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Cooperatives and Women’s Empowerment: Mapping Research Trends and Future Directions

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  • Leviana Andrew

    (Sustainable Cooperative Business Group, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia)

  • Norshohanimira Borhani

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia)

  • Izzat Al-Hadi Razali

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia)

  • Jati Kasuma Ali

    (Sustainable Cooperative Business Group, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia)

  • Yusman Yacob

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia Sustainable Cooperative Business Group, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia)

Abstract

The empowerment of women through cooperatives has emerged as a significant area of research and practice, addressing both social and economic inequalities. This study employs bibliometric analysis using PRISMA framework to examine the publication patterns and intellectual structure of research on women’s empowerment through cooperatives over the past 50 years. The analysis covers 347 publications and 836 contributing authors, revealing a growing interest in this field, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s. The research landscape is global, with India, the United States, and the United Kingdom leading in contributions. The most influential institutions include SASTRA University, the University of South Africa, and the University of Delhi, among others. Thematic analysis based on 20 high-impact articles highlights the prominence of economic empowerment and social impact as key areas of focus, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of women’s empowerment through cooperatives. The study also underscores the importance of addressing structural barriers and leveraging technology to further empower women. The study also emphasizes the need for further research in several areas, including the exploration of intersectionality, the development of robust tools for measuring impact, and the investigation of long-term effects and potential risks associated with empowerment interventions. The insights generated from this analysis can inform future research directions and guide the design and implementation of effective interventions to promote gender equality and inclusive development through cooperatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Leviana Andrew & Norshohanimira Borhani & Izzat Al-Hadi Razali & Jati Kasuma Ali & Yusman Yacob, 2025. "Cooperatives and Women’s Empowerment: Mapping Research Trends and Future Directions," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(2), pages 2871-2889, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-2:p:2871-2889
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Alejandra INOSTROZA & Paula Miranda Sà NCHEZ, 2023. "Hindering and facilitating factors of women’s participation in cooperativism: An approach from a comparative bibliometric study of the last 15 years," CIRIEC Working Papers 2305, CIRIEC - Université de Liège.
    2. Amber Theeuwen & Valérie Duplat & Christopher Wickert & Brian Tjemkes, 2021. "How Do Women Overcome Gender Inequality by Forming Small-Scale Cooperatives? The Case of the Agricultural Sector in Uganda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-25, February.
    3. John Elliot Meador & David O’Brien, 2019. "Placing Rwanda’s agriculture boom: trust, women empowerment and policy impact in maize agricultural cooperatives," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(4), pages 869-880, August.
    4. Sedai, Ashish Kumar & Vasudevan, Ramaa & Alves Pena, Anita, 2021. "Friends and benefits? Endogenous rotating savings and credit associations as alternative for women’s empowerment in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    5. Soto Alarcón, Jozelin María & Sato, Chizu, 2019. "Enacting peasant moral community economies for sustainable livelihoods: A case of women-led cooperatives in rural Mexico," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 120-131.
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