The process of decision-making in light of organizational eco-socio-economics: The case of a cooperative of artisans in Santa Catarina

Abstract

The objective of this work is to analyze the Arte Rio Cooperative’s decision making process to assess how far it comprehends its members’ cooperative production system, i.e. if there is a logic governing the process that is different from utilitarian economics. It was inferred that the logic involved in the decision making process is contrary to market economy rationality. The cooperative’s decision making process has found mechanisms to adapt to the dictates of the market economy, mechanisms which modify popular culture and knowledge and the cooperative lifestyle of its members. This is a qualitative study supported by bibliographic and document analysis, descriptive exploratory research, participative observation and structured script interviews. In the decision making process, aspects such as popular knowledge and cooperation where highlighted, under the multidisciplinary eco-socio-economic viewpoint, contrasting it to market logic. It was concluded that the cooperative’s decision making process is fraught with conflicting viewpoints. This is especially relevant today when popular knowledge and social bonds tends to change in such a way that will make them unrecognizable due to the entrance in a market economy.