Development Of Business Plan Research Articles

Pelatihan Peningkatan Kapasitas UMKM dan Kepariwisataan

On July 15, 2024, a community service activity was held in Kampung Dadap Timur with the topic "Training for Enhancing the Capacity of MSMEs and Tourism." The primary goal of this activity was to improve the skills and capacity of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and tourism destination management in the area. Initial observations identified fundamental needs in MSME management, budgeting for traditional food businesses, and applying the Sapta Pesona tourism concept. These findings served as the basis for designing relevant and targeted training materials. Preparations for the activity included intensive coordination among the service team to ensure the readiness of materials and equipment. Preparations also involved selecting and setting up the training venue, including audiovisual facilities and printed materials. The training covered: (1) MSME management strategies, including business planning, marketing, and product development; (2) budgeting techniques for traditional food MSMEs, including cost estimation, financial management, and pricing strategies; (3) application of the Sapta Pesona concept in tourism to enhance the quality of tourist experiences; and (4) practical sessions teaching how to make chicken dumplings and Es Kuwut. The training was designed to provide practical skills and in-depth knowledge to participants. Evaluation of the activity indicated that the training had a significant positive impact. Participants felt more confident and prepared in managing their businesses and tourism. However, the evaluation also identified some challenges, including the need for more specific case studies and ongoing support. It is recommended that future activities include follow-up sessions and more diverse training materials.

Co-Developing Business Plans for Upscaled Coastal Nature-Based Solutions Restoration: An Application to the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

Upscaling coastal nature-based solutions (NbSs), from the river to sea scale, essential to the ultimate success of restoration, requires larger investments, greater socio-economic engagement and a transformative shift in governance. Consequently, the ability to catalyze blended finance from public and private investors through business model innovation and accessibly written long-range business plans is imperative. This research proposes a methodology to systematically co-design, through iterative stakeholder engagement, suitable and effective business models for upscaling NbSs coastal restoration, as well as a framework to develop business plans adaptable to different investors needs and financial criteria. This method was tested and validated in a saltmarsh restoration project coordinated by public agencies in the Venice Lagoon. It delivered an advanced business model canvas, carefully assessed through a stakeholder questionnaire and a related business case centered on ecotourism complemented by a willingness-to-pay analysis. The resulting business plan lays out the governance, management, business and financial strategies for successful restoration, addressing specific interconnected issues, improving five main ecosystem services and delivering NbS multifunctional environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits. The methodology has proven to be applicable beyond the Venice Lagoon saltmarsh case and types of restoration projects.

Development of Customer Development Stages in Tourism Directory Application Services Using Design Thinking

The Development of Customer Development Stages in the Tourism Directory Application Service using Design Thinking is a development process based on the stages of a survey of user needs in defining problems and formulating solutions to these problems. This research aims to gain knowledge and insight related to user needs for a tourist directory application service, identify service features that are by the needs of tourist directory application service users, and obtain a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) on the tourist directory application service owned by the current author (https://gatewee.com). The research conducted is in the form of surveys and interviews with users through the stages of Customer Development and uses a user-based problem-solving approach through Design Thinking. Methods This research is qualitative and quantitative research that describes the user-based development strategy of the Tourism Directory Application Service. The results of the research are User Persona, identification of features, focus on feature development, prototypes, Usability Test results, MVP, targeting strategies & business models and business development plans.

Development of Agribusiness in Tiwi, Albay

This study determined the status of agribusiness in Tiwi, Albay, as basis for the development of business plan. Specifically, it sought to answer the following sub- problems: 1) What are the areas of agribusiness in the Municipality of Tiwi, Albay?; 2) What are the status of agribusiness along; crop production, animal production, aquaculture production, and agri-support services and manufacturing?; 3) What are the contributions of the above areas in the agribusiness in Tiwi, Albay?; 4) What are the problems encountered in agribusiness?; and 5) What business plan may be proposed to address the problems encountered in agribusiness? The study involved presenting the agribusiness sectors contributions through tables and charts, emphasizing their economic impact and community significance. It addressed challenges by organizing issues like infrastructure or market access, supported by relevant data or case studies. It proposed a comprehensive business plan targeting specific problems with detailed strategies, cost estimates, and potential outcomes. Descriptive surveys are crucial in agribusiness research, providing detailed insights into agricultural practices and factors affecting productivity within a specific population. These surveys utilize statistical tools such as frequency percentage and weighted mean to accurately depict response distribution and measure the significance of variables. Synthesizing findings and ensuring proper citation and definition of terms in research helps draw meaningful conclusions and contribute to a broader understanding of agribusiness practices in the region. Incorporating literature demands a structured approach, starting with an introduction highlighting the topic's significance, organizing sources thematically or chronologically, and synthesizing findings while ensuring proper citation and defining terms for clarity. Descriptive surveys in agribusiness employed tools like frequency percentage to depict response distribution and weighted mean to gauge variable significance, offering precise insights into agricultural practices and factors affecting productivity within the surveyed population.

