Role of Transformational Leadership for Agricultural Cooperatives in Cambodia

Bc. Nela Olszarová

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Agricultural cooperatives play a crucial role in the development of agriculture and rural communities. The success of these cooperatives depends on the leadership style of their managers and the level of commitment and trust among their members. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the main factors which influence leadership style, trust of members and their commitment in agricultural cooperatives in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia and analyze members’ perceptions of cooperative leaders’ transformational leadership. The data were collected through a questionnaire survey distributed to 450 members of three selected agricultural cooperatives in in Kampong Speu province in Aoral district and Thpong District. The questionnaire focused on questions related to leadership style, commitment, trust and perceived benefits of cooperative membership. In addition, the standardised Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to analyse the transformational leadership style. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and regression analysis in program SPSS. The results of this study showed that there was significant difference between active and passive members of the cooperatives and their perception of transformational leadership. Furthermore, the study identified that the trust among members appeared to be the most positively related to the commitment of the members, this trust is essential for the success of agricultural cooperatives. Perceived benefits due to membership and leadership style were positively related to commitment, suggesting that higher levels of these variables were associated with higher levels of members’ commitment to the agricultural cooperatives. Cooperatives are a great opportunity for young and inexperienced farmers, as commitment is ideal for them, according to the results. To attract and motivate members, it is important to promote perceived benefits. Non-profit organizations can improve cooperatives’ success by providing training on transformational leadership skills.

Keywords

commitment, cooperative management, leadership style, team performance, trust

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 24. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 30. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: Ing. Petra Chaloupková, Ph.D. dr. h. c.
• Reader: Kimchhin SOK, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
International Development and Agricultural Economics