From Universal to Contextual: Hybridizing the Watkins and Marsick Model for Moroccan Artisanal Cooperatives

Abstract

In this article, a meta-analysis is conducted to assess the application of the Watkins and Marsick model to artisanal cooperatives, highlighting its limitations in diverse cultural contexts. Based on a systematic review of qualitative and mixed-methods studies, an integrative model is proposed, tailored to the Moroccan context. This model is structured around four pillars: community-based learning, collective leadership, organizational memory, and environmental connectedness. The analysis advocates for cultural hybridization as a means to enhance the resilience of cooperatives by combining global innovations (e.g., digitalization) with local traditional practices (e.g., oral knowledge transmission). This contextualized approach addresses socio-economic challenges while preserving artisanal authenticity, offering an operational framework for social economy organizations.