Performance of Selected Top Performing Multi-Purpose Cooperatives in Batangas City: Basis for Cooperative Management Framework

The study aimed to assess the performance of selected top performing multi-purpose cooperatives in Batangas City as entities which cater to the varied needs of their members and borrowers which may be used as inputs to come up with suggestions on how their business operations may be improved. Specifically, to determine the firmographic profile of the cooperatives in terms of area of operation, classification according to asset size, and bond of membership; to assess the performance of cooperatives in terms of management and accounting system, production and quality of inputs, and market linkages and business relations; to determine the internal challenges faced by the selected multipurpose cooperatives; to test the significant differences on the performance of selected multipurpose cooperatives’ performance when grouped according to profile variables; to test the significant relationship between the cooperative performance and challenges faced by such cooperatives; and to propose a business framework based on the findings of the study. The researcher used a modified questionnaire as the principal instrument. The data gathered were tallied, tabulated, interpreted and analyzed using statistical tools such as weighted mean, F-test, and Analysis of Variance. Results show that majority of the respondents belong to a multi-purpose cooperative operating nationwide, classified as large cooperative, and have an institutional bond of membership; the employees of the top performing cooperatives in Batangas City are in agreement that in terms of management structure and accounting system, production and quality of inputs, and market linkages and business relations, the organizations, these cooperatives are performing well; the respondents disagree that the cooperatives, where they currently belong, are facing serious internal challenges; a significant difference exists on the respondents’ assessment of the performance of selected multi-purpose cooperatives when it comes to management structure and accounting system and market linkages and business relations; and a significant relationship exists between the performance of cooperatives and the internal challenges faced by them. The researcher recommends the following: consider the furtherance of investing on functional accounting system and software in generating their financial reports; cooperatives may further strengthen their quality control mechanism, not only of the inputs, but also of the outputs to ensure that the needs of the market are satisfied; conduct of periodic training needs assessment; cooperatives may consider making a stronger presence in the digital space to reach more clients and be of swifter service to them; and cooperatives may consider embedding the researcher’s proposed framework in their annual planning sessions.