Abstract:This study examines the development of creative industry-based Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ulunoyo District, South Nias Regency, with a focus on four main sectors: culinary, crafts, fashion, and music.…
. The purpose of this study is to describe the condition of creative MSMEs in Ulunoyo, identify the obstacles faced, and analyze the development strategies implemented by business actors to increase competitiveness. The method used is descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques through interviews, field observations, and documentation of 21 MSME actors in five villages. Data analysis was carried out through reduction, presentation, and verification of findings. The results show that the development of creative MSMEs in Ulunoyo is supported by the potential of community creativity, strategic location, and the existence of traditional markets as distribution centers. Development strategies include improving product quality, business diversification, design innovation, and the use of digital technology for promotion and marketing. However, a number of major obstacles are still encountered, including limited business capital, rising raw material prices, low managerial skills, lack of product innovation, limited market access, and high levels of competition. To overcome these obstacles, business actors carry out creative promotions, expand their collaboration networks, and utilize social media to reach a wider consumer base.
Abstract:This study aims to analyze the application of game theory in understanding strategic behavior among firms in an oligopolistic market. Using a qualitative approach with a literature review method, this research examines the…
he concepts of Nash equilibrium, dominant strategy, and price discrimination as foundations for determining optimal strategies among market players. The findings show that game theory, particularly the Cournot, Bertrand, and Stackelberg models, effectively explains competitive interactions in markets with limited participants. Moreover, regulations such as Law No. 5 of 1999 play an important role in maintaining fair competition. Game theory proves to be an effective analytical tool for formulating corporate strategies and economic policies in oligopolistic markets
Abstract:This research is motivated by the phenomenon of cafe business competition in Gunungsitoli City, which demands effective marketing strategies, particularly in the utilization of promotional mixes and business location selection.…
ection. The purpose of the study is to analyze how promotional mixes and location aspects play a role in increasing sales at Murai Coffee Gunungsitoli. The research method used is a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through interviews, observation, and documentation. The research informants consisted of the owner, employees, and customers of Murai Coffee. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that Murai Coffee has implemented promotional strategies such as simple advertising, sales promotions, personal selling, public relations, and direct marketing that gradually increase customer interest. Meanwhile, the location factor, although not located in the city center, still provides sales opportunities through a comfortable atmosphere and quality service. However, challenges are still found in the comfort aspect, such as noise from outside and hot room temperatures, so that improvements to supporting facilities are needed. This research is useful for Murai Coffee in designing more optimal promotional strategies and location arrangements, for Nias University as a contribution to the development of marketing science, and as a reference for future researchers who want to study marketing strategies in the culinary sector.
Abstract:This study aims to improve the internal capacity of Malabar MSMEs in managing digital marketing through an internal training program designed based on the SMART Framework approach. The main problem faced by Malabar is the…
e lack of staff understanding in managing social media, especially Instagram, which impacts weak brand awareness and brand identity. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a project-based learning method, in which researchers are actively involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the training program. Data were collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation during the training process. The training objectives were formulated specifically, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-limited, in accordance with the SMART principles. The results showed a significant increase in staff understanding of content planning, creating visual materials consistent with brand identity, and using Instagram analytics features. The post-test showed an increase in the average score of participants, and the MSMEs' digital activities became more structured. These findings indicate that internal training designed with the SMART approach is effective in building staff digital competencies and supporting brand image strengthening on social media. Overall, this study shows that improving internal digital literacy is a strategic step that can strengthen the competitiveness of MSMEs in the ever-evolving digital ecosystem
Abstract:This study addresses the limitations of traditional Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems by analyzing the adoption and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration (AI-Powered CRM). Informed by the Technology…
logy Acceptance Model (TAM) for employee perception and the Resource-Based View (RBV) for strategic capability, the primary objective is to evaluate how AI-driven automation enhances customer service processes and, subsequently, impacts marketing efficiency. The research employs an exploratory qualitative case study design, utilizing in-depth interviews, document analysis, and system observation on a single organization to gather rich, contextual data. The results demonstrate that AI integration significantly accelerated service, with chatbots handling 65–70% of routine queries and drastically reducing response times. Operationally, these improvements fostered high employee acceptance (TAM). Strategically, the AI-Powered CRM generated refined predictive analytics, resulting in a 12–18% improvement in campaign conversion rates and efficient resource allocation, confirming that AI creates a valuable and difficult-to-imitate strategic capability (RBV). The study concludes that AI-Powered CRM is a critical enabler for both operational efficiency and long-term strategic competitiveness in digital markets.
Abstract:This study aims to analyze the effects of competence, reward systems, and training on the performance of executive officers in Sharia Rural Banks (BPRS), with job satisfaction as an intervening variable. The primary focus…
s is to assess the extent to which these factors influence executive performance within the context of Islamic microfinance institutions. Employing a quantitative, explanatory design, primary data were collected via a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling–partial least squares (SEM–PLS) with SmartPLS. The study population consists of executive officers of BPRS in Indonesia. Using purposive sampling, 121 responses were obtained from multiple BPRS across several regions. The results show that (1) competence has a positive effect on performance; (2) job satisfaction positively affects performance; (3) the reward system influences performance primarily through job satisfaction (partial/competitive mediation), while its direct effect on performance tends to be negative; and (4) training does not exhibit a significant effect on performance, and its indirect path via job satisfaction is not significant. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening competence and redesigning reward systems in alignment with executive expectations to enhance job satisfaction and performance.
