Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T09:41:07.279Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Use of Discriminant Analysis in Measuring Cooperative Growth Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2017

Brian M. Henehan
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Cornell University
Neil H. Pelsue Jr.
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Vermont
Get access

Abstract

Vermont agricultural cooperatives were surveyed to investigate key factors contributing to cooperative success. Most of the cooperatives were formed within the last 15 years. Financial, organizational, and operational data were collected for selected years from 1974–1984.

Average annual changes in gross sales were used to divide cooperatives into low-growth and high-growth groups. Selected variables were identified to classify individual cooperatives into low- or high-performance groups with discriminant analysis.

Management experience and adoption of multi-year plans were the two factors found to have the most significant influence on cooperative sales growth.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

This research was supported by the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont, Burlington Hatch Project: VT380. The comments and suggestions of Cleve E. Willis and an anonymous reviewer are gratefully acknowledged.

References

Adams, T. M.Vermont Cooperatives: Their Business Activities.” Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 540, University of Vermont, Burlington. 1946.Google Scholar
Afifi, A. A. and Clark, V. Computer-aided Multivariate Analysis. Lifetime Learning Publications, Belmont. CA. 1984.Google Scholar
Butcher, D. et al. New York Agriculture 2000 Report. N.Y.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Markets, Albany. NY. 1984.Google Scholar
Cramer, G. L.An Economic Analysis of the Merger Component in the Growth of Agricultural Cooperatives.” Univ. Microfilms, Inc.: Ph.D. dissertation. Oregon State Univ. 1968.Google Scholar
Davidson, D. R. and Street, D. W.Top 100 Cooperatives, 1983 Financial Profile.” USDA, Farmer Cooperative Service. Washington, D.C. 1985.Google Scholar
Fisher, R. A.The Use of Multiple Measurements in Taxonomic Problems.” Annals of Eugenics. 7 (1936):179188.Google Scholar
French, C. E. et al. Survival Strategies for Agricultural Cooperatives. State Univ. Press. Ames, IA. 1980.Google Scholar
Garoyan, L. and Mohn, P. O. The Board of Directors of Cooperatives. Coop. Ext. Serv., Univ. of California. 1976.Google Scholar
Griffin, N. et al. “The Changing Financial Structure of Farmer Cooperatives.” U.S. Dept. of Agr., Farmer Coop. Res. Rpt. No. 17. 1980.Google Scholar
Grinnell, H. C.An Economic Study of the Organization, Finance and Operations of Farmers’ Business Cooperatives in Vermont.” Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 327, University of Vermont, Burlington. 1932.Google Scholar
Henehan, B. M.An Economic Study of the Organization, Financial Performance, and Operations of Emerging Farmers’ Cooperatives in Vermont.” , University of Vermont. 1985.Google Scholar
Kerr, S. et al. “Connecticut River Valley Agriculture Project Report.” Vermont Dept. of Agriculture and New Hampshire Dept. of Agriculture. February 1982.Google Scholar
Marion, B. W. and Handy, C. R.Market Performance: Concepts and Measures.” U.S. Dept. of Agr., Econ. Rptg. Serv., Agr. Econ. Rpt. No. 244. 1973.Google Scholar
Richardson, R. M. et al. Statistics of Farmers Cooperatives, 1982. U.S. Dept. of Agr., Agr. Coop. Serv. 1984.Google Scholar