Abstract
Purpose - This article aims to investigate the organization of water cooperatives in Greece for the first time, as promoted by a spontaneous social mobilization called Initiative 136. The above attempt appears as an alternative proposition as opposed to the state-driven full privatization of EYATH S.A.Design/methodology/approach - This article presents previous work on water cooperatives and the negative effects of water privatization worldwide, relating it to water privatization in Greek reality through the prism of the current recession.Findings - While full privatization under the pressure of the economic crisis is very likely to yield significantly negative results, a transformation into a water cooperative might provide a viable solution.Research limitations/implications - Water cooperatives provide a solution for water distribution that is friendly for the consumer, the society and the environment.Practical implications - Application of a cooperative method of water provision in Greece could be a springboard for the use of the model in other areas.Originality/value - Application of previous research on water privatization and water cooperatives in the attempt of the privatization of Greek’s EYATH S.A.
Purpose - This article aims to investigate the organization of water cooperatives in Greece for the first time, as promoted by a spontaneous social mobilization called Initiative 136. The above attempt appears as an alternative proposition as opposed to the state-driven full privatization of EYATH S.A.Design/methodology/approach - This article presents previous work on water cooperatives and the negative effects of water privatization worldwide, relating it to water privatization in Greek reality through the prism of the current recession.Findings - While full privatization under the pressure of the economic crisis is very likely to yield significantly negative results, a transformation into a water cooperative might provide a viable solution.Research limitations/implications - Water cooperatives provide a solution for water distribution that is friendly for the consumer, the society and the environment.Practical implications - Application of a cooperative method of water provision in Greece could be a springboard for the use of the model in other areas.Originality/value - Application of previous research on water privatization and water cooperatives in the attempt of the privatization of Greek’s EYATH S.A.