Authors : O.D. Ogisi , O.R. Oghotomo , M.E. Tarurhor and O.E. Inoni
Abstract: In order to examine the role of co-operative societies in small-scale enterprises development, 420 SSEs, including 231 dress-making and 189 furniture-making enterprises were randomly selected with the aid of structured questionnaires in 9 major towns in Delta State, Nigeria. The results showed that co-operative societies play a statistically significant role in the growth and development of SSEs. Although, there was a positive correlation between workforce and co-operative loan, the result was not statistically significant. Also, co-operative societies did not enhance the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills in the small-scale informal sector. Average income per year was found to increase with firm size, while labour productivity decreased with size. Firms employing 1-3 persons had the highest income per worker of 44,000.00 per annum. Personal savings, savings and rotating credit groups, and co-operative societies were the major sources of financing SSEs. Lack of access to finance and high cost of materials and equipment were found to be the principal constraints to the operations of SSEs in Delta State, Nigeria. Therefore in order to boost output in the small-scale enterprises` sector, the authors recommend the establishment of Skills Acquisition Centres for the youths, as well as the local fabrication of needed tools and equipment.
O.D. Ogisi , O.R. Oghotomo , M.E. Tarurhor and O.E. Inoni , 2007. Co-Operative Societies and the Development of Small-Scale Furniture and Tailoring Enterprises: Evidence from Delta State, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 4: 69-77.