Do Corporate Governance Mechanisms Contribute to Organizational Resilience? Evidence from Agricultural Cooperatives

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37497/jsim.v12.id169.2025

Keywords:

Corporate Governance, Organizational Resilience, Liquidation, Agricultural Cooperatives

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the corporate governance mechanisms of agricultural cooperatives in continuing and discontinued conditions and their relationship with organizational resilience.

Method: A multiple case study was conducted with four agricultural cooperatives, two in operation and two in liquidation. Content analysis was performed based on secondary data and interviews with members of the board of directors. The study assumes that a cooperative in liquidation (or liquidated) is not resilient.

Results: The results highlight that governance mechanisms, such as member participation in assemblies, existence of management reports, cooperative education, separation of ownership and control, and qualification of the Fiscal Council, are the main aspects that help to explain the organizational resilience of agricultural cooperatives.

Originality/Relevance: This study contributes to the advancement of the field by investigating how the adoption of corporate governance mechanisms can increase organizational resilience in agricultural cooperatives. By emphasizing the fundamental role of governance in promoting resilience, this study sheds light on the factors that contribute to organizational failures in cooperatives, encouraging a deeper understanding of the subject.

Theoretical/methodological contributions: The adoption of governance mechanisms can help cooperatives achieve organizational resilience.

Social/management contributions: Governance practices, such as active participation, transparency, cooperative education, and the separation of ownership and control, strengthen resilience.

Author Biographies

Jean Carlos da Silva Américo, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Mato Grosso do Sul

Doutorado em Administração pela Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, possui Mestrado em Administração pela Escola de Administração e Negócios da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (2017), graduação em administração Pública pela Escola de Administração e Negócios/ESAN e graduação em Ciências Econômicas pelo Departamento de Economia e Administração da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul/DEA (2010). Tem experiência como analista econômico em pesquisas voltadas ao agronegócio, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: Sistema Gerenciais, Governança Corporativa, Análise de Desempenho e Organizações Cooperativas Agropecuárias.

Silvia Morales de Queiroz Caleman, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Mato Grosso do Sul

Pós Doutora em Economics of Organization (Rotterdam School of Management/ Erasmus University); Doutora em Administração pela FEA /USP (Faculdade de Administração, Economia e Contabilidade da Universidade de São Paulo), Mestre em Agronegócios pela Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul e graduada em Engenharia Agronômica pela Universidade de São Paulo. Foi bolsista do CNPq, pesquisadora do PENSA - Centro de Conhecimento em Agronegócios e consultora de empresa com foco em gestão do agronegócio e coordenadora do projeto Casadinho entre PPGA da UFMS e FEA/USP entre 2011 e 2015 (contrato n. 552150/2011-8) . Recebeu o "Prêmio Tese Capes 2011" como melhor tese na área de Administração, Ciências Contábeis e Turismo e Menção Honrosa do "Prêmio Tese Destaque USP". Área de pesquisa: economia das organizações, nova economia institucional e gestão do agronegócio. Atualmente, é professora adjunta no curso de graduação e na pós graduação em Administração da Escola de Administração e Negócios (ESAN) da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS).

Celina Martinez Georges, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Mato Grosso do Sul

Graduada em Administração de empresas pela Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Mestre em Administração na área de concentração Gestão do Agronegócio e Organizações, linha de pesquisa Competitividade no Agronegócio pela Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). Doutora em Administração na área de concentração Gestão do Agronegócio e Organizações, linha de pesquisa Competitividade no Agronegócio pela Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). Temáticas de pesquisa governança em organizações rurais, em especial, cooperativas agropecuárias.

References

Akgün, A.E. and Keskin, H. (2014), “Organisational resilience capacity and firm product innovativeness and performance”, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 52 No. 23, pp.6918-6937, https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2014.910624

Al-ajmi, J. (2009), “Audit firm, corporate governance, and audit quality: evidence from Bahrain”, Advances in Accounting, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp.64-74, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adiac.2009.02.005

Almici, A. (2023), "Does sustainability in executive remuneration matter? The moderating effect of Italian firms’ corporate governance characteristics", Meditari Accountancy Research, Vol. 31 No. 7, pp.49-87, https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-05-2022-1694

Annarelli, A. and Nonino, F. (2016), “Strategic and operational management of organizational resilience: current state of research and future directions”, Omega, Vol. 62, pp.1-1, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2015.08.004

Antonialli, L.M. (2000), “Influência da mudança de gestão nas estratégias de uma cooperativa agropecuária”, Revista de Administração Contemporânea, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp.135-159, https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-65552000000100008

Basterretxea, I., Cornforth, C. and Heras-Saizarbitoria, I. (2022), “Corporate governance as a key aspect in the failure of worker cooperatives”, Economic and Industrial Democracy, Vol. 43 No. 1, pp.362-387, https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X19899474

Baxter, P. and Jack, S. (2008), “Qualitative Case Study Methodology: study design and implementation for novice researchers”, The Qualitative Report, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp.544-556, https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1573

Becht, M., Bolton, P. and Roell, A. (2003), “Corporate Governance and Control”, Constantinides, G., Harris, M. and Stulz, R. (Ed.s), Handbook of the Economics of Finance, North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp.1-109.

