An Analysis of Students’ Choice determinants for Co-operative Majors at Moshi Co-operative University, Tanzania

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

An Analysis of Students’ Choice determinants for Co-operative Majors at Moshi Co-operative University, Tanzania

Anthony Gikuri¹, Reginald Chetto^2
1Directorate of Co-operative Library and Archives, Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU), Shinyanga, Tanzania
²Department of Economics and Social Studies, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract— This study focused on understanding factors that lead to the selection of a major in the cooperative field at the undergraduate level as well as the expectations toward pursuing the same at postgraduate level. The study utilized a sample of 162 students in the first, second and third years who were pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Cooperative Management and Accounting (BACMA) degree. The study used binomial logistic regression models to predict the selection of co-operative majors. On one hand, university reputation, parents influence, the learning environment, and previous training in the cooperative, made a significant contribution to the selection of BACMA. On the other hand, the decision to pursue a course in the cooperative field in the next level of study was only predicted well by a background in co-operative training. Conclusively speaking, choice in career, institutional factors as well as family influences remain paramount to the choice of what to study at undergraduate level. However, what to study once a student has graduated with BACMA was best explained by previous training in cooperatives. Many factors that were important in determining the choice for a bachelor’s degree in cooperative no longer influence the decision to advance in cooperative training. The study recommends further investigation involving former students who are already in the labor market to determine what constitutes their satisfaction with cooperative discipline as far as job search and/ or performance are concerned. Furthermore, there is a need to study university marketing strategies geared toward attracting more students into the cooperative field.

Key words: Cooperative, Motives, Expectations, BACMA, Choice.

I: INTRODUCTION

A cooperative is defined as an autonomous and democratically controlled enterprise owned and run by the people themselves for the sake of realizing their common goals; social, cultural, economic (Chambo, 2008). Over the years, cooperatives have been known for their pivotal role in stimulating and promoting socio-economic development at local and national levels (Grace, 2014; Schwettmann, 2014; Wanyama, 2016).

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