Capital social como um dos fatores de sucesso das cooperativas agroindustriais

Abstract

The present paper analyzes the social capital presence as a factor for the success of agro-industrial cooperatives in the State of Ceará. It verifies the way the social capital, which sources are trust, partnership, cooperation, participation and collective action, contributes for the performance of analyzed cooperatives. It was used the study case of two agroindustrial cooperatives: Coopemova and Cocedro. It was calculated a Social Capital Index for each cooperative, being the data obtained by observing the atmosphere of cooperatives and the application of two types of questionnaires. It was elaborated then one analyzes about the member’s satisfaction with their cooperative performance and their quality of life. It was verified that Coopemova, endowed with greater level of social capital, was the one that revealed more satisfaction and quality of life for its members. These results confirmed the proposition that social capital is crucial for the maintenance of agroindustrial cooperatives. It was understood that the simple existence of social capital doesn’t solve all the problems; but its direction to the action, combined with other resources, can contribute to the success of productive and social agro-industrial cooperatives.