SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study focused on assessing the social responsibility of cooperative organizations resident in tertiary institutions in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The population of the study was one thousand four hundred and twelve (1,412) registered members of cooperative organizations resident in tertiary institutions in Kaduna State. Using Taro Yamane’s formula with allowable error e =0.05, a sample size of three hundred and twelve (312) was used. This sample was distributed equally (at fifty-two each) among the six cooperative organizations that were selected one from each of the six tertiary institutions; the six tertiary institutions were judgmentally selected two from each senatorial zone in the State. A 5point Likert-scale measure was used. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean Likert-scale) and inferential statistics (Spearman rho test). The results of the study revealed as follows: The only significant social responsibility activity carried out by cooperative organizations resident in tertiary institutions in the State was to help their host communities in providing physical infrastructural facilities (x = 3.02). Thus, the cooperative organizations have not met their social responsibilities to their host communities (P-value = 2.781; r-cal = 1.517). However, the little they have been able to do has had a positive and significant effect (P-value = 0.752; r-cal = 3.439). There are many challenges impeding the provision of social responsibility activities by these cooperative organizations; the major challenges include lack of fund, poor relationship with host communities, and hostile attitude of the host communities. The study therefore recommended that cooperative organizations in tertiary institutions in Kaduna State should strive to imbibe the culture of concern for host community as a cardinal cooperative principle.