Mastering Business Planning and Strategic Development: Comprehensive Approaches for Achieving Long-Term Success and Competitive Advantage

Mastering company planning and strategy development was essential in today’s dynamic corporate landscape to ensure long-term success and sustain a competitive advantage. This reviewed article consolidates current research and case studies to examine complete strategies that organisations use to improve their strategic capabilities. The research highlighted the significance of incorporating real-time data analytics, adaptable goal-setting frameworks, and new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning into strategic planning processes. Agile approaches were crucial for iteratively implementing plans, and promoting the capacity to adapt and respond to changes in the market. Moreover, the study emphasised the need to implement continuous evaluation frameworks that included real-time monitoring and feedback loops to guarantee the continual improvement of strategies. This study also investigated the impact of leadership and organisational culture on promoting strategic agility and continuous improvement. The results indicated that an integrated strategy, in which research, goal-setting, execution, and evaluation activities were interrelated, was crucial for the development of efficient and relevant corporate strategies. By adhering to these suggestions, organisations may more effectively traverse the intricacies of the contemporary industry, guaranteeing long-term success and a strong competitive edge. Keywords: Business planning, Strategic Development, Competitive advantage, Real-time data analytics, Flexible goal-setting.

Waste management through a waste bank based on entrepreneurial readiness in Ngalang Village

This research describes entrepreneurial readiness in the waste bank community at Ngalang Village, Gunungkidul Regency. This study is qualitative phenomenological research. This study's respondents were six administrators and members of the waste bank community in Ngalang Village, Gedangsari, Gunungkidul. Respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique with the characteristics of the respondents: administrators and members of the Ngalang Village waste bank, do not have a permanent job, have an active status, and have been involved for at least one year. The data analysis employed in this research is content analysis. The results of the study show that the entrepreneurial readiness of the waste bank community in Ngalang Village has the skills needed in business, is courageous in dealing with and anticipating business failures, has a social network community that supports business activities, can see business opportunities, and prepare business development plans. In addition, in the waste bank community, they can prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually, have strong personalities, are willing to develop their skills, prepare for business activity, and prepare themselves for marketing the products. This entrepreneurial readiness will eventually become the principal capital in starting a business in the waste bank community.

Possibilities and challenges for converting waste biomass into fuel, feed, and fertilizer in Nepal

Waste biomass is mainly used conventionally, without being converted into valuable products in developing countries, e.g., Nepal, mainly due to a lack of proper conversion knowledge, infrastructure, and resource data. We assessed the amount of biomass at sub-national (geography, province, and district) levels in Nepal to explore its conversion possibilities and challenges. Our assessment includes waste biomass such as agriculture crop residues, municipal waste, livestock, and human waste. We identified their current utilization practices and discussed their conversion possibilities, focusing on fuel, feed, and fertilizers. We estimated that about 1.7–5.0 million tonnes (Mt) of pellet/briquette and biochar, 1.7–5.1 Mt of feed block, 129–387 million m3 of biogas, and 0.6–1.9 Mt of fertilizer can be produced in Nepal. The conversion of the waste biomass into valuable products can have significant environmental and economic benefits. Our findings can help authorities formulate appropriate policies and entrepreneurs to develop business plans for proper biomass utilization in Nepal at national and subnational levels.

From drops to drums: Assessing rainwater storage’s quality and quantity for addressing water demands in dry periods – A case study from Arusha Tanzania

