Collaborative Economy, Sustainability, and Retail Cooperatives: The Case of Guayaquil (Ecuador)

Abstract

Guayaquil is the most industrial city of Ecuador and is currently in the process of structural transformation. The combination of solidarity, co-responsibility, cooperation, and coordination among all the inhabitants bases the environmental management in Ecuador, are aimed at guaranteeing sustainable development and is based on the balance and harmony between different social, ecological, economic, and social aspects of the country. The creation of cooperatives can transform Ecuador to benefit its citizens and consumers. Similar criteria guides Ecuador in its relations with other countries to avoid environmental harm on other nations through the use of rational and sustainable management of resources. The objective of this book chapter is to define, propose, and analyze how retail cooperatives located in the city of Guayaquil (Ecuador), following public-private schemes, can contribute to creating sustainable economic growth.