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Abstract
How can we explain the reason why cooperatives have evolved so differently?
This article argues that the institutional framework gives a decisive
influence in organizational evolution and the historic path has been taken
by interaction between institutions and organizations. The Japanese agricultural
cooperatives are analyzed from institutional perspectives. They were
created at the end of the 19th century under overwhelming European influence
but evolved as a quite different model under the strong impacts of
industrial policies and institutions. They developed as multi-purpose cooperatives
bearing triple natures as state agency, pressure group and cooperative
per se. The new economy is shifting public policy from protectionist to procompetition
and the resulting institutional changes are posing challenges to
cooperatives. Their future depends on their willingness to innovate themselves
by adjusting to the new environment while applying cooperative advantages.