Sustainable Development Goal 6 highlight the importance of providing reliable, affordable, and safe source of clean drinking water and sanitation for all by 2030. In Tanzania there is a dire need of a water supply strategy due to high levels of natural fluoride contamination in ground water (upto 74 mg/L) and the challenge of meeting water demand during 5 months long dry period. This study assesses social and technical feasibility of implementing rainwater harvesting (RWH) along with treatment technologies that includes Denutritor® to remove ammonia/pesticides and ultrafiltration to eliminate carbon. This integrated technology known as “Mbinguni Maji” is aimed for the long-term water storage to supply drinking water throughout the dry season. The methodology involves i) Assessing the technical feasibility of RWH using database from QGIS and Water Productivity Open-access portal (WaPOR) from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations; ii) conducting pilot demonstration in 5 different locations in Tanzania; and iii) conducting socio-economic survey for social acceptance of the technology through detailed questionnaires administered to residential homes, medical facilities, schools, hotels, and water kiosk owner. The result indicates that, from technical perspective, there is ample rainfall (average of 1036 mm/year) to supply water throughout the dry season, primarily for drinking and cooking purpose only (upto a maximum of 10 lpcd). The pilot demonstration confirms that the Mbinguni Maji RWH technology produce water that meets WHO water quality standards. The produced water is free from nutrients like carbon and ammonia, ensuring the possibility of long-term storage without bacterial and algal growth. Furthermore, Lab scale demonstration of Denutritor® show promising result of removing nitrite, ammonia even at high elevated temperature (30 °C), which can be effectively applied in Tanzania. In terms of social acceptance, RWH technology is already widely practised in Tanzania during the rainy season. However, the initial investment costs and operation & maintenance (O&M) concerns hinder the usage of RWH technology. Therefore, to ensure the long-term sustainability of RWH technologies, there is a need of development of comprehensive business plan and community awareness campaign.

Entrepreneurship education in East, West and North Africa Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): mapping agripreneurship curriculum and lecturers’ competencies

This study focused on mapping agripreneurship curriculum and lecturers’ competencies in 8 African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), participating in the Strengthening Agri-Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement Training in East, West and North Africa (AgriENGAGE) joint Project. A sample of 194 lecturers from East, West, and North Africa participated in the study. The study employed a mixed method approach with concurrent nested research design methodology to collect information. Among the main results found in this study, the key aspects that were implemented in curricula were; business plan development (µ = 3.57), business opportunities identification (µ = 3.56), and communicating with value chain actors (= 3.51). Concerning the forms of entrepreneurship taught, most institutions focused on subsistence agripreneurship (µ = 3.23) with growth-oriented agripreneurship (µ = 2.50) and innovative-oriented agripreneurship (µ = 2.50) having the lowest rating. Regarding teaching methods within the provision of entrepreneurship education, most of the institutions were using traditional teaching methodologies with the common ones being formal lectures, field trips, in-class group discussions, and group project-based learning. Most lecturers had low teaching competencies concerning instructional quality and a moderate/average level of entrepreneurial competencies. The study recommends that universities should implement more professional development and pedagogical training over and above the subject competency to improve lecturers’ entrepreneurial competency.

Entrepreneurship Teaching : Design and Activities of 21st Century Learning for Economic Class under Mini-Project (Participatory-Phenomenological Design)

This study aims to explain the process of teaching entrepreneurship education courses in economics classes under a detailed mini-project. This research used Participatory action research (PAR) under qualitative approach. The sample size was only taken purposefully from one semester's three economics classes. This research used observation sheets in the form of learning activities and interviews. All data collected were analyzed descriptively with the step of reducing, displaying and drawing conclusion. The research results showed the effectiveness of a bidirectional teaching model in entrepreneurship education. This model, which combines theoretical instruction with practical application, significantly enhances student engagement and learning outcomes. The bidirectional approach allows students to relate theoretical concepts to real-world examples, fostering a deeper understanding and active participation. An essential element of this teaching model is the inclusion of mini-projects. These projects enable students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, such as developing business plans and analyzing recruitment strategies. The hands-on experience gained through mini-projects not only solidifies students' grasp of the material but also hones their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The study's findings underscore the superiority of the bidirectional teaching model over traditional methods. The experimental class, which utilized this approach, showed a 93% success rate in meeting various evaluation criteria, compared to just 30% in the control class. This stark contrast highlights the importance of integrating mini-projects and practical activities into the curriculum to enhance educational outcomes. The bidirectional teaching model, complemented by mini-projects, proves to be a highly effective approach in entrepreneurship education. It not only engages students more deeply but also equips them with practical skills and knowledge that are essential for their future careers.

