DRAFT TEXT FOR PUBLICITY

The case for co-operation

A new book outlining fifty innovations to boost the British economy is out from the network for co-operative businesses, Co-operatives UK.

Based on three years of research, The Co-operative Advantage analyses growth sectors around which economic co-operation has an edge and a fit that offers a competitive advantage. The 50 potential innovations dovetail with emerging trends in technology and markets and the total economic value of the sectors examined add up to 61% of overall GDP and account for 64% of total employment in the UK.

The innovations range from social co-operatives, where staff and users run care services together, to data co-ops giving people control over data about them and a freelancers’ union for the growing numbers of self-employed people.

Ed Mayo, the editor or the multi-authored book and secretary general of Co-operatives UK, said:

“Britain needs to nurture a new approach for economic success. A vital ingredient will be harnessing current innovation trends that encourage a far stronger dose of economic collaboration.  Many of the world’s most successful firms are achieving results by embracing collaboration – creating informal networks, harnessing customers’ ideas, empowering their employees. In an innovation economy, where knowledge is the new currency, businesses must co-operate to compete. “

“The co-operative advantage is realised by giving the people involved in a business – the employees, the customers, the suppliers – a stake in it. Their participation has a triple effect, boosting innovation, productivity and entrepreneurship.”

The Co-operative Advantage has been described by Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of Nesta, as “a very substantial, impressive book”. It is published by the co-operative, New Internationalist - http://shop.newint.org/uk/co-operative-advantage-ebook.html