Cooperative Performance Research Articles

Social capital in cooperatives: A typology and their influence on performance

One of the distinctive characteristics of cooperatives is their social capital. This article contributes to the literature by proposing a classification of cooperatives according to their social capital: internal social networks (relationships between their members, and between their members and their managers) and/or external social networks (relationships with customers, other cooperatives, institutions etc.). The sample comprised managers from 50 agrifood cooperatives located in the Canary Islands (Spain) who answered a questionnaire designed on the basis of the existing literature. Descriptive statistics such as means and non-parametric test (Pearson's Chi-square test) were used to process the information. The largest group of cooperatives developed strong internal and external social networks (i.e., a broad social network). The second group was the opposite: social networks were weak internally as well as externally (the so-called narrow social network). The results also showed that when cooperatives developed only one type of network, they focused on a strong internal network (asymmetric internal social network). The only difference in the performance of cooperatives depending on their social network was observed in cooperatives with an asymmetric external social network. Such cooperatives had a better public image than their competitors.

Cooperative Differential Game-Based Distributed Optimal Synchronization Control of Heterogeneous Nonlinear Multiagent Systems.

This article presents an online off-policy policy iteration (PI) algorithm using reinforcement learning (RL) to optimize the distributed synchronization problem for nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs). First, considering that not every follower can directly obtain the leader's information, a novel adaptive model-free observer based on neural networks (NNs) is designed. Moreover the feasibility of the observer is strictly proved. Subsequently, combined with the observer and follower dynamics, an augmented system and a distributed cooperative performance index with discount factors are established. On this basis, the optimal distributed cooperative synchronization problem changes into solving the numerical solution of the Hamilton-Jacobian-Bellman (HJB) equation. Finally, an online off-policy algorithm is proposed, which can be used to optimize the distributed synchronization problem of the MASs in real time based on measured data. In order to prove the stability and convergence of the online off-policy algorithm more conveniently, an offline on-policy algorithm whose stability and convergence are proved is given before the online off-policy algorithm is proposed. We give a novel mathematical analysis method for establishing the stability of the algorithm. The effectiveness of the theory is verified by simulation results.

The Influence Of Sia, Locus Of Control, And Motivation On Employee Performance In Berwi Multi-Business Cooperatives

This research aims to test and analyze the influence of Accounting Information Systems, Locus of Control and Work Motivation on Employee Performance. This research was conducted at the Multi-Business Cooperative in Mengwi District with a research sample of 95 respondents taken using a purposive sampling technique. All data obtained from the questionnaire distribution is suitable for use and is then analyzed using multiple linear regression and hypothesis testing (t-test and f-test). The research results show that the accounting information system positively affects employee performance in multi-enterprise cooperatives in Mengwi District. It shows that the better or improved the accounting information system, the greater the employee performance at the Multi-Business Cooperative in Mengwi District. Locus of control positively affects employee performance in multi-business cooperatives in Mengwi District. It shows that the better or the more locus of control there is, the greater the employee performance in the multi-business cooperative in Mengwi District. Work motivation positively affects employee performance in multi-enterprise cooperatives in Mengwi District. It shows that the better or increased work motivation, the greater the employee performance at the Multi-Enterprise Cooperative in Mengwi District.

Unraveling agricultural cooperatives’ performance measurement: a literature review

Abstract Cooperatives are a widely prevalent organizational form in the agrifood sector that have been extensively examined in the literature. The primary objective of this literature review is to evaluate approaches taken in studying the performance of these organizations, with a specific focus on whether these analyses have duly recognized the multifaceted nature of cooperatives, characterized by having multiple objectives. Second, the review examines research comparing cooperatives with other types of organizations to ascertain whether, despite operating in the same markets, such analyses have acknowledged that these organizations pursue vastly different objectives. Finally, this literature review also ascertains whether studies have considered the influence of organizational innovations (e.g. allowing capitalist investors or share transferability) on cooperatives’ performance. Correctly approximating how to measure the performance of agrifood cooperatives is critical to understanding their success and evolution and, significantly, whether they benefit from innovations in property rights and governance.