Integrated farming organic based on a partnership close-loop system in blambangan plantation, Banyuwangi Regency

This will decide the direction of customer attitudes and decisions to transition to consuming healthy and safe food items, together with the dynamics of expanding consumer preferences regarding the relevance of health and food safety. The primary option for addressing the shifting demands of consumers is organic food. The tendency to buy organic food items is positively impacted by consumer education about health and safety. Health and safety awareness has a favorable impact on consumers’ decisions to buy organic food. PT. Sirtanio Organic Indonesia in Banyuwangi is one of the commercial actors that regularly and constantly produce organic food ingredients (organic rice and soybeans). The goal of this project is to develop partnerships-based, integrated organic farming that uses a closed-loop system. Purposive sampling was utilized to choose the descriptive qualitative research approach at the company PT Sirtanio Organik Indonesia. In-depth interviews and group brainstorming with practitioners and higher education specialists are the methods used to acquire the data. The following are the conclusions: (1) an integrated organic farming pattern based on a close loop system (IFO-CLS) business development plan was successfully created; and (2) the IFO-CLS model was successfully implemented, particularly organic soybean production at PT. Sirtanio Organik through the Matching Fund-Kedaireka Kemristekdikti program in 2022.

RISKS IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSMENT PECULIARITIES IN BUSINESS PLANNING PROCESS

The scientific article discusses problematic aspects of identifying and assessing risks at the stage of developing business plans. It was determined that changes in the economic environment of enterprises require the formation of new approaches and means of solving economic problems. One of the effective ways to solve this problem is to develop a business plan. This document should be considered both a management tool of the business entity and a means of attracting financing. The specifics of business planning are defined, the main reasons that lead to the development of a business plan are considered.
 It is noted that risks are an important element that must be paid attention to in business planning. The interpretation of the term "risk" in the scientific literature is generalized. It was determined that the presence of risk in the business plan is a forming factor of uncertainty. The study points to the presence of risks as a mandatory and undeniable element of enterprise activity in modern conditions. Risk assessment is a mandatory structural element of a typical business plan.
 It is indicated that each business plan is individual and unique. It is proposed to detail the risks not in a separate section "Risks", but in the section of the main sections of the business plan: market analysis, marketing plan, organizational plan and management, production plan, financial plan, which will allow group all existing risks, detail them and develop priority measures to neutralize them.
 The main types of risks that may arise in the main sections of the business plan are revealed. It was determined that the systematization of types and groups of risks by sections is an important tool for their effective management, because it helps to choose individual approaches to assessment, measurement, forecasting and selection of response measures.
 As a result, it is proposed to form an appropriate table of risks and means of their neutralization, which will allow to show the investor or an interested person that the applicant is informed and able to cope with the risks and threats of the project

Financial inclusion of urban agro-processors: effect of credit on poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria

This study analysed the effect of credit on the poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria. The study described sources of credit, comparing the poverty status of credit recipients versus non-recipients, and the relationship between credit access and poverty index alongside the relationship between socioeconomic factors and poverty index. Data was collected from 110 randomly sampled roasted plantain vendors with the use of structured questionnaire. Poverty was measured with the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model class of weighted poverty measures. Descriptive statistics were used to examine poverty status, access to credit and the sociodemographic attributes of the roasted plantain vendors. Next, using descriptive statistics, the poverty status of the vendors who accessed credit was compared to those who did not access credit. Finally, the association between access to credit and poverty index was analyzed with logistic regression model while adjusting for the effects of sociodemographic factors. Descriptive statistics showed that 60% of the vendors were female, the average age was 35 years, and the average household size was four persons. Precisely, 91% of the roasted plantain vendors had completed primary or higher education. Exactly, 64.5% received credit, while 30.79% reported non-institutional lenders as sources of credit. The mean monthly income was N48,036.36 (US$116.89). Poverty incidence was lower among credit recipients (0.268) compared to non-recipients (0.487). Credit access (OR = .083, p<.01) and household (OR=2.496, p<.01) had statistically significant associations with the poverty index. Policies promoting structural transformation are recommended for sustainable financial inclusion. An effective economic growth and development program, for example, will increase productive capacities and reduce capital losses, increase creditworthiness, motivate capital expansion and sustainable growth. Also, it was recommended that cooperative formation among the vendors is required. Membership of such a cooperative will increase credit access through reduced transaction cost, higher group’s creditworthiness/borrowing experience and stronger negotiation capacity. A Nigerian economic transformation program to promote increased productive capacities and reduced capital losses is necessary for any financial inclusion policies to sustainably alleviate poverty among deprived agro-processors such as the roasted plantain vendors. Such programs will include financial literacy including banking and loan repayments, business innovations, and business plan development. Key words: Credit, Financial inclusion, Micro-agro-processors, Plantain roasting, Poverty, Urban agriculture

