The Case for Co-operative Intelligence!

Nick Matthews: Chair UK Society for Co-operative Studies

The Potential : Zen-Noh Worlds Largest Co-op: Turnover $US56 billion

Knowledge is Power

• Never has the UK movement been so rich in data.• Smaller number of retail societies.• Better quality questions.

UK Society for Co-operative Studies• Publishers of an International Journal jointly with Canadian and Irish

Co-operative Studies Societies.• Network of advocates for Co-operation from academia and the sector.• UK Academic Co-op Sector very small. • Function of mutual incomprehension!

What do we want from Co-operatives UK today?

• Core tasks for 2012 and beyond…• Co-operative Advice.• Co-operative Collaboration -networks and people.• To Campaign for Co-operation.• Co-operative Intelligence.• Co-operative innovation and growth.

Co-operative Performance

• The key tool is the Co-operative Performance Monitor.

• Health Risks:• “Comparison on past

performance, but not an in-depth analysis of the current context or future prospects of individual societies.”

Business Performance• A lot has happened since 1844.• Need new benchmarks against

competition in sectors in which we operate.

• Customised to match up to the business mix of individual societies.

• Co-op comparisons are useful but we are not in competition with one another!

• Need to benchmark with best in class!

International Comparisons

• We are not alone.• Excellent examples of

good co-operative, performance & innovation from overseas.

• Has to be captured in ways that UK societies can use.

Case Studies of Successful Business Innovation

• Now Co-op Societies have regained their confidence new business opportunities are being seized.

• Good case studies can help spread best practice.

•

Co-operative Performance II – Best practice in being Co-operative!

• How can we be better co-operatives?• Need good case studies on member and staff

engagement & democratic practice.• Spreading ideas and best practice.

Developing Co-operative Intelligence

• We need to invest in turning our data into intelligence.

• Based on CPC to design appropriate research and to commission it.

• May involve independent researchers rather than Universities!

• Better intelligence means better quality decision making means better business.

We need to be more Intelligent for when the World Comes to Manchester

• Expo 2012 Manchester

• Plus Co-op Congress

• A Week of Article 6

• Huge chance to learn!

The case for better research

KPIs and KCESPIs

Alex Bird www.consultancy.coop

PIs

• Performance Indicators• We can all come up with Performance Indicators,

but…………….• Key is the word• Look for those indicators that reflect performance

in other areas……..• If profit is good, then chances are efficiency is too

CESPIs

• Co-operative, Social, Environmental Performance Indicators

• Can have Key Indicators as well – KCESPIs• If Membership turnover is low, chances are they’re

happy with the offer – or too apathetic to leave!

Researching KPIs & KCESPIs

• Consider what Indicators are relevant to you• Consider if any are Key Indicators• Key Indicators help to find a way through a sea of data• Choose a researcher who understands the subject as

well as how to research• Set a budget and timetable that make sense• Be open about budget – do you just want the cheapest

researcher?

Researching KPIs & KCESPIs

• Qualitative versus Quantitative Data• Quantitative is so much easier to analyse• Look for patterns (correlations) in data• Tables and graphs can help• Correlation does not indicate a causal relationship• Only knowledge of the subject can identify that• You may not end up with QED standard proof

Researching KPIs & KCESPIs

• Qualitative Data can be revealing• Need to ask Open Questions to avoid driving the

answers – risk of bias• Qualitative Data analysis needs an understanding

of the subject• Objectivity is hard to achieve• Difficult balance between teasing out issues and

driving the answers

Researching KPIs & KCESPIs

• If possible Questionnaires should be tested beforehand

• Web or telephone research is lower cost, but…..• Researchers need to use their eyes and nose• People often give the answers they think you want

to hear• When questioned about community facilities

people always say they’d like a gym or swimming pool – but then they go to the pub!

Reporting

• Needs to be comprehensive to give credibility to the research

• Needs to be short and sweet so ordinary people can understand

• Needs lots of big words and references to satisfy academics

• So…..consider who and what the Report is for, before its written

Researching KPIs & KCESPIs

Any questions?

Co-operative Performance: the case for better researchA view from applied academia

Rob RowlandsCentre for Urban & Regional Studies, University of Birmingham

Knowledge is power, Mr Watts

The “Flawed Imagination”•The funding of research changes its nature•Narrows rational and effective options•Evidence is the goal:

▫Expectations of outcomes▫Is often used politically▫Open to challenge by those who don’t like its

implications▫Findings become steered

•Together undermine an objective approach

Commission on Co-

operative & Mutual Housing

Drivers

Inputs

Outputs

Opportunity &

Environment

Politics Enquiry

OpinionsResearc

hTestimony

Bargaining Power

Confirmation of Beliefs

Knowledge&

Insight