Business organizations frequently incorporate the use of “coordination” and “cooperation,” which are the two common phrases used to describe “the way people work together.”
These are the terms often interchanged by people, as these definitions are contradictory or overlapping in nature. Therefore, people tend to miss words with completely different meanings, leading to confusion and gaps in communication.
Coordination vs Cooperation
The difference between coordination and cooperation is that coordination refers to executing a series of activities in an orderly manner to achieve unanimity of individual efforts in achieving group goals and achieving common objectives.
The main attributes to draw a line between coordination and cooperation include connection, communication, goals, resources, power, commitment, collaboration, coexistence and responsibility.
On the other hand, cooperation is a discretionary action of individuals to work collectively for mutual benefit. It requires joint efforts of all organisation members to achieve a defined goal.
Comparative table between coordination and cooperation
Comparison | Coordination | Cooperation |
Definition | It is an orderly arrangement of elements combined at the management level to achieve common goals while maintaining harmony and ensuring the proper functioning of the assigned work groups. | It is described as a voluntary effort of people working together or adhering to standards to achieve organizational goals. |
Process | contributed; It is a system deliberately incorporated by the managers of the organization. It is part of the management process. | Volunteer; It is an action that arises due to informal relationships already shared. |
Need | It is required for the achievement of goals within an organization. | It stems from the sheer desire for informal relationships and the desire to work together. |
Reach | wider scope | limited scope |
Exercise | It is done only at the top management levels within an organization over a long period of time. | It is done at all levels within an organization over a short period of time as it involves voluntary actions. |
What is Coordination?
Coordination is primarily the combined effort required and bought to fruition. Coordination is possible both for individuals and between groups of people.
In the individual, a great example would be human motor coordination. It is a deliberate combination of body movements and perfectly timed actions to complete a given task. For example, when you coordinate the movements of your legs at the same time to run in a race.
Group coordination is a separate entity for goal achievement, and its faster efficiency causes goals to be achieved than they otherwise would.
Management employs coordination to perform operations, including human resources, production, purchasing, sales, marketing, and finance. It acts as a loop for all the activities implemented by the organization, i.e. planning, controlling, staffing, directing, organizing and leading.
In addition, it ensures that all departments in the organization work in sync. It reflects the “unity of action” between employees and groups. Through coordination, each employee can achieve goals efficiently and maintain harmony.
Coordination implies synchronization between the different departments and deals with reducing conflict. Therefore, it is essential to synchronize the departments and their work since the lack of coordination creates chaos.
What is cooperation?
Cooperation implies a voluntary effort of two or more people who will work or act together for a shared mission or benefit. It is a voluntary action and not a forced one, as it is something that you enjoy doing together for profit.
For example, being a part of a sports competition involves the participants voluntarily accepting the rules and regulations of the games and acting together to get who is the best team. It is a social arrangement consisting of people working together for mutual benefits.
Understanding and communication between the two entities are essential as they work together over a long period. Communication here requires both sender and receiver to be aware of and obtain information, including who is assigned what job and how they will do it.
Just as synchronization is linked to coordination, cooperation is inseparable from communication. The benefits of cooperative learning and social groups increase self-esteem, confidence, rates of achievement, and build positive relationships.
In the workplace, cooperation provides a healthy work environment that enables employees to work side by side to achieve individual and organizational goals.
Business cooperation reflects the proverb, “united we stand, divided we fall”, providing a win-win situation that leads to mutual achievement and organizational growth.
Main Difference Between Coordination and Cooperation
- Cooperation is when a person hands you a brick, and you lay the brick. At the same time, coordination is when the coordinator orders you to pick up the brick. It is a challenge between voluntary and involuntary action.
- The etymology of “coordination” is derived from the Middle French and Late Latin word “coordination,” a noun meaning the process of coordination. On the other hand, the etymology of “cooperation” is derived from the Late Latin“Cooperaciónem”, i.e. nominative of “cooperation”, a noun meaning “to work together towards the same end”.
- Coordination is a planned process in an organization and is closely monitored. Rather, cooperation is largely an involuntary process and spontaneously out of mutual respect.
- Communication plays a fundamental role in both terms. At the same time, coordination involves open communication between members of a group instead of cooperation, which involves tactical communication.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about coordination and cooperation.
What are the types of coordination?
Coordination is mutual understanding between two parties, agreeing to something for the benefit of both parties. It is of two types: internal and external coordination.
Internal coordination is between employees of the same company, while external coordination is between employees and customers.
What is cooperation in management?
While coordination is something that the organization allows, cooperation, on the other hand, is something voluntary.
It varies from person to person, and it is the individual effort of that person to establish a relationship with the other employees or clients and share the intention to help each other.
What are the functions of cooperatives?
Cooperatives are a kind of organization formed to make purchases at a very low cost and provide supplies, equipment, and other items necessary for households. The need for agriculture, grant credit at low cost, and provide daily services such as health, water, electricity, etc., to the people.
What is coordination by example?
Coordination is mutual understanding between two parties, agreeing to something for the benefit of both parties. It is of two types: internal and external coordination.
An example of coordination can be when the employee of a company coordinates with the client and provides the required services since the client coordinates by providing the details and relevant information.
Why is cooperation important?
Cooperation is voluntary. It varies from person to person, and it is the individual effort of that person to establish a relationship with the other employees or clients and share the intention to help each other.
If this feeling is not present, most tasks will not be completed as the ego problem will come into the picture.
Is cooperation a value?
Cooperation is voluntary. It varies from person to person, and it is the individual effort of that person to establish a relationship with the other employees or clients and share the intention to help each other.
Yes, it is a value that schools can teach students at a very young age.
What are the fundamental principles of cooperation?
There are seven principles of cooperation that are followed throughout the world.
They are the following:
Voluntary and open membership
Democratic control of members
Economic participation of members
Independence and autonomy of the organization
Training-education and information
Cooperation between corporations and concern for the community
Conclusion
Coordination and Competition are the terms that constitute activities that work hand in hand since cooperation without coordination is a waste of effort. Likewise, coordination without any cooperation will result in discontent among group members.
It is a certainty that both coordination and cooperation involve the depth of communication levels and associate people to work together to increase the effectiveness of the results achieved.
