Cooperativa Agrícola Santo Antônio: uma ação coletiva bem sucedida no Município de Marituba-PA

Abstract

This research is about a case study in the Agricultural Cooperative Santo Antônio (COOPSANT) in Marituba City, state of Pará. The cooperative is a national and regional reference as a collective entrepreneurshipment in the area of production of hydroponic lettuce, ornamental plants and organic vegetables. The goal of the research is to study the selfmanagement process in the cooperative. For this were used qualitative and quantitative approaches based on non-formals and semi-structured interviews (application of a questionnaire) with the cooperated, as well as in loco observation. The work focuses mainly on the French School of Sociology of Organizations of Crozier and Friedberg that deals with issues such as power, organization and self management. Even facing problems such as conflicts, difficulties in enlisting the cooperation, among others, the shareholders contribute to the management of the organization, but it is obvious the predominant role of the president in coordination of actions and in the creation and modification of the operational rules of the cooperative. The power can be considered a force structuring the organization. The research identifies, in addition to the president, others in the cooperative that are strategic to it works. In conclusion we can say that the COOPSANT has a balanced self-management with an active participation of its members, but it is still essential the figure of the president driving the cooperative directions and supporting the decisions process in general assembly. The family participates actively in the form of individual and collective work, strengthening, buy this way, the familiar character of the associative entrepreneurshipment. So the cooperative members, even those who do not have family involved, say that the cooperative is a family business. The cooperative members are identified, both as a farmer, and as cooperating. The identity of the members creates a link between them and the organization to which they belong.