Institutional and governance factors influencing the performance of selected smallholder agricultural cooperatives in KwaZulu-Natal

摘要: This paper evaluates the impact of institutional and governance factors on performance 10 smallholder agricultural cooperatives in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Five grow market vegetables, three produce poultry, one is a beef production cooperative another operates bakery. The results cluster analysis suggest that selected influenced by problems. Institutional problems give rise to low levels equity debt capital, reliance government funding, investment, subsequent loss members. Governance are strongly linked absence secret ballot, education, lack management skills training, weak marketing arrangements consequent returns members as patrons or investors. conclusion appropriate good important enterprises initiated groups smallholders. South Africa’s new Cooperatives Act prevents from adopting arrangements. Alternative ownership structures such close corporations private companies offer better opportunities for equitysharing partnerships.