LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge-based:
The student will know the basics of a mission-based, customer-run business, the background of the cooperative movement and the purpose of cooperative businesses. The student will know about cooperative responsibility in its various dimensions and how it impacts business operations. The student will recognise a cooperative mission and its values, and how these connect with cooperative responsibility. The student will understand how the character of a cooperative enterprise is dualistic and what significance this has from a practical leadership perspective. The student will also acquire the general outlines of the special features and competitive advantages of cooperatives. The student will recognise questions specific to the management and administration of cooperatives. The student will understand the economic opportunities of cooperatives for platformisation.
Skills-based:
The student will be able to illustrate cooperative responsibility as well as the special features, competitive advantages and operating principles of cooperatives. The student will be able to describe the main features characteristic of cooperative management and administration. The student will acquire the requisite skills for applying what was learned in the course to practical work life.
Credits: 6
Schedule: 24.02.2025 - 11.04.2025
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Taavi Heikkilä
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: Finnish
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
Responsible, mission-based and customer-focused business activities. The purpose, values, and responsibility of cooperative businesses. The dual nature of cooperatives and their competitive edge. Special issues of leadership and governance in cooperatives. The cooperative as a platform-economy business model.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Grading scale 0–5. The learning journal accounts for 40% and the exam for 60% of the final grade.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
12 lectures, 4 managerial panel discussions, independent study (incl. a learning journal, exam preparation) 136 hours and examination 4 hours.
The course includes 12 hours of live lectures streamed via Teams. They include discussions between students and teachers, as well as studying in groups. There will also be 4 hours of panel discussions via Teams with leaders of cooperative businesses.
Completion of the course requires attendance at lectures, working in small groups to create a learning journal, and taking the exam.
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Articles provided by the teacher, other materials (some in English).
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
1 No Poverty
3 Good Health and Well-being
4 Quality Education
5 Gender Equality
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
10 Reduced Inequality
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
17 Partnerships for the Goals
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: Finnish
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring IV
2025-2026 Spring IV