Small Business Research Articles

Motivating Factors that Influences Delinquency in Molino II City of Bacoor, Cavite

This study was conducted to determine: First, the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex, educational attainment, and order in the family. Second, is the motivating factors that influence delinquency in terms of family problems, environmental/neighborhood, personal interest, academic performances and peer pressure. Third, is the significant difference on the common factors by the respondents pertaining to their demographic profile in terms of sex. Based on the results of the study, recommendations were formulated. The youths of Molino II should undergo a personal development seminar in coordination with the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) under the Barangay of Molino II and Bacoor Government Center (BGC) for them to have knowledge about establishing behavior in a positive way and how to evade such occasion like they were being controlled by their peers to do some delinquent acts. Giving sufficient aid or financial aid to the youth to prevent delinquent acts causing by the discontentment of the youth and small business grant by the local government by qualified member. The parents should supervise the schooling of their children and have a regular consultation with the school/teacher. Lastly, the barangay should have a program that will strengthen the family bond in every home and strict curfew hour for the minors and barangay ordinance on selling liquor and cigarettes to the minors. Also, additional CCTV’s and streetlights should be installed in the entire barangay. Every child should learn how to follow the rules of society; they should penalize those children who violates such ordinances in the barangay.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Performance of Food and Beverage Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs): A Case Study of Langsa City, Aceh Province

The PSBB and PPKM policies were perceived to have caused economic downturns by restricting community activities, including productive economic endeavors. The primary issue in this study is the decline in the GDP of the accommodation food, and beverage sectors in Langsa City in 2020. The research objectives are formulated as follows: (1) to analyze the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the income of food and beverage MSMEs in Langsa City; (2) to analyze the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the production levels of food and beverage MSMEs in Langsa City; (3) to analyze the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the assets of food and beverage MSMEs in Langsa City; and (4) to analyze the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the workforce of food and beverage MSMEs in Langsa City. The study was conducted in Langsa City, Aceh Province, utilizing primary data, A purposive sample of 50 MSME owners in Langsa City was selected. Respondents were not categorized by business scale (micro or small businesses). The accidental sampling method was used to determine respondents and data was collected through structured interviews using a questionnaire. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the performance of food and beverage MSMEs in Langsa City was analyzed using for indicators: (1) MSME income, (2) sales volume, (3) assets, and (4) workforce size. A descriptive analysis was performed, followed by a paired sample t-test (with a = 0.05) to compare conditions before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis concluded that: (1) there was a significant decline in the income of food and beverage MSMEs in Langsa City during the Covid-19 pandemic; (2) there was a significant decline in sales volume; (3) there was a significant reduction in the value of MSME assets; and (4) there was a significant decrease in the number of employees. Keywords: Business, Assets, Number of Employees, Income, Sales, MSMEs

CONTABILIDADE DE CUSTOS: A GESTÃO DE CUSTOS NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DE MICRO E PEQUENAS EMPRESAS PRESTADORAS DE SERVIÇO DE LIMPEZA

This article examines the impact of Strategic Cost Management (SCM) on the sustainable development of micro and small businesses in the service sector, with a focus on cleaning companies. The research investigates how SCM can be a vital tool for these businesses, enabling strict control over operational costs, which drives their competitiveness and ensures their market survival. The methodology is based on a literature review, analyzing theoretical approaches and previous studies on the application of SCM in small businesses. The results suggest that adopting strategic SCM practices not only improves operational efficiency but also strengthens the financial health and resilience of these companies in the face of economic challenges.

