Trends and challenges for co-operatives and social enterprises in developed and transition countries

Recent years have witnessed a new interest in co-operative organisations, especially as a consequence of their transformation and expansion in new fields of activity. These two phenomena are connected, since transformation appears to be the prerequisite for expanding activities in new areas and as such, are worthy of specific analysis. In particular, the capacity of co-operatives to assume a number of forms consistent with the socio-economic environment in which they are situated deserves special attention, as well as co-operative identity and the organisational and legal frameworks so far developed as a result of co-operative evolution.

We are grateful to Edizioni 31(Trento) which authorized the publication of this book