The Knowledge of Leaders About Basic Cooperative Principles as a Key Factor for Agricultural Cooperatives Business Performances’ in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

The main objective of this study is ‘to examine the knowledge of leaders about basic cooperative principles as a key factor for Agricultural cooperatives business performances’. The study covers 96 cooperative leaders and 192 individual members of cooperatives selected from 96 primary agricultural cooperatives. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research approach to answer the research question. The data related the study was collected with the help of survey questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussion from the study participants. The pertinent data collected were analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics and inferential model called multiple regression models. Accordingly, the 16 basic cooperative principles have significant impact on the business performances of agricultural cooperatives at 0.05 significance level. So, the government and other community development partners should arrange continuous trainings on cooperative principles and its roles on business practicesto cooperative leaders to improve the effectiveness of Leadership in enhancing business performance of cooperatives, and leaders of cooperatives need to focus on basic cooperatives principles as key factor for success of business practices of the cooperatives. These actions will ensure the survival, productivity, improved living standard of the cooperatives members, competitiveness, and prosperity of cooperatives businesses. Keywords: business performance, board of directors, cooperatives, cooperative principles, leadership, members, multiple regressions DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/60-03 Publication date: January 31st 202