Sonja Novkovic | Saint Mary's University (Canada) (original) (raw)
Papers by Sonja Novkovic
Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks, Feb 7, 2023
Springer eBooks, 2023
Measuring Transformational Impact of Cooperatives Sonja Novkovic ´and Drazen ˇSimlě sa 1 4.1 Incr... more Measuring Transformational Impact of Cooperatives Sonja Novkovic ´and Drazen ˇSimlě sa 1 4.1 Increasing Pressure to Measure Sustainability Performance Governance of a democratic organization is a system which steers it in the direction set out by the purpose envisioned by its members. Performance indicators are often used as "traffic lights" guiding the enterprise leaders in the right direction, making sure they execute its strategy. A lot has been written in the last few decades about business performance indicators that go beyond the financial statements, especially
Springer eBooks, 2023
The word governance has its root in the Latin verb 'Goubernare' which derives from the Greek 'Kyb... more The word governance has its root in the Latin verb 'Goubernare' which derives from the Greek 'Kybernan', meaning 'to lead, to steer, to be the head of, to set rules, to be in charge of the power'. Governance is related to vision, decision-making processes, power dynamics and accountability practices. The ultimate goal of governance is to effectively fulfill an organization's goals in a way consistent with the organization's purpose. Cooperatives are member owned and democratically controlled organizations. Their governance has to meet cooperative's objectives, protect
The Cooperatives’ Power of Innovation: Selected Texts from the International Call for Papers, 2014
Co-operativism and Local Development in Cuba, 2018
Cuba's experiment with co-operativism within a socialist economic system offers important lessons... more Cuba's experiment with co-operativism within a socialist economic system offers important lessons for the cooperative movement. Cooperatives as defined by the International Cooperative Alliance Statement of Cooperative Identity (ica.coop) typically function within capitalist market systems where they face pressures from competition with investor owned businesses, and institutions designed to support and protect investors. Cooperatives often face isomorphism, they may encounter barriers accessing finance, and they may succumb to capitalist market logic in their hierarchical governance systems. Cooperatives in capitalism often identify as non-capitalist or anti-capitalist, but rarely as socialist. This chapter explores the underlying features of socialist cooperatives , and discusses the role of cooperatives in the Cuban transformation of its socioeconomic model. The particular emphasis is on the ability of cooperatives to maintain focus on human development, thereby continuing the legacy of the Cuban Revolution.
Springer eBooks, 2023
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way,... more illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Regarding these commercial rights a non-exclusive license has been granted to the publisher. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
This entry contains various materials related to the Co-op Index project, which focused on the de... more This entry contains various materials related to the Co-op Index project, which focused on the development and testing of the Co-op Index Diagonstic Tool for Worker Co-operatives. The Co-op Index is a values-based assessment tool designed specifically for worker co-operatives. The Co-op Index measures a co-operative’s organizational effectiveness based on the following: - The degree to which its members/employees feel involved and empowered in the management of the organization; - The degree to which the co-op adheres to universally recognized co-op principles and values; - The degree to which the co-op adheres to its own mission and values. The overview document describes the Co-op Index tool in some detail, and provides a number of sample questions as well as extracts from a sample diagnostic report and descriptions of the various indices. The slide presentation is from CASC 2015 and the presentation abstract is as follows: The Co-op Index was meant to be a handy diagnostic tool for the organizational development of worker co-ops. Although many papers and book chapters have described its functions and diagnostic model (Stocki, Prokopowicz, Novkovic, 2012; Novkovic, Prokopowicz, Stocki, 2012; Hough & Novkovic, 2012; Stocki, & Łapot, 2014), no empirical data collected from co-ops using the tool has yet been presented. This is the first presentation of all empirical data gathered so far from Canadian and American co-operatives who have used the tool. First, we plan to present psychometric features of the tool, including correlations between questions and scales, as well as reliability of all 30 subscales of the questionnaire. Second, we will present the first mean characteristics of the co-operatives diagnosed so far, which may serve as benchmarks for future users of the tool. We will conclude the presentation with a list of changes in the tool which will allow for the development of a leaner and more reliable 2.0 version. The smu.ca link leads to a journal article published in the Journal of Co-operative Accounting and Reporting that follows up on the CASC presentation above, by discussing some detail the preliminary analysis of results. Abstract of the paper has been included in this record. The video (youtube) link leads to a webinar entitled "Tools to Measure your Co-op's Forward Motion". The first presenter, starting at 00:01:20, is Eric Tusz-King, who reflects on his co-operative's experience using the Co-op Index tool (EnerGreen Worker Co-op).
