• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Linkedin
AIM Leader
  • Cover Story
  • Features
  • AIM News
  • Alumni News
  • Multimedia
  • Alumni Benefits
  • Life At AIM
  • Contact
  • Give
Select Page
Articles

Eroski, A Mondragon Coop: Overcoming Challenges and Facing a New One

by Alumni Relations Office

Research by: Olivier P. Roche, Thomas J. Calo, Frank Shipper, & Adria Scharf

 

Abstract

Research Methodology

This case is based on primary and secondary sources of information. These sources include interviews with senior executives as well as documents provided by Mondragon and Eroski. The interviews were conducted on-site. In addition, the authors researched the literature on both organizations.

 

Case overview/synopsis

Eroski is the largest of Mondragon Corporation’s coops. Since its founding, Eroski has faced numerous challenges. It has responded to each challenge with out-of-the-box thinking. In response to the pandemic, Eroski become an e-commerce supermarket as well as selectively continuing bricks and mortar stores. As the pandemic is winding down, Eroski is considering how to respond to the “new normal,” which is largely undefined. The question posited at the end of the case is, “Will Eroski be able to hold to its social principles, maintain its unusual governance model and other unusual practices, and survive this latest challenge?”

 

Complexity academic level

Eroski of Mondragon is a complex and unusual organization. To appreciate the challenges and how they were overcome by its unique business model, a student must have a minimum background in management, corporate finance, and marketing. Thus, this case would fit well into a senior or graduate class on strategic human resource management. It is also recommended for the strategy capstone course usually offered during the last year of a business bachelor’s degree (senior level) to ensure that students are introduced to what Paul Adler refers to as an alternative business model. It can also be targeted for an advanced management course or a strategy course at the MBA and executive levels.

 

Keywords: employee ownership, cooperative, employee empowerment, shared entrepreneurship, international management, shared leadership, human resource management, strategic management, economic democracy, and values-driven leadership

To cite this case: Roche, O. P., Calo, T. J., Shipper, F., & Scharf, A. (2023). Eroski, a Mondragon coop: Overcoming challenges and facing a new one. The Case Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-09-2021-0178

To access this case: https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-09-2021-0178

 

About the Journal

The CASE Journal (the official journal of The CASE Association) presents students with a modern interpretation of discussion-based teaching and equips the next generation of business professionals with the acumen to solve strategic problems in the enterprise.

 

Journal ranking

Chartered Association of Business Schools

Academic Journal Guide 2021

ABS1
Scimago Journal & Country Rank SJR h-index: 2
SJR 2021: 0.11
Scopus CiteScore 2021: 0.1
Australian Business Deans Council Journal List NA
Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate) NA

Related Articles

Alumni Thought Leaders
June 11, 2025
The Hidden Killer of Civilizations and Companies: Organizational Entropy By Kislay Chandra, MBA 2013
History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Civilizations rarely collapse overnight; they decay from within—slowly, qu...
by Alumni Relations Office
Faculty
June 4, 2025
What’s the Future Heritage of Tin Baron?
Research by: Sandeep Puri & Anna Pietraszek   Abstract In August 2024, Supasith Sukhanindr, CEO of House of Tin Baron, s...
by Alumni Relations Office
Faculty
May 6, 2025
Teaching with the Case Method to Build and Teach Management Theory in Offline and Online Courses
Research by: Sandeep Puri    Executive Summary This paper reviews relevant research on the effectiveness of the case method ...
by Alumni Relations Office
AIM Logo

Learn how business works in Asia with the people who practice it.

  • Cover Story
  • Multimedia
  • Features
  • Life at AIM
  • AIM News
  • Contact
  • Alumni News
  • Give
  • Alumni Benefits
Copyright © Asian Institute of Management 2021 | Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Linkedin