18th Asia Pacific Cooperative Research Conference: Cooperatives in the Next Industrial Revolution

The 18th Asia Pacific Cooperative Research Conference took place from 15 to 18 October 2024 at the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) in Kerala, India. This year’s conference, organized as part of the centenary celebrations of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd. (ULCCS), provided a dynamic forum for researchers, cooperative leaders, and practitioners to share insights on the evolving role of cooperatives in driving social and economic inclusion.

Event Overview

The conference featured an extensive array of sessions, including plenary talks, industry panels, and paper presentations covering a wide range of themes relevant to cooperative development. With 289 paper abstracts submitted, the committee shortlisted 129 and 87 participants submitted full papers. The conference saw record engagement from scholars and experts across the Asia-Pacific region. Key discussions centred around digital transformation, sustainable development, and the future of platform cooperatives—topics that reflect the growing impact and diversification of cooperative models.

Young & Emerging Scholars (YES) Workshop

On 15 October, as a pre-conference event, the Young & Emerging Scholars (YES) Workshop provided an interactive platform for young researchers and cooperative entrepreneurs. This workshop, held in collaboration with the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) of iNET, New York, focused on capacity building, innovation, and the role of cooperatives in social enterprise. The event concluded with valuable feedback from industry experts and ample networking opportunities for participants.