ABSTRACT:- Prior studies have shown that cooperatives play a fundamental role in improving job creations and sustainable development. Regardless of the viewpoints of prior studies, there have been no studies that have assessed the linkage between cooperatives, employment generation and business growth, particularly in Nigeria. Given this gap in management literature, this study examined cooperatives, employment generation and business growth nexus. The survey design was employed and questionnaire was administered to two hundred and nine registered cooperative in south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria namely Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and Cross Rivers States. Data obtained in the field survey were analyzed using descriptive (simple percentages, mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis) and inferential (Lawley’s correlation) statistics. Findings showed that cooperatives are vital dynamics that drive employment generation and business growth; thus, cooperatives matter for employment generation and business growth in Nigeria. In view of the finding, it is recommended that for developing nations to overcome the ever-increasing unemployment rate and grow the business environment, the government should provide support-fund to all categories of cooperatives. In fact, the support-fund should be at no interest rates to enable cooperatives lend to members at a lowered interest rate as well as increasing their capital base.

Keywords: Cooperative; Employment generation; Business growth; Developing countries;
JEL Classification: P13; Q13; E24