The Assessment of Commitment in the Cooperative Organization in Nigeria

Abstract Limited studies exist on the commitment of members to cooperative business organizations. This study assesses commitment in the cooperative organization and determines its relationship with members’ individual characteristics. Primary data collected covers information on affective, continuance and normative commitment of cooperative members, in addition to demographic characteristics. Analysis of the data shows that cooperative members are indifferent to affective, continuance and normative measures of commitment in cooperative organizations. Gender characteristics, level of education and years of membership are critical to obtaining commitment in cooperative organizations. Cooperative organizations are encouraged to consider the personal characteristics of members in a drive to elicit the desired level of commitment.