Resumen

FERNANDEZ, Gladys; NARVAEZ, Mercy  y  SENIOR, Alexa. Cooperative Organizations in the Context of Local Development: an Approach to Their Study . Revista Venezolana de Gerencia [online]. 2010, vol.15, n.49, pp.87-102. ISSN 1315-9984.

The purpose of this article is to present a reflection about cooperative sector activity and its contribution to local development. A qualitative research model was used, based on the documentary review technique. Results show that cooperatives are local development agents because they arise in local spaces and are created by people from the community to achieve their well-being. Additionally, they promote their partners’ participation in three managerial flows and tend to integrate in networks. Conclusions are that for these organizations to really contribute to strengthening local development, they should participate actively in transformation processes in the localities where they are found by carrying out activities that take advantage of potentials in their environment and generate progress and social well-being.

Palabras clave : Cooperatives; local development; social economy; social capital.