Members’ Satisfaction as Main Element of Sustainable Cooperative Development in Bulgaria
Members’ Satisfaction as Main Element of Sustainable Cooperative Development in Bulgaria

Summary/Abstract: Decades after the establishment of the first modern agricultural cooperative in Bulgaria, we are observing a continuous increase in its number, then we see a decline until nowadays. We identified three historical periods for this development: pre socialism, socialism and post socialism. In periods, when the members’ satisfaction is higher, we notice increasing of the number of cooperatives and vice versa. In each period the relation between members’ satisfaction, cooperative values and principles and existing and operating governance structures differs seriously. This paper is concentrated on reasons for this development and tries to evaluate the influence and application of the governance structure and cooperative values and principles on members’ satisfaction. It our research we argue that the members’ satisfaction is higher when the governance structure of the cooperative fits with the cooperative values and principles. The methodology of the research comprises qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative method includes in depth interviews, observations and narrative analysis. We use Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as instrument for quantitative valuation of governance structures according to the cooperative values and principles as a criterion and will use it to measure member satisfaction in each historical period.

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