Results of studies to be revealed for the first time at the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives

QUEBEC CITY, May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The results of groundbreaking international studies will be revealed for the first time at the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives.

These studies document and expand what we know about cooperatives and mutuals in economic and business terms. Very few studies have been done on the cooperative movement, and this research establishes historic milestones in the quantitative and qualitative analysis of cooperatives and their impact on the global economy. The interest in the cooperative business model has grown due to the financial and economic turmoil experienced in recent years and the realization that cooperatives are remarkably resilient in hard times. The studies will help demonstrate that this model is a solid, reliable solution to current and future crises.

Six research groups will be presenting their results:

MCKINSEY & COMPANY
Major global trends, issues and challenges facing cooperatives and mutuals
Identifies the trends most likely to affect the sectors of the economy where cooperatives are particularly active. The study will outline how the competitive landscape could evolve in the next five to ten years. It will show how those changes could impact cooperatives' product offering and positioning in terms of competitiveness and how the cooperative movement could benefit from it.

Development strategies for cooperatives and mutuals
The study focuses on three drivers of growth: market share gains, portfolio positioning and mergers and acquisitions, to determine the winning practices that help promote cooperative development and identify challenges.

Best management practices of cooperatives and mutuals
Based on the Organizational Health Index methodology and interviews with more than 50 cooperatives, the study identifies the best management practices by analyzing nine organizational processes: governance and management, coordination and control, managerial leadership, accountability, employee motivation, culture and climate, talent management, innovation and commitment to stakeholders.

DELOITTE
Productivity, financing and capitalization of cooperatives
An exclusive survey of CFOs. Examines the impacts of the 2008 global financial crisis and determines the key factors underlying capital requirements. It also aims to define the challenges related to capital structure for cooperative organizations and identify the solutions being used. The objective is to assess the impact of the changes to accounting standards (IFRS) and regulations governing the banking and insurance sectors (Basel III, Solvency II).

IRECUS (Institut de recherche et d'éducation pour les coopératives et mutuelles de l'Université de Sherbrooke)
Socio-economic impact of cooperatives and mutuals around the world
The objective of this study is to measure the socio-economic impact of cooperatives around the world and their contribution toward improving the global economy. This study will provide a better understanding of the success and challenges of this business model by exploring how its cooperative identity contributes to both.

IPSOS/UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal)
The world's perception of cooperatives and mutuals
This qualitative study consists of discussion groups to gain an understanding of how consumers in Tokyo, Paris, Manchester, Buenos Aires and Quebec City perceive cooperatives, and consequently help cooperatives identify ways to promote their development as providers of goods and services.

The following partners will also present the results of their studies:

OLIVER WYMAN
Co-operative Bank: Customer Champion
An update of the study, published in 2008, will present the strengths and challenges implicit in the cooperative model of banking, in particular in the post-crisis landscape, and what they imply for supervisors and regulators. The study will highlight the success of the stakeholder model (as opposed to the shareholder model) and how it helps strengthen the wider financial system through diversity. The study will also emphasize the need for plurality in setting regulation across the sector, while illustrating the underpinnings and key features of the model in a rapidly evolving and challenging environment.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS
A world map of the agricultural cooperative movement and its critical issues
The objective of this study is to map the strength of the cooperative movement, based on an international ranking of cooperative players compared to a ranking of the major players in the private agrifood sector. Focusing on Europe, the United States, Canada, South America and New Zealand, the study explores the major trends driving today's cooperative agricultural and agrifood sector. Two themes are explored in depth: innovation strategies and access to financing.

Summit site: http://www.2012intlsummit.coop
Twitter: Summitcoop2012
UN's IYC site: 2012 International Year of Cooperatives
Pre-Summit Event site: Imagine 2012

For further information:

Nathalie Genest: +1-514-281-7275 / +1-866-866-7000, ext. 7275 (Canada only)
nathalie.genest@2012intlsummit.coop