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, 1993
No abstract is available for this item. ... To our knowledge, this item is not available for down... more No abstract is available for this item. ... To our knowledge, this item is not available for download. To find whether it is available, there are three options: 1. Check below under "Related research" whether another version of this item is available online. 2. Check on the ...
Journal of Computing and Information Technology, 2003
In this paper we present a version of genetic algorithm (GA) where parameters are created by the ... more In this paper we present a version of genetic algorithm (GA) where parameters are created by the GA, rather than predetermined by the programmer. Chromosome portions which do not translate into fitness ("genetic residual") are given function to diversify control parameters for the GA, providing random parameter setting along the way, and doing away with fine-tuning of probabilities of crossover and mutation. We test the algorithm on Royal Road functions to examine the difference between our version (GAR) and the simple genetic algorithm (SGA) in the speed of discovering schema and creating building blocks. We also look at the usefulness of other standard improvements, such as non-coding segments, elitist selection and multiple crossover on the evolution of schema.
Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management, Jun 1, 2022
Handbook of Research on Cooperatives and Mutuals
This webinar featured the two conference organizers for the International Symposium on Co-operati... more This webinar featured the two conference organizers for the International Symposium on Co-operative Governance (September 5-7, 2013 in Halifax, Nova Scotia): Karen Miner, Managing Director of Co-operative Management Education and Dr. Sonja Novkovic, Professor of Economics both from Saint Mary's University. The webinar will share the highlights from the Symposium including linkages to the Participation theme from the ICA's Blueprint for a Co-op Decade and new ideas and challenges emerging in the field of governance of co-operative enterprises. Karen Miner is the Managing Director of Co-operative Management Education at Saint Mary's University, responsible for both the Graduate Diploma in Co-operative Management and the Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions. Karen has a strong history in co-operative governance having served on the boards of Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Canadian Co-operative Association among others. Karen is also a certified director t...
Co-Operatives in a Post-Growth Era, 2014
Humanism in Business Series
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way,... more illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Regarding these commercial rights a non-exclusive license has been granted to the publisher. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management
Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks, Feb 7, 2023
Springer eBooks, 2023
Measuring Transformational Impact of Cooperatives Sonja Novkovic ´and Drazen ˇSimlě sa 1 4.1 Incr... more Measuring Transformational Impact of Cooperatives Sonja Novkovic ´and Drazen ˇSimlě sa 1 4.1 Increasing Pressure to Measure Sustainability Performance Governance of a democratic organization is a system which steers it in the direction set out by the purpose envisioned by its members. Performance indicators are often used as "traffic lights" guiding the enterprise leaders in the right direction, making sure they execute its strategy. A lot has been written in the last few decades about business performance indicators that go beyond the financial statements, especially
Springer eBooks, 2023
The word governance has its root in the Latin verb 'Goubernare' which derives from the Greek 'Kyb... more The word governance has its root in the Latin verb 'Goubernare' which derives from the Greek 'Kybernan', meaning 'to lead, to steer, to be the head of, to set rules, to be in charge of the power'. Governance is related to vision, decision-making processes, power dynamics and accountability practices. The ultimate goal of governance is to effectively fulfill an organization's goals in a way consistent with the organization's purpose. Cooperatives are member owned and democratically controlled organizations. Their governance has to meet cooperative's objectives, protect
The Cooperatives’ Power of Innovation: Selected Texts from the International Call for Papers, 2014
Co-operativism and Local Development in Cuba, 2018
Cuba's experiment with co-operativism within a socialist economic system offers important lessons... more Cuba's experiment with co-operativism within a socialist economic system offers important lessons for the cooperative movement. Cooperatives as defined by the International Cooperative Alliance Statement of Cooperative Identity (ica.coop) typically function within capitalist market systems where they face pressures from competition with investor owned businesses, and institutions designed to support and protect investors. Cooperatives often face isomorphism, they may encounter barriers accessing finance, and they may succumb to capitalist market logic in their hierarchical governance systems. Cooperatives in capitalism often identify as non-capitalist or anti-capitalist, but rarely as socialist. This chapter explores the underlying features of socialist cooperatives , and discusses the role of cooperatives in the Cuban transformation of its socioeconomic model. The particular emphasis is on the ability of cooperatives to maintain focus on human development, thereby continuing the legacy of the Cuban Revolution.
