How resilient are the agricultural production cooperatives in Wallonia ?

Abstract

This thesis examines the resilience of agricultural cooperatives certified as social enterprises, with a focus on their capacity to adapt and thrive in rapidly changing and often challenging environments. It combines theoretical exploration, literature review, and field-based evidence to better understand how these cooperatives can act as anchors of resilience for their members. The research begins with an analysis of the concept of resilience, tracing its evolution across disciplines and identifying its core organizational characteristics. Two main perspectives emerge: a capability-based approach, viewing resilience as the ability to act effectively, and a capacity-based approach, emphasizing the resources available to respond to challenges. The study then explores the cooperative model, particularly agricultural cooperatives, highlighting their embeddedness in the social economy and their unique capacity to adapt in times of crisis. Empirical investigation centres on the 2023 to 2024 farmers’ protests across Europe, a crisis that exposed tensions between agricultural communities and evolving European regulations. This event provided a real-world test case for observing resilience at three levels : organizational, team and individual. Findings reveal that while resilience characteristics in cooperatives may also appear in other organizations, their cooperative structure, rooted in democratic decision-making and mutual support, amplifies their adaptive capacity. The study concludes by offering practical recommendations for strengthening resilience in cooperatives and suggests areas for further research, particularly in applying these insights beyond the agricultural sector. Through this integrative approach, the thesis contributes to both academic understanding and practical strategies for enhancing resilience in organizations navigating uncertain futures.