Cooperation development management in the Russian Federation: Problems and prospects

Introduction: cooperation is an alternative form of entrepreneurial activity that allows the pooling of financial capital and organizational resources of participants. In conditions of an economic crisis and falling incomes, it is cooperative business models that can act as the most effective mechanism for the growth of entrepreneurial activity and economic development. Objectives: the purpose of the study is to analyze the factors limiting the population’s readiness to participate in cooperatives and to determine the mechanisms of social management that ensure the development of cooperation. Methods: questionnaire survey of the population (N = 4422 respondents). Representation features: gender, age, place of residence (urban/rural). Results: according to respondents, the limiting factors for the development of cooperation include the following: low level of mutual trust of potential cooperation participants, lack of capital, insufficient government support, problems with renting premises, high taxes. Measures aimed at developing competencies and increasing knowledge in the field of cooperation can increase the citizens’ readiness to join cooperatives. The results of the study made it possible to identify the key subjects for population cooperative initiatives support, the first radius being industry sector organizations directly involved in the cooperative development agenda; the second radius is regional and local authorities, the third are business communities. Conclusions: an analysis of the restrictions on cooperation development showed the presence of problems and needs of potential cooperators. On the one hand, the population is interested in developing competencies in the field of cooperation, learning the best practices and best practices in this area. On the other hand, in the conditions of the economic crisis, citizens have updated rational requests for financial support from authorities, minimizing the risks and costs of doing business. The practical significance of the study is determined by the development of organizational and administrative, regulatory, socio-cultural, educational, communication, and infrastructural mechanisms for social management of cooperation development.