Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The study of the economics of cooperation is crucial for understanding the dynamics of human interactions in various social, economic, and political contexts. Cooperation plays a fundamental role in shaping the outcomes of interactions among individuals, groups, and nations. By delving into the principles, motivations, and mechanisms underlying cooperative behavior, economists can offer valuable insights into how cooperation can be fostered and sustained to achieve mutual benefits and positive outcomes for all parties involved. One key reason why studying the economics of cooperation is essential lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of how societies organize themselves to address common challenges and pursue shared goals. By examining cooperative arrangements such as alliances, partnerships, and collaborations, economists can analyze the incentives, risks, and benefits that drive individuals and organizations to work together towards common objectives. This understanding is particularly relevant in the context of global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and conflict, where collective action and cooperation are indispensable for achieving meaningful progress and sustainable solutions. Moreover, the economics of cooperation provides valuable insights into the design and effectiveness of institutions that facilitate and regulate cooperative behavior. By studying how norms, rules, and incentives influence individuals' decisions to cooperate or defect in social dilemmas, economists can inform the development of policies and mechanisms that promote cooperation and deter opportunistic behavior. This knowledge is crucial for addressing issues such as free-riding, moral hazard, and trust deficits that can undermine the success of cooperative endeavors and agreements. Furthermore, understanding the economics of cooperation can help policymakers, businesses, and organizations make more informed decisions about strategic interactions and partnerships. By analyzing the costs and benefits of cooperation, as well as the factors that influence cooperation outcomes, economists can provide valuable guidance on how to structure agreements, negotiate deals, and resolve conflicts in ways that maximize joint gains and minimize risks. This knowledge is particularly valuable in the context of international trade, investment, and diplomacy, where cooperation can lead to mutual prosperity and stability, or conflict can lead to costly disputes and disruptions. In conclusion, the study of the economics of cooperation is essential for elucidating the drivers, dynamics, and implications of cooperative behavior in various contexts. By exploring the principles and mechanisms that govern cooperation, economists can offer valuable insights into how individuals, groups, and nations can work together to achieve common goals and address shared challenges. This knowledge is crucial for fostering cooperation, building trust, and promoting sustainable development in an interconnected and interdependent world.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.

The entire development of a business enterprise in a particular country required difference institutional frame work.

One of such institutional frame work is the co-operative business enterprise.  The word co-operative can have different interpretation.   In a lay man’s language, it means working together or working mutually.  Another interpretation which is where our emphasis lies, means a unique type of business organization.  The co-operative has been defined by different school of thought but the variation lies in the degree of emphasis on one aspect or the other.

One school of thought describes co-operative as business undertaking owned and operated by voluntary associations in order to provide members with work and wages or with goods and services.  But the International co-operative alliance (ICA) defined co-operative as “An autonomous association of persons, united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

The role of economic of co-operative in business is indispensable to the growth and development of the economy. This vital role has been justified by co-operators in the socio-economic and political development particularly in developed countries like England, known for consumer co-operative and Germany known for Credit co-operative.  Likewise in the developing countries like Nigeria.

Co-operative movement is a world wide phenomena from which countries have developed from simple traditional form (8) of mutual institution to a modern formally organized institution.

This institution has gained world wide acceptance because of the great role.  It has played in the economy development of various countries particularly in those of the developed countries.

The economic success of co-operative inevitably has social effects.  Co-operative management bring better yield which in turn yields better income and which in the essence means better housing, better health, high standard of living, and better education for members and their families.

This economics success of co-operative societies has been witnessed invaluably in co-operative business enterprise.  This can be seen in the area of  co-operative credit association, which are:

1. CTLS:  Co-operative Thrift and Loan Societies. (Chukwu S.C 1990.)

2. CTCS: Co-operative Thrift and Credit Societies.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The project work intends among other things to look into the various problems encountered by co-operative and co-operators field workers in the process of setting up and sustaining co-operative business enterprises.

Some of these problems encountered in this process include ignorance, lack of knowledge on the meaning and purpose of co-operative business enterprises.

Another problem is the one encountered by the government and ministerial officials in the process of getting to the people at the grassroots and so as to be able to set up co-operative business enterprises from the mutual benefit of the people.  Another area is the business cycles problem.  The problems of fluctuating business cycles has contributed to the difficulty of organizing co-operative enterprises.

Finally, the project work intend to point out that lack of education of co-operative members.  In their right and duties as members of the co-operative is to be run, to ensure it’s continued existence.

(Igwe C C., 1993).

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The project work is conducted to highlight the role and performance of co-operative society in terms of promotion of the economics interest, or provision of service for it’s members at a suitable rate.

Also the objective of this study is to throw more light on the formation of co-operative business enterprises as regard to what motivates various individuals.  It could be for either of sociological or emotional reasons and external pressure.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study, economics of co-operative business enterprises, can be x-rays in special co-operative banks that have been established in many state of the federation for financing co-operative development projects.  For instance, the federal government has given two outstanding federal government financial institutions that gives loans and advance of co-operative on soft grounds, they are:

The Central Bank of Nigeria (C B N)  and the Nigeria Agricultural and Co-operative Bank (N A C B) which was established in 1973.  And  presently, the Federal Government has also set-up “FEAP Loan Scheme” for the financing of small scale business enterprises under the umbrella of co-operative society.

1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Basically, this study was aimed at finding out the importance of studying  economic co-operative business enterprises as a qualifying subject for the award of O.N.D.  in co-operative economics and management .   The scope of the study is limited to appraising the various definitions of co-operative by several school of thoughts on how the economics of co-operative emanated and the various development stages the subject has passed through.

Most importantly, the study focused in unveiling the advance of the studying the economic of co-operative in tertiary institution and also as a key factor in the development of any economy.  The limitation of this study is based on lack of time, inadequate fund and inability to get relevance materials.

a) Lack of Time:  One of the major limitations of this project is lack of time.  The researcher had limited time to carryout the research work due to the fact he has been engaged in one activity or the other basically academics.  This posed a great limitation to this study.

b) Inadequate Fund:  Research involves a lot of capital out lay.  Most people who are interested in research work cannot afford to finance the project individually.  The government  and the business sectors of the economy do not provide enough funds to support research. This constitute an impediment limitation to the study.

c) Inability to get Relevant  Materials:  Most  of the data required by the researcher were  not readily available and current.  Some vital information materials were regarded as classified data and are hardly made available for the use of researcher.

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Most of the terms which are commonly used in this project report may be unfamiliar.  It may have peculiar meaning and connotations.  These terms are as follows:

1. Agricultural co-operative: Are societies that engage in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of Agricultural products.

2. Fishery Co-operative: These are societies of persons which in deep sea finding and later sale to members at a more affordable price.

3. Economic End Result: This is known as the services as the major economic result and surpluses as the minor.

4. Dividend: This is the surplus made by co-operative societies that are been distributed each year for share hinders as made in order business organization.

5. Political and Religion Mentality:  This is seen as one of the principle of the co-operative society which does not allow religion or political affair to interfere in the running of day to lay activities and admission of new members in the society.

6. Producer co-operative Society: These are association of producers.  They principally aim at purchasing factors of production in bulk.

7. Credit and Thrift Co-operative: These encourage their members to save by giving loans to members at a very low interest rates.

8. Surplus: This is the excess made from co-operative transactions but in order business enterprise it’s known as profit.

9. Patronage rebate: This means that members are given back some money according to their purchasing power or capacities toward the co-operative development.