Tensions in series : gender and work in the governance of cooperatives

This research focuses on women directors of cooperatives in Belgium, and more specifically on their commitment, largely unpaid, on the boards of these enterprises.

Although the literature on this specific subject is almost non-existent, many authors have examined related topics. Within the boards of directors of the 'classical' economy, contextual elements favouring the presence of women in these places of power have been highlighted: the rate of female employees (Esteban-Salvador et al., 2019), the size of the company, the history, the growth, the sector of the firm (Galia & Zenou, 2013; Toé, 2014) or the importance of the company on the stock market (St-Onge & Magnan, 2013). Other research has studied the impact of diversity on the comparative performance of these organisations (Nielsen & Huse, 2010).

Another part of the literature focuses on the roles and specificities of cooperative boards, including the importance given to social aspects in their functioning (Allemand et al., 2013).

Crossing interests in the social economy and gender, other authors (Aris, 2013; Bigey, 2020; ILO, 2015; Nippierd, 2012; Parente & Martinho, 2018) have emphasised the under-representation of women in decision-making bodies such as boards.

However, most of this research has been conducted in so-called 'developing' countries, and has focused on the agricultural sector (Duguid & Weber, 2016). There is little research conducted on women in the management bodies of the social (and solidarity) economy and, more specifically, cooperatives (Duguid & Weber, 2016; Rawlings & Shaw, 2016).

Based on the analysis of 25 interviews with women directors, this paper aims to explore the (unpaid) female commitment on the boards of cooperatives in various sectors.

Cooperatives, as enterprises of the social (and solidarity) economy, claim to be attentive to democratic management, participation, solidarity, use of profits, etc. but they are also governed by the seven cooperative principles defined by the International Cooperative Alliance. In this sense, cooperatives are examples for the professional work in terms of equality, especially gender equality. Based on these elements, it is legitimate to question the context of women's commitment to cooperatives, recently reformed in Belgium, at a time when feminist demands and a certain loss of meaning of work in its classic organisational forms are developing.

Answering this question requires considering a multitude of factors both on the side of the cooperative structure (gender policies, election and voting procedures, equity principles, size, sector of activity, etc.) and on that of the women who are involved: sociocultural profiles, motivations, previous career paths, perception of their involvement, and the relationship of their involvement to the domestic and professional spheres.

This contribution will show that although an apparent equality (of conditions) within the boards of cooperatives (speaking positions, division of tasks) is an undeniable attraction that facilitates commitment, little has been concretely put in place around these issues. The sector of activity influences the experiences of these women, as does the form of cooperative: citizen or worker, in a sector seeking volunteers or not. The profile of the directors (level of education, age, marital status) is also an essential element in understanding their commitment and, in particular, the link between this work (often voluntary) and their private life. In this sense, there are many tensions between board commitment and the family sphere.

Cooperatives do not therefore specifically address gender issues on boards of directors, but boards are nevertheless fewer unequal places of engagement than the rest of the professional work or society, even if inequalities of position persist.

Such research contributes to a better understanding of the different profiles of women involved in cooperative boards. Furthermore, it would help to identify the elements that favour their commitment and thus fight against their under-representation.

References

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