Measuring The Causality on Cooperatives, Livelihood Diversification and Determinants among Poultry Farm Holders: A Case Study of South West Nigeria

Cooperative membership and livelihood diversification have been observed to influence households’ economic situations, while little is known about their interplays as a matter of mutual exclusivity when they both occur. This study was hence conducted to investigate the level of cooperative performance and how cooperative membership influences livelihood diversification alongside some other imperative hypothesized determinant factors, using primary data collected from 210 poultry farm holders in a multistage sampling process and analyzed with econometric, parametric, and nonparametric analytical estimators at 95 % confidence interval. Results showed that the majority of the cooperator respondents are satisfied with access to loans (72.38%), Loan repayment (67.62%), transportation (68.10%), marketing (67.14%), training (69.5%), patronage (70%), and Political interference (69.05%) while a relatively large proportion of the respondents (59.04%) are diversified, while a majority (89.52%) of this diversified category secondarily diversifies into non-farming activities. Also, the proportion of cooperator-diversified poultry farming households (59.41) narrowly exceeded the non-cooperator category (58.72); hence, further econometric analyses conducted showed that gender of household head, level of formal education, primary occupation, primary labour source, and cooperative membership negatively influenced livelihood diversification, but otherwise for multidimensional poverty, all significant at P?0.1, P?0.5%, P?0.01%, P?0.01%, P?0.01%, and P?0.1% probability levels accordingly. Econometric analyses of empirical data revealed that multidimensional well-being significantly increased livelihood diversification, which is offset by an increased level of formal education, cooperative membership, male-headed households, and dependence on family labour; hence, effective cooperative management be further upheld so as to maintain and or further improve the current cooperative performance level in order to cushion credit access constraints confronting agricultural activities. Furthermore, cooperative membership was found to negatively correlate with multidimensional poverty; hence, cooperative membership should be encouraged owing to the way it influences livelihood diversification to improve multidimensional welfare rating. Also, well-trained labour should be employed in order to increase managerial efficiency.

Pengaruh Transparansi Terhadap Perkara Koperasi Simpan Pinjam Indosurya

Cooperatives are business entities that are formed from individuals and legal entities that are carried out on the principles of cooperatives based on the principle of kinship. Transparency will make it easier for interested parties in assessing and evaluating the performance of cooperatives. Accountability will improve the performance of cooperatives because the various work results made can be answered well. Independence will make the company more objective in making decisions. In this study it was found that the performance of cooperatives in Indosurya experienced a lot of incompleteness due to existing cases. In the national economic governance compiled as a joint effort based on the principle of family and economic democracy. Transparency will make it easier for interested parties in assessing and evaluating the performance of cooperatives. Accountability will improve the performance of cooperatives because the various work results made can be answered well. Responsibility in which a company is able to carry out company activities in accordance with applicable rules. Independence will make the company more objective in making decisions.

Organizational, Social, Economic and Financial Management Performance of Cooperatives

This study aimed to determine the level of organizational, social, economic and financial performance of cooperatives when taken altogether and when grouped according to variables and to determine if there is significant difference on the level of organizational, social, economic and financial performance of cooperatives when grouped according variables. This aims to know whether or not organizational, social, and economic performance of cooperatives significantly predict financial management performance of cooperatives. Descriptive-Quantitative design is used in this study and instrument used was the Cooperative Performance Report Questionnaire together with interview questions which were conducted through face to face interview. Organizational, Social, Economic and Financial Management Performance of Cooperatives in Negros Occidental when taken altogether is excellent, very satisfactory, excellent, and satisfactory, respectively. There is significant difference in the level of organizational performance when grouped according to variables. No significant difference in social performance when grouped according to variables. No significant differences in economic performance of cooperatives when grouped according to variables. In financial performance of cooperatives when grouped according to variables a significant difference existed, when grouped as to classification, however, no significant difference existed in financial performance of cooperatives when grouped according to age. Organizational, social, economic performances of cooperatives are predictors of financial performance. There is significant relationship between organizational performance and social performance, organizational performance and economic performance, organizational performance and financial management performance, social performance and economic performance, no significant relationship between social performance and financial management performance, economic performance and financial management performance, respectively. Cooperatives maybe encouraged to sustain excellent organizational, social, economic and financial management performances while very satisfactory and satisfactory performances needs improvement. Programs on the improvement of financial performance of cooperatives may be initiated by cooperatives or by proper authorities’ in-charge. Lastly, close and intensive monitoring of Cooperative performance is recommended.

