Beyond Compliance: Synergistic Corporate–Cooperative Partnerships for Equitable Welfare of Oil Palm Smallholders

This article examines the importance of synergistic partnerships between corporations and cooperatives in enhancing the welfare of oil palm smallholders more equitably in Indonesia, with Malaysia as a comparison. The background is the disparity in small farmers' access to markets, certification, and resources, which has the potential to widen the gap in the sustainable supply chain. The research aims to explain how institutional collaboration can promote inclusive welfare. The method used is a qualitative literature review of scientific publications from the period 2020–2026 with a thematic synthesis approach. The results show that partnerships can improve market access, production capacity, and farmers' bargaining position, especially through cost-sharing mechanisms, institutional strengthening, and transparent governance. However, the benefits depend on the partnership design and the initial conditions of the farmers. The implication is that policies need to encourage the strengthening of cooperatives, inclusive incentives, and fair governance so that the sustainability transformation does not deepen inequality.