Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Co-operative economics and management are essential areas of study that focus on the principles and practices of co-operative organizations. Co-operatives are member-owned and democratically controlled enterprises that operate based on values such as self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. Understanding co-operative economics and management is crucial for various reasons. First, studying co-operative economics helps in exploring alternative economic models that prioritize the well-being of members and the community over profit maximization. Co-operatives provide a sustainable and inclusive business model that can address social, economic, and environmental challenges. By studying co-operative economics, researchers can analyze the impact of co-operatives on local economies, employment, income distribution, and community development. Second, co-operative management is a specialized field that focuses on the unique governance structures, decision-making processes, and member participation within co-operatives. Effective management practices are crucial for the success and sustainability of co-operatives. Studying co-operative management helps in understanding how to balance the needs of individual members with the collective interests of the co-operative, leading to democratic decision-making and equitable outcomes. Furthermore, studying co-operative economics and management provides insights into the principles of solidarity and collaboration that underpin co-operative organizations. Co-operatives promote values such as mutual assistance, social responsibility, and community development. By examining co-operative economics and management, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how these values are put into practice within co-operative enterprises. Moreover, the study of co-operative economics and management contributes to the broader field of economics and business studies by offering a different perspective on ownership, governance, and organizational behavior. Co-operatives challenge traditional hierarchical business models by emphasizing member participation, shared ownership, and social responsibility. Understanding co-operative economics and management can enrich academic research and practical applications in areas such as entrepreneurship, organizational theory, and social innovation. In conclusion, studying co-operative economics and management is essential for exploring alternative economic models, understanding effective governance structures, promoting values of solidarity and collaboration, and contributing to the advancement of economic and business studies. Embracing co-operative principles and practices can lead to more sustainable, equitable, and community-oriented forms of enterprise that prioritize the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Co-operative Economics and Management in tertiary institutions help to improve the co-operative growth and development, quality manpower in co-operative.

The importance of studying co-operative in schools and tertiary institutions could as well known as co-operative education and is at the heart of co-operative for work motivation, growth, development, commitments in co-operative because is said that once a co-operative is always a co-operative.

Despite these, many co-operatives have failed in their respective institutions or organizations because their members indispositions to the cooperative education or without organizing the importance of cooperative education to members. Cooperative education is an indisputable part of cooperative function.

Therefore, I now wish to research for the importance of studying Co-operative Economics and Management in tertiary institutions, the strategics and to suggest few solutions out off the million solutions to the failure of cooperative practices in the institutions or organizations.

I have chosen institute of management and technology (IMT) Enugu as my case study.

Furthermore, why education is necessary co-operative. Through the one hundred and 40 years of co-operative history, eminent cooperators have always insisted on the importance of education to the cooperative movement. Robert Owen emphasized, education for citizenship to achievement of a just and moral society.

Rochdale Pioneer followed in his foot ships. They studied and held discussion for one year before founding their society. In 1884 they amended their statute to provide that 21/2% of their profit should be aside for educational purposes because human resources is very essential to cooperative movement.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Prior to the establishment of institute of management and technology Enugu, there existed till 1967 a college of technology up to the ordinary diploma level. An institution of administration which provide short in services training courses for civil servants of various grades and a cooperative college which offered a certificate course in cooperative studies to co-operative aspects from the ministry of industry, trade and cooperative.

These institutions were separated and separately located. The college of technology was parts of the ministry of education and was controlled, directed by the ministry.

Similarly, the institution of administration was controlled by the ministry of establishment, while the cooperative college was directly under the ministry of rural development.

These institutions were staff by civil servants who were posted and re-posted from one department to another according to the need of civil service.

And after 1970, there came the need for higher institution of learning to upgrade the training in the technological and managerial field in which there were several need for manpower development.

The future graduates in the technology and management and their allied field would be more effective by functional training than the programme they offered by the college of technology and to institute of administrations. To the founding father, their main aim was the maximization of management efficiency and of professional and technical expertise and the acquisition of the additional tool for these.

The close coupling of management and technology in the new objectives was needless and not fruitful. The management and technology of today needs training, education, for effective and efficiency satisfaction and fulfilment of itself and role in the world in which applied science entrails more and more problems of both moral and ecological significance.