In the developing world, women are more likely than men to work in poorly paid occupations in the informal sector. Women are responding to this inequality by joining co-operatives. Women-only co-operatives offer the opportunity for employment and empowerment. A case study approach on an unregistered, women-only handicraft co-operative located in the Mpigi District of Uganda was taken. The epistemological approach used was feminist standpoint, using Rowlands’ theory of empowerment as the analytic lens. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 members of the Tabiro Ladies’ Club. Key informant interviews, participant observation, and a feedback workshop also occurred. Members of the Tabiro Ladies’ Club experienced empowerment at the personal, collective, and relational level. Findings were supported by the interviews, key informants, participant observation, and the feedback workshop. Implications for the women include the development of agency, economic benefits, social benefits, and capacity development. Hindrances included economic struggles and being an unregistered co-operative. / Ontario Graduate Scholarship, OAC 1950 International Graduate Travel Scholarship, SSHRC GGSF Travel Grant, Registrar's Travel Grants, Registrar's Research Grant for Graduate Students, and R/S Hungerford Grad Travel Scholarship.

The Rwandan countryside is currently undergoing a process of rapid reform under ambitious government programs to modernize agriculture for participation in national and international markets. While the government asserts that it is pursuing pro-poor growth, many critics present significant evidence to the contrary. This thesis examines the use of farmers cooperatives within the ongoing government campaign of agricultural modernization, and it asks whether the co-ops themselves are sources of personal empowerment and material gain for the small producers. Adopting the “sceptical” post-development position advanced by Aram Ziai, the present research attempts to take a pragmatic look at the ways in which the co-ops meet or fail to meet the material and non-material needs of their members while appreciating that cultural preferences are heterogeneous and dynamic. While the use of farmers cooperatives appears appropriate for the Rwandan marshland, the co-ops examined very much fall short of the post-development social movement model.

The Rwandan countryside is currently undergoing a process of rapid reform under ambitious government programs to modernize agriculture for participation in national and international markets. While the government asserts that it is pursuing pro-poor growth, many critics present significant evidence to the contrary. This thesis examines the use of farmers cooperatives within the ongoing government campaign of agricultural modernization, and it asks whether the co-ops themselves are sources of personal empowerment and material gain for the small producers. Adopting the “sceptical” post-development position advanced by Aram Ziai, the present research attempts to take a pragmatic look at the ways in which the co-ops meet or fail to meet the material and non-material needs of their members while appreciating that cultural preferences are heterogeneous and dynamic. While the use of farmers cooperatives appears appropriate for the Rwandan marshland, the co-ops examined very much fall short of the post-development social movement model.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The number of women joining the formal waged labour market has been visibly increasing since the 1950s to become half of the employees in the developed economies (McAdam & Marlow, 2010; OECD, 2003). Women entrepreneurship has also been growing globally. According to literature, since 2006, there is an estimated 7.7 million majority of women-owned businesses and a further 2.7 million joint-owned other businesses in the United States of America (Weeks, 2016). Literature also indicates that the gender gap is narrowing, and many changes have been identified relating to the status of women and the conditions under which women live (Commission of Gender SA, 2007). Measures have been put together by governments, and civil society to address challenges facing women and these measures include, amongst others, funding for women and starting co-operatives as a vehicle to job creation and poverty alleviation. It has been reported that in South Africa, most of the newly established co-operatives are registered by black women in townships and the rural areas (DTI, 2012). Despite the support from the South African government, the co-operatives are reported to have a low survival rate. The aim of this research was to develop guidelines for sustainable women co-operatives using a multiple case study. The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) is the custodian of all the activities of co-operatives within government and has several agreements with other government departments. However, it was difficult to get the information on how many government departments are having an agreement with the DSBD and the nature of the agreement. Purposive sampling was applied in selecting government directors and fifteen co-operatives interviewed. The study was implemented in two phases. The first phase was Data Collection, which comprised of three stages:  Stage one - scoping review of the co-operatives,  Stage two - interviews with the directors responsible for co-operatives in the government departments and government agencies mentioned above,  Stage three - seven focus groups consisting of a minimum of three members were conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted with the remaining eight co-operatives. Not all members of the selected co-operatives were available during the visit due to various reasons which included, operational requirements, training, illness and other reasons which were not disclosed. Phase two involved developing the guidelines for sustainable women co-operatives. The interview with the fifteen selected co-operatives was carried out in the four provinces of Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The four co-operatives based in Mpumalanga that were recommended for inclusion by SEDA; were already visited and interviewed by the SEDA researchers in 2016. The data were analysed individually first, and then a cross-case analysis was applied (Khan & Van Wynsberghe, 2008). The cross-case analysis was done to enable the researcher to highlight common and different factors in events, activities and processes as well as to assist the researcher to form a strong opinion on which elements contributed to the success of the selected co-operatives. Confidentiality of the participants was maintained by identifying the co-operatives alphabetically from A to O. The responses from the directors of government departments were also presented as Organisation A up to H. The guidelines drawn were presented to the panel of experts for their input. Key elements emanating from the results were used to formulate the guidelines and are: 1) improved relationships where co-operatives should be formed by people who have either worked together before or had known each other before; 2) the size of co-operative should be considered in order to minimise the possibilities of in-fighting; 3) training to be customised 4) mentorship should be available to strengthen co-operative`s development; 5) co-operatives needed sector related information upon start-up; 6) ethical values of passion, respect for each other, perseverance and trust for each other should be shared by all; 7) financial support required from relevant stakeholders; 8) co-operatives needed access to markets for their products/ services; 9) good governance to be maintained for accountability; 10) all the co-operatives, new and old, should undertake training on the importance of organisational structure and be assisted in designing their organisational structures; 11) keeping the information about the co-operatives updated will make it easy for potential assistance to reach co-operatives; 12) a strong national apex body needed to be the real voice of the co-operatives. The study makes a strong recommendation for the establishment of the Co-operative Development Agency as stipulated by the Co-operative Amendment Act No. 6 of 2013.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / Agricultural co-operatives have an extremely high failure rate in South Africa. This has created a loss of co-operative financing support from development institutions in the country. Co-operatives are one of the driving tools to job creation and economic growth in rural communities, it is thus unfortunate and alarming if these co-operatives are failing to drive such developmental change in society. It is thus imperative to investigate the factors that led to the collapse and failure of these co-operatives. This study was conducted in the Sekhukhune district of the Limpopo province. The aim of the study was to investigate the factors that led to the collapse and failure of agricultural co-operatives within the area. Twenty eight participants participated in the study. Within the 28, co-operative members, co-operative executives and mentors were provided with questionnaires which were used to asses the factors that may have led to the collapse and failure of the co-operatives, a quantitative research approach was used to collect and analyse data. One of the major findings was that conflicts are a major source of collapse of co-operatives. A number of other factors were derived from the findings, such findings are stipulated in full within the research document