Two‐order cooperative optimization of swarm control based on reinforcement learning

AbstractThis paper presents a study of the cooperative optimal swarm control problem for two‐order multi‐agent systems with partially unknown nonlinear functions. Unlike traditional approaches that consider a single error, this paper proposes to use multi‐order errors in the performance index function to achieve optimal control performance. Additionally, different proportional coefficients are assigned to illustrate the varying influences of each sequence error, and a two‐order cooperative (TOC)performance index function is designed. To address the influence of unknown nonlinear functions, a swarm control system based on sliding mode control with an actor‐critic network is constructed, which increases the applicability of the proposed method to a variety of dynamic models. Furthermore, to alleviate the computational pressure caused by the multi‐order errors in the TOC performance index function, a new reinforcement learning (RL)‐based sliding mode swarm controller is designed. The stability of the proposed controller is demonstrated using the Lyapunov function. Finally, the control model and control rate are applied to a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle system, and simulation results demonstrate that the multi‐agent systems can effectively achieve swarm control.Impact Statement: This paper proposes a reinforcement learning‐based sliding mode control strategy for the cooperative optimal swarm control problem, where the nonlinear functions of two‐order multi‐agent systems are only partially known. In addition, we also propose a cooperative performance index function, which takes into account multi‐order errors for optimizing the performance. This contribution is significant for research in sliding mode control strategies and error co‐optimization.

The role of digitalization in agricultural cooperatives successful functioning

Relevance. The widespread use of digital opportunities by modern cooperatives in their multifunctional activities is of genuine interest to both scientists and practitioners, in connection with which there are noteworthy scientific publications and analytical (coming from the cooperators themselves) reviews. It is important that cooperative organizations, both small, important for the regional economy, and large, business-oriented, use digital solutions not only to increase their competitiveness (for purely economic purposes), but also to overcome social and environmental problems that arise in rural areas due to biological, climatic and geopolitical challenges.Methods. To achieve the goal outlined in the work (identifying the potential of digitalization in ensuring high performance of cooperatives and, through their activities, sustainable development of rural areas), review and analytical methods based on a rigorous study of the results of theoretical research and reporting materials of large cooperatives were applied. having official websites and publishing their strategic and reporting documents on them. The analysis, primarily from the standpoint of the suitability of international experience for domestic practice, was subject to the information of the International Cooperative Alliance (International Cooperative Alliance, ICA), reflecting the positive practices of digitalization of cooperative activities in various countries of the world, as well as the difficulties faced by agricultural cooperatives in the new (digital) environment. The basis for empirical research and, consequently, for the application of quantitative methods in them was the generalized materials of sociological surveys organized within the boundaries of the subjects of the Ural Federal District, mainly in the Sverdlovsk Region.Results. The main results of the study include the specification of aspects of cooperative activity obtained in its process, in which digitalization is especially important and promising, as well as those that are preferable for implementation in the previous (traditional for cooperatives) forms. Of no less importance is the designation of the main problems and difficulties that stand in the way of creating a full-fledged digital space directly for agricultural cooperatives as a result of the peculiarities of agricultural production, the specifics of the conditions of rural life, the uniqueness of rural areas (their position and characteristics). As such, they noted, firstly, the limited investment opportunities of cooperatives in the creation and development of digital infrastructure facilities in the countryside, secondly, the digital divide (different preparation of villagers for the use of digital technologies), thirdly, some contradictions between modern (digital) formats of cooperative activities and the classical principles of its organization.

