A new report to build awareness, influence policy discussion, and provide the mutual and co-operative sector with shared insights that explain the social value of mutuals is published this week.
This report, supported by the Royal London Group and published by the Centre on Mutual and Co-owned Business, explores the distinctive social value created by co-operatives and mutuals across the UK economy. Drawing on interviews with leaders from a wide range of mutual organisations, the research demonstrates that social value in these businesses is not an additional activity or corporate responsibility exercise, but something embedded within their ownership structures, governance models and long-term economic behaviour.
The report identifies seven shared “sector truths” that reveal how mutuals create value through member-focused decision-making, community rootedness, long-term stewardship and inclusive market practices. In doing so, it argues that co-operatives and mutuals represent a distinctive and enduring form of enterprise that contributes not only to commercial success, but also to economic resilience, trust and social wellbeing.
Related reports
“How Mutuals and Cooperatives Report Their Social Value: A Global Comparative Study” A Report from the Mutual Value Lab at Monash Business School, which examines how mutual and cooperative organisations across different jurisdictions and industries articulate their social value.
This study was commissioned by Mutuo, UK, and carried out by the Mutual Value Lab, Monash Business School, in collaboration with the Centre on Mutual & Co-owned Businesses at Kellogg College, Oxford University.
“Social value in co-operatives and mutuals: A brief survey of the academic literature” A Survey conducted by Professor Jonathan Michie, Director of The Centre on Mutual & Co-owned Business to provide a historical context for critiques of current global economic and social trends, and the academic research behind the evidence for the benefits of mutuality.