Abstract:Customer loyalty is an important aspect in maintaining the sustainability of BPRS amidst the increasingly tight competition in the Islamic financial industry. The objectives of this study are to analyze: (1) the influence…
e of the marketing mix on customer loyalty, (2) the influence of relationship marketing on customer loyalty, (3) customer satisfaction mediates the influence of the marketing mix on customer loyalty, and (4) customer satisfaction mediates the influence of relationship marketing on customer loyalty. The sample of this study was 130 (one hundred and thirty) active customers of BPRS Botani Bina Rahmah Bogor, selected through a purposive sampling method with the criteria of having been a customer for at least six months. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, while analysis was conducted using the Partial Least Square (PLS) method with SmartPLS software version 4.0. The results of the study concluded that: (1) the marketing mix does not have a significant effect on customer loyalty, (2) relationship marketing has a significant positive effect on customer loyalty, (3) customer satisfaction is proven to mediate the effect of the marketing mix on customer loyalty, and (4) customer satisfaction also mediates the effect of relationship marketing on customer loyalty.
Abstract:Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in Indonesia's economy, yet many face challenges such as limited capital, inadequate financial literacy, and restricted access to financial services, which hinder…
inder their growth and competitiveness. This study aims to analyze the influence of financial literacy and financial inclusion on MSME performance in Kediri City, focusing on entrepreneurs who received government capital assistance in 2024. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 100 MSME owners through purposive sampling, with questionnaires as the primary instrument. Statistical analyses, including multiple linear regression, t-tests, F-tests, and classical assumption tests, were conducted using SPSS 24. The results reveal that both financial literacy and financial inclusion have positive and significant effects on MSME performance, with the two variables jointly explaining 71% of performance variation. These findings indicate that improving financial knowledge and expanding access to financial services can substantially enhance MSME productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. The study highlights the importance of targeted financial education and inclusive financial policies to strengthen the resilience and long-term growth of MSMEs in regional economies
Abstract:In an uncertain economic climate, a large global retailer used AI-powered spend intelligence to move $220 million from indirect operational costs toward high-impact R&D. In a difficult recession, this decisive step boosted…
ed revenue by 11%, demonstrating the transformative impact of effective capital management. This achievement contrasts with "spend blindness," where industry studies show most financial leaders struggle to link expenditure patterns to strategic growth outcomes and resort to reactive cost-cutting. This study addresses this crucial gap. A thorough mixed-methods approach including a global survey of 400 CFOs, longitudinal case studies of ten multinational organizations, and advanced predictive modeling substantiated a new paradigm. Research shows that companies that understand AI-driven spend orchestration develop 7.3% faster than competitors. This premium comes from a 37% improvement in the Growth Efficiency Ratio (GER), a critical statistic for translating savings into innovation, and 5.8 times more strategic investment opportunities than standard financial approaches allow. The Spend Intelligence Quotient (SIQ), a groundbreaking statistic that assesses financial agility through integrated spend monitoring, predictive analytics, and rapid capital reallocation, is key to this advantage. This paper introduces the empirically based Spend Orchestration Framework and the requirements for the 2025 AI Finance Stack to obtain SIQ >80, the empirically proven threshold for sustainable competitive advantage. The message is clear: finance chiefs must go beyond oversight. Today's CFO may use predictive contracting and algorithmic governance to turn spend data into strategic leverage, ensure resilience, and capture disproportionate value in.
Abstract:Blockchain technology is touted for democratizing supply chains, but 30–40% of smallholder farmers are excluded from fair market participation due to information gaps and power imbalances. The first complete empirical examination…
examination of blockchain's capacity to empower disadvantaged farmers in Global South agri-food systems. The paper examines 15 large-scale implementations, including Kenyan coffee cooperatives and Indian dairy collectives, using a rigorous mixed-methods methodology. Technical scalability in resource-limited situations, governance structures that promote meaningful multi-stakeholder engagement, and quantifiable inclusion results for small-scale farmers are thoroughly examined. Comparative case study, agent-based adoption modeling, and quasi-experimental effect evaluation by Propensity Score matching reveal that blockchain's potential is not automatic nor inherent in eight nations. Techno-institutional synergy, not technological complexity, improves democracy, the research shows. Hybrid governance systems with farmer-controlled validator nodes and tokenized decision-making rights enhanced smallholder involvement by 58% and premium retention by 78% over corporate-controlled systems. However, technologically sophisticated deployments without institutional expertise frequently increase power concentration and exclusion. The blockchain viability index helps identify optimal deployment conditions for different commodities, empirical evidence challenges the idea that decentralization automatically promotes inclusion, and the inclusion-by-design framework helps policymakers embed equitable principles into decentralized agri-tech from the start. This study shows food system digitization practitioners and scholars that genuine democratization occurs when technology drives institutional transformation.