Cooperativismo de consumo como estratégia para o fortalecimento do comércio varejista alimentar de pequeno porte: sustentabilidade, resiliência, governança e poder organizacional

Abstract

This thesis analyzes consumer cooperativism as a strategy to strengthen small-scale food retail businesses in Brazil, articulating dimensions of sustainability, resilience, governance, and organizational power. The research was structured in a multipaper format, encompassing four scientific articles that complementarily analyze the roles and challenges of consumer cooperatives in both global and national contexts. The first article examines the contribution of cooperatives to economic and social development, highlighting how principles of democratic and solidarity-based management enhance social cohesion and economic viability. The second article compares international and Brazilian experiences, revealing the structural and cultural challenges that weaken consumer cooperatives in the country, while also demonstrating their resilience in the face of crises and market transformations. The third article addresses the mechanisms of democratic governance in contrast with the hierarchical structures of traditional companies, emphasizing the importance of member participation as a competitive and organizational advantage. The fourth article discusses organizational power, drawing on the theories of Michel Foucault and Norbert Elias to understand how power relations shape efficiency and inclusion in the decision-making processes of cooperatives and conventional companies. The integrated analysis of the four studies confirms that consumer cooperativism holds strategic potential to strengthen small retail businesses, especially when supported by critical factors such as cooperative education, institutional support, participatory culture, and transparent governance practices. At the same time, the dissertation highlights limitations related to sociocultural barriers, the lack of consistent public policies, and difficulties in professional management. It concludes that, although not a universal solution, the consumer cooperative model can serve as a sustainable and resilient strategy to counter the market concentration dominated by large retail chains, promote socioeconomic inclusion, and enhance the competitiveness of small-scale food retail businesses in Brazil.