Power and governance in Moroccan cooperatives: the Case of Fez-Meknes region

Abstract

This article explores management and governance practices in Moroccan cooperatives, based on fieldwork conducted in the Fès-Meknès region. This area is marked by challenging socio-economic conditions, including high levels of illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment, particularly in rural zones. Such conditions have fostered the emergence of numerous cooperatives, often seen as collective responses to economic exclusion. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining around ten qualitative interviews with cooperative leaders and a quantitative survey administered to 300 members (managers, regular members, and employees). The main objective is to analyze power relations within cooperatives and examine the role played by managers in decision-making processes. Findings reveal a clear asymmetry between managers and regular members. Managers generally possess higher levels of education, broader relational networks, and a deeper understanding of organizational rules and stakeholder expectations. Their ability to navigate what literature refers to as "zones of uncertainty" grants them increased decision-making power. They attend general assemblies more regularly, actively participate in decisions, and have their opinions taken into greater account. This concentration of power in the hands of managers raises concerns about democratic governance within cooperatives. The study thus highlights the need to strengthen the capacities of regular members—particularly through training—in order to promote more participatory, inclusive, and equitable governance, in line with the core principles of the social and solidarity economy.

JEL Code : J54, Q13

Paper Type : Empirical Research