Factors influencing cooperator satisfaction: a study applied to wine cooperatives in Portugal

Based on a set of universally accepted cooperative principles, cooperatives stand out as promoting equality, community development and their members' well-being. Therefore, this study aims to understand which factors influence cooperators' satisfaction. The research adopted a quantitative methodology with the data-collecting instrument being based on a questionnaire applied to 194 cooperators belonging to wine cooperatives in the Dão region of Portugal. The results indicate that the economic factors used to measure members' satisfaction do not predict this. Rather, the factors most related to cooperative members’ satisfaction concern compatibility among members, partner selection, human resources, power and control, as well as the development of the organisations, communities and their members. Cooperative development is influenced by factors of a social and human order and the implementation of policies that may be directed towards a more economic and business-like aspect may itself affect satisfaction within these organisations. Implications for theory and practice are also suggested.