Sustainability of Cooperatives in One City in Negros Occidental

This study aims to determine Sustainability level of cooperatives in Cadiz City, in terms of its non-financial and financial components. This study is a quantitative and qualitative design of descriptive research. Instruments used were the Cooperative Performance Report Questionnaire and interview questions which were conducted through Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and/or face to face interview. Results revealed that Sustainability of cooperatives in terms of non-financial components when taken as a whole is great. Extent of cooperatives’ sustainability in terms of financial components when taken as a whole is Moderate. No significant relationship between the cooperatives’ non-financial sustainability and financial sustainability when they are taken as a whole and when grouped according to type. No significant difference on extent of cooperative sustainability when assessed in terms of their non-financial components and grouped according to different types of cooperative. No significant difference on extent of cooperatives’ sustainability when assessed in terms of their financial components and grouped according to different types of cooperative. The researcher concluded that cooperatives’ sustainability are much affected by its non-financial components in terms of Human Resource Management, Structure and Social Aspects. In terms of its financial aspects, Institutional Strengths and profitability performance of cooperatives hinder its sustainability.

Internal Control and Performance of Selected Thrift and Credit Cooperative Societies in Nigeria

The study empirically examined the impact of internal control on perforamcne of selected thrift and credit cooperative soceities in Nigeria. A study of Cross River State. The specific objectives were to: examine the impact of internal audit on performance of thrift and credit cooperatives, ascertain the impact of control activities on performance of thrift and credit cooperatives, determine the impact of communication and information on performance of thrift and credit cooperatives, find out the impact of monitoring activities on performance of thrift and credit cooperatives. This study made use of an ex-post facto research design. The population consists of forty (40) thrift and credit cooperatives in Cross River State. The study employed multiple regression analysis to measure the degree of relationship between variables tested in the study. Based on the analysis, the following findings were made; Internal audit had a significant impact on the performance of selected thrift and credit cooperatives; Control activities had a significant impact on the performance of selected thrift and credit cooperatives; Communication/information had a significant impact on the performance of selected thrift and credit cooperatives. And monitoring activities had a significant impact on the performance of selected thrift and credit cooperatives. The study recommended that emphasis should be placed on the control of presenting pay slip evidence before loan application is considered to ensure that members do not take loans that cannot be effectively repaid within the stipulated period. The Cooperative societies should have specific guidelines on the implementation of necessary internal controls on granting and repayment of loans.

Pengaruh Corporate Social Responsibility Terhadap Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi Simpan Pinjam di Kota Bandung

This research has a purpose, namely to analyze corporate social responsibility (CSR), the financial performance of cooperatives and the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the financial performance of cooperatives. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Financial Performance of Savings and Loan Cooperatives are the objects of research. The survey method is used in research conducted by researchers.Based on the results of the study concluded, namely: 1). implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is adequate 2). the implementation of the cooperative's financial performance is adequate; and 3). the application of corporate social responsibility (CSR) affects the financial performance of cooperatives

Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning-Based Decision Making for Twin-Vehicles Cooperative Driving in Stochastic Dynamic Highway Environments

In the past decade, reinforcement learning (RL) has achieved encouraging results in autonomous driving, especially in well-structured and regulated highway environments. However, few researches pay attention to RL-based multiple-vehicles cooperative driving, which is much more challenging because of dynamic real-time interactions and transient scenarios. This paper proposes a Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) based twin-vehicles cooperative driving decision making method which achieves the generalization adaptation of the RL method in highly dynamic highway environments and enhances the flexibility and effectiveness of collaborative decision making system. The proposed fair cooperative MARL method pays equal attention to the individual intelligence and the cooperative performance, and employs a stable estimation method to reduce the propagation of overestimated joint <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Q$</tex-math></inline-formula> -values between agents. Thus, the twin-vehicles system strikes a balance between maintaining formation and free overtaking in dynamic highway environments, to intelligently adapt to different scenarios, such as heavy traffic, loose traffic, even some emergency. Targeted experiments show that our method has strong cooperative performance, also further increases the possibility of creating a harmonious driving environment.