Financial inclusion of urban agro-processors: effect of credit on poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria

This study analysed the effect of credit on the poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria. The study described sources of credit, comparing the poverty status of credit recipients versus non-recipients, and the relationship between credit access and poverty index alongside the relationship between socioeconomic factors and poverty index. Data was collected from 110 randomly sampled roasted plantain vendors with the use of structured questionnaire. Poverty was measured with the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model class of weighted poverty measures. Descriptive statistics were used to examine poverty status, access to credit and the sociodemographic attributes of the roasted plantain vendors. Next, using descriptive statistics, the poverty status of the vendors who accessed credit was compared to those who did not access credit. Finally, the association between access to credit and poverty index was analyzed with logistic regression model while adjusting for the effects of sociodemographic factors. Descriptive statistics showed that 60% of the vendors were female, the average age was 35 years, and the average household size was four persons. Precisely, 91% of the roasted plantain vendors had completed primary or higher education. Exactly, 64.5% received credit, while 30.79% reported non-institutional lenders as sources of credit. The mean monthly income was N48,036.36 (US$116.89). Poverty incidence was lower among credit recipients (0.268) compared to non-recipients (0.487). Credit access (OR = .083, p<.01) and household (OR=2.496, p<.01) had statistically significant associations with the poverty index. Policies promoting structural transformation are recommended for sustainable financial inclusion. An effective economic growth and development program, for example, will increase productive capacities and reduce capital losses, increase creditworthiness, motivate capital expansion and sustainable growth. Also, it was recommended that cooperative formation among the vendors is required. Membership of such a cooperative will increase credit access through reduced transaction cost, higher group’s creditworthiness/borrowing experience and stronger negotiation capacity. A Nigerian economic transformation program to promote increased productive capacities and reduced capital losses is necessary for any financial inclusion policies to sustainably alleviate poverty among deprived agro-processors such as the roasted plantain vendors. Such programs will include financial literacy including banking and loan repayments, business innovations, and business plan development. Key words: Credit, Financial inclusion, Micro-agro-processors, Plantain roasting, Poverty, Urban agriculture

Pelatihan Pengembangan Unit Usaha Koperasi Pegawai Negeri Angkasa RRI: Strategi dan Tantangan

The Angkasa RRI Civil Servant Cooperative is an employee cooperative whose members are employees of Radio Republik Indonesia in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Currently, the cooperative only has one business unit, namely the savings and loans unit. As a form of effort to continue trying to improve the welfare of its members, the administrators of the Angkasa RRI Civil Servant Cooperative intend to carry out business development by providing services to both members and non-members. Therefore, training was carried out for administrators, supervisors, and members and involved students from the Indonesian Cooperative University (Ikopin University) who were carrying out Field Practices. On this occasion, the training participants seemed enthusiastic about participating in the training. And it was conveyed that to carry out business development there are several strategic options that can be used by the Angkasa RRI Civil Servant Cooperative. These include a differentiation strategy, a cheaper price strategy than competitors, a focus strategy, a diversification strategy, and an integration strategy. In designing business development, new businesses must remain a priority for members. However, it is still permissible to serve non-members as long as the members are served well and feel satisfied. The steps that need to be prepared in planning business development are evaluating the current cooperative business situation using SWOT analysis, setting business development goals, identifying opportunities and challenges, identifying competitors and target markets, developing business plans, financing and budgeting, and introducing risks, development team, implementation schedule, performance evaluation and measurement, Stakeholder Communication and Engagement, Monitoring, and adjustments. By applying These steps will carefully help the Angkasa RRI civil servant cooperative to plan business development more effectively and increase the chances of success in achieving its business goals.

Development strategy of candlenut oil business toward a new paradigm for the utilization of non-timber forest products

In an effort to realize productive and sustainable forest management in a unified and comprehensive forestry development unit so that the economic (Sustainable Production), social (Sustainable Social and economic) and environmental (Ecological Sustainable) benefits for all parties based on the identification of the potential superiority of regional commodities, Forest Management Unit (KPH) has compiled a business development plan to improve the economic community in and around the forest, through the development of various productive businesses utilizing timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Therefore, it is necessary to develop a business strategy to overcome the weaknesses and threats by utilizing internal and external strengths and opportunities in efforts to develop sustainable rural agro-industry. The study was conducted at a pilot location of the KPH Kulawi candlenut oil processing business, Central Sulawesi Province. Communication and observation techniques were carried out using a questionnaire through individual interviews and group interviews. While the business development strategy is carried out through focus group discussions (FGDs) involving stakeholders, namely the KPH, raw material producing farmers, processing farmers, target village governments, local governments, the business world and academics with a total of 15 respondents. Based on the SWOT Matrix, The choice of strategies that can be applied are resource optimization, increasing product quality at competitive prices, increasing managerial skills and HR skills and efficiency in production costs. While policies that can support business development include easy access to capital, facilitating export bureaucracy mechanisms and the existence of business associations as a source of market and price information.