PASAR TENAGA KERJA INKLUSIF DAN PEKERJAAN AFIRMATIF UNTUK PENYANDANG DISABILITAS

<p class="abstrak"><em>An inclusive labour market emphasizes equal opportunities and fair treatment for all individuals, including persons with disabilities, with the aim of optimizing the potential of the workforce, increasing innovation, productivity, and economic growth. In Indonesia, inclusive policies have been implemented through various laws and regulations that support the rights of persons with disabilities to obtain decent work. Nonetheless, challenges in the form of discrimination and lack of supporting infrastructure are still significant. Disabled people's organizations (DPOs) play an important role in economic empowerment through skills training and entrepreneurship. This training covers areas such as screen printing, electronics, computers and weaving, as well as social assistance for small businesses. The types of jobs available to people with disabilities include operators, customer service, telemarketing, teachers, and administration. Awareness and effective policies are needed to create a truly inclusive workplace in Indonesia. With sustained commitment from all parties, Indonesia can respect and protect the rights of persons with disabilities, ensure equal and fair access to employment opportunities, and harness their full potential for nation-building.</em></p>

Redesign of work facilities at the tofu pressing station with a participatory ergonomic approach

Tahu Palda is a small and medium-sized micro business in the food industry that produces tofu. This factory has been producing tofu since 2005, located in North Aceh. The workers in this tofu usually five workers, with an average of 7 working hours per day. Based on the observations at several workstations, initial data indicate that the dominant work posture is standing, bending, and lifting heavy loads such as a 20 kg weight for pressing and lifting a mold holder with a 15 kg load. This is done continuously for 7 working hours each day. Based on the results of the distribution of the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), it was found that workers at the station experience complaints such as back pain, lower back pain, and upper arm pain due to the high frequency of lifting heavy loads. If this continues to be neglected, it can lead to work-related diseases such as musculoskeletal disorders. The assessment of workers' posture using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method shows that the score obtained for the job of pouring soybean paste is 7, which means a moderate risk, the job of lifting the press weight is 5, which means a moderate risk, and the job of flipping molds has a score of 10, which falls into the high-risk category and needs improvement. Improvements were made using a participatory ergonomics approach, resulting in the decision to redesign the tofu press tool to fit the workers' body anthropometry. The anthropometric calculations for the height range of the press support tool and cutting tool are 141.1 cm, the press support range is 68.78 cm, the width of the press tool is 49.4 cm, the height of the tray is 4.54 cm, and the height of the tray holder is 103.85 cm.

A theoretical approach to address environmental management accounting implementation barriers in small and medium enterprises in developing countries

AbstractUniversal approaches to implementing environmental management accounting (EMA) have resulted in a paradigm shift in managing the physical and monetary aspects of the environment globally. While in developing countries, large enterprises continue to lead in implementing EMA, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are finding it difficult to optimally benefit from embracing EMA. Hence, various players such as policymakers, academics, and environmental experts promote the establishment of new approaches that SMEs can apply to overcome a wide range of barriers inhibiting the successful implementation of EMA. Theories of small business growth, such as stakeholder and institutional, resource-based, and knowledge-based theories, advocate that an enterprise's success depends on the influence of stakeholders' expectations and institutional requirements and the management of the available resources and relevant expertise. A customised framework for applying these four (4) theories to understand the position of SMEs regarding EMA implementation barriers and the approach to address them is lacking. Therefore, in this article, we used a systematic literature review (SLR) using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Literature Review (PRISMA) to define the main aspects of these four (4) theories in the context of EMA implementation and identify EMA implementation barriers confronting SMEs. We recommend that SMEs consider applying the proposed framework to address EMA implementation barriers. The outcomes presented have implications for SME owners, government, environmental regulators, and large enterprises in establishing strong networks to encourage the implementation of EMA across the business spectrum.

Importance of Chhath Puja in the culture and economy of Bihar

Chhath Puja, the great festival of folk faith, is a major and traditional festival of Bihar, which is celebrated with devotion, reverence, and dedication. This puja is dedicated to Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Business worth more than thousands of crores takes place during Chhath festival in the whole of Bihar. However, no special study has been done on this yet. Economist NK Choudhary says that this amount is quite large, because every small and big business from rural areas to cities is involved in it. Every family of Bihar contributes to Chhath in some form or the other. Chhath Mahaparva is directly related to the economy of Bihar. Soup and daura have special significance in Chhath Puja. In such a situation, it is manufactured on a large scale in different areas of Bihar. It is also manufactured in the areas of Madhubani, Bhagalpur and Seemanchal. It is also ordered from other states many times. Most of the fruits for Chhath are ordered from other states. Apples are ordered from Kashmir and Himachal, oranges from Nagpur, coconuts from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, bananas from Karnataka and Chennai. Apart from this, sugarcane is brought from Uttar Pradesh. Soop-Daura is made on a large scale in Bihar. Chhath festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. This festival lasts for four days i.e. 96 hours, and people from the eastern communities living in different states along with whole India, especially Bihar and Jharkhand, participate in this festival. About 15 crore people including women, men and children participate in Chhath Puja rituals. According to an estimate, the country's economy can benefit by Rs 12 thousand crore in these 96 hours. as a culture and faith of Bihar. How Chhath Puja is connected to the common people as a cultural heritage to the economy of Bihar has been studied in this research article.

