SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVES’ PERFORMANCE: WHAT IS IN THE MINDS OF MANAGEMENT?

•Cooperatives possess uniqueness that potentially lead to different schematic of performance understanding•Performance is one of the most argued concepts that never been agreed solidly by various researchers.•The articulation of performance definition for those cooperatives revolved around efficiency (do things right) and effectiveness (do the right things).•Smallholders’ cooperative performance concept can be summarized as “ability to conduct the process of basic management tasks in efficient and effective manner; & conforming expectation of the members and basic rules.•The identity as co-operative has shaped the performance scopes and behaviors.