MANAGING COOPERATIVE AS A SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS ENTERPRISE. (A CASE STUDY OF PRODA STAFF COOPERATIVE THRIFT AND LOAN SOCIETY EMENE ENUGU STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

Cooperative movement is by a large product of the altered socio-economic condition brought about by industrialization and a better farming economy in many of the advanced countries well as the developing countries. Cooperative movement is designed to bring independent persons together for the betterment of their economic condition.

       Cooperative one or the other have been used for effectively in one form or the other. Labour combination of Agro-industrialization development programme with the aim of promoting more egalitarian distribution of economic growth in all communities. Hence the slogan “self help through mutual help” by cooperators. The government of a country has been helping in the formation of cooperative societies since it is a way to improve the economy as well as the standard of living of the populace, greater emphasis has been laid on rural development and self dependency and sufficient in food production. In Enugu state and in Nigeria as a whole urbanization for instance is taking place at a rap rate owing to a variety of such factor as immigrations growth of industrialization and high rate of population increase. This rapid urbanization brings in its several problems for industrial workers and other fixed income earners who also have to complete for commodities. In developing countries, scarcity of commodities leads to high degree of adulterate goods and high prices. In this case, cooperative societies has to ensure adequate supply of commodities anticipate members demand, buy commodities in required quantities ensure that selection and quantity of commodities selected are in accordance with the consumer taste and cooperate in an efficient at the prevailing margin to build up enough capital for future development. These task call for a high degree of management skill and development of proper organizational structure and system that ensure efficient operation. This research work therefore tend to improve the extent of which has subject organization has been able to apply the main techniques of business management with view of identifying the areas for improvement.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.

Onwukike M.J.C in his lecture titled “structure and organization of cooperative said that a cooperative society is a business organization registered under the cooperative society law. It belongs to people who own and use it” services. It is also run financial and controlled by them for socio-economic benefit. Management it’s self can be defined as the process of designing and maintaining and  environment in which individuals working together  in group to accomplished efficiently selected aim.

       As a manager people carry out the managerial function planning organizing, staffing leading and controlling. Management is concerned with productivity that implies effectiveness and efficiency with the sole aim of creating surprise. This help to rectify the problem of poor management in cooperative societies and to mobilize the rural people to fully participate in socio-economic development.