The Economic and Social Roles of Cooperatives in Strengthening Stakeholder Collaboration in San Pedro, Laguna
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22291917Keywords:
cooperatives, stakeholder collaboration, economic roles, social roles, collaborative governance, stakeholder valueAbstract
This study examined the economic and social roles of cooperatives in strengthening stakeholder collaboration and enhancing stakeholder value in San Pedro, Laguna. A convergent mixed-methods design combined a descriptive quantitative survey with qualitative key informant interviews. Seven registered transport, multipurpose, consumer, and credit cooperatives were purposively selected. The quantitative phase involved 384 stakeholders allocated proportionally from a combined cooperative population of 2,308 and sampled through stratified random procedures, while the qualitative phase involved purposively selected informants with direct knowledge of cooperative governance and partnership implementation. A structured survey questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used. The questionnaire was expert-reviewed, pilot-tested, and demonstrated excellent reliability, with dimension-level Cronbach alpha coefficients from .93 to .96 and an overall alpha of .97. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and composite mean; interview data were analyzed thematically and integrated with the survey results. Cooperatives demonstrated a strong economic role (WM = 3.59), led by contribution to local economic stability (WM = 3.67), and a strong social role (WM = 3.45), led by trust building and social capital (WM = 3.50). Stakeholder collaboration and engagement were very high (WM = 3.69), with trust and mutual accountability highest (WM = 3.72). The effects of collaboration were also very high (WM = 3.70), particularly institutional and organizational effects (WM = 3.72). Qualitative findings identified challenges involving governance, communication, participation, trust, and resource capacity. The study concludes that cooperatives function as both economic enterprises and participatory social institutions. A multi-level improvement plan is proposed to strengthen inclusive governance, communication, participation, trust, capacity development, economic and social value, and institutional sustainability.
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