Workplace Competency among Cooperative Management Graduates in the Philippines

Abstract

Nowadays, handling a cooperative is more complex and unpredictable than it was years back. The exchange of world views, products and ideas has increased the complexity of business’ environment and their operations. As such, business and management schools should provide the industry with graduates who have the skills to respond professionally and effectively to global, national and local business pressures. To ascertain that cooperative management graduates have acquired the necessary skills for them to contribute to the development and growth of cooperatives in the country, this study was conducted in a state-funded university in the Philippines AY 2011–2012. The study involved 43 graduating students taking up Bachelor in Cooperatives Management. A four-part 135-point examination was used to determine the business competencies. Results showed that the majority of the students were proficient in terms of understanding the operations of a cooperative business, customer service and teamwork. Less than half are advanced in terms of customer service. They also had basic proficiency in terms of interpersonal communication, leadership and results focus. Notably, a very small percentage were considered novices in the areas of teamwork, leadership, personal effectiveness, and result focus. Results reveal that cooperative management students, who will soon join the cooperative movement and the business sector, are equipped with the competencies needed by their future employers.