Social Performance in Brazilian Credit Unions

Abstract

The multiple roles and goals of cooperatives are reflected in the concept of dual nature, which characterizes them as hybrid organizations that encapsulate two entities: an association of people with common interests and an economic enterprise. This implies that the sustainability of these organizations must be assessed considering both their economic and social dimensions. However, performance in the latter case is neither easily conceptualized nor properly measured. The aim of this study is to analyze how the social performance of credit unions has been addressed. Regarding the methodology, applied and descriptive research of a qualitative nature was conducted. Twenty-three professionals from credit unions were interviewed. Through the bibliographic review and content analysis of the interviews, it was possible to identify a set of indicators for evaluating the social performance of co-ops regarding their members. The theoretical contribution is related to the discussion of the dimensions of social performance, such as identity and principles, and criticism of the indicators considered relevant in the literature and by the specialists. Among the main managerial implications of the results is the need to implement structures and cultural changes so that monitoring social indicators can be just as important as monitoring economic and financial indicators.

Keywords: Credit unions, Cooperative performance, Social performance indicators