Abstract

This work compares cooperatives to other firms along two lines: (1) a description of structural development and (2) a comparison of the strategies in response to the changes in the competitive envinronment in the last decade. Between 2001 and 2009 Italian cooperatives have maintained a dimension significantly greater, labour productivity and labour costs lower and profit margins similar to those of other types of firms. A survey conducted on a sample of cooperatives located in the region of Emilia-Romagna shows that the cooperative system adapted its strategies to the new context in the same way as the other firms did. Cooperatives are still more focused on core business and differentiate less their product; this exposes them more to price competition.