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CONSULTANCY & TRAINING |
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KNOWLEDGE & INFORMATION |
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NETWORKING & EVENTS |
The Plunkett Foundation has remained at the forefront of policy development
in the co-operative and rural group enterprise sector since its establishment over 80 years ago. The Foundation acts as an adviser to public policy-makers and an advocate of policies conducive to development on behalf of the sector
it represents.
The range of policy issues addressed is determined by the current state and developments in the rural co-operative sector. In recent years co-operative and mutual forms of business organisation have come under threat as a result of the excessive "short-termism" of current business fashion. Although this school of thought appears to be abating, organisations such as the Plunkett Foundation have had to promote the advantages of user-led enterprise models vigorously in the face of "carpetbaggers" and management consultants schooled in only one form of business organisation.
In recent years the Foundation has contributed to policy development in the following areas:
Legislative Framework
Plunkett Foundation associate consultants have advised governments of many countries on the creation or amendment of national co-operative legislation. In many countries this legislation was formulated during a time of colonial control. In such cases, legislation needs to be updated to meet the requirements of new governance and economic structures.
The United Kingdom has never had a dedicated act for the co-operative form of enterprise. Co-operatives are governed by either the arcane Industrial and Provident Societies Act, first formulated at the time of the industrial revolution, or by the Companies Act, whose provisions are skewed towards the needs of investor-led enterprises. The Foundation has been a constant advocate of the need for a dedicated, modern co-operative legislative framework that recognises the specific needs of this form of enterprise within the context of the prevailing economic environment.
Capital Structures
Co-operatives have traditionally financed their growth through modest equity contributions from members, augmented by the reinvestment of surpluses from business activities. While this approach served the movement well during times of weak business competition and slow technological change, the dual phenomena of intense competitive forces and the global movement of capital are placing severe threats on the growth of group enterprises. The Plunkett Foundation assists in developing capital structures for rural group enterprise that combine the need to raise capital with the necessity to retain control in the hands of the people the organisation is designed to serve. Contrary to popular opinion, effectively managed co-operatives need not suffer from capital-raising difficulties in relation to their investor-led counterparts.
Co-operative Structures
Recent years have seen the emergence of a plethora of new business structures that purport to serve the needs of user and community groups who wish to establish business enterprises that balance social and economic needs. The Plunkett Foundation has traditionally advocated the co-operative form of enterprise as a proven and effective means by which users can mobilise economic forces to serve their own needs, rather than those of the providers of capital.
However, it is increasingly recognised that alternative, multiple-stakeholder models have achieved similar success in specific circumstances. The Foundation utilises its experience to identify the critical success factors that enable group enterprise models to meet the needs of specific community and user groups in particular environments.
Delivery Methods
Policy development support is provided by the Foundation in a variety of forms. These may include preparation of policy discussion papers, formal responses to proposed government policy, and assignments undertaken on behalf of client governments or development agencies. For further information, contact the Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation.