This article seeks to discuss the relationship between the cooperative and cooperative transactions specifically swine, which involves attributes of the transaction and measurement dimensions. Therefore, the aim of this article was to understand how the attributes of the transaction, proposed by Williamson (1985), and the measurement, proposed by Barzel (2005), may influence the contractual relations between producers and processors in swine cooperative structures, located in the west of Paraná. In order to attend this goal was performed a descriptive qualitative research in two cooperatives in western Paraná. Data collection was carried out by obtaining secondary data from the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives, Research Institutes, Department of Agriculture and agencies related to the swine activity. In relation to primary data, data was collected through a semi-structured interview with cooperatives and producers. As a result it was found that the governance structure used by cooperatives was characterized as hybrid, which even with the presence of highly specialized asset is justified by the possibility of measurement. The contracts between the parties are formal and informal. On the other hand, the presence of agreed issues, which involve some degree of accuracy and measurement, may generate loss of property rights, primarily for producers. On the other hand, the presence of agreed issues, which involve some degree of accuracy and measurement, may generate loss of property rights, primarily for producers. It was also identified that contracts play a dual role in the relationship between the parties: 1. creating a balance in the relationship and reducing the possibility of opportunistic behavior, given the specific investment made and the need to obtain standardized product and process; 2. using also as a mean in order to keep the swine cooperated producer as a faithful partner in the cooperative, acting as a form of support between the agent and the principal.
Transaction costs; Cost measurement; Contracts; Cooperatives; Swine chain
