issues, codes of conduct and most recently on Fair Trade and co-operatives for both academi...