Participatory Communication to Create Sustainability of Islamic Cooperatives in 4 Southern Provinces
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Abstract
This study aims to examine participatory communication to create sustainability of Islamic cooperatives in 4 southern provinces, focusing on (1) participatory communication management, (2) participatory media strategies, and (3) development approaches for sustainability. A qualitative research method was employed through structured in-depth interviews. Key informants included 20 cooperative board members and executives, 4 government representatives, 3 communication experts, and 12 cooperative members—totaling 39 participants selected by purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using content analysis.
The results reveal that participatory communication management for sustainability involves four main aspects: (1) joint planning—members are allowed to participate actively but with limited continuity; (2) open decision-making—members are informed and can express opinions, though final decisions rest with the board; (3) collaborative implementation—members are more active in social and religious activities than in economic ones; and (4) participatory evaluation—mainly conducted through annual general meetings, which do not yet cover all evaluation dimensions. Regarding participatory media strategies, three approaches were identified: (1) interpersonal communication through board members, community, and religious leaders, which enhances credibility and understanding, particularly among the elderly; (2) activity-based communication through seminars and religious events, strengthening relationships between cooperatives and members; and (3) social media communication via Facebook and Line, effectively disseminating information but lacking sufficient two-way interaction to encourage participation. The development approaches suggest that: (1) participatory communication should be strengthened by creating mechanisms for involvement at all stages—from planning and decision-making to implementation and evaluation—alongside enhancing communication capacity among board members and members; and (2) communication strategies should integrate interpersonal, activity-based, and online media, emphasizing continuous interaction through social media and tailoring messages to diverse member needs.
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