Abstract:
The effect of government intervention on cooperative autonomy has always been a source of
contrivers in the developing world. The initiative for starting Cooperative Movement had
been taken in different countries either by the people themselves or by the Governments. In
Ethiopia, cooperative was initiated by government. The objective of this study was to analyze
the effect of Government intervention on cooperative autonomy. To achieve the objective, the
study employed mixed method research approaches. Using convergent mixed-methods
research design, the researcher analyzes the effect of government intervention on cooperative
autonomy by collecting data through a survey and qualitative interviews. 432 respondents
were participated under this study. The study found that the in Oromia regional state, there is
state controlled cooperative approaches. There was also government intervention in
cooperative organizational autonomy in the form of promoting, auditing, inspecting,
registering and regulating cooperative societies in study area. High government intervention
exists in study area. Some factors are knowledge of cooperative principles and values, non Conduciveness’ of cooperative Legislation, lack of education and training provided for
Cooperative members, interfering in cooperative governance, government interferences, lack
of commitment of members towards their Cooperatives and regular participation in
cooperative activities were influencing cooperative autonomy in the study area. The study
recommends that intervening in cooperative autonomy is unnecessary for cooperative
institutional sustainability and cooperative identity. The government and government organs
such as cooperative promotion agency at different levels should refrain from intervening in
cooperative autonomy. To practice cooperative autonomy, making awareness on cooperative
knowledge by giving training for community, cooperatives members and making professional
cooperative management is recommended to see genuine cooperative society in Oromia.