Role of networks in driving innovation and global growth: Enhancing women-led start-ups in the internationalisation arena

This article investigates the influence of networking on innovation and internationalisation within U.K.-based, female-led small and medium-sized tech enterprises. It utilises data from the 2021 Longitudinal Small Business Survey to evaluate a model that incorporates networking, three forms of innovation (product, process, and market), and international performance across 156 technology start-ups founded by women. The study employs orchestration theory to explore how female entrepreneurs strategically manage resources like networking to foster innovation and promote international growth. Findings suggest that while networking significantly boosts product innovation, it does not have a direct effect on process or market innovation. Nonetheless, networking indirectly strengthens the impact of process and market innovations on internationalisation. This highlights that women entrepreneurs initially use networks to enhance product innovation, then leverage them to convert process and organisational innovations into international expansion. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of the intersection between gender and international entrepreneurship from an orchestration perspective and provides practical insights for female entrepreneurs on optimising networks to drive innovation and facilitate global scaling.

Culinary Tourism and its Role in Diversifying Punjab Tourism Offerings

Culinary tourism, a rapidly growing niche within the tourism industry, encompasses travel experiences focused on exploring local food and drink, connecting visitors with a region’s unique culinary traditions. This paper examines culinary tourism in Punjab, India, a region known for its rich flavors, traditional cooking techniques, and vibrant food culture. Punjab’s culinary offerings, especially in cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala, have the potential to diversify and enhance its tourism appeal beyond religious and cultural tourism, attracting food enthusiasts and promoting cultural exchange. Through a descriptive analytical approach, this study explores how culinary tourism can serve as a driver for local economic development, supporting small businesses and local farmers while preserving Punjab’s cultural heritage. By highlighting local food festivals, traditional dishes, and farm-to-table experiences, the paper addresses how Punjab can leverage its culinary heritage to position itself as a premier destination for food tourism. Furthermore, this research emphasizes the role of culinary tourism in supporting sustainable economic development, underlining its potential to create jobs, preserve traditions, and diversify Punjab’s tourism market. The findings suggest that a robust culinary tourism strategy in Punjab can not only elevate the region's tourism profile but also contribute to a more resilient local economy. Keywords: Culinary Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Sustainable Economic Development, Food Tourism Punjab

O IMPACTO DA IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DO MARKETING DIGITAL NO DESEMPENHO DE PEQUENAS EMPRESAS

This paper explores the strategic impact of digital marketing on small businesses, emphasizing the relevance of tools such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization), content marketing, and social media for strengthening online presence and competitiveness in the market. With the advancement of digitalization, these businesses have found digital marketing to be an accessible way to enhance their visibility, reach new audiences, and increase engagement with consumers, often more effectively and economically than traditional methods. The study highlights the importance of SEO for improving positioning in search engines, allowing small businesses to become more visible to their target audience. Additionally, content marketing emerges as a crucial tool for attracting and retaining customers, fostering trust and credibility through relevant and informative materials. The strategic use of social media is another central point, enabling direct and personalized communication with consumers, as well as offering opportunities for partnerships with influencers. These platforms allow companies to interact more authentically and engage their audiences in real-time, strengthening customer relationships and promoting loyalty. Thus, digital marketing, with its various facets, presents itself as a fundamental element for the growth and success of small businesses in today’s digital economy.

