ühistegurite

ühistegurite is an Estonian term that translates to "cooperatives" in English. It refers to a voluntary association of individuals or entities who have come together to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Cooperatives are distinct from traditional business structures in their ownership and governance.

The core principle of a cooperative is that its members are also its users and owners. This means that those who benefit from the cooperative's services or products are the ones who have a say in its operation and share in its success. Decision-making within a cooperative is typically based on the principle of one member, one vote, regardless of the amount of capital a member has contributed.

Cooperatives can operate in a wide range of sectors. Common examples include agricultural cooperatives, where farmers pool resources for purchasing supplies or marketing their produce; consumer cooperatives, which operate retail stores owned by their customers; housing cooperatives, where residents collectively own and manage their housing; and financial cooperatives, such as credit unions, which offer banking services to their members.

The primary aim of a cooperative is not profit maximization in the way a traditional company might pursue it, but rather to provide benefits to its members. These benefits can include better prices for goods or services, improved access to resources, enhanced bargaining power, or the provision of essential services within a community. The financial surplus generated by a cooperative is often reinvested in the business or distributed among members based on their patronage.