Co-operatives Research Unit (CRU) - Open University

The Co-operatives Research Unit (CRU) is based at the Open University at Milton Keynes in the UK. The Open University is one of the best known distance learning institutions in the world. CRU has nearly 30 years of experience in research, training, consultancy and publications related to co-operatives, social enterprise and other organisations in the social economy. in the social economy. It has three main aims: to encourage and develop thinking and research on issues of importance to the social economy sector; to support the development of co-operatives and other organisations trading for social or ethical purposes; and to work with practitioners, policy makers and researchers at European, national and local levels to develop comparative analyses of issues for improving policy, development and management.

The most notable recent projects include:

- A multi-partnered study of Social Enterprise in Europe (EMES Project);

- Third System and Employment - a 15 country study of the social economy and employment dynamics;

- Re-asserting the Co-operative Advantage - a study of value-based strategies in the UK consumer co-op sector ; 

- A study of social co-ops in the UK; a four country study of Social Audit in the social economy funded by European Commission (DG23);

- A comparative study of employee ownership in Netherlands and UK.

The Co-operatives Research Unit is a founding members of EMES and has participated in the EMES, PERSE and ELEXIES projects.