Determinants of Investment and Participation of Members in Cooperative Activities

Abstract: This study investigated the determinants of investment and participation among members of a multi-purpose cooperative in Northern Negros using a descriptive-relational (correlational) research design. A total of 261 members, selected through simple random sampling, participated in the study. Data were gathered through a researcher-made, validated, and highly reliable questionnaire, covering demographics, investment levels, membership participation, and motivational factors. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and regression analyses were used to assess relationships and differences among variables. Findings revealed that members showed high levels of investment, particularly in savings (M = 3.47), capital share (M = 3.46), and time deposits (M = 3.36). Investment behaviors were consistent across demographic groups, and no statistically significant differences were found in investment levels based on sex, age, education, membership type, tenure, or income. Notably, associate members and those with longer tenure exhibited slightly higher investment levels, suggesting deeper trust and strategic engagement. Membership participation was also high (M = 3.39), especially in services like productive loans (M = 3.50) and consumer store use (M = 3.55), as well as in training programs (M = 3.44). Female, associate, and long-tenured members demonstrated greater participation. Among all demographic factors, only membership tenure showed a statistically significant influence on participation (p = 0.005). The study concludes that while investment behaviors are uniformly strong across groups, participation is influenced by length of membership. These insights can guide cooperative management in developing targeted programs to sustain member engagement and optimize cooperative growth. Keywords: Investment, Participation, Cooperative Members, Membership Tenure