Date of Award:

5-1978

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Sociology and Anthropology

Department name when degree awarded

Sociology

Committee Chair(s)

Therel R. Black

Committee

Therel R. Black

Committee

R. W. Roskelley

Committee

Wesley T. Maughan

Abstract

The Bear River Valley Co-op Association was described in terms of certain changes that have occurred in its history, and analysis was made of how these changes relate to changes in the degree of local control by officers and members of the organization.

The method used in this study was content analysis of records of the organization. The main sources of data were: The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the organization for 1947 and 1964, and the minutes of meetings from 1968 to 1977.

The study shows that the Bear River Valley Co-op Association today, as compared to the early period of its formation, has grown and changed from small-scale to a larger scale organizational pattern. This change is evidenced by a greater degree of formality and bureaucracy in its present organization than existed in the early period. Additional evidence is reflected in the greater concern for business matters today that formerly.

Correlated with this change has been a decrease in local control which previously appeared as a predominant characteristic of the organization. This decrease is evidenced in some reduction of concern for membership relations and in a reduction in efforts to encourage local neighborhood and community discussion and planning in regard to common problems and needs of members.

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