POAC Management Functions in a Student Cooperative: The Case of Kopma UNESA

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of the four core management functions—planning, organizing, actuating, and controlling (POAC)—within a university-based student cooperative, Koperasi Mahasiswa (Kopma) Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA). Employing a qualitative case-study approach, data were gathered through a semi-structured interview with the Head of the Business Division of Kopma UNESA, complemented by documentation and direct observation. The findings show that planning at Kopma UNESA covers work-program design, marketing, financial planning, and member recruitment aligned with members' competencies. Organizing is reflected in a structured hierarchy consisting of a Supervisory Board, General Chairperson, and four functional divisions—Administration and General Affairs, Finance, Member Resource Development, and Business—each with clearly defined duties. Actuating is carried out through routine coordination meetings and instructional communication across organizational levels, while controlling is performed by the Supervisory Board through periodic monitoring and performance evaluation. The study also identifies major operational challenges, particularly declining member participation and sales performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings confirm that consistent application of POAC functions, supported by active member participation, is essential for sustaining and developing student cooperatives in a higher-education setting.