http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/216 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:56:53 GMT 2026-04-16T08:56:53Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2109 The role of Co-operative joint enterprises in enhancing the sustainability of their members: Mbwambo, Joyce.; Mwinuka, Mary.; Ngowi, Alex.; Kilemwa, Laurine. Despite their growing importance in co-operative development, empirical research on the function of Co-operative Joint Enterprises (CJEs) in the sustainability of their member organisations in Tanzania is scarce. This study, based on economies of scale theory, examined the contributions of a prominent CJE in Lake Zone, with a focus on collective production, marketing, processing, and service delivery as sustainability measures. A case study design was used, using quantitative and qualitative data from 66 purposively selected union co-operative board members and key informant interviews with CJE management and operation managers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, whilst content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The study findings revealed that CJEs are perceived to have a major impact on several aspects of sustainability. The majority of respondents recognised the CJE’s function in resource pooling (89.4%), promoting market access (84.8%), strengthening bargaining power (81.8%), and minimising economic shocks (75.7%). Furthermore, 78.8% perceived that the CJE has assisted governance and financial management training, while 72.7% supported ecologically friendly practices, particularly climate-smart agriculture. These achievements have resulted in higher household income, more intra-member cooperation, and greater socioeconomic resilience among union members. The study also revealed ongoing challenges that prevent the full realisation of CJE’s sustainability initiatives. These include limited access to financial services (71.2%), weak governance frameworks (65.2%), insufficient infrastructure (63.6%), and turbulent market conditions. The study concludes that while CJEs provide a realistic paradigm for their members’ sustainability, focused policy interventions are required. The study recommends enhancing access to finance, increasing governance capabilities, investing in infrastructure, and encouraging adaptive market strategies. The study recommends further longitudinal research to assess the long-term socioeconomic impacts of CJEs on member livelihoods, thereby providing strong evidence to inform policy and scale sustainable co-operative models. Research Article Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2109 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2108 Potentials and challenges for the growth of Co-operative societies in Tanzania Kumburu, Neema.; Hizza, Ernest.; Namwata, Baltazary.; Kazungu, Isaack. Co-operatives in Tanzania, particularly in the agriculture sector, hold significant potential for economic empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainable development. By pooling resources, co-operatives help improve the economic status of their members through access to markets, credit facilities, and training programs. They also foster social cohesion, contributing to poverty reduction, job creation, and improved living standards. Agricultural co-operatives, such as AMCOS, enhance productivity, product quality, and marketability by providing access to inputs, technology, and knowledge-sharing. These organizations also promote sustainable practices, contributing to long-term environmental and economic stability. Government support, such as the Co-operative Development Policy, provides a critical framework for cooperative growth. Despite these opportunities, gaps in empirical research on the performance and trends of co-operatives, especially regarding gender equality and inclusivity, remain. Furthermore, the adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate change impacts on co-operative members, especially in agriculture, require urgent attention. There is also a need for comprehensive policy initiatives to address the unique challenges faced by different types of co-operatives in Tanzania. The primary objective of this study was to assess the potential and challenges for the growth of cooperatives in Tanzania. Specifically, the study determines the trends and performance of co-operatives in the country, determines the potentials and challenges for the growth of co-operatives in the country, examine adaptation and mitigation mechanisms to climate change impacts by co-operative members, and examine policy implications on enhancing the performance of cooperative in the country The study utilized a mixed-methods approach to gather data from smallholder farmers across key agricultural regions including Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Songwe, Tabora, and Kyela. A total of 548 participants were surveyed, including members from AMCOS (443), dairy co-operatives (29), fish co-operatives (20), and SACCOS (56). Qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques were employed. Research Article Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2108 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2107 Formalization of informal digital savings and lending associations: Ngowi, Alex.; Msanya, Noela.; Kitururu, Emanuel.; Mbonyo, Mariam. Social media-based digitally informal savings and lending associations (DISLAs) are growing rapidly, indicating a shift in collective financial behaviour. The sustainability and operational concerns arise from this increase. Hence, there was urgent need for the empirical study to examine DISLAs’ socioeconomic dynamics and the feasibility of formalising them as Co-operative Financial Intuitions (CFIs) to improve their efficiency. Data were collected from 147 WhatsApp subscribers who use M-KOBA, a mobile finance application that interfaces with Vodacom Tanzania’s M-Pesa, using cross-sectional design. Data was collected using online surveys and semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were thematically examined, whereas quantitative data were analysed descriptively. The study findings reveled that majority (92.5%) of respondents use WhatsApp for MKOBA DISLA mobilisation. It was also found that DISLAs’ operating approaches were aligned with ideal co-operative values implying its feasibility of being formalised to CFIs. Moreover, it was revealed that, majority (91.8%) of the respondents willing to formalise their DISLAs into CFIs. However, despite the formalization feasibility and willingness, legal and regulatory issues, limited cooperative education, capital constraints, and leadership gaps need to be addressed for effective transformation. The study concludes that, DISLAs formalization marks the opportunity to increase youth engagement in financial co-operatives. The study recommends for streamlined legal procedures, co-operative education programs, digital incubation hubs, and targeted funding. Also, it recommends further research in examining digital CFI scaling up models. Research Article Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2107 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2106 Cooperative-led growth and Institutional quality: Joseph, Godfrey J.; Sife, Alfred S. The role of cooperatives in fostering inclusive growth is unevenly distributed across countries and regions. This disparity is gauged by the World Cooperative Monitor (WCM) data which shows the top 300 performing cooperatives. Invoking the endogenous growth theory, this study analysed the effect of cooperatives on economic growth across Global North-South countries. Specifically, the study used largely available data but widely unused panel data from WCM to analyse the trends and patterns of cooperatives' performance from 2016 to 2023. Furthermore, comparative analysis on the role of cooperatives in bolstering inclusive economic growth was empirically analysed using descriptive statistics and a Biascorrected linear dynamic fixed/rand effect model and findings were validated by a dynamic GMM estimator. The study sample was drawn from the 30 countries performing well in cooperatives in the world. Descriptively, the findings reveal that cooperatives in the Global South performed less than those in the Global North due to low institutional quality values. Cooperatives in African countries are marginally represented in the global rank. Further analysis shows that cooperatives have positive and significant effect on economic growth and once are supported with a strong institutional quality framework tend to elevate further economic development. The findings of this study shed light on the existing cooperative growth disparities across countries. In this context, members, cooperative leaders, and cooperative development partners are informed to foster contemporary cooperative transformative motives by emphasising policies related to bolstering institutional quality for inclusive growth to occur. An interesting topic for a follow-up study would be documenting and consolidating cooperatives data for the Global South countries which can further enhance empiric studies across regions. Research Article Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2106 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z