Techno-structural empowerment: digital governance and institutional reform for women’s cooperatives in Malaysia

This conceptual paper introduces techno-structural empowerment (TSE), a novel framework integrating digital governance and institutional theory to enhance women-led cooperative performance in Malaysia. Synthesizing structural empowerment theory, institutional theory, and digital governance literature, the study proposes a model linking institutional pressures (coercive, normative, mimetic) and digital enablers (e-governance tools, data systems) to cooperative outcomes, mediated by TSE. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach: (1) Qualitative case studies (6–8 cooperatives) to explore institutional and digital barriers, and (2) Quantitative surveys (200 cooperatives) analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM) to validate framework relationships. Data collection will include interviews with board members and digital readiness assessments. The framework advances empowerment theory by bridging structural, institutional, and digital perspectives. It offers policymakers actionable tools, such as genderresponsive digital reforms (e.g., MyDigital Blueprint revisions) and institutional quotas. As the first study theorizing this intersection in Malaysia, it lays groundwork for empirical testing and gender-inclusive development strategies.