A business services co-operative is a group of small business owners who
have come together to enhance or increase the
competiveness of their enterprises.
There has been a growing trend over the past two decades for Australian
businesses to work together for mutual benefit.
Small business often lacks the bargining power and resources
of
larger businesses, but they can bridge the gap by jointly undertaking ventures
with
like-minded businesses.
While interfirm collaboration can take many forms (e.g. franchises, joint
ventures, business incubators), a number of Australian businesses have chosen
the co-operative business structure to gain the benefits of a larger group.
The role of these co-operatives is to
provide services to meet the needs of member businesses.
Like an agricultural co-operative, a
business services co-operative is regarded as
an
extension of the members' business and operates to provide benefits to
businesses as
users
of the co-operative's services, not as
investors.
Benefits of collaboration
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Increased purchasing power
through joint purchasing operations by which members obtain favourable trading
terms and pricing, which increases their competiveness, particularily against
large conglomerates and imports.
Increased market penetration
and product or service recognition through co-operative marketing arrangements,
which increases their market share, particularily against larger competitors,
and improves export marketing capacity.
Improved performance and efficiency
through joint investment in equipment, services and technology, which would
otherwise be beyond the resources of any one firm.
Access to research and development
through joint research projects with major research institutions, which can
open up new product markets.
Increased negotiating power
with public and education sectors through industry associations, which can
ensure the needs of particular small business sectors are considered in the
design of public policy and training curriculum.
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Activities of Australian business services co-operatives
Plumbers, florists, nurseries, liquor stores and travel agents
use co-operatives to aggregate their purchasing power to obtain favourable
trading terms and pricing, which
increases their competitiveness, particularily against larger companies and
imports.
Pharmacies, newsagents, furniture retailers, motel owners, fitness clubs and
professional artists use
co-operatives to increase market penetration and product and service
recognition. Some of these co-operatives also purchase goods for sale by member
businesses.
Independent film makers, doctors, architects and taxi owners
also use co-operatives to
improve the performance and efficiency of their businesses through joint
investment in equipment, services and technology, which would otherwise be
beyond the resources of any one firm.
Business support
Buying groups
Marketing
Shared services
Australian Industry Engineering and Manfacturing Network Co-operative Ltd
Beehive Industries Co-operative Ltd
Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Co-operative Ltd
Community Praxis Co-operative Ltd
Engineering and Manufacturing Industry Co-operative Ltd
Ethical Business and Industry Co-operative Ltd
HunterNet Co-operative Ltd
Mackay Area Industry Network Co-operative Ltd
Open Channel Co-operative Ltd
The Associated Newsagents Co-operative (SA) Ltd
The Bower Re-Use and Repair Co-operative Ltd
The Queensland Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Co-operative Ltd
Welcome Motor Inns Co-operative Ltd
Australian Travel Agents Co-operative Ltd
Camping World Australia Co-operative Ltd
Co-operative Purchasing Services Ltd
Golfmutual Co-operative Ltd
Greengold Nurseries Co-operative Ltd
Hairdressers Co-operative Ltd
Independent Liquor Group Co-operative Ltd
Independent Toy Specialists of Australia Co-operative Ltd
Liquor Barons Co-operative Ltd
Mower Specialists Association of Australia Co-operative Ltd
Plumbers Supplies Co-operative Ltd
Rapid Group Co-operative Ltd
Sydney Energy Co-operative Ltd
Tasmanian Independent Retailers Co-operative Society Ltd
Tertiary Access Group Co-operative Ltd
Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-operative Ltd
Wesbuilders Co-operative Ltd
Albany Gateway Co-operative Ltd
Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd
Artery Co-operative Ltd
Curious Art Co-operative Ltd
Curves Co-op South East Qld Ltd
Curves Victoria Co-operative Ltd
Daintree Marketing Co-operative Ltd
Designer Crafts Co-operative Society Ltd
Estate Agents Co-operative Ltd
Furniture One Co-op Ltd
Gamilarart Gallery Co-operative Ltd
Newcastle Markets Co-operative Ltd
Spiral Gallery Co-operative Ltd
The Inner City Clayworkers Gallery Co-operative Ltd
The Show Room Co-operative Ltd
Tint King Australia Co-operative Ltd
Water Pro's Co-operative Ltd
Consultants
ArchiTeam Co-operative Ltd
Social Options Australia Co-operative Ltd
Co-operative development agencies
Co-operative Development Services Ltd
The Mercury Centre Co-operative Ltd
Financial advisers
TFP Co-operative Ltd
Legal services
Barristers Services Co-operative Ltd
Services to GPs
Australian Medical Co-operative Ltd
Bridges After Hours Co-operative Ltd
Diagnostic Medical Co-operative Ltd
Sydney Medical Service Co-operative Ltd
Wollongong Medical Service Co-operative Ltd
Taxi services
ABC Radio Taxi Co-operative Ltd
Ballarat Taxis Co-operative Ltd
Co-operative Taxi Cabs Society Ltd
Darwin Radio Taxis Co-operative Ltd
Katoomba Leura Radio Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Legion Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Lithgow City Radio Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Newcastle Taxis Co-operative Ltd
Orange Taxi Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Peninsula Radio Cabs Co-operative Society Ltd
St. George Cabs Co-operative Ltd
Swan Taxis Co-operative Ltd
Taxi Services Co-operative Ltd