Berle, A. and Means, G. (1932), The Modern Corporation and Private Property, Macmillan, New York.

Bialoskorski Neto, S. (2007), “Um ensaio sobre desempenho econômico e participação em cooperativas agropecuárias”, RESR, Vol. 45 No. 1, pp.119-138, https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-20032007000100006

Billiet, A., Dufays, F., Friedel, S. and Staessens, M. (2021), “The resilience of the cooperative model: how do cooperatives deal with the COVID ‐19 crisis?”, Strategic Change, Vol. 30 No. 2, pp.99–108, https://doi.org/10.1002/jsc.2393

Birchall, J. and Ketilson, L.H. (2009), Resilience of the cooperative business model in times of crisis, ILO, Geneva.

Birchall, J. and Simmons, R. (2004), “What motivates members to participate in co‐operative and mutual businesses?”, Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Vol. 75 No. 3, pp.465-495, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8292.2004.00259.x

Borda-Rodriguez, A. and Vicari, S. (2013), “Understanding Rural Co-operative Resilience: a literature review”, working paper 64, Open University and the Co-operative College, 15 February.

Brasil, Lei nº5.764, de 16 de dezembro de 1971, available at: http://www.planato.gov.br/civil 03/leis/L5764.htm (accessed 15 November 2022).

Busemeyer, M.R. and Trampusch, C. (2012), The Political Economy of Collective Skill Formation, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Carvalho, F.L., Diaz, M.D.M., Neto, S.B. and Kalatzis, A.E.G. (2015), “Saída e Insucesso das Cooperativas de Crédito no Brasil: uma análise do risco”, R. Cont. Fin. – USP, Vol. 26 No. 67, pp.70-84, https://doi.org/10.1590/rcf.v26i67.98099

Carmeli, A.; Markman, G. Capture, governance, and resilience: strategy implications from the history of rome. Strategiv Management Journal. v. 341, p. 322–341, 2010.

Cecchin, L.F. and Mascena, K.M.C. (2016), “Resiliência empresarial e Sua Interface Com a gestão de riscos e a estratégia”, paper presented at the Encontro Internacional sobre Gestão Empresarial e Meio Ambiente (ENGEMA), 05-06 Dec, São Paulo, Brazil.

Cook, M. (2018), “A Life Cycle Explanation of Cooperative Longevity”, Sustainability¸Vol. 10 No. 5, p.1586, https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051586

Costa, D.R.M., Azevedo, P.F. de and Chaddad, F.R. (2012), “Determinantes da separação entre propriedade e gestão nas cooperativas agropecuárias brasileiras”, Revista de Administração, Vol. 47 No. 4, pp.581-595, https://doi.org/10.5700/rausp1060

Fama, E.F. (1980), “Agency problems and the theory of the firm”, Journal of political economy, Vol. 88 No. 2, pp.288-307.

Fama, E.F. and Jensen, M.C. (1983), “Separation of ownership and control”, The journal of law and Economics, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp.301-325.

Feng, L. and Hendrikse, G. (2013), “Interfirm cooperatives”, Grandori, A. (Ed.), Handbook of Economic Organization Integrating Economic and Organization Theory, Edward Elgar, Cheintenham, UK, pp.501-521.

Fowler, K.L., Kling, N.D. and Larson, M.D. (2007), “Organizational Preparedness for Coping With a Major Crisis or Disaster”, Business & Society, Vol. 46 No. 1, pp.88–103, https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650306293390

Franken, J.R.V. and Cook, M.L. (2019), “Do Corporate Governance Recommendations Apply to U.S Agricultural Cooperatives?”, Sustainability, Vol. 11 No. 19, pp.1–16, https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195321

Fulton, M. and Giannakas, K. (2001), “Organizational commitment in a mixed oligopoly: agricultural cooperatives and investor-owned firms”, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 83 No. 5, pp.1258-1265.

Gaudenzi, B., Pellegrino, R. and Confente, I. (2023), “Achieving supply chain resilience in an era of disruptions: a configuration approach of capacities and strategies”, Supply Chain Management, Vol. 28 No. 7, pp.97-111, https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-09-2022-0383

Grashuis, J. (2018), “An exploratory study of cooperative survival: strategic adaptation to external developments”, Sustainability, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp.652, https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030652

Grashuis, J. and Cook, M.L. (2018), “An examination of new generation cooperatives in the upper Midwest: do producer-owned organizations have a future in the value added agrifood industry?”, CIRIEC, Vol. 89 No. 4, pp.623-644, https://doi.org/10.1111/apce.12211

Grashuis, J. and Franken, J. (2020), “Exit strategies of farmer co-operatives in the United States: a competing risks analysis”, Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp.100-119, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcom.2020.100119

Hakelius, K., Karantininis, K. and Feng, L. (2012), “The resilience of the cooperative form: cooperative beehiving by Swedish cooperatives”, Erhman, T., Cliquet, G., Hendrikse, G.W.J. and Windsperger, J. (Ed.s), Governance of Alliances, Cooperatives and Franchise Chains, Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp.127–147.