Advancing financial inclusion through digital payment platforms in emerging markets

Advancing financial inclusion in emerging markets has become a critical focus for economic development, and digital payment platforms are playing a transformative role in this process. These platforms offer a scalable solution to bridge the gap between the unbanked population and formal financial services, enabling individuals and businesses to access affordable and secure financial products. The rise of mobile technology and widespread internet penetration have provided the infrastructure for digital payments to thrive, particularly in regions where traditional banking systems are underdeveloped. Key enablers include mobile money services, fintech innovations, and supportive regulatory frameworks that promote adopting digital financial solutions. Digital payment platforms facilitate faster, more efficient transactions, reduce the reliance on cash, and open up opportunities for marginalized groups, including women and small business owners, to participate in the formal economy. They also enhance financial literacy by offering accessible financial education tools, which empower users to manage their finances more effectively. However, challenges such as limited digital literacy, regulatory barriers, cybersecurity risks, and the digital divide must be addressed to maximize the potential of these platforms. Emerging markets have witnessed significant success stories, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, where mobile money platforms like M-Pesa and GCash have expanded financial access to millions. These platforms contribute to financial inclusion and stimulate economic growth by integrating more people into the financial system. Moving forward, collaborative efforts between governments, private sector stakeholders, and development organizations are essential to ensuring that digital payment platforms continue to drive financial inclusion sustainably and equitably.. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Digital Payment Platforms, Emerging Markets, Mobile Money, Fintech, Unbanked Population, Economic Development, Financial Literacy, Digital Financial Services, Mobile Technology.

The role of social media data in enhancing B2B omni-channel marketing efforts in small businesses

PurposeThis paper explores the role of social media data in enhancing business-to-business (B2B) omni-channel marketing (OCM) efforts in small businesses. B2B marketing strategy is explored through the lens of each business’s marketing manager’s insights. A novel social media data visualisation tool for B2B marketing campaign development is presented, adding contextualisation to OCM activities.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study uses the qualitative interview method to consider the research question: what role does social media data play in enhancing B2B marketing efforts across the omni-channel in small businesses? The paper presents the findings of 25 in-depth interviews with small business marketing managers from a range of B2B industries, guided by a literature-informed interview template. Insights are developed using an open coding approach via traditional pen and paper methods, underpinned by thematic analysis.FindingsSmall business marketing managers recognise the importance of social media data in enhancing B2B OCM efforts in their organisations. They acknowledge online marketing channels as paths to enhanced brand awareness and relationship building and recognise social media’s growing influence on B2B customers’ decision-making processes. There is a dichotomy between the professed importance of social media data and its use among some small business marketing managers in their B2B OCM efforts. Others are capturing these data and integrating it with other data resources, thereby embedding social media data as a strategic resource within their business. Findings indicate that it is only in these small businesses that OCM strategy is evolving to meet B2B customer expectations of an integrated OCM experience, informed by social media data, across all channels and touchpoints.Research limitations/implicationsThis work is of particular interest to marketing managers within small businesses seeking to improve their B2B marketing efforts across the omni-channel. It is of value to all B2B enterprises, given the rate of advancement of the B2B social media marketing landscape.Originality/valueRecognised as an emerging area, research relating to B2B OCM is limited. This paper provides empirical data on OCM efforts in small businesses from a B2B perspective and considers the role of social media data in enhancing marketing efforts across the omni-channel. Underpinned by social network theory and based on insights gleaned from fieldwork, a social media data visualisation tool is presented, the first of its kind in this sphere.

State and trends in the development of the microfinance market in Russia

The relevance of the article is due to the insignificant contribution of microfinance to the development of the Russian economic system, especially in the context of supporting small and medium-sized businesses. However, the regulator sees it as a promising sector of the financial market and considers its progressive development necessary. The purpose of the work is to study the current state and identify trends in the development of the microfinance market in Russia. The methodological basis of the study includes empirical observation and analysis. During the work, official statistical data and scientific publications on the topic of microfinance have been used. The article provides a review of current legislative documents regulating the microfinance sector, and analyses the state of the market based on statistical data. It is substantiated that some elements of the monetary and financial policies pursued in the Russian Federation can be applied for the successful development of the microfinance sector, contribute to its effective and balanced work, and improve accessibility and sustainability. In the course of the work, key directions for the development of the microfinance market are formed: improving regulation and supervision; promoting financial literacy of the population; application of digital technologies; expansion and diversification of the product portfolio, development of partnerships, social entrepreneurship, which contribute to the sustainable development of this segment of the financial market. Particular attention is paid to a detailed analysis of improving the regulatory framework for microfinance in Russia from the point of view of legislation on bankruptcy of individuals, stimulating innovation and digitalisation, and supporting social entrepreneurship.

