Effect of Government intervention on Cooperative autonomy –A Study in selected districts of Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia

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.