Abstract:The rapid proliferation of AI-powered marketing technologies in emerging markets poses a fundamental challenge to culturally-grounded micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs): how can algorithmic imperatives be reconciled…
ciled with indigenous value systems that define not only business practice but collective identity? Despite growing research on both AI adoption in SMEs and indigenous knowledge preservation, scholarship rarely examines how traditional values actively mediate rather than merely moderate commercial technology adoption. This study addresses that gap by investigating how MSMEs in Makassar City, Indonesia, negotiate AI marketing integration while preserving siri’ na pacce, the Bugis-Makassar philosophical framework centred on dignity (siri’) and solidarity (pacce). Employing interpretive phenomenology integrated with Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), the study conducted 23 in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions with 44 MSME owners and key personnel across traditional culinary, artisan craft, ethnic fashion, and digital service sectors. Template analysis generated four overarching themes: (1) value-based technology discernment, wherein siri’ na pacce operates as an active epistemological filter for evaluating AI tools; (2) strategic selective adoption, wherein enterprises accept algorithmically aligned functions while rejecting culturally incompatible features; (3) cultural indigenization of technology, wherein AI systems are actively reoriented toward communal rather than individualistic ends; and (4) constrained agency under platform power, wherein algorithmic visibility systems penalise cultural non-conformity with market exclusion. These findings challenge technological determinism and advance decolonial computing theory by demonstrating that indigenous values simultaneously enable epistemological agency and are constrained by structural power asymmetries, a duality insufficiently theorised in prior technology adoption frameworks. The study calls for regulatory frameworks establishing indigenous data sovereignty, participatory AI co-design with local communities, and cooperative digital infrastructure as conditions for authentic, rather than performative, cultural integration.
Abstract:The rapid development of digital financial technology has significantly transformed investment activities by providing easier access to financial markets through digital investment applications. This study aims to explore…
e the perceptions and experiences of beginner investors in making investment decisions in the digital era. Using a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological perspective, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with beginner investors who actively use digital investment applications. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to investors’ experiences and decision-making processes. The findings reveal that investment decision-making among beginner investors is influenced by several interconnected factors, including the accessibility and usability of digital investment platforms, the influence of social media and online communities, the development of financial literacy, and psychological experiences related to investment gains and losses. Digital investment applications play a crucial role in lowering barriers to market participation by providing user-friendly interfaces and accessible financial information. However, reliance on social media as a source of investment information may also expose investors to misinformation and speculative investment behavior. In addition, emotional responses such as confidence, fear, and uncertainty often influence investment decisions among beginner investors. Overall, the study highlights that investment decision-making in the digital era is a multidimensional process shaped by technological accessibility, social influence, financial knowledge, and psychological factors. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of investor behavior in digital financial environments and emphasize the importance of financial education and responsible investment practices.
Abstract:This study examines the linkage between digital literacy, workforce development, and macroeconomic growth in the context of an increasingly digitalized economy. Moving beyond descriptive approaches, it investigates how digital…
igital competencies function as a critical mechanism shaping labor productivity, innovation capacity, and economic performance. Using cross-sectoral data and workforce survey evidence, the study analyzes the extent to which digital skills contribute to workforce adaptability and organizational efficiency. The findings reveal that higher levels of digital literacy significantly enhance workforce development by improving skill alignment, fostering innovation, and increasing competitiveness across industries. At the macro level, these improvements translate into measurable contributions to economic growth through productivity gains and structural transformation. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration among educational institutions, industry, and government in designing integrated digital literacy programs. Such coordinated efforts are essential to ensure sustainable skill development and long-term economic resilience. This research contributes to the literature by providing an integrated perspective that explicitly links digital literacy to both workforce development and macroeconomic outcomes, offering practical implications for policymakers and stakeholders in shaping inclusive and sustainable growth strategies.
