The main body of the text consists of case studies showing the range of co-operatives in operation and providing raw material for analysis. The study is directed towards co-operatives which prioritize poverty alleviation over economic success.
Malcolm Harper taught at Cranfield School of Management until 1995, and since then has worked mainly in India. He has published on enterprise development and microfinance. He was Chairman of Basix Finance from 1996 until 2006, and is Chairman of M-CRIL, the microfinance credit rating agency. A K Roy is Director at Indira Gandhi Institute of Cooperative Management