Treatment and analysis of data
The identification of the variables used in the study was based on the relational dimension in which the patterns of membership and paid-up shares were analyzed with an a priori assumption that cooperatives’ paid-up shares is increasing as the number of members is also increasing. Since cooperatives are voluntary organizations, joined members must accept given responsibilities, encourage participation, and eliminate discrimination. Hence, it should be observed that the members should be willing to commit their funds to the cooperative if a shared objective prevails. The increase in paid-ups shares also indicates the members’ collective action in which they feel sense of ownership to their cooperative and they could gain long-term benefit through their collective action. The increase in paid-up share would also indicate the members’ willingness to fulfil their social-obligation in a social contract perspective. The payment of paid-up shares manifests their willingness to abide with the values and principles of cooperativism in which the members (new and old) are fulfilling their social and economic obligation to their respective cooperatives.