Abstract:The rapid development of digital technology and social media platforms has significantly transformed consumer purchasing behavior, particularly in relation to digital products. Social media has evolved beyond its traditional…
onal role as a communication platform and now functions as an important environment where consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products. This study aims to explore the psychological factors that influence consumer decision-making in purchasing digital products through social media platforms. A qualitative research approach was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of consumers' experiences and perspectives. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with social media users who had purchased digital products based on information encountered on social media platforms. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to consumer psychology in digital purchasing behavior. The findings reveal that consumer decision-making in purchasing digital products is influenced by several interconnected psychological and social factors. Five major themes emerged from the analysis: social media as a discovery environment, cognitive evaluation of digital products, trust formation and credibility cues, psychological motivations for purchasing digital products, and social influence from peers, influencers, and online communities. The results indicate that social media plays a significant role not only in introducing digital products but also in shaping consumer perceptions, trust, and purchase intentions. Consumers actively interpret information obtained from social media, evaluate product credibility through reviews and recommendations, and rely on social interactions to reduce uncertainty before making purchase decisions. This study contributes to the understanding of consumer psychology in digital environments by highlighting how psychological motivations and social influences interact within social media platforms to shape digital purchasing decisions. The findings also provide practical insights for digital marketers and product creators to design more effective strategies that emphasize authenticity, trust-building, and community engagement in promoting digital products.
Abstract:This paper uses Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) in identifying cost per student, program profitability, and breakeven point across programs and branches at PT Kreasi Edulab Indonesia as it seek to solve the cost…
st allocation issues that arise due to the differences in instructional hours, staffing activity, and resource usage in providing educational services. The study will employ a quantitative methodology in which they will formulate TDABC-based cost modelling and simulating models to assign operational costs to the real instructional time and teaching capacity. Primary data were gathered by direct observation and internal cost structure mapping, whereas the secondary data were in the form of financial records, class schedules, and student enrollment reports. The analysis combines descriptive statistics, TDABC simulations, program profitability analysis, breakeven analysis, and sensitivity analysis to measure the cost per student, program level operating performance, minimum viable class sizes, and how the major financial drivers influence the operating profit. The findings indicate significant differences in cost per student and profitability of programs and size of a branch with some branches having lower levels of profitability below sustainable levels of breakeven despite the similar levels of revenues. The sensitivity analysis shows that average revenue per student is the most sensitive variable of operating profit, over and above the fluctuations in the enrolment volume and cost structure. Altogether, the results indicate that TDABC contributes to the increase of cost transparency and offers a solid foundation to the pricing, class consolidation, and operational decision-making.
Abstract:This study develops a practical framework for evaluating AI-generated brand visuals in a marketing communication context. Using a qualitative case study of an Indonesian sustainable startup (I-NewBee), the research employs…
ys photo-elicitation interviews to compare consumer evaluations of brand assets generated by three text-to-image tools (Midjourney, Neural Love AI, and Leonardo AI). Twelve target-market participants assessed anonymized visual sets (A/B/C) produced under a standardized prompt structure, using a semi-structured protocol informed by attention-stage cues from the AISAS model. Expert input from a visual communication design practitioner was used to triangulate judgments on visual quality and brand fit. Data were analyzed through iterative coding and thematic synthesis to identify recurring evaluation dimensions and decision cues. The findings suggest that perceived brand fit is shaped by visual realism, compositional clarity, brand-consistent signals, and message interpretability, while prompt ambiguity and inconsistent visual cues reduce credibility. The paper contributes an actionable evaluation framework expressed as evaluation dimensions and prompt-design considerations for startups seeking to deploy generative AI responsibly in brand communication
Abstract:This study aims to analyze the application of green accounting in hazardous waste management and its role in mitigating ecological risks in the biopharma industry, with a case study at PT Daewoong Infion. The background…
of the study is driven by the increasing risk of environmental and health pollution due to hazardous waste generated by the biopharmaceutical production process, as well as the limitations of conventional accounting systems in capturing ecological costs and impacts. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design, through primary data collection in the form of in-depth interviews with key informants and field observations, as well as secondary data from company documents and related regulations. Data analysis was conducted descriptively and interpretively to identify green accounting practices, environmental cost components, and ecological risk mitigation mechanisms. The results show that PT Daewoong Infion has implemented green accounting through the recognition and recording of hazardous waste management costs, pollution control, and environmental disclosure, which contributes to increased regulatory compliance, waste management efficiency, and ecological risk reduction. In addition, these practices strengthen the company's legitimacy and meet stakeholder expectations, in line with legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory. This study concludes that green accounting serves as an effective managerial and reporting instrument in integrating economic objectives and ecological responsibility, thereby supporting the operational sustainability of the biopharma industry. These findings recommend strengthening environmental cost measurement systems and reporting transparency to enhance sustainable ecological risk mitigation.
