Research Article

Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis

Volume: 18 Number: Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı October 30, 2025
TR EN

Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis

Abstract

In Türkiye, women’s labor has long been considered invisible work, particularly evident in rural areas, where it is been limited to unpaid family labor and informal employment. In recent years, the growing number of women's cooperatives has transformed this invisible labor into significant organizations that makes this invisible labor visible economically, socially, and culturally. This study examines women's cooperatives' contributions to sustainable development and how women are empowered at individual, social, and institutional levels. The research questions focus on the impact of women's cooperatives on the local economy and social development, which themes are most prominent, and how support mechanisms operate. The research data were obtained from 12 episodes of the program Hayallerinin Peşinde (In Pursuit of Dreams), broadcast by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) which features women's cooperatives in the Central Anatolia Region. The data was analyzed using a directed content analysis method and classified under five main themes and their corresponding sub-themes. The findings show that women are represented not only in production processes but also as active actors in technical skills, entrepreneurial culture, decision-making, and leadership. Additionally, while family support emerged as a key factor, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) were found to be limited. In conclusion, the study highlights that women's cooperatives play a critical role in sustainable development, gender equality, and the visibility of women's labor; it offers a cultural and discursive dimension beyond the economic-focused research in the literature.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Development Geography

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

October 30, 2025

Publication Date

October 30, 2025

Submission Date

August 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 26, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 18 Number: Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı

APA
Göç, K. (2025). Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis. Kent Akademisi, 18(Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı), 128-145. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1772219
AMA
1.Göç K. Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis. Urban Academy. 2025;18(Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı):128-145. doi:10.35674/kent.1772219
Chicago
Göç, Kubilayhan. 2025. “Women’s Cooperatives As Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis”. Kent Akademisi 18 (Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı): 128-45. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1772219.
EndNote
Göç K (October 1, 2025) Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis. Kent Akademisi 18 Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı 128–145.
IEEE
[1]K. Göç, “Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis”, Urban Academy, vol. 18, no. Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı, pp. 128–145, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.35674/kent.1772219.
ISNAD
Göç, Kubilayhan. “Women’s Cooperatives As Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis”. Kent Akademisi 18/Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı (October 1, 2025): 128-145. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1772219.
JAMA
1.Göç K. Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis. Urban Academy. 2025;18:128–145.
MLA
Göç, Kubilayhan. “Women’s Cooperatives As Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis”. Kent Akademisi, vol. 18, no. Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı, Oct. 2025, pp. 128-45, doi:10.35674/kent.1772219.
Vancouver
1.Kubilayhan Göç. Women’s Cooperatives as Agents of Social Transformation and the Local Economy: A Content Analysis. Urban Academy. 2025 Oct. 1;18(Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı):128-45. doi:10.35674/kent.1772219

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