Explore the evidence.
Understand the reach.

This study examines the integration of digitalization, mobile applications, and vernacular languages in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) management within KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. A quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted using systematic probability sampling of 147 SMMEs across five sectors (agriculture, hospitality, construction, healthcare, and transportation) in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region. Findings reveal significant gaps between policy support and the actual implementation of digital-vernacular language integration, with 45% of respondents indicating inadequate policy support and 58.9% expressing dissatisfaction with the current progress of digitalization.  Results suggest the need for targeted policy interventions to support the digital transformation of SMMEs that incorporate indigenous language capabilities. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of digital transformation and linguistic diversity in emerging economy entrepreneurship management, and the dynamic capabilities theory was undertaken as the benchmark to support the literature. The findings revealed a disconnect between the provision of support from policymakers and authorities regarding the program of action and deliverables that could help SMMEs integrate their entrepreneurial management with the demands of digitalisation, including resources and capabilities. The findings further exposed the gap between the expectations of SMMEs and the current level of digital and vernacular language integration in terms of systematic support and deliverables. Additionally, the findings characterized the slow pace of transformation supported by policymakers in digitalization, mobile applications, and the adoption of vernacular languages, which is already at an advanced stage in similar emerging economies in the global South.

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

The existence of global market resulted in the increasing number of business actors, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Currently SMEs are experiencing increasingly fierce market competition. Even the competition is in an increasingly complex condition. Faced with this condition, SMEs are required to have the ability to survive and improve its performance. The population of this research is the perpetrators of SMEs in the field of fishery and marine processing business in Lontar Village, Banten Province. The sample are participant of 46 SME actors. Technical sampling is purposive sampling. The data in this study is the primary data collected through questionnaires. The result are (1)Competence leader (KOM) has a positive influence on business performance variables (KIN) with a significant value of 0.070 at a significance level of 0.10.(2). Innovation (INO) has a positive influence on business performance variables (KIN) with a 0.000 significance level at a significant level of 0.05.(3). Entrepreneurship (WIRA) has a positive influence on business performance variables (KIN) with a synergy value of 0.00 at a significant level of 0.05.(4). Investment (INV) has no effect on business performance with significance of 0.223.(5). The moderator variables of entrepreneurs have an influence in contributing to the leadership competence of performance. With a significant value of 0.032.(6). The moderator variables of entrepreneurs have an influence in contributing to innovation on the performance of Entrepreneurship, with a significant value of 0.000 at the 0.05 level (7). The moderator variables of the entrepreneur have no influence in contributing to investment on the performance of the company. with a significant value of 0.060 at the 005 level.

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.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) significantly contribute to South Africa's economic growth and job creation; nevertheless, their sustainability is hindered by ongoing structural issues. The article analyses how digital platforms—such as fintech, digital payments, and e-commerce—can facilitate the growth and economic resilience of SMEs. The research employs a rigorous desk review process to synthesise information from academic literature, policy reports, and case studies published from 2015 to 2025. The analysis utilises thematic synthesis, uncovering four principal themes: (1) Barriers to SME Growth, (2) Digital Platforms as Solutions, (3) Obstacles to Digital Adoption, and (4) Theoretical Perspectives on Digital Adoption. Critical findings indicate that although digital platforms have substantial prospects, their adoption is constrained by infrastructural deficiencies, digital illiteracy, regulatory challenges, and perceived risks. Utilising the Technology Acceptance Model and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the research illustrates that perceived utility and ease of use depend on structural and ecological preparedness. The document advocates for a comprehensive, contextually tailored support system that amalgamates infrastructure enhancement, digital skills education, regulatory reform, and the cultivation of institutional trust. The paper's contribution is the reclassification of contextual restrictions as primary factors influencing digital adoption in SMEs within emerging markets.

Digital expansion is conceived as a firm-level consequence after adoption, capturing both the breadth and depth of digital tools usage in operational and customer-facing business operations. The study investigates five readiness dimensions based on survey data of 388 small firms: capital adequacy, technological infrastructure, digital literacy, preference adaptation, and marketing investment. The results suggest that capital adequacy and digital literacy are positively and significantly related to digital expansion whereas technological infrastructure, preference adaptation and marketing investment are not statistically significant in the estimated model. Coefficient-comparison tests also imply that the important internal readiness variables are more strongly related to digital expansion than the market-oriented readiness variables.  This study contributes to the literature on digital transformation in small firms by showing that, in a resource-constrained emerging-economy environment, internal financial and capability-related conditions are more strongly associated with digital expansion than market-facing readiness. The results have substantial implications for Bangladesh suggesting that digital financial support should be coupled with digital literacy development and targeted capability-building for small companies.

This study examines the integration of digitalization, mobile applications, and vernacular languages in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) management within KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. A quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted using systematic probability sampling of 147 SMMEs across five sectors (agriculture, hospitality, construction, healthcare, and transportation) in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region. Findings reveal significant gaps between policy support and the actual implementation of digital-vernacular language integration, with 45% of respondents indicating inadequate policy support and 58.9% expressing dissatisfaction with the current progress of digitalization.  Results suggest the need for targeted policy interventions to support the digital transformation of SMMEs that incorporate indigenous language capabilities. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of digital transformation and linguistic diversity in emerging economy entrepreneurship management, and the dynamic capabilities theory was undertaken as the benchmark to support the literature. The findings revealed a disconnect between the provision of support from policymakers and authorities regarding the program of action and deliverables that could help SMMEs integrate their entrepreneurial management with the demands of digitalisation, including resources and capabilities. The findings further exposed the gap between the expectations of SMMEs and the current level of digital and vernacular language integration in terms of systematic support and deliverables. Additionally, the findings characterized the slow pace of transformation supported by policymakers in digitalization, mobile applications, and the adoption of vernacular languages, which is already at an advanced stage in similar emerging economies in the global South.

Globally, SMEs were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in developing nations where systemic vulnerabilities are more noticeable. This study examines the growth and survival tactics used by SMEs in South Africa's eThekwini Metropolitan Area during the pandemic's peak and the subsequent recovery period. The study, which was based on a quantitative design, used a structured questionnaire to survey 304 managers and owners of SMEs. The results show that SMEs used a variety of survival tactics, such as lowering operating costs, integrating digital technology, and making short-term changes to their business models. Product diversification, strategic alliances, and the adoption of e-commerce were among the growth strategies. The Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, which shed light on how SMEs used internal resources and adjusted to external shocks, serve as the foundation for this study. Recovery efforts were, however, hampered by obstacles like a lack of digital infrastructure, difficulty accessing relief funds, and complicated regulations. A post-crisis policy reflection and a SWOT analysis provide strategic insight into enhancing the resilience of SMEs. The study ends with specific managerial and policy suggestions that can be applied to urban SME ecosystems in developing nations.

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.