The interrelationship between the demands of Corporate Social Responsibility and co-operative principles and values

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its integrated management in companies is leading to a new company model that willingly expands its concerns by giving equal consideration to economic, social and environmental aspects. Cooperative societies, in paying attention to the principles and values that define them, as shown in this work, are demonstrating that there is a close interrelationship with the basic demands of CSR, which can be a competitive advantage as long as it is driven by a strategy that leads to its integrated management. The singular structure and democratic composition of a cooperative’s management structure can guarantee the total integration of stakeholders in the decision-making process, as they are often not only owners, but also clients, suppliers and employees.