Why Do Some Co-operatives Work But Not Others- A Comparative Analysis of Sugar Co-operatives in India

The co-operative sugar factories of western India (in Maharashtra state) are remarkably successful examples of local development initiative. This paper presents a comparative sociological analysis of these co-operatives in order to pinpoint the organisational factors which are crucial for their success. Comparative analysis of privately- owned sugar factories in India reveals a basic weakness in the cane supply relationship between the private factories and the surgarcane growers