jonföreningen

A jonförening, also known as a cooperative or a cooperative society, is a type of business organization owned and controlled by its members. The term "jonförening" is derived from the Swedish words "jon" meaning "share" and "förening" meaning "association." Jonförenings are common in many countries, including Sweden, where they have a long history and are regulated by specific laws.

Jonförenings are characterized by their democratic structure, where members have equal voting rights regardless of their capital contribution. Decisions are typically made through general meetings, and the board of directors is elected by the members. The profits are distributed among the members based on their shareholdings.

There are different types of jonförenings, including consumer cooperatives, worker cooperatives, and housing cooperatives. Consumer cooperatives, for example, pool resources to provide goods and services to their members at a lower cost than what would be available in the open market. Worker cooperatives are owned and controlled by their employees, while housing cooperatives are formed to provide affordable housing for their members.

Jonförenings offer several advantages, such as democratic control, shared decision-making, and the potential for lower costs and better quality of goods and services. However, they also face challenges, including the need for a critical mass of members to sustain the cooperative, potential conflicts among members, and the complexity of managing a cooperative structure.

In Sweden, jonförenings are regulated by the Swedish Cooperative Act, which provides a legal framework for their operation. The Swedish Cooperative Association (Svenska Kooperativa Förbundet) is the national organization representing the interests of Swedish cooperatives.