Study of Isfahan Rural Cooperative Companies and Their Success

The main purpose of this research is to study the success of rural cooperative companies and evaluate different factors which may influence such a success. For this purpose, sample companies were randomly selected based on multistage and stratification sampling with proportional allocation method,. Finally, 18 rural co-operative companies were studied using questionnaires filled out by 328 ordinary members and 93 members of board of directors and managers of these rural co-operative companies. Inter-organization and intra-organization and structure variables which affected the companies performance and achievement were studied. The findings showed poor performance of these companies. According to the current research, some variables such as membership experience, co-operative structure, co-operative investment, enhancement of member share, education, participation and level of training, awareness (ability) of members have a direct influence on companies' success. The other factors involving function of rural co-operative organization, use of managers’ misuses and abuses in co-operatives have a direct, but negative influence. Share mean value of each member, management experience knowledge and age of people have also indirect positive effect on success and the size has indirect negative influence on co-operative companies .