Springer eBooks, 2023
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way,... more illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Regarding these commercial rights a non-exclusive license has been granted to the publisher. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
This entry contains various materials related to the Co-op Index project, which focused on the de... more This entry contains various materials related to the Co-op Index project, which focused on the development and testing of the Co-op Index Diagonstic Tool for Worker Co-operatives. The Co-op Index is a values-based assessment tool designed specifically for worker co-operatives. The Co-op Index measures a co-operative’s organizational effectiveness based on the following: - The degree to which its members/employees feel involved and empowered in the management of the organization; - The degree to which the co-op adheres to universally recognized co-op principles and values; - The degree to which the co-op adheres to its own mission and values. The overview document describes the Co-op Index tool in some detail, and provides a number of sample questions as well as extracts from a sample diagnostic report and descriptions of the various indices. The slide presentation is from CASC 2015 and the presentation abstract is as follows: The Co-op Index was meant to be a handy diagnostic tool for the organizational development of worker co-ops. Although many papers and book chapters have described its functions and diagnostic model (Stocki, Prokopowicz, Novkovic, 2012; Novkovic, Prokopowicz, Stocki, 2012; Hough & Novkovic, 2012; Stocki, & Łapot, 2014), no empirical data collected from co-ops using the tool has yet been presented. This is the first presentation of all empirical data gathered so far from Canadian and American co-operatives who have used the tool. First, we plan to present psychometric features of the tool, including correlations between questions and scales, as well as reliability of all 30 subscales of the questionnaire. Second, we will present the first mean characteristics of the co-operatives diagnosed so far, which may serve as benchmarks for future users of the tool. We will conclude the presentation with a list of changes in the tool which will allow for the development of a leaner and more reliable 2.0 version. The smu.ca link leads to a journal article published in the Journal of Co-operative Accounting and Reporting that follows up on the CASC presentation above, by discussing some detail the preliminary analysis of results. Abstract of the paper has been included in this record. The video (youtube) link leads to a webinar entitled "Tools to Measure your Co-op's Forward Motion". The first presenter, starting at 00:01:20, is Eric Tusz-King, who reflects on his co-operative's experience using the Co-op Index tool (EnerGreen Worker Co-op).
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, 1993
No abstract is available for this item. ... To our knowledge, this item is not available for down... more No abstract is available for this item. ... To our knowledge, this item is not available for download. To find whether it is available, there are three options: 1. Check below under "Related research" whether another version of this item is available online. 2. Check on the ...
Journal of Computing and Information Technology, 2003
In this paper we present a version of genetic algorithm (GA) where parameters are created by the ... more In this paper we present a version of genetic algorithm (GA) where parameters are created by the GA, rather than predetermined by the programmer. Chromosome portions which do not translate into fitness ("genetic residual") are given function to diversify control parameters for the GA, providing random parameter setting along the way, and doing away with fine-tuning of probabilities of crossover and mutation. We test the algorithm on Royal Road functions to examine the difference between our version (GAR) and the simple genetic algorithm (SGA) in the speed of discovering schema and creating building blocks. We also look at the usefulness of other standard improvements, such as non-coding segments, elitist selection and multiple crossover on the evolution of schema.
Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management, Jun 1, 2022
Handbook of Research on Cooperatives and Mutuals
This webinar featured the two conference organizers for the International Symposium on Co-operati... more This webinar featured the two conference organizers for the International Symposium on Co-operative Governance (September 5-7, 2013 in Halifax, Nova Scotia): Karen Miner, Managing Director of Co-operative Management Education and Dr. Sonja Novkovic, Professor of Economics both from Saint Mary's University. The webinar will share the highlights from the Symposium including linkages to the Participation theme from the ICA's Blueprint for a Co-op Decade and new ideas and challenges emerging in the field of governance of co-operative enterprises. Karen Miner is the Managing Director of Co-operative Management Education at Saint Mary's University, responsible for both the Graduate Diploma in Co-operative Management and the Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions. Karen has a strong history in co-operative governance having served on the boards of Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Canadian Co-operative Association among others. Karen is also a certified director t...
Co-Operatives in a Post-Growth Era, 2014
Humanism in Business Series
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way,... more illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Regarding these commercial rights a non-exclusive license has been granted to the publisher. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management