Willingness of Informal Shoe Shiners to Join Cooperatives: Evidence from Hawassa City, Ethiopia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25175/jrd/2025/v44/i1/173307Keywords:
Cooperatives, Informal Sector, Knowledge, Shoe ShinersAbstract
This study addresses a significant gap in understanding the micro-level dynamics of informal workers, specifically shoe shiners in Hawassa City, Ethiopia, a context that remains underexplored in current research. Despite over half of Ethiopia’s urban workforce operating in the informal sector, little attention has been given to the unique challenges faced by this industry and the potential for formalisation through cooperative models, especially among vulnerable youth involved in informal activities. The primary objectives are to examine the socioeconomic struggles of shoe shiners and their perceptions of establishing cooperatives as a means of improving their livelihoods. Employing a mixed methods approach, the research combines qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and quantitative data collected from 299 shoe shiners via structured questionnaires. Findings indicate that most shoe shiners are young, have limited education, and face persistent issues such as low income, inadequate workspaces, and limited access to financial and technical support. Although awareness of cooperatives is generally low to moderate, attitudes toward forming cooperatives are largely positive, influenced significantly by knowledge, age, and income levels. Theoretically, the study advances social capital and formalisation frameworks by illustrating how trust, awareness, and socioeconomic factors shape informal workers’ collective attitudes. The results emphasise the importance of targeted educational programmes, accessible support services, and policy measures to promote cooperative development, aiming to enhance livelihoods, foster social resilience, and support inclusive urban growth and poverty reduction in Ethiopia.
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