| dc.description.abstract | The main objective of this Project is to assess the efficiency
and analyze problems of the Agricultural Marketing Societies
in Kenya.
As a policy oriented study one of the main thrusts is to throw
some light on the problems of the co-operatives and to suggest
a number of policy options which deserve consideration within
the prevailing circumstances in the co-operative movement.
Two main groups of respondents are involved in this study viz;
the managing committee members and employees; and the ordinary
society members.
Personal interviews were conducted with society's ordinary members
in an attempt to assess their attitudes towards the service
offered by their society - Nqong Hills Co-operative Society.
The managing committeemen were asked for their views en various
issues relating to the performance of the society, the problems
and nature of services that they offer to their members.
Results indicate that the society's performance has been inefficient.
The efficiency problems confronting: this society are mainly managerial.
The committee and employees' lack of adequate managerial knowledge, and
business acumen can be held responsible for the poor performance.
Further results showed that the society lack scientific and technical
tools to control its overhead costs, inventory, assets purchase
and replacement, and business transactions. Since the latter tools
are lacking, this has led to fraudulent and dishonest acts on part
of employees and committee members who tend to impr0ve their
economic positions at the expense of members.
Co-operative education and training of both members and employees
may contribute meaningfully to efficient performance. In addition,
right incentives by promotion, in terms of increased responsibilities
further education and attractive remuneration should be applied.
Internal control on society's business transactions, funds and
assets should be improved. The management of the society should also
be prepared to improve the quality and increase on number of services
that they offer the ordinary members.
The project is in five parts. The first part contains an introduction
to the study, objective of the study and need for the study. The
second part provides a theoretical framework concentrating on the
history of the co-operative movement in Kenya; the socioeconomic
importance of the co-operative societies; the problems of co-operative
societies, and the development of the co-operative movement in the
future. Details on the research methodology appears in the third part,
and results presented in the fourth part. The questionnaires used in
the survey are appended at the end of the study. The study is summarized
and concluded in the fifth and final part. | en |
