Co-operative Development and Management

Determinants of co-operative supervision management information system compliance among saccos in Iramba and Manyoni Districts, Tanzania

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Determinants of co-operative supervision management information system compliance among saccos in Iramba and Manyoni Districts, Tanzania Herman, Hermenegild. This study examined the determinants of Co-operative Supervision Management Information compliance among Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies in Iramba and Manyoni Districts, Tanzania. Despite the increasing significance of digital platforms in enhancing co-operative governance and accountability, compliance with CSMIS among SACCOS remains low. The objectives of the study were: to identify organisational factors influencing CSMIS compliance; to explore the effects of socio-demographic factors on CSMIS compliance among SACCOS; and to examine attitudinal factors affecting CSMIS compliance. A cross-sectional research design was employed, with SACCOS serving as the unit of analysis. Data were collected through questionnaires and a key informant interview guide, with a sample of 167 respondents. Analysis was conducted using thematic analysis, descriptive statistics and a binary logistic model. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, the study found that organisational factors such as strong financial capacity, active managerial support for digital systems, adequate operational structures, and reliable leadership training were the strongest predictors of CSMIS compliance, while unreliable electricity significantly reduced the likelihood of compliance. Socio-demographic factors showed that higher education, prior digital experience, and ICT-skilled staff increased compliance, whereas female-led SACCOS were less likely to comply, indicating a gender-related gap in digital readiness. Attitudinal factors indicated that positive perceptions of transparency, efficiency, and ease of use encouraged compliance, while concerns about the high cost of compliance discouraged it, underscoring the role of perceived benefits in technology acceptance. It is concluded that socio-demographic factors, particularly leadership education and gender, along with organisational capacity, digital competence, and positive system perceptions, have a strong influence on CSMIS compliance. Perceived costs and unavailability of reliable electricity remain key barriers. Based on the established evidence, it is recommended that a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach is essential to strengthen leadership, promote gender inclusivity, enhance infrastructure, and build Trust in technology through training, policies, and investment. This is Research Article

Youth participation in cotton agricultural marketing cooperatives for sustainable rural employment creation in Tanzania

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Youth participation in cotton agricultural marketing cooperatives for sustainable rural employment creation in Tanzania Rwekaza, Gratian C. Cooperative organizations have important in improving employment opportunity creation and other socio-economic development in many nations. The paper examined youth participation in cotton Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives Societies (AMCOS) for rural employment creation; where youth as the majority of the population were found to be not interested. Specifically, the paper had two objectives which were; to assess the perception of youth towards participating in AMCOS and to assess the available strategies by AMCOS on youth participation in agriculture. The cross sectional design was adopted, five primary AMCOS was surveyed where members of the AMCOS formed unit of analysis. The findings indicate that; on perception of youth towards AMCOS cotton business, youth engagement was found to be determined by the profit earned after cost of production. Cotton was perceived to be costly among youth as compared to profits earned. Also, youth were had bad perception on agriculture they are interested in other business. On the available strategies by AMCOS on youth participation in agriculture; the possibility to engage youth as members of the AMCOS was among the strategy that had higher. Also, youth engagement with their parents who are members was found to have impact in bringing youth on board hence employment creation can be feasible. The paper concludes that; Youth membership needs deliberate efforts by different interventions to make them attractive to cotton business that are payable. Also, more interactive strategies are still needed that are participative and that are integrated with youth preference which can make youth to be inclusive in agriculture for leveraging the level unemployment in the sector. The paper recommends; Primary AMCOS are required to develop tangible strategies that are integrated to youth preference. Local government loans on youth should target youth groups which are doing agriculture. Also, programs on youth participation and engagement on cooperative farming business will enhance the breath and worthiness for youth engagement hence creates youth employment widening. This is Research Article

Youth Co-operatives Participation Gap:

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Youth Co-operatives Participation Gap: Njau, Luka; Matto, George Youth engagement in agriculture and co-opera-tive ventures in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains low, de-spite the sector's potential for economic and community de-velopment. This study investigates whether low youth partic-ipation is attributable to insufficient factors of production or a lack of innovative strategies, or a combination of both, within coffee-based co-operative supporting organisations in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. A multiple case study de-sign was employed, involving four cases. Data were collected qualitatively using key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations, guided by the principle of de-scriptive saturation. Thematic analysis was utilised to identify and interpret recurring themes through the review of tran-scripts, generation of initial codes from transcripts and litera-ture, and visualisation of patterns. Themes were reviewed for commonalities, clearly defined, and labelled. Interpretations and implications were drawn in accordance with the study's theoretical framework and research questions. The findings affirm that limited youth participation in agricultural co-op-eratives stems from restricted access to land and financial cap-ital, compounded by a lack of innovative engagement strate-gies from supporting organisations. The absence of youth-tar-geted programmes and comprehensive support structures, including mentorship and entrepreneurship training, was also identified. It is concluded that limited youth participation results from both restricted access to essential factors of production and a lack of innovative strategies tailored to engage and motivate youth. Coffee-based co-operative support or-ganisations should develop collaborative initiatives to facilitate youth access to land and establish spe-cialised training hubs and clubs to provide education, innovations, mentorship, and support within the coffee farming value chain and co-operative practices. This is Research Article

Dynamic Governance and Innovation in Tanzanian Co-operatives

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Dynamic Governance and Innovation in Tanzanian Co-operatives Kumburu, Neema P.; Nchimbi, Alfred J.; Mgema, Japhet M. Dynamic governance is increasingly recognised as an important approach for strengthening organisational processes and fostering innovation. However, its role within Tanzanian co-operatives remains unclear. This study examines how dynamic governance is associated with innovation in cooperatives and explores whether managerial recruitment strengthens these relationships. A crosssectional design was used, with data collected from 320 respondents through proportionate random sampling. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLSSEM). The findings show that key dimensions of dynamic governance deliberate decision-making (β = 0.141, p = 0.010), planning (β = 0.219, p < 0.001), and deployment of expertise (β = -0.139, p = 0.035) are significantly associated with innovation. The model explains a moderate proportion of variation in innovation (R² = 0.48), with effects ranging from small to moderate in magnitude. In addition, managerial recruitment strengthens the relationship between planning and innovation (β = 0.208, p = 0.002), but does not significantly influence the other governance dimensions. In conclusion, the findings suggest that aligning recruitment practices with planning processes can play a meaningful role in enhancing innovation in co-operatives. The study contributes to theory by showing that recruitment acts as a context-dependent mechanism through which governance practices translate into innovation outcomes. Institutions and Development Research Journal 2026: 2(1), 60-78 Journal homepage: https://journal.diaderc.org/