Governance, Organizational Objectives, and Institutional Constraints in Cooperative Development: A Structural Equation Model of Cuban Production, Service, and Credit Cooperatives

Cooperatives are key organizational forms for economic and social development; however, the factors shaping their development are often examined in a fragmented manner. This study identifies the main dimensions of cooperative development and tests their interrelationships using structural equation modeling (SEM). Based on a literature review and expert validation, a measurement instrument was developed and applied to 410 members from 82 cooperatives in Cuba between March and July 2025. The model was estimated and validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and SEM. The findings support an integrated framework in which cooperative values, cooperative principles, organizational objectives, community relations, and the institutional environment jointly explain cooperative development. All hypothesized relationships are positive and statistically significant, with organizational objectives and the institutional environment showing relatively stronger effects compared to normative and relational dimensions. The results demonstrate that cooperative development is a multidimensional and context-dependent process that cannot be explained by normative principles alone. Instead, it depends on the organization’s capacity to translate cooperative identity into strategic objectives and to operate within enabling institutional conditions. The study provides an empirically validated framework for analyzing cooperative governance and offers practical insights for strengthening organizational performance in emerging economies.