Abstract:This study aims to analyze the product differentiation strategy implemented by Nhanas Donuts Pinrang in facing culinary business competition in the millennial and Gen Z era. The research method used is descriptive qualitative…
ative with data collection techniques through interviews, observation, and documentation. Informants consisted of the owner, production and service employees, as well as millennial and Gen Z consumers. The results showed that the product differentiation strategy applied includes four main aspects: flavor innovation with contemporary variants (matcha cheese, red velvet crumble, cookies and cream), attractive and "instagrammable" visual display, aesthetic and modern packaging design, as well as active digital marketing through Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Supporting factors for the success of differentiation include the owner's creativity, understanding of young consumer behavior, strategic location, and digital branding. The implications of this study indicate that product differentiation integrated with digital marketing is able to increase competitiveness and customer loyalty of local culinary Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the digital era.
Abstract:This research aims to analyze the role of the Entrepreneurship Course (MK) in shaping entrepreneurial character and fostering business interest in STIMI YAPMI Makassar Class of 2023 students in the midst of the challenges…
s of the digital era. The research method used was qualitative descriptive with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and questionnaires of 30 respondents. The results of the study show that MK Entrepreneurship makes a significant contribution (90%) in increasing self-efficacy and student courage in taking business risks. In the context of interest, as many as 83% of respondents stated that they were interested in building a digital-based business, especially through social commerce platforms and digital resellers. However, the main obstacles found are limited financial capital and the need for technical assistance related to advanced digital marketing. In conclusion, entrepreneurship education at STIMI YAPMI Makassar has succeeded in building a strong character foundation, but it is necessary to strengthen the business incubation aspect so that students' interests can be realized into sustainable business units.
Abstract:This study aims to analyze the role of digitalization and financial inclusion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as business sustainability strategies. Digital transformation and inclusive financial access are…
re important factors in increasing the competitiveness of MSMEs in the digital economy era. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method on MSMEs in the food and beverage sector. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, while data analysis used thematic analysis techniques. The results show that digitalization contributes to improving operational efficiency, expanding market access through digital platforms, and strengthening relationships with customers. On the other hand, financial inclusion facilitates access to formal financial services, such as financing and digital payment systems, thereby supporting more professional business management. The synergy between digitalization and financial inclusion has proven to be able to increase the innovation capacity and productivity of MSMEs, which ultimately encourages business transformation towards a higher scale. However, there are several obstacles faced, such as low digital and financial literacy and limited access to infrastructure. Therefore, support from various parties is needed through training, mentoring, and policies that support the empowerment of MSMEs in a sustainable manner
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:The rapid transformation of contemporary work environments driven by digitalization, hybrid work systems, and evolving workforce expectations has intensified the need for effective leadership approaches that foster employee…
yee engagement. This study aims to explore the role of transformational leadership in enhancing employee engagement within contemporary organizational contexts using a qualitative research design. Guided by a phenomenological approach, data were collected through in depth semi structured interviews with employees who had direct supervisory relationships in digitally mediated or hybrid work settings. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: visionary inspiration and meaningful work, individualized support and psychological safety, intellectual stimulation and professional growth, and trust based relationships and organizational identification. The findings indicate that transformational leadership strengthens employee engagement by cultivating meaningfulness, empowerment, trust, and intrinsic motivation, which collectively enhance employees’ physical, cognitive, and emotional involvement in their work roles. The study extends existing leadership and engagement theories by providing contextualized insights into how transformational leadership is experienced in modern organizational environments. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of developing transformational competencies among leaders to sustain engagement and performance in increasingly complex and interconnected workplaces
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 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 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.