Coordination and Cooperation are collaborative efforts but differ in structure and intent. Coordination involves organizing tasks and resources systematically to ensure that different parts of a team or organization work in harmony toward a common goal, often requiring planning and management. Cooperation, however, is the voluntary willingness of individuals or groups to work together, supporting each other to achieve mutual objectives without necessarily having a formal structure.
What is Coordination?
The conscious and rational process of pulling together the different parts of an organisation to achieve a predetermined goal is known as coordination. It is known as the essence of management as it is inherent in all the functions of management.
What is Cooperation?
The willingness of people to help each other is known as cooperation. It involves mutual assistance, collaboration, and collective effort to achieve shared interests or outcomes. Cooperation can occur in various contexts, from interpersonal relationships to organizational settings, and even international diplomacy.
Difference between Coordination and Cooperation
| Basis | Coordination | Cooperation |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Coordination is the process of organizing different components or activities in a way that they work together effectively. | Cooperation refers to the act of working together towards a common end or goal voluntarily. |
| Nature | It is a deliberate effort by the management. It is a contrived process. | It is a voluntary attitude of members of an organisation. It is a natural process. |
| Purpose | The main purpose is to provide unity of action in the pursuit of a common purpose. | The main purpose it to support one another for achieving the objectives. |
| Necessity | Coordination is necessary where a group of people work together for a common goal. | Cooperation is voluntary and arises out of the desire of the people to work together. |
| Scope | Coordination has a wider scope than cooperation. | As it is a part of coordination, it has a narrow scope. |
| Inter-relationship | Coordination without cooperation is impossible. | Cooperation without coordination is fruitless. |
| Status | Coordination is the essence of management. | Cooperation is not the essence of management. |
| Medium | Coordination is achieved through formal and informal relations. | Cooperation arises out of informal relations. |
