Paper Contents
Abstract
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) constitute a vital segment of the global economy, particularly in emerging markets, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and inclusive growth. However, they face substantial challenges in scaling operations due to limited access to finance, technology, and markets. The accelerating rise of digital commerce offers new growth avenues but introduces complexities and barriers, including digital literacy gaps and infrastructural constraints. Cooperative business models, emphasizing democratic governance, resource sharing, and mutual benefit, have emerged as effective mechanisms to help SMEs overcome these challenges. This article critically reviews the intersection of cooperation and digital commerce, synthesizing recent literature and case studies to elucidate how cooperative structures empower SMEs to participate effectively in digital marketplaces. It further discusses governance adaptations, technological innovations such as blockchain and AI, and policy frameworks conducive to fostering cooperative digital commerce. Evidence suggests that cooperation reduces transaction costs, improves access to technology and markets, and enhances collective bargaining power, thereby fostering SME growth and resilience. The paper concludes with future research directions focusing on scalable digital cooperative models and inclusive policies to support equitable SME integration into global digital economies.
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 Dr.A.Menaka Devi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
