The Key Factors Contributing to Successful Performance of Cooperatives in Fiji for Building a Harmonious Society

Abstract

Cooperatives have been promoted in many developing countries including Fiji to build harmonious societies addressing issues such as unemployment and housing shortages and as a means of creating income generating activities. It is designed to be an easy method of development in these countries. However, in majority of cases these efforts resulted in failure. This study demonstrates that one of the main reasons for failure was inadequate planning. The ideas were thrust upon the people without first preparing them fully about the ideas, concepts and principles of cooperatives.

This study attempts to analyze the key factors that seemed to contribute toward successful running of cooperatives. The views and opinions of cooperators helped to develop useful prescriptions. The issues identified may be relevant to those starting or managing cooperatives in Fiji and elsewhere.

It was found that in some cases, for example the Fiji Nursing & Associates and Fiji Police Credit Unions, the cooperatives were successful because they followed the credit union philosophies and procedures meticulously. The credit union increased awareness of members by visiting branch offices, conducting meetings, discussions, and keeping in touch through newsletters.

KEYWORDS:

• cooperatives
• credit union
• Rochdale principles
• Kerekere system
• Reguregu