Ethnicity and culture in Kenyan cooperatives.

Abstract

The research seeks to understand the varying cultural dimensions of nine of Kenya’s ethnic communities and the potential correlations with positive organizational perceptions, attitudes, and outcomes. Published literature on either intra-Kenyan culture dimension differences or organizational behavior within co-operatives is scarce. This empirical study aims to expand knowledge of intra-country cultural differences and cultural impacts on co-operatives. The research received facilitation assistance by Global Communities and funded by USAID as part of a wider study on co-operatives in Kenya. The research found that seven of the eight GLOBE framework dimensions studied correlated positively and significantly with each other with the exception of power distance. Climate average annual temperatures correlated significantly and negatively with uncertainty avoidance, power distance, assertiveness, future orientation, and humane orientation but not institutional collectivism, in-group collectivism, or performance orientation. Participative leadership, perceived co-operative member voice, co-operative member commitment, and co-operative innovation history all positively and significantly correlated with seven of the eight culture dimensions with the exception again of power distance. This study is relevant to co-operative leaders, co-operative members, community leaders, government policy makers, and donor agencies seeking to capacity build co-operatives.