نشریه تعاون و کشاورزی
سال بیستم شماره 210 (دی و بهمن 1388)

Creating structural changes for efficiency improvement in the economy of cooperative sector requires a comprehensive study, using a quick and focused approach. This will substitute more efficient strategies for former policies in line with growth and development of cooperative sector. Cooperative industries are of the most important areas of activity in the cooperative sector. In order to have a clear view of growth in this sector it is necessary to rank cooperative industries according to their efficiency. In this study, statistical methods such as numerical taxonomy and factor analysis have been used to rank cooperative industries on the basis of macro-economic variables including per capita employment, investment production and exports. Ranking cooperative industries showed that the food and beverage manufacturing industry has the first degree priority because of the cheap and unskilled labor as well as its inputs which is securable domestically. This means that paying attention to cooperative food and beverage industry would be most effective in terms of the sector's development.

The experience of other countries and research results, methods to promote entrepreneurship through agricultural cooperatives has been considered in the study. This research is graded as “applied research” conducted through Causal relational method. The population includes members from 107 agricultural co-ops in Tehran, of whom are 5743 males and 797 are females. According to “Cochrane formula”, sample size is estimated 335 people. The main instrument of the study is questionnaire, with Cronbach´s Alpha coefficient equal to %78 (r= 78%). The results of multi – variable regression which obtained step by step on the effects of independent variables and lay on the rate of promotion of entrepreneurship, indicates that the characteristics of the entrepreneurship among members, participating in training courses, satisfaction with the activities conducted in the cooperative, collective activities, services delivery by cooperatives and economic variable have positive effects on the dependent variable, ie promotion of entrepreneurship. In total, the mentioned factors, well explain on 57% of the factors affecting promotion of entrepreneurship by agricultural co-ops

In many countries, Co-op system is considered a major sector involved in socio-economic structures. This article is derived from a descriptive research, conducted through an applied method as far as its objective is concerned. The universe is consisted of all office-bearers or practitioners involved in co-op sector in Sistan & Baluchistan province, out of whom 132 were selected on a complete random basis for the study. In addition to prescriptive statistics, coefficient of variation (C.V.) has, also, been used for data analysis so as to prioritize the variables or factors affecting extension and development of co-operative culture. The findings revealed that a majority of the respondents possess associate degrees (college degrees) and over 81% are males. They believe that among the economic factors, the state economic policies have the highest level of influence on co-operative culture. While among the educational variables, they have viewed T.V. programs as the most influential factor. Also, they believe that extension-education centers, co-operative festivals, and technical –skill – training courses are educational variables that should be given the second, third and fourth priorities respectively. Priority-setting of social variables revealed that in view of the respondents, formal education system is the most influential factor, as far as the development of co-operative culture is concerned. From among the five envisaged variables, attitude of governmental authorities was deemed as the most influential factor that can best influence the development of cooperative culture and practices in the region.

This study is a survey on the challenges which inactive cooperative projects face in Sistan and Baluchistan. It proposes the most effective solutions possible to activate these projects. The research method is based on descriptive. Having started since 2008, the Inactive Cooperative Projects Survey Program uses the classification of provincial active and inactive cooperatives broken down by township. Random sample is taken on the basis of number of active and inactive cooperatives in each township, with the inactive cooperatives of some townships fully included. The essential information is gathered through telephone interview with Cooperative managers and experts coupled with a documentary study on the records, including the data of similar projects, available the Provincial Cooperative Office. Study shows that as for the end of 2008, there have been 432 inactive registered cooperatives. In general, the most frequent cause rendering coops inactive include lack of funds, lack of skilled and trained members and inefficient management. To help remedy the problems mentioned the following are proposed as worthy of consideration: -holding specialized courses to make clear the nature of cooperatives; - more funds to be allocated to cooperatives for the purpose of conducting applied research which would deal with each cooperative's concern more specifically. - institutionalization in provincial cooperative sector through engaging well-famed trustful local figures to help reduce risks of financial contributions of cooperative members.

This study, conducted in Ardabil Province in 2007, is an attempt to make known thorough a holistic approach those personal, behavioral, organizational and structural factors that are responsible for failures in co-operatives. The universe constituted of 521 members from 173 co-operatives both active and dormant. Also, descriptive statistics, diagnostic analysis, and regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results obtained from diagnostic analysis well revealed that independent variables, including level of participation, satisfaction with the co-op’s performance, collaboration, sympathy, satisfaction with the Board, accountability, interest of members in their own co-op, confidence, manner of managing, emotional relations, and justifiability of the members are all involved in the co-op’s success. Also, findings from regression analysis indicated that some other variables, including participation, easy marketing, using technology, social capital, family participation and high-priced inputs are responsible for bath success and failure. Accordingly some recommendations are made: reinforcing social capital and common norms in co-ops; making activities clear; providing co-ops with management training; creating consultative and monitoring units for providing scientific and technical services; initiating and developing a master plan for marketing processes; establishing marketing co-ops; creating effective linkages among co-ops for product marketing; offering mutual financial, technical and information services; and organizing modular training courses for the educated staff working in co-operative departments at provincial level.

In the recent decades, numerous countries, including Iran, have been considering grassroots participation in exploiting natural resources as an effective strategy. In this regard, the cooperative model of participation in north of Iran, particularly in the western part of Mazandaran Province was tested. The main purpose of this study was to assess the role of membership in forestry cooperatives in the exploitation of forestry resources in the western part of Mazandaran province. It was a correlational – descriptive study conducted through the survey method. The sample consisted of 75 members of forestry cooperatives and 76 of non-members. Validity and reliability of the data gathering instrument were conformed through appropriate methods. The result of "T" test indicated that the two groups i.e.. members and non-members had significant difference of participation in exploitation of forest resources. According to correlation analysis there were significant relation between membership & participation in exploitation of forestry resources. Also, the result produced by multivariate regression Analysis indicated that 66.8 percent of the changes in conservation was accounted by their participation in conservation and development of forest resources.

In new millennium, sustainability of natural resources is a goal which is pursued by development experts and policy makers. Establishing watershed management co-operatives is one of the strategies to attract and convene farmers to participate in decision-making process and present ideas to stop natural resources degradation and to trap damaging waters. The main purpose of this study was to assess farmer's perspective toward factors affecting participation in establishing watershed management co-operatives. Descriptive research design was conducted using survey method. The population consisted of affiliated farmers in Navayegan Darab co-operative. A random sampling was done to select 30 farmers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. A panel of specialists confirmed face validity and a pilot study was done to assess the reliability. The findings indicated that the efforts made by co-operative board members and the amount of their orientation training programs are two main factors that affect their participation in establishing watershed management co-operative. In addition, benefits considered according farmer's perspective were being provided with agricultural inputs and financial credits. The participation constraints for setting up watershed management co-operatives that were expressed by co-operative members were workload and shortage of time; and lack of commitment on the duties and functions of board members

Insufficient infra-structure investment, poor interaction between manufacturing sector and academic circles, among others, are significant factors involved in soaring unemployment rate in the past few years. Economic activists propose a variety of solutions therefore, including empowering large-scale enterprises. The current research paper is an attempt to take into account the feasibility of organizing large-scale enterprises on a cooperative basis and thus, rendering them more efficient. The paper is a survey using a questionnaire as well as a documentary approach. Out of 1076 functional cooperatives across the province, the statistical population comprises 70 functional ones. The survey results show that the factors involved in empowering small and medium enterprises, in the order of significance, are: working capital, machinery and equipments, skilled labor, capable market, inputs, production increase and quality, and facilities.