Identification of strategies for enhancing member commitment in Greek agricultural cooperatives: The opinion of cooperative experts

In the era of globalization, where competition is growing intensively, the cooperation between small scale farmers can assist them to be sustainable and survive. However, the situation with cooperatives in Greece is found to be on a downward trend due to their poor economic performance, which is later expressed by the diminished commitment of their members. In order to address the described problem we employed a qualitative study consisted of 10 guided interviewees with “cooperative experts”. Through the interviews the participants were asked to clarify their opinions on two major themes: 1) Common Greek cooperative issues, and 2) Suggestions on strategies employed by cooperatives to enhance members’ commitment. Through our analysis we identified the issues related to the poor management of the cooperatives of the past as the major problems of cooperative in Greece. Regarding the strategies for enhancing commitment of members, the majority of participants highlighted the importance of improving the communication and quality of information provided by the coop to its members for building strong bond of trust and ultimately enhancing their commitment. Although, the improvement of communication takes time and requires consistent effort. Hence, cooperatives may act on employing the appropriate experts in order to improve their process of production and marketing. Strengthening the levels of expertise in the economic activities of the cooperative may assist on the satisfaction of members and enhance their commitment to the coop.

Role of members’ participation and satisfaction in cooperative success

Member-owned business organizations, such as cooperatives (or co-ops), are engaged in various economic activities that touch our everyday lives. In developing countries like India, there are various advantages for small farmers in joining a cooperative, including lowering costs of marketing, purchasing inputs, bargaining, etc. Agricultural cooperatives are common in India but studies focusing on member commitment, participation, and satisfaction are not available to the best of our knowledge. Research has shown that cooperatives rely on their members’ commitment, participation, and patronage for success (Bhuyan, 2007; Sexton and Iskow, 1988 and Fulton and Adamowicz, 1993). Therefore, successful managers and directors try to understand their members’ characteristics, values, needs, satisfaction, and goals, among other factors to manage their cooperative business (Bhuyan and Leistritz, 2001). The principal goal of this pilot study, therefore, is to examine members’ participation and satisfaction with their cooperatives in a large dairy cooperative from Assam, India (Sitajakhala Dairy Cooperative Society). This dairy cooperative currently has over 1,000 member-owners and it processes fluid milk as well as limited number of milk-based processed products for the retail markets. We use both parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses to fulfill our study objective. Results of the pilot study shows that a large majority of members were satisfied with how the Sitajakhala Co-op was being managed. Similarly, a large majority of members also participated in cooperative activities and exercised their rights (voting). We also find that member satisfaction and participation were uniform across members’ demographic and economic characteristics.

Group Cohesion for Enhanced Operation of Agricultural Community-Based Projects in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Collective operation of smallholder farmers and cooperatives has been attributed to many mishaps and malfunctions. Such knowledge creates misperceptions regarding agricultural cooperatives and their usefulness in development. This study investigated member commitment, group cohesion and membership retention in agricultural production cooperatives. The main aim was to identify possible practical measures for enhanced performance and increased sustainability in farmer organizations. Data was collected from 92 participants that were currently operating as cooperative members. A combination of descriptive statistics, Perceived Cohesion (PC) and Binary Logistic Regression methods were employed for analysis. Results of the study indicate that group cohesion is influenced by trust among members, internal communication, financial performance of the cooperative, involvement of members in decision making, and role of the organization in the community. Strategies for increased group cohesion that were recommended in the study include information sharing and transparency at all levels of operation, and collective decision making and planning in organizations.

INTENTION TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING: SYSTEM INTERACTIVITY, VIRTUAL SITES, COMMUNITY COMMITMENT IN ONLINE HIJABS COMMUNITY

This study aims to examine system interactivity affecting member commitment and intention to continue participating in the online hijabs community. At the same time, testing how the role of virtual sites in the form of posting in strengthening the relationship (moderate) system interactivity to continue to participate in the online hijabs community. An online hijabs community was researched because the problem observed in the research was relevant to the virtual community. Based on 358 valid responses from students in Surabaya who actively joined the online hijabs community obtained from questionnaires at each university in Surabaya, structural equations modeling (SEM) was used to test the research model. The results show that system interactivity affects commitment to the community, but does not affect the intentions of members to continue their participation in online hijabs communities. Likewise, commitment to the community does not stimulate the intentions of members to remain actively participating in online hijabs communities. Although, an interesting form of posting can strengthen the system’s interactivity relationship of members’ intentions to continue their participation in online communities. Implications for both marketing theory and practice, limitations, and future research on video storytelling in social media are discussed.

Empowerment of Family Economy through the Program for Increasing the Prosperous Income Facilities in Tanah Laut Regency

The development requires directed actions for the improvement and improvement of the quality of human life, guidelines that can provide direction in development strategies as social policies designed for the welfare of the community and the quality of life of the community in order to meet social, economic, health and other public services needs including responsibility in providing services to the poor, providing guarantees to the community so as not tofall into poverty. This study includes descriptive qualitative with the aim of analyzing the implementation of the UPPKS program in family economic empowerment in Tanah Laut Regency, explaining the factors that affect the effectiveness of groups in the program UPPKS in family economic empowerment in Tanah Laut Regency and analyzed the success of the UPPKS program in family economic empowerment in Tanah Laut Regency. Scientific qualitative research methods concoct various information from objects and subjects in social research. From 11 sub-Regency in Tanah Laut Regency, in total, there are 135 villages and sub?Regency. The factors that influence the effectiveness of groups in the UPPKS program in family economic empowerment include (1) human factors, namely the level of member participation, member commitment, and leadership influence. (2) material factors, namely the availability of raw materials, availability of packaging materials, supporting equipment, product quality, and promotional activities. (3) method factors, namely communication, deliberation and consensus, division of tasks, openness, and the existence of standard operating procedures. (4) environmental factors, namely assistance to family planning officers/extension agents, the role of local government, banking / private sector/stakeholders.

The Impact of New Member Orientation Programs on Union Member Commitment: Evidence from a National Study in a Post-Janus Setting

This article presents the findings of a study that examined local union new member orientation programs and their impact on member attitudes toward the union. Data for this study were collected through a survey of new members of six geographically dispersed local and regional affiliates of a large national public sector union. Members were asked about their experiences as new members. The findings provide strong evidence that high-quality new member orientation programs have a positive impact on member commitment to the union and that unions and union leaders can invest resources in initiating or improving these programs with the confidence that they will have a positive and significant impact on member attitudes. It also provides specific insights into the elements of effective new member orientation programs and includes action recommendations on how unions can use new member orientations programs to build stronger organizations.

Factors Enhancing Member Commitment to Trade Unions in the Hospitality Industry in Zimbabwe

Trade unions in the hospitality industry have long served an important and vital role, acting as the vanguard to protect the worker’s rights and their financial livelihood, hence stressing their importance. Their future however remains hanging in balance as they continue to face an array of challenges and changes threatening their existence. In this paper the researcher attempt to respond to the question on, ‘why would individuals choose to be loyal and committed to trade unions?’ Finding through a 5 point likert scale administered on 227 members belonging to the Zimbabwe Catering and Hotel workers Union (ZCHWU) and interviews conducted with 18 union officials reveals that commitment is determined by the ability of the union to satisfy member expectations. Findings reveals that member commitment manifest itself through individual’s strong desire to remain a member of the union; willingness to exert high effort on behalf of the union as well as belief in the union goals and leadership. The study concludes that the unions’ ability to satisfy and meet its member’s expectation contributes to trade union commitment.