Summary
Some form of cooperation is practiced in many organizations often times in isolated areas such as R&D and marketing. Few, however, practice true collaboration across all functions and levels within the organization, and with their suppliers and customers, too. Equal Exchange is a cooperative organization that taps into the full capacities of everyone involved in a socially responsible way. This article describes how it has used the wisdom of its multiple stakeholders to create a collaborative community, to be profitable, and to have significant positive impact on people’s lives and the environment in approximately 20 countries.