Landasan Filosofis dan Fungsi Koperasi dalam Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Masyarakat

Abstract

Cooperatives, as economic institutions based on the principles of family values and democracy, play a strategic role in improving community welfare. However, despite being recognized as one of the pillars of Indonesia's economy, cooperatives face several challenges in implementing their philosophical foundation and functions. This study aims to examine the relationship between the philosophical foundation of cooperatives and their functions in enhancing community welfare, as well as to identify the factors influencing the effectiveness of cooperatives in achieving these goals. The research methodology used in this study is a qualitative approach, involving literature studies and interviews with cooperative managers and members. The findings show that, although cooperatives have a strong philosophical foundation, such as family values, mutual cooperation, and economic democracy, their implementation is still constrained by management issues, limited human resources, and restricted access to capital and technology. On the other hand, cooperatives have significant potential in improving community welfare, both in the economic field through the empowerment of small businesses and easier access to financing, and in the social field through increased solidarity and the reduction of social inequality. Therefore, to maximize the functions of cooperatives, efforts are needed to enhance cooperative management, utilize technology, and receive more strategic policy support from the government. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the importance of cooperatives in enhancing community welfare and how their philosophical foundation can be effectively implemented to achieve these objectives.