The diploma thesis "Influence of state policy on cooperatives in the Czech Republic after 1989" examines the most significant changes that occurred in the evolution of cooperative ideas in Czechoslovakia, respectively Czech Republic after the revolution in 1989. It is solved the question of denial of cooperative principle, or mixing it with other forms of human activity. The work examines the phenomenon after 1989. It does so particularly in relation to institutional change and general context. It uses the particular methods of institutional analysis and discourse analysis. Work takes into account the main socio-political currents and paradigms that while legislative changes and changes in the concept of the moment was most reflected. Work is interested in neoliberal approach that was in our countries present in the nineties. Neoliberal approach is still actual in some of approaches and ideas. Following this is transferred to the applicable standards. This happens in the context of institutional transformation throughout society. At diploma it is important to compare the ideas and principles of cooperatives with the neoliberal approach. It tested the coexistence of neoliberal ideology and cooperatives.

From the Wold of Business to the World of Planned Distribution A Look into the Development of Czech Consumer Cooperatives: 1945 - 1956 (Ústí nad Labem Region) The dissertation deals with changes in the content, forms and roles of the Czech consumer co- operatives in the years 1945 - 1956. This issue is a theme in four surveyed areas (territorially - organizational structure, the role of co-operatives in the Czechoslovak economy, relations with the Communist Party, economic activity of co-operatives). These are prerequisites of the transformation of consumer cooperatives from autonomous business entities in the subordinate sections of the state-organized distribution. The dissertation analyzes this transformation in its various stages and puts it into a broader context of Sovietisation, creation of a system of centrally planned economy and the economic, social and political development of Czechoslovakia during the researched period. Keywords: economic history, co-operatives, consumer co-operatives, Sovietisation, centrally planned economy, 1945-1956