Personal income in New Zealand at the current stage of economic development

Any socio-economic processes occurring in the country and world have an impact on the standard of living of the population. There are many indicators that determine the standard of living of citizens, among which we can highlight the income of people as the main component of their financial well-being. In a period of global political and economic upheavals, the relevance of the topic of human quality of life is beyond doubt. During the economic war organised by the West against Russia, the countries participating in this war are of interest. These include New Zealand, although it is clear that due to the distance from Russia and weak economic ties between the countries, there will be no significant mutual influence of the sanctions restrictions. The study has analysed the income of the population of New Zealand over the past 10 to 15 years, considering differentiation by various categories, such as geographical location, qualification, and source of income. The analysis has showed a certain increase in the income and, accordingly, in the standard of living of the country’s population in the period under review. An insignificant impact on this indicator of restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic is revealed, however, with the certain social policy of the state, fluctuations in the income of citizens during this period were hardly noticeable. Their assessment by sources has reflected the significant share of small businesses in the country’s economy, which shows a high degree of liberalisation of the national economy of the state. The analysis of the citizens’ incomes by geographic regions has revealed a significant impact of urbanisation on the standard of living of the New Zealand’s population, which is a global trend.

ACCOUNTING EVOLUTION: FROM TRADITION TO DIGITAL INNOVATION IN MICRO ENTERPRISES IN HUMAITÁ/AM

This study explores the application and impact of digital accounting among Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEIs) in Humaitá/AM. The research, of a bibliographic and descriptive nature, aims to understand the evolution of accounting from its beginnings to the current practices adopted by MEIs, highlighting the historical, technological and regional transformations that influence accounting practices. The analysis focuses on how digital accounting can be an effective tool for the financial management of small businesses, especially in remote regions such as Amazonas, where access to technological resources and professional training can be limited. The study also addresses the challenges faced by MEIs in adopting new accounting technologies, identifying the main barriers and proposing solutions that can facilitate the transition to more modern and efficient practices. The results indicate that, although digital accounting offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency and financial control, its implementation requires a continuous effort of training and adaptation to local realities. The conclusion suggests that digital accounting, when well implemented, can contribute significantly to the economic development and sustainability of small businesses in Humaitá/AM, promoting more effective and strategic financial management.

Integrating Equity in Public Sector Data-Driven Decision Making: Exploring the Desired Futures of Underserved Stakeholders

Public sector agencies aim to innovate not just for efficiency but also to enhance equity. Despite the growing adoption of data-driven decision-making systems in the public sector, efforts to integrate equity as a primary goal often fall short. This typically arises from inadequate early-stage involvement of underserved stakeholders and prevalent misunderstandings concerning the authentic meaning of equity from these stakeholders' perspectives. Our research seeks to address this gap by actively involving undersevered stakeholders in the process of envisioning the integration of equity within public sector data-driven decisions, particularly in the context of a building department in a Northeastern mid-sized U.S. city. Applying a speed dating method with storyboards, we explore diverse equity-centric futures within the realm of local business development, a domain where small businesses, particularly women-and minority-owned businesses, historically confront inequitable distribution of public services. We explored three essential aspects of equity: monitoring equity, resource allocation prioritization, as well as information and equity. Our findings illuminate the complexities of integrating equity into data-driven decisions, offering nuanced insights about the needs of stakeholders. We found that attempts to monitor and incorporate equity goals into public sector decision-making can unexpectedly backfire, inadvertently sparking community apprehension and potentially exacerbating existing inequities. Small business owners, including those identifying as women-and minority-owned, advocated against the use of demographic-based data in equity-focused data-driven decision-making in the public sector, instead emphasizing factors such as community needs, application complexity, and uncertainties inherent in small businesses. Drawing from these insights, we propose design implications to assist designers of public sector data-driven decision-making systems to better accommodate equity considerations.

