Masters in Management Co-op (MMCC)

Students consider the historical evolution of co-operatives since the mid-19th century, with particular emphasis on the diversity of co-operative action and the continuing relevance of the co-operative principles and values.

Neoliberal political economy and the subsequent structural problems and multiple crises are discussed. New economic paradigms are introduced, including the circular economy, sustainable development within the planetary boundaries, socio-economic transformation, and economy for the common good. The role for co-operatives within new economic paradigms is elaborated.

In alignment with the co-operative enterprise model, students examine the nature of co-operative governance and related topics pertaining to member participation and engagement. The course explores various conceptualizations; frameworks; and structures, processes, and dynamics of governance in a wide range of contexts and for all types of co-operatives.

This course is designed to provide students with a knowledge base to interpret financial statements, understand the importance of nonfinancial performance reporting, determine the financial health of a co-operative and be aware of good governance and risk management practices.

Students enhance their understanding of innovation, and emphasize the main principles of responsible, social, and inclusive innovation. Students learn to leverage the co-operative difference to enhance innovation.

Students examine how digital technologies are requiring significant transformation of today’s co-operatives and credit unions, from their service offerings and to their business models.

Students examine the co-operative model of enterprise based on the Statement on the Co-operative Identity of the International Co-operative Alliance. Students analyze a values-based business model that is people-centered, democratically governed, and jointly owned and controlled by its members, in various contexts.

Students discuss the co-operative advantage as a values-based, member-owned business. Besides member loyalty built on shared surplus and values alignment, the course explores business models and operational practices fit for leadership in the new economy and rooted in co-operative identity and culture.

Students are instructed in concepts of Organizational Behavior (OB), organizational culture and change in the co-operative context. Different leadership theories are analyzed, and current issues in leadership are discussed.

Students explore pressing global issues from the co-operative business and movement perspective. Topics may include co-operative responses to social issues; diversity, inclusion, equity and justice; climate change and environmental sustainability; emergency recovery; law and policy and other topics of relevance to leaders in co-operatives.

Students explore the capital conundrum for co-operatives – the methods and sources of financial capital and the resulting impact on governance and overall resilience. The course explores various frameworks for financial decision-making and evaluating (drawn from the social economy), applying and critiquing them in the co-operative context.

This course consists of case studies and a study tour to a co-operative or credit union network that is perceived to be an exemplar of co-operative management and performance.

Students explore a range of marketing principles and theories, and apply them in the context of co-operatives, debating the benefits and challenges of implementing Marketing the Co-operative Advantage (MOCA) approach. This strategic approach emphasizes the internal communication challenges of developing, and benchmarking, MOCA competencies and culture based on co-operative values.

Students explore elements of a co-operative business strategy as a synthesis of learnings in the program. Long term vision and purpose of a member-owned co-operative enterprise requires a congruent business model to execute a dynamic collective vision.

Students explore specific organizational issues at different stages of the co-operative lifecycle – from inception through growth and maturity, to reinvention. Risk and factors leading to demutualization are analyzed through case studies.

Students explore applied research methodologies used in co-operatives and in the field of business. Students are prepared to design valid and reliable research, contributing to the field of co-operative knowledge as well as bringing about positive change within co-operatives.

Students undertake a research project that focuses on enhancing the operations, strategy or value of a co-operative or the larger co-operative sector.