http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/3 2026-05-04T09:30:03Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2126 Financial literacy and members’ investment decisions Msuya, Richard I.; John, NeemaLucy; Ndosi, Regan J.; Temu, Karen A.; Nzungu, Restituta Saving and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) play a crucial role in enhancing financial inclusion and mobilising savings for investment among Tanzanians. However, it remains unclear whether members’ financial literacy influences the effectiveness of their utilisation of SACCOS platforms for wealth building investments. This study was guided by dual process and planned behaviour theory, which emphasises the importance of financial knowledge among members and examines how financial attitudes and behaviours affect SACCOS members' investment decisions. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, using purposive and simple random sampling to select 220 respondents. Primary and secondary data were collected through structured interviews, survey questionnaires, and documentary reviews. The data were analysed using the binary logistic regression model. The study found that financial knowledge and financial behaviour positively and significantly influence SACCOS members' investment decisions, while financial attitude has negative and insignificant effects. These findings emphasise the crucial role of financial education and prudent financial behaviours in enhancing investment decision-making within the cooperative context. It is concluded that financial literacy significantly influences members’ investment decisions. Therefore, the study recommends that Muungano Kikavu Chini SACCOS management maintain a focus on improving the financial knowledge of their members to increase investments in shares, deposits, savings, loans, and SACCOS projects, which directly contribute to enhanced financial inclusion. This can be achieved through financial literacy programmes, workshops, and seminars. Additionally, SACCOS should provide financial education and training programmes for their members and develop products and services tailored to the needs of members with varying levels of financial knowledge. Moreover, specific interventions, such as financial education and counselling, should target members whose financial habits may hinder their progress, assisting them in adopting practices that promote greater financial stability and inclusion. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2125 Mediating role of the regulatory framework in board accountability and sustainable growth of agricultural marketing co-operative societies in Simiyu, Tanzania Nkilijiwa, Angelina L. Sustainability remains a major challenge for Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies (AMCOS) in Tanzania, where governance is key to growth. This study examined how the regulatory framework mediates the relationship between board accountability and the sustainable growth of AMCOS in Simiyu Region. Guided by agency and institutional theories, the study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Data were collected from 237 AMCOS managers using questionnaires and from 6 District Co-operative Officers via key informant interviews (KIIs). Quantitative data were analysed with PLS-SEM, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Findings indicated that board accountability moderately enhanced AMCOS growth, with effective monitoring, timely reporting, and transparent disclosure fostering trust and sustainability. The regulatory framework exerted a significant direct effect and mediated the accountability-growth relationship, highlighting its dual role. Among growth indicators, membership growth was strongest, whereas asset growth and product innovation remained weak due to limited resources, traditional business models, government dependency, and limited board capacity. The study concludes that AMCOS growth, mainly through membership expansion, is moderately driven by board accountability and strongly shaped by regulatory frameworks, while innovation and asset growth remain constrained. The study urges policymakers to balance enforcement with capacity building to strengthen innovation and stability in co-operatives. This is Research Article 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2124 Board Strategic Leadership, Regulatory Framework and Growth of Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies in Simiyu, Tanzania Nkilijiwa, Angelina L.; Metto, Wilson K.; Nyankone, Benson Ouma. This study examines the relationship between Board Strategic Leadership (BSL) and the growth of Agricultural Marketing Co-operatives (AMCOS) in Simiyu, Tanzania. Concurrently, it assesses the moderating role of the co-operative regulatory framework on this relationship, thereby addressing the notable empirical gap. Resource-Based Theory and Institutional Theory guided it. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, using a structured questionnaire for data collection and stratified random sampling to select 237 AMCOS managers (82.3% response rate). Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling(PLS-SEM) and linear regression. The findings revealed that BSL has a positive influence on AMCOS growth (β = 0.205, p = 0.012), with membership growth being the most prominent indicator, compared to asset growth and product innovation. Importantly, the regulatory framework significantly moderates this relationship (β = 0.03, p = 0.032) and has a direct effect on AMCOS growth (β = 0.388, p = 0.000). The study concludes that BSL is a significant driver of AMCOS's growth, with membership growth serving as the key indicator. This influence is significantly amplified by a supportive regulatory framework, highlighting a critical interplay between internal and external governance for the sustained co-operative success. The study provides policymakers in Tanzania with valuable insights to refine the cooperative regulatory framework, ensuring accountability, operational autonomy, clarity, and strategic flexibility for the AMCOS board. Additionally, it highlights the need for targeted training and capacity-building for leaders to enhance BSL and promote sustainable co-operative growth This is Research Article 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2123 Who wants to get involved? Determinants of Sanya Juu farmers’ willingness to invest in a dairy processing co-operative plant Mataba, Lucas; Walsanga, Barnos Smallholder dairy farmers in Tanzania face persistent challenges in accessing formal markets and securing fair prices for their produce. Although cooperatives offer a promising platform for collective investment and market integration, actual financial participation remains uneven. This study explored what drives dairy farmers in Sanya Juu to invest—or not—in a proposed dairy processing cooperative. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior, it examined how farmers’ belief in cooperative values, their financial literacy, and perceived benefits influence their investment decisions. A total of 150 dairy farmers, including both cooperative members and non-members, were surveyed using structured questionnaires. Key informants were used to collect qualitative data for triangulation of quantitative findings. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, t-tests, and binary logistic regression while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The findings indicate that while 63.3% of all respondents expressed willingness to invest, a slightly higher proportion of non-members (67.2%) were willing compared to members (60.7%). Differences in belief in cooperative values between the two groups were generally insignificant, although non-members showed stronger conviction in integrity, while members placed more emphasis on solidarity. Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that belief in self-help, self-responsibility, solidarity, and equity significantly influenced the willingness to invest. Demographic factors such as age, sex, and education had no meaningful predictive power. The study concludes that farmers’ internal commitment to cooperative values—rather than membership status or background—plays a decisive role in shaping their investment behavior. To encourage broader participation, cooperatives must foster transparent leadership and reinforce cooperative values through continuous education. Policy support should also prioritize inclusiveness and trust-building mechanisms to expand member and non-member engagement. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z