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Project A2 - Co-op Index:
Diagnosing co-operatives for member/employee participation & adherence to principles and values. 

*New!* Great summary of the Co-op Index tool on the "Workers' Paradise" blog - check it out here.

For further information on the Co-op Index tool, click here to download a 30-minute powerpoint presentation with audio (download may take several minutes) 

Overview
The A2 project involves the development of a diagnostic tool called the Co-op Index. The Co-op Index helps co-operatives measure and asses their organizational effectiveness based on the degree of participation that employees and/or members experience in the management of the organization, and the degree of adherence to universally-recognized co-operative principles and values.

Total Participation Theory
The Co-op Index tool is grounded in the theory of Total Participation Management (Stocki et al. 2008). According to the Total Participation approach, it is crucial for organizations to fully engage their employees in the management of the organization to ensure their well-being. Evidence indicates that participation can increase productivity, individual motivation, and organizational efficiency.

Diagnosing Performance
Because a co-operative's social purpose is entwined with its economic goals, it is critical that co-operative performance and effectiveness be measured not only by economic benchmarks, but also through an assessment of the degree to which a co-op adheres to its principles (e.g. voluntary and open membership, concern for community) and values (e.g. social responsibility, equality, solidarity). The Co-op Index tool primarily helps co-operatives diagnose their performance in light of the principles and values contained in the International Co-operative Association's Statement on Co-operative Identity.

Through a series of scales and indices, the Co-op Index provides clear feedback to co-ops about their success (or failure) in adhering to these widely agreed-upon principles and values, while taking into account the co-op's level of organizational maturity. The scores are then linked to organizational performance, as well as to potential impacts on individual members, the community, and the environment.

Tool Structure & Applications:
In its full form, the Co-op Index includes a questionnaire delivered to employees and/or members, an independent assessment of the organization, and key informant interviews, and results in a report with recommendations for future action. The analysis of the questionnaire is automated, producing a preliminary diagnostic report. The assessment and interviews are undertaken and analysed by co-op practitioners who have been trained by a member of the Co-op Index project team.

The tool can be used for:
    -   Diagnosing areas for improvement and action;
    -   Strategic planning;
    -   Following up periodically to track progress;
    -   A supplement to other performance measures and tools.

Tool Development:
The Co-op Index tool was initially developed specifically for worker co-ops with funding from the Social Economy CURA, Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF) and St. Mary's University, as a partnership between academics, co-operative members and developers.

Over the next five years, the A2 project team intends to adapt the existing Co-op Index for Worker Co-ops for use by other types of co-operatives (as many types as time and funding permits).

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