Intermedial Performativity and the Human Mind in Samuel Beckett’s Teleplays

Samuel Beckett’s corpus centres on the characterization, examination and imaginative exploration of the human mind, encompassing the realms of consciousness, cognition and perception. In his teleplays, this focus is distinctively achieved through the performances of different media, which this article refers to as ‘intermedial performativity’. This term not only designates the semiotic contents of performance in intermedial forms, but also highlights the cooperative performances of the material media themselves, along with their uncharted possibilities and effects. This article delves into the ways in which intermedial performativity in Beckett’s teleplays realizes several unique configurations of the human mind, such as its split state and its transfiguration to a posthuman condition. This exploration not only sheds light on Beckett’s artistic vision and cosmic ontology, but also brings attention to the reverberations and implications of intermediality for humanity and its potential transformations.

The Influence of Reciprocal Relationships and Trust on Sharia Cooperative Member Satisfaction

Cooperatives have a role as pillars of economic and social development of the community, but they still experience many internal and external challenges, including in managing the satisfaction of their members. This study answers these challenges through the application of Social Exchange Theory, with the aim of analyzing whether reciprocity and trust have influence on the satisfaction of cooperative members. The study gathered 200 respondents from nine sharia cooperatives in six provinces of Indonesia. Using multiple regression models, the collected data was tested and further analyzed using SPSS 24.0 Software. This research found that Reciprocity and Trust have a positive and significant influence on the Satisfaction of sharia cooperative members. This research provides empirical evidence for the application of Social Exchange Theory in explaining the factors influencing the satisfaction of cooperative members that was not studied before. Sharia cooperative management can apply the results of this research to improve cooperative performance by building mutually beneficial and trusting relationships with its members. The results of this study can be generalized to sharia cooperatives, while the application to conventional cooperatives needs to be further studied. &#x0D; Keywords: Reciprocity, Trust, Satisfaction, Shariah Cooperatives, Social Exchange Theory

Financial Management Practices and Coffee Cooperatives Performance in Ethiopia with Mediation of Human Capital

The study's main topic was how Ethiopian coffee cooperatives' financial management practices and organizational performance are mediated by human capital. The cross-sectional study with multistage sampling was employed by the researchers. KMO was employed as a test for adequate data. To evaluate the overall impact of the regression, total variance was used. To determine if the observable variables could adequately explain the latent determinants, confirmatory factor analysis was utilized. The model fitness and mediation analysis were both tested using SEM. According to study, there was a significant link based on the data because the KMO value of.906 was greater than 0.5 and the statistical threshold for the Bartlett's test was lower than 0.05. The researchers discovered that the CMIN/DF was less than 3.0, indicating model acceptance. The model being tested is compared using the Tucker Lewis Index (TLI). Mediation of Human capital has led to a roughly 75% boost in performance of Coffee Cooperatives. As a result, there is now some partial mediation between financial management practices and coffee cooperative performance.

The Role of Competence, Work Discipline and Work Environment Improving Employee Performance in Cooperatives in Jember Regency

Cooperatives are one of the privately owned enterprises that also participate in driving the nationaleconomy. This research was conducted at cooperatives throughout Jember Regency and had the aim ofbeing the first to test and find out the effect of the work environment (X) on work discipline. The secondgoal is to test and find out the effect of work discipline (Z) on employee performance, and the last goal isto test and find out the effect of the work environment (X) on employee performance (Y). The population ofthis research is all employees of cooperatives operating in Jember Regency, totaling 1488 employees. Thesample size was determined using the Slovin formula and the sample size was 315 respondents. Thesampling technique is to use probability sampling with the technique taken, namely proportional sampling for each active cooperative. Data analysis used included: descriptive analysis, analysis of validity and reliability tests, and analysis of hypotheses, all of which were processed using Partial Least Square (SEMPLS) with the Warp PLS 6.0 program. After being analyzed using Warp PLS, the findings of this study are that competence has an impact on employee performance. Meanwhile, work discipline has an impact on employee performance at cooperatives in Jember Regency. The work environment has an impact onemployee performance. Thus, the first hypothesis is accepted. The second hypothesis is accepted while the third hypothesis is accepted.