Digital divide and digital engagement in small business owners: an examination of survey data

ABSTRACT This paper examines the digital divide among Small Business Owners (SBO). Most of the existing literature has focused on the digital divide among individuals and communities with little attention given to SBOs. This paper uses the Resources and Appropriation (RA) theory to explore the digital divide in SBOs. Data is analyzed from a survey of residents in the seventh-largest city in the US. The analysis indicates that many characteristics of the digital divide persist when comparing SBOs. However, when controlling for factors such as digital engagement, business characteristics, and expected revenue, demographic variables like race, ethnicity, education, gender, age, and household income did not significantly affect the level of digital engagement or expected revenue of SBOs. The findings support RA theory by demonstrating that access and the reasons for using the Internet play a crucial role among SBOs. The results emphasize the need to create opportunities for minority-owned small businesses to thrive in the digital age.

Strategic Considerations for Small Businesses: Selecting the Optimal E-commerce Platform

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial for small businesses seeking to expand their market presence and streamline operations. This paper explores the key factors influencing platform selection, such as usability, scalability, flexibility, and cost, while applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Resource-Based View (RBV) frameworks to analyze platform adoption. The study focuses on Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon Marketplace, comparing their impact on business growth, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Additionally, the paper discusses emerging trends, including artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, offering practical insights for small businesses looking to optimize their digital strategies and gain a competitive edge

Small business in structural shifts in Ukrainian economy during 2012-2022 in the context of solving the problems of economic development

The article is devoted to testing the author’s methodology for assessing the contribution of structural changes (distribution of the employees’ total number between large, medium and small enterprises) to the processes of socio-economic development in Ukraine. For this purpose, the general trends in the dynamics of the scale and efficiency of the sector of Ukrainian non-financial enterprises and the specifics of such trends for enterprises with different scales of economic activity are studied for the retrospective period 2012-2022. Due to the fundamental differences in the factors of economic dynamics, the years of relatively stable political and epidemiological situation are studied separately from the years of significant political, military-political and epidemiological disturbances. Using the additive-multiplicative model of the value added, created by Ukrainian enterprises dependence on the number of employees, the proportions of their distribution among large, medium and small enterprises and labor productivity (value added per capita) and the method of sequential substitutions, the author conducts a factor analysis of the dynamics of value added created by Ukrainian enterprises in the retrospective period. Evidence of significant convergence of the economic efficiency level of small and large enterprises during the retrospective period and the leading role of small enterprises in improving the efficiency of economic activity in Ukraine and ensuring the resilience of the economy to negative external and internal disturbances is obtained.

Incremental and Radical Innovations that Contribute to the Survival of Small Businesses in Environments of Crisis

This paper examines the influence of incremental and radical innovations on the survival capacity of micro and small companies (MSE) in contexts of economic crisis.State of the art on innovation points to a lack of a specific methodology to segregate incremental and radical innovation in MSEs. Identifying such a method allows for action to promote innovation in such more assertive companies, contributing to the survival of companies in the most adverse moments, such as crises.In this sense, a methodology was developed to identify the type and degree of innovation based on the level of innovation in the sector of activity and was applied to a sample of 60 companies in the textile retail sector. The dependent variable was business survival, measured by the continuity or cessation of activity in 2020. The estimate of the probability of survival was carried out using a binary logistic regression model.The dimensions of incremental innovation, which are the most common in the business environment, did not significantly affect survival. The dimensions of radical innovation, which imply deeper and more disruptive changes in the business model, had a positive impact. significant impact on survival in all cases. The most complex actions in the Solutions dimension increased the chances of survival by 42%; improving Processes by 39%; and innovation in the Square by 38%. These findings suggest that small businesses that adopt radical innovations have greater adaptability and resilience to adverse situations.