Abstract:
The primary aims of this study were to identity:
i) Management strategies that could be adopted by Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies
(SACCOS) to increase effectiveness of savings acquisition, deployment and distribution,
and membership growth; and
ii) Tools, policies and strategies for improving relationship among stakeholders
(members, employed staff, board members and community).
The study sought to respond to the following questions:
i) What are the structural, economic, institutional and cultural barriers to the professional
management of SACCOS?
ii) What are the gaps in Government policies and co-operative development that are failing
to address the above barriers?
iii) What should the Government do to address these gaps and foster professionalism in rural
SACCOS?
iv) What can SACCOS do for themselves to generate change in management and
organisational culture?
v) What could the Moshi University College of Co-operative and Business Studies do
to assist the change process in SACCOS?
This study was carried out at Chawampu SACCOS and Kindi SACCOS, both in Moshi Rural District Kilimanjaro Region. Two case studies were carried out to assess management performance and the
effectiveness of financial services provision by the two SACCOS to their members. The sample for
this study included 16 co-operative members, 16 noncooperative members, 15 business persons, 6
SACCOS' Board Members and 10 young business persons.