Hendrikse, G.W.J. (2005), “Contingent control rights in agricultural cooperatives”, Theurl, T. and Meyer, E.C. (Ed.s), Strategies for Cooperation, Aachen, ShakerVerlag, pp.385-393.

Hendriksen, E.S. and Van Breda, M.F. (1999), Teoria da contabilidade, Atlas, São Paulo, SP.

Hilton, S.K., Madilo, W., Awaah, F. and Arkorful, H. (2021), “Dimensions of transformational leadership and organizational performance: the mediating effect of job satisfaction”, Management Research Review, Vol. 46 No. 1, pp.1-19 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2021-0152

Imhoff JR, E.A. (2003), “Accounting quality, auditing, and corporate governance”. Accounting Horizons, Vol. 17 No. supplement, pp.117-128.

Jensen M. and Meckling, W. (1976), “Theory of the firm: managerial behavior, agency cost, and ownership structure”, Journal of Financial Economics, Vol. 3 No. 4, pp.305-360.

Klein, B. (1983), “Contracting costs and residual profits: the separation of ownership and control”, Journal of Law & Economics, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp.367-374.

Korbi, F.B., Ben-Slimane, K. and Triki, D. (2021), “How do international joint ventures build resilience to navigate institutional crisis? The case of a Tunisian French IJV during the Arab-Spring”, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 129, pp.157-168, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.02.059

Kowalewski, O. (2016), “Corporate governance and corporate performance: financial crisis (2008)”, Management Research Review, Vol. 39 No. 11, pp.1494-1515, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/MRR-12-2014-0287

Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Jha, P.P. (2014), “Does governance confer organizational resilience? Evidence from UK employee owned businesses”, European Management Journal, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp.66-72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2013.06.009

Leal, R.P.C., Ferreira, V.A.C. and Silva, A.L.C. (2002), Governança corporativa no Brasil e no mundo, Editora E-papers, Rio de Janeiro, RJ.

Maranho, F.S. and Leal, R. (2018), “Corporate governance and firm performance in Latin America: a meta-analysis”, Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp.195-211, https://doi.org/10.1108/ARLA-04-2017-0126

Münkner, H.H., (2012), Co-Operation as a Remedy in Times of Crisis Agricultural Co-Operatives in the World Their Roles for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction, working paper 1241, Euricse.

Roelants, B., Dovgan, D., Eum, H. and Terrasi, E. (2012), “The resilience of the cooperative model: How worker cooperatives, social cooperatives and other worker-owned enterprises respond to the crisis and its consequences”, available at: https://www.cecop.coop/img/pdf/report_cecop_2012_en_web.pdf (accessed 10 July 2023).

Salifu, A., Francesconi, G.N. and Kolavalli, S. (2010). “A review of collective action in rural Ghana”, available at: https://ebrary.ifpri.org/utils/getfile/collection/p15738coll2/id/3025/filename/3026.pdf (accessed 10 July 2023).

Schneider, J.O. (2003), “Pressupostos da educação cooperativista: a visão de sistematizadores da doutrina do cooperativismo”, Schneider, J. O. (Ed.), Educação cooperativa e suas práticas, Unisinos, São Leopoldo, RS, pp.13-58.

Siqueira, L. C. and Bialoskorski Neto, S. (2014), “Práticas de governança corporativa indicadas para monitoramento: uma análise do nível de adoção em cooperativas agropecuárias”, REGE, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp.43-63.

Süsi, V. and Lukason, O. (2019), “Corporate governance and failure risk: evidence from Estonian SME population”, Management Research Review, Vol. 42 No.6, pp.703-720, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/MRR-03-2018-0105

Starr, R..; Newfrock, J.; Delurey, M. Enterprise resilience: managing risk in the networked economy. Strategy and Business, (30), 70-79, 2003.

Tarrant, M. (2010), “The organization: Risk, resilience and governance”, The Austrian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp.13-17.

Thompson, D. (2019). Community identity, governance, and resilience under agri-environmental shifts in two communities of southwestern Uruguay. Community Development 50:5, 497-514.

Yin, R.K. (2003), Case study research: design and methods, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Downloads

Published

2025-05-21

How to Cite

da Silva Américo, J. C., Caleman, S. M. de Q. ., & Georges, C. M. . (2025). Do Corporate Governance Mechanisms Contribute to Organizational Resilience? Evidence from Agricultural Cooperatives. Journal of Sustainable Institutional Management, 12(JSIM), e0169. https://doi.org/10.37497/jsim.v12.id169.2025

Most read articles by the same author(s)