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This research investigates the connection between governmental assistance and business outcomes, incorporating the intermediary functions of business networking and digital marketing. Data were gathered through a questionnaire, which was distributed to 152 participants who represent MSMEs in the culinary industry in Surabaya City. The examination of this data was performed utilizing the SEM-PLS method, facilitated by SmartPLS 3.0 software. Findings from the study reveal that governmental support significantly enhances both business networking and digital marketing. Additionally, business networking and digital marketing significantly improve business performance. The research additionally illustrates that both business networking and digital marketing play a significant role in mediating the connection between government support and the success of culinary MSMEs in Surabaya City.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, revealing their inadequate financial reserves and insufficient strategic assistance. In response, the government implemented financial and non-financial measures to promote innovation and enhance corporate resilience. This study assessed the efficacy of these approaches in aiding SMMEs during and post-pandemic, emphasising innovation uptake and sustainability results. A positivist paradigm and quantitative design were utilised, surveying 201 small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) owners and managers in eThekwini Municipality via structured questionnaires. Data analysis utilising SPSS (version 28.0) identified significant deficiencies in governmental assistance frameworks, especially with accessibility and communication. Participants indicated inadequate communication regarding funding initiatives, challenges in accessing newly implemented programs, and minimal influence on business recovery and innovation. The findings reveal a continual disparity between policy objectives and actual support, emphasising the necessity for enhanced communication tactics and more accessible tools to bolster SMME resilience during crises

This study investigates the critical factors influencing social media adoption by rural Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, with a focus on supporting business survival and growth during the Covid-19 crisis. The Covid-19 crisis intensified existing challenges such as limited digital connectivity, financial constraints, and poor market access, highlighting the need for adaptive, cost-effective solutions. Social media became a vital tool for these businesses, enabling expanded market reach, improved customer engagement, and continued product promotion during uncertain times. A quantitative research approach was employed, gathering data from 374 rural SMMEs using a structured 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.779, p < 0.001) between broadband internet access, financial resources, and social media use, all critical factors for maintaining digital engagement and ensuring business continuity. The study advocates for increased public and private investment in rural broadband infrastructure to address the digital divide and emphasises capacity building programmes to enhance digital literacy and social media marketing skills among rural entrepreneurs. The findings offer actionable insights for policy and practice, supporting the long-term sustainability of rural SMMEs and promoting inclusive digital development in rural KZN. A Social Media Adoption Model is proposed to enhance the survival and growth of rural SMMEs during the Covid-19 crisis in KZN.

The rise of digital marketing has the potential to reshape consumer engagement and business strategies, particularly in rural retailing, where traditional marketing methods often dominate. This study examines the transformative and communicative impact of digital marketing in rural retailing, with a focus on Flagstaff, South Africa. A quantitative approach was employed, with questionnaires personally administered to retail store operators and management, achieving a response rate of 86.54% from the forty-five responses received out of the fifty-two distributed. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and factor analysis, were conducted using SPSS 27.0 to validate the data. The findings indicate that digital marketing plays a crucial role in transforming and sustaining retail businesses by enhancing brand perception, influencing consumer behaviour, and facilitating effective communication. To maximise these benefits, rural retailers should transform their operational strategies to effectively leverage online platforms for improved customer engagement. Additionally, policymakers should support local businesses through resources and training initiatives. Local communities also need to be supported through the development of infrastructure that enhances digital connectivity, ensures a reliable electricity supply, and provides access to devices. Workshops or informational campaigns aimed at improving digital literacy would also be beneficial for enhancing the diffusion of digital innovation in rural areas. This study provides valuable insights into how digital marketing can transform rural retailing, offering important implications for both practitioners and researchers.

This study investigates the impact of digital transformation leadership and customer agility on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. SMEs are pivotal to economic growth, yet they often face challenges in adapting to rapidly changing market conditions. Employing a sustainable development theory framework, the research explores how effective leadership in digital transformation and an agile approach to customer engagement can drive better performance outcomes. Findings reveal that while customer agility does not significantly correlate with SME performance, strong digital transformation leadership and well-implemented digital strategies initiatives are play crucial roles in enhancing operational effectiveness and performance. Study result highlights the necessity for SMEs to focus on cultivating innovative leadership that embraces digitization and developing strategies that respond swiftly to evolving customer needs. This research underscores the importance of integrating digital practices as a core component of sustainability efforts within SMEs. Ultimately, embracing effective digital transformation leadership is essential for SMEs seeking to thrive in increasingly competitive environments. The study recommends that future research should examine additional factors that may influence the performance of SMEs, providing a broader understanding of the dynamics at work in this critical sector.

MSMEs are independent business units managed by individuals or groups that can take the form of individual companies, partnerships, or limited liability companies. Risk is generally always seen as something that has a negative impact, such as loss, danger, and several other consequences. Research objectives: 1) Identifying the risks of food MSMEs in Malang City; 2) Analyze the factors that influence the risk of MSMEs; 3) formulate the concept of risk mitigation of Food MSMEs in situations of Global economic policy uncertainty. Research design: using a quantitative approach by conducting interviews and distributing questionnaires. The research population includes all food MSMEs in Malang City amounting to 16,417 MSMEs. The sample used was 376 MSMEs with a purposive sampling method, the criteria for MSMEs Snacks in Malang City, has been established for at least 3 years. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques, namely distributing questionnaires and interviews to several food MSME owners in Malang City as key informants. The results showed that identifying MSME risks is an important step in business risk management. After the risks are identified, MSMEs need to mitigate risks so that they can develop a business risk mitigation concept in order to reduce the losses that will be faced in the uncertainty of global economic policies. The results of the study provide practical benefits for Malang City MSMEs to minimize risks and for policy makers. As well as producing a conceptualization of risk mitigation for food MSMEs in situations of Global Economic Policy Uncertainty.