Factors That Influence the Intention of Smallholder Rice Farmers to Adopt Cleaner Production Practices: An Empirical Study of Precision Agriculture Adoption.

Sustainable agriculture is crucial for achieving SDG2 and building a resilient climate-food system. This study provides a nuanced understanding of factors that influence the adoption of precision agriculture technology by Vietnamese smallholder rice farmers as a sustainable agricultural solution. The study's objectives are: (1) to provide a nuanced understanding of factors that influence adoption of precision agriculture technology by Vietnamese smallholder rice farmers; and (2) to identify factors associated with agricultural practice in Vietnam that may impact the adoption of precision agriculture technology. The study conducted 35 semi-structured interviews with smallholder rice farmers and agriculture experts. Data were analyzed using iterative thematic analysis. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was used for empirical analysis. The UTAUT constructs of Performance expectancy, Effort expectancy, Government support, and Social influence were found to be determinants of adoption. Trialability and Observability impact Effort expectancy and Performance expectancy. We also discovered that the performance of agricultural cooperatives and support of lead firms play a crucial role in facilitating agricultural technology adoption by Vietnamese smallholder rice farmers. The results confirm the applicability of UTAUT in defining smallholders' behavioural intention and predicting agricultural technology adoption. The study also provides constructive feedback on the UTAUT model by highlighting the effect of agricultural cooperatives' performance as innovation intermediaries and of the support of lead firms.

Effect of Core Capital Ratio Prudential Regulations on Financial Performance of Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperatives in Kenya

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of capital ratio prudential regulations on the financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs (DT-SACCOs) in Kenya. The study was anchored on the public interest theory and adopted a positivist philosophy and mixed research design with primary and secondary data for the period 2014-2021 Core. The target population comprised 175 DT-SACCOs. Primary data was collected through questionnaires by stratified random sampling on DT-SACCOs regulated by the SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), and purposive sampling was done on the chief executive officer (CEO) of sampled DT-SACCOs. Panel data analysis was used to achieve the study objective. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. The study findings revealed that core capital ratio requirement had a significant and positive effect on the financial performance of DT-SACCOs in Kenya (β =0.218, t = 6.180, p &lt; 0.05). The study concluded that core capital ratio requirement was vital for the financial performance of DT-SACCOs in Kenya. Based on the study findings and conclusion, the study recommends to leadership in DT-SACCOs to enhance corporate governance and stability in their SACCOs since members seek to invest their resources in areas where they perceive stability and profit. Besides, the study recommends to SASRA to ensure that the risk appetite and investment prudential regulations and restrictions placed by shareholders are taken into consideration while creating DT-SACCOs’ investment portfolio.

Virtual Coupling-Based H∞ Active Fault-Tolerant Cooperative Control for Multiple High-Speed Trains With Unknown Parameters and Actuator Faults

This paper investigates the cooperative control problem of multiple high-speed trains subject to unknown parameters and actuator faults. The cooperative operation of multiple high-speed trains is modeled as a coupled control system. On the basis of the virtual coupling technique, the H <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">∞</sub> active fault-tolerant cooperative control scheme is established to guarantee the desired tracking performances and cooperative performances. The adaptive control technique is adopted to estimate the unknown Davis’ coefficients and the fault parameters and linear matrix inequalities are utilized to derive the control gain of the cooperative control protocols for the trains. Rigorous analysis is provided to corroborate the closed-loop stability of the cooperative train control system and numerical simulation is conducted to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed results.