Resource Library

The Democracy at Work Institute is building a comprehensive Resource Library that will include a wide range of materials, including academic papers, start-up toolkits, curriculum samples, actual documents from existing worker cooperatives, and more. The topic list below provides a map of the resources that will be available. We are also continuing to publish additional resources on a daily basis.

You can search by topic, resource type or keyword below; you can also used our Advanced Search for more extensive search options.

Search results will include matches for any of the topics or resource types you select here.

Select any filter and click on Apply to see results

Recently Added Resources

Resilience of the Cooperative Business Model in Times of Crisis

Author(s): 
Johnston Birchall and Lou Hammond Ketilson
Year: 
2009
This report will provide historical evidence and current empirical evidence that proves that the cooperative model of enterprise survives crisis, but more importantly that it is a sustainable form of enterprise able to withstand crisis, maintaining the livelihoods of the communities in which they operate. It will further suggest ways in which the ILO can strengthen its activity in the promotion of cooperatives as a means to address the current crisis and avert future crisis.

Subjects of Scale / Spaces of Possibility: Producing Co-operative Space in Theory and Enterprise

Author(s): 
Janelle Terese Cornwell
Year: 
2011
This dissertation addresses key questions raised in Human Geography and Economic Geography concerning scale and the production of space, alternative economic geographies and co-operative economic development. It is the product of a five year ethnographic investigation with cooperative enterprises in Western Massachusetts and the broader Connecticut River Valley of Western New England.

A Comparative Analysis of Cooperative Sectors in Scotland, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland

Author(s): 
Johnston Birchall
Year: 
2009
Research clearly shows there is considerable scope to generate sustainable economic development by embracing collaborative business models. This is particularly the case in the current climate – where the benefits of co-operation are known to reduce risk, enhance productivity and release wider social, personal and economic benefits. Given the debate about the competitiveness of smaller countries, we wanted to explore the cooperative sectors in three of Europe’s most successful economies – Sweden, Switzerland and Finland – and to consider the implications for Scotland.

Towards an EpistemologicalFoundation forSocial and Solidarity Economy [PowerPoint]

Author(s): 
Anup Dash
Year: 
2013
A slide show presented at a 2013 UNRISD conference on the social and solidarity economy. The author presents the broad principles and concepts associated with the SSE (social/solidarity economy) as a response to five challenges: the green challenge, the inclusion challenge, the wellbeing challenge, the moral challenge, and the governance challenge

Pages