МІСЦЕ БРЕНДА РОБОТОДАВЦЯ В КОМПАНІЇ

The article reveals the essence of the terms "employer brand", "employer value proposition", "HR-marketing". The employer brand is the image of the company in the minds of the target audience as a good place to work. The place of the employer brand development strategy in the system of enterprise strategies is considered. The employer brand is not a spherical, detached process, it is inscribed in the HR-strategy, and the HR-strategy is inscribed in the business strategy. In addition to the fact that companies in the world now work in the searcher's market, each has its own specifics that prevent easy hiring and long-term retention: the unpopularity of the industry, the huge scale of hiring, "young" companies, salaries not at the upper limit of the market And much more reasons related to the lack of human capital. The relevance of employer brand management during the war is substantiated. Employer branding is important during wartime: if the company has business development plans and future prospects; if the firm plans to diversify its business and develop new employment markets; the company can and should "catch" the best market specialists who have now lost or may lose their jobs; the enterprise should not disappear from the air, so as not to lose everything that has been worked up to date; the company must maintain the team and its effectiveness. The goals of building an HR-brand have been determined: recognition; managing expectations; reduction of hiring costs; increasing the number of reviews, improving the quality of candidates, reducing staff turnover, increasing satisfaction, the term of cooperation with the company; achieving HR-strategy goals: internal and external. The relationship between the product brand and the employer brand is considered: the HR-brand is inseparable from its consumer brand. The architecture of the employer's brand is given. At the core of the entire employer brand system is the company's corporate culture and vision. This is the heart of the company, what makes it unique. What any company has, because corporate culture is always there. And then tools are built around this culture. A set of HR-brand tools is outlined: employer value proposition, employer brand personality, target audience, communication plan, employer brand management.

Rethinking Entrepreneurial Education: The Role of Digital Technologies to Assess Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Intention of STEM Students

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed restrictions and social distancing requirements that limited face-to-face education. However, the challenge of continuing studies, albeit in an online environment, promoted the redesign of teaching models, thanks to the availability of digital technologies such as MOOCs, gamification, and digital platforms. The aim of this study is to analyze if students' entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intention can be achieved through an online designed and delivered entrepreneurial course, as in face-to-face entrepreneurial education, and whether digital technologies are helpful in pursuing this goal. Data from a sample of 210 engineering students enrolled in an online entrepreneurship course having a duration of 16 weeks revealed a positive impact of digital technologies adoption on students' self-efficacy and intention in launching a novel entrepreneurial venture. Practical implications concern insights about entrepreneurship education programs’ learning strategies that need to be redesigned, with the adoption of ad hoc digital tools to support projects and business plan development. Finally, the study proposes managerial and policy implications for improving the inclusion of digital tools for enhancing University students' entrepreneurship education in the digital era.

Development of a strategic business plan and project management for sustainable development of the enterprise

Development of a strategic business plan and project management for sustainable development of the enterprise

Impact of Social Media Marketing on Customer Engagement in an Apparel Brand, Sri Lanka.

The fashion industry is highly competitive and ever-evolving to align with shifting customer trends, posing challenges for marketers. The widespread adoption of social media among customers has intensified this competition, offering new possibilities for marketers but also enhancing customer knowledge and influence. This study explores the impact of social media marketing on customer engagement in a Sri Lankan apparel brand. The data was obtained through an online questionnaire distributed randomly to customers of specific apparel brand following its social media sites. The statistical results indicated positive and significant correlations between Perceived Value, Percieved Quality, Service Quality, Surveillance, and Customer Engagement. The findings highlighted that social media marketing activities significantly increase customer engagement. Social media posts and activities have the potential to extend beyond immediate followers and influence sales suggesting the potential for increased sales through a broader reach. Therefore, companies should focus on maintaining the social media context and ensuring the quality of services, values, and trust of customers through social network sites. The findings of this study can be used in planning business strategies, marketing, and development plans in order of priority by following their resources, promoting customer engagement, and building and nurturing relationships with customers.