Co-operatives, particularly worker co-operatives, form an integral part of the social and economic development efforts of the South African government. However, worker co-operatives have not achieved the expected results and have mostly remained survivalist in nature, In the literature study, this research explored the potential of worker co-operatives in terms of social and economic development, the state of worker co-operatives in South Africa according to previous research and the challenges faced by worker co-operatives. The submission is that worker co-operatives can only reach their potential in social development when they achieve business success. Therefore, business success factors were determined and criteria for these co-operatives to be classified as successful established. These criteria were as follows:  Longevity (operating for more than three years).  Profitability (showing a surplus for at least one year).  Financial Independence (operating without external funding for at least one year).  Member Income (at least R955 per member per month). The research population for the research was actively operating worker co-operatives registered as clients with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda). A questionnaire exploring the demographics of members, the financial position of the co-operatives and the way in which they were managed and operated were developed. The questionnaire contained questions with regard to financial practices and management, marketing management and activities, operations management, human resource management, management processes.and the support received from development institutions. In addition to the evaluation of the business performance in terms of the criteria for success, the research evaluates the way in which worker co-operatives are managed and operated in terms of established business practices. It, moreover, explores the impact of support initiatives by government institutions and a framework for future development efforts is suggested. The study‟s results show that worker co-operatives are operating at a level where they are unable to fulfil their expected role in economic and social development. Various management and operational challenges were identified. Moreover, it was found that current support initiatives do not have the desired developmental effect. / PhD (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Co-operatives, particularly worker co-operatives, form an integral part of the social and economic development efforts of the South African government. However, worker co-operatives have not achieved the expected results and have mostly remained survivalist in nature, In the literature study, this research explored the potential of worker co-operatives in terms of social and economic development, the state of worker co-operatives in South Africa according to previous research and the challenges faced by worker co-operatives. The submission is that worker co-operatives can only reach their potential in social development when they achieve business success. Therefore, business success factors were determined and criteria for these co-operatives to be classified as successful established. These criteria were as follows:  Longevity (operating for more than three years).  Profitability (showing a surplus for at least one year).  Financial Independence (operating without external funding for at least one year).  Member Income (at least R955 per member per month). The research population for the research was actively operating worker co-operatives registered as clients with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda). A questionnaire exploring the demographics of members, the financial position of the co-operatives and the way in which they were managed and operated were developed. The questionnaire contained questions with regard to financial practices and management, marketing management and activities, operations management, human resource management, management processes.and the support received from development institutions. In addition to the evaluation of the business performance in terms of the criteria for success, the research evaluates the way in which worker co-operatives are managed and operated in terms of established business practices. It, moreover, explores the impact of support initiatives by government institutions and a framework for future development efforts is suggested. The study‟s results show that worker co-operatives are operating at a level where they are unable to fulfil their expected role in economic and social development. Various management and operational challenges were identified. Moreover, it was found that current support initiatives do not have the desired developmental effect. / PhD (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Buying a home is for many households the financially most important purchase they will make. The choice of mortgage instrument is also of importance in that it will determine a household’s financial exposure. In the aftermath of the 2007–2008 financial crisis in the United States, the potential consequences for borrowers and the financial system became apparent in many countries. Even though the choice of mortgage is described as a very complex transaction, international studies have found that borrowers are less than optimally knowledgeable about the possible future consequences of their choice. This lack of knowledge has raised concern and prompted calls for more research on differences between mortgage markets and factors affecting consumers’ mortgage choice. This thesis answers this call by empirically exploring the Swedish case and by offering an expanded knowledge about factors that influence borrowers’ mortgage choice. The thesis consists of five papers, and, in most cases, interviews and questionnaires were used to collect the data, depending on which type of data collection was considered best suited to serve the purpose of the individual paper. A close reading approach was also applied in one of the papers. The findings indicate that in a Swedish setting, there are factors affecting borrowers’ mortgage choice that have not previously been fully explored in the literature: the media and bank advisors. During the period studied, a negative correlation existed between the media and the choice of fixed rate mortgages, whereas a positive correlation existed between bank advisors and the choice of fixed rate mortgages. The study on advice given by a bank advisor also shows the advocacy of a mix of fixed and adjustable mortgage rates. Further findings corroborate those of earlier international studies, such as the impact of income, education, financial literacy and loan-to-value ratios on mortgage choice. A general conclusion that can be drawn from the findings in the Swedish context is that the most financially vulnerable borrowers—those with lower income, lower education and/or higher loan-to-value ratios—are more likely to choose higher levels of fixed rate mortgages (or lower levels of adjustable rate mortgages). In doing so, they avoid exposing themselves to liquidity problems, which can be caused by increasing mortgage rates, and make future mortgage expenditures more predictable. These findings contradict much of the concern that both scholars and financial authorities have expressed about households’ choice of mortgage instrument. Hence, these findings are of importance not only to research on mortgage choice but also to policymakers and the financial industry. / <p>QC 20130924</p>