Cooperatives of Mexico: Their Social Benefits and Their Contribution to Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals

• Published in: Social sciences (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 5; p. 149
• Main Authors: Díaz de León, Denise, Díaz Fragoso, Omar, Rivera, Igor, Rivera, Gibrán
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Community; Consumption; Cooperatives; Employment; Principles; Qualitative research; Social change; social economy; Social responsibility; Society; Sustainable development; sustainable development goals; Values; Mexico
• ISSN: 2076-0760; 2076-0760
• DOI: 10.3390/socsci10050149

Cooperatives are considered an organizational alternative based on principles and values. These organizations seek the fulfillment of social and economic benefits for their members as well as for the community in which they develop. Their nature allows them to solve problems such as social and labor exclusion as well as environmental issues. However, although their benefits to society have been extensively studied, little is known about how these organizations contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of this study is to analyze the way in which the social benefits generated by cooperatives contribute to the fulfillment of the SDGs in Mexico City. This qualitative study uses interviews and thematic analysis to identify and define the different social benefits generated by 134 cooperatives in Mexico City. These benefits were analyzed to identify whether they contribute to the fulfillment of the SDGs. The results stimulate the theoretical and empirical discussion about the role of cooperatives and their contribution to solving current social problems, as established by the United Nations. The article presented is of scientific interest and it is also relevant for the elaboration of public policies aimed at producing better results for these types of organizations.