Reviewing worker and producer cooperative contributions toward SDG8 in developing and developed economies

Considering the increased focus on sustainable development, cooperatives have attracted renewed interest as a viable organizational form that can help to address a range of socio-economic and environmental issues in regions underserved by traditional organizational forms and at a global scale. In this chapter, we review the contributions of worker and producer cooperatives toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG8) in both developing and developed economies. We outline how cooperative principles align with sustainable and inclusive economic growth and their potential to address social and environmental challenges. We offer illustrative examples of worker and producer cooperatives contributing to SDG8 by providing employment opportunities, improving work conditions, and fostering local economic development. We address and discuss criticisms and challenges cooperatives face, particularly those that emerge from contradictory economic and social goals. Finally, we emphasize a need for further research to better understand the potential of cooperatives, an organizational form that has received limited attention from international business scholars.