Abstract:The uncertainty surrounding the global economy has created existential challenges for the tourism industry, necessitating a Human Resource Management (HRM) paradigm that goes beyond traditional administrative approaches.…
This study aims to explore adaptive HRM strategies in the face of the global crisis, with a particular focus on the highly vulnerable tourism and hospitality industries.
This study uses the PRISMA framework to conduct a systematic literature review of 26 peer-reviewed articles published between 2023 and 2025, sourced from Google Scholar. The findings indicate that effective adaptive strategies require the holistic integration of e-HRM and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance operational agility, the implementation of GHRM to drive efficiency and employee retention, and the development of Agile Leadership to navigate uncertainty. Furthermore, this study highlights the crucial role of prioritizing employee well-being and Psychological Capital (PsyCap), particularly in emerging economies where social safety nets may be limited. This research provides a comprehensive framework for HR practitioners in the tourism sector to formulate policies that balance business continuity with human-centric support in challenging times.
Abstract:The persistent gap between theoretical instruction and real-world practice remains a critical challenge in business education, particularly in contexts involving Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Experiential…
learning has been promoted as a pedagogical response to this challenge; however, many initiatives lack structured frameworks that integrate student learning with meaningful community engagement. This study examines the implementation of the BRIDGE model (Build, Reach, Discover, Grow, and Elevate) as a structured business mentoring approach grounded in experiential learning principles. Using a qualitative participatory action research design, the study involved 15 undergraduate business students and five MSMEs in Semarang City, Indonesia. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, reflective journals, and program documentation, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the BRIDGE model facilitates deep experiential learning by enabling students to connect theoretical concepts with contextual business realities, while simultaneously generating instrumental and symbolic benefits for MSME partners. Despite limitations related to program duration, the model demonstrates strong potential as a feasible and transferable framework for experiential business education in emerging economy contexts.
Abstract:The fast food industry continues to grow as the public's need for practical products, including Kamumu Kimpul chips, increases. However, small business actors such as UD. Sona in Gunungsitoli Idanoi faces obstacles in production…
oduction due to the use of traditional methods, limited equipment, and lack of optimal management. This condition has an impact on delays in meeting demand, increasing production costs, and declining competitiveness. Therefore, a production optimization strategy is needed to improve product capacity, efficiency, and quality. This study aims to analyze the production optimization strategy implemented by UD. Sona, formulate a capacity building strategy, as well as identify obstacles and solutions that can be done. The results of the research are expected to be practically useful for business actors in production management, as well as make a theoretical contribution to the development of production management science in MSMEs. The research method uses a descriptive qualitative approach. Data was obtained through interviews with owners, employees, and customers, supplemented by observation and documentation. Data analysis is carried out through reduction, presentation, and inductive conclusions, so as to be able to describe the real conditions of the business and develop the right optimization strategy. The results of the study show that UD. Sona has made efforts such as setting up production flows and scheduling planning. However, limited machinery, unstable supply of raw materials, and marketing that has not been maximized are still obstacles. Consumers rate the product as good quality, but its availability has not been consistent. Suggested strategies include the implementation of lean production, improvement of inventory management, and the use of production technology