Table 8 reflects collectivist thoughts drawn from the cooperatives’
mission statements, which specify the approaches and core purposes that
would ensure the attainment of their vision. The mission statements
manifest that the cooperatives’ activities are consistent with their
economic, social and political aspirations that were provided in their
vision statements. As observed, they pursue activities that would
improve their economic (60%), social (26%), and political (14%)
conditions. The result of chi-square test show that the collectivist
thoughts are not dependent on the cooperatives’ size, and there are no
significant differences in the observance of collectivist dimensions
such as economic, social and political. This means that the cooperatives
give equal importance on attaining their collective aspirations on
economic, social and political.
Table 9 reflects the sub-themes for economic thoughts drawn from the
cooperatives’ mission statements. Being cognizant to the vision
statements, the cooperatives are pursuing enterprising activities in
order to improve their economic conditions. As observed in the results,
cooperatives offer products and services that are needed by the members
and the community in which they operate. As they grow, they diversify
their business ventures and encourage more members to participate and
contribute capital. In return, they can lend the funds back to the
members, allowing them to invest in their own businesses, and the
members can eventually share as well in the cooperatives’ surpluses.
Furthermore, cooperatives encourage savings and investment, and they can
take advantage of opportunities and technological upgrades that can help
them grow. Apparently, their collectivist behaviors contribute to the
economic development of cooperatives and their members, and they can
become relevant sources of public goods and services that benefit
members and society. The findings support what Ball (2001) and Marziarz
(2015) discovered that collectivist societies perform functions that
benefit the collective and promote economic growth.
Table 10 presents the sub-themes for social thoughts, which are intended
to support the cooperatives’ social purpose and aspirations. The
observed themes in the mission statements manifest that through
cooperativism and collective efforts, they can foster trust and good
relationships, which can improve their social and cultural conditions.
Pertinent to this, they can instill among themselves the discipline,
ideals, principles, responsibility, and commitment that will benefit
their respective cooperatives and communities. For instance, they can
resolve matters on their own, foster promptness in settling their
obligations, and generally contribute in the attainment of the common
good. To meet this, the members express themselves during general
assembly meetings and codify policies that would define appropriate
behaviors for the members and elected officers.
Table 11 presents the sub-themes for political thoughts, which would
establish a collectively agreed governance system and expectations for
elected officers and management who were endowed with accountability and
authority. Members expect their elected officers and management to be
responsible, accountable, credible, honest, and transparent. These are
norms that serve as qualifications for their officers and that they must
adhere to while serving their terms. Apparently, the members also expect
their cooperatives to serve as models for other cooperatives and as
catalysts in the society by sharing good principles and serving as
alternative venues for good governance and cooperation. To achieve this,
they strictly impose good conduct and behaviors on their officers, and
as a result, their officers will imbibe these expectations while leading
the cooperative to meet the cooperatives’ direction and aspirations.
Realistically, the cooperatives’ vision and mission statements are
translated into achievable goals. Tables 12 to 15 present the frequency
of observed economic, social and political themes in the goal statements
of cooperatives. The goal statements represent the members’ collectively
agreed specific and measurable milestones to meet the vision and mission
statements of the cooperatives. These goal statements are translated
into series of activities that could bring realistic improvements on the
collectives’ economic, social and political conditions.
Table 12. Collectivism in the Goal Statements of Cooperatives