The Influence of Human Resources on MSME Export Capability with Digital Competence as a Mediating Variable
Study on the Manufacturer of Pot Growing Balls (Bobupot), Green Galeria Indonesia Surabaya, and Terracotta Pots UD Gerabah Merah Malang
Keywords:
Human Resources, Digital Competence, Export Capability, MSMEs, SEM-PLSAbstract
This study aims to analyze the influence of human resources (HR) on the export capabilities of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with digital competence as a mediating variable. The study focused on two MSMEs producing crafts, namely the producer of Bola Tumbuh Pot (Bobupot) Green Galeria Indonesia from Surabaya and the producer of terracotta pots UD Gerabah Merah from Malang. The research method used is a quantitative approach with the Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) analysis technique. Data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to 97 respondents who were employees of the two MSMEs. The results of the study indicate that: (1) The quality of HR has a positive and significant effect on digital competence with a path coefficient of 0.683 (p <0.001); (2) Digital competence has a positive and significant effect on export capability with a path coefficient of 0.572 (p <0.001); (3) The quality of HR has a direct effect on export capability with a path coefficient of 0.317 (p <0.05); (4) Digital competence is proven to significantly mediate the relationship between HR quality and export capability with a partial mediation effect of 0.391 (p<0.01). This study provides theoretical and practical implications for HR development in the MSME sector, especially in increasing export capability through the development of digital competence.
References
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
Carretero, S., Vuorikari, R., & Punie, Y. (2017). DigComp 2.1: The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens with eight proficiency levels and examples of use. Publications Office of the European Union.
Cerrato, D., & Piva, M. (2012). The internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises: The effects of family management, human capital and foreign ownership. Journal of Management & Governance, 16(4), 617-644.
Chin, W.W. (1998). The partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling. Modern Methods for Business Research, 295(2), 295-336.
Eduardsen, J., & Ivang, R. (2016). Internet-enabled internationalisation: A review of the empirical literature and a research agenda. International Journal of Business Environment, 8(2), 152-175.
Ferrari, A. (2012). Digital competence in practice: An analysis of frameworks. Publications Office of the European Union.
Giotopoulos, I., Kontolaimou, A., Korra, E., & Tsakanikas, A. (2017). What drives ICT adoption by SMEs? Evidence from a large-scale survey in Greece. Journal of Business Research, 81, 60-69.
Hair, J.F., Risher, J.J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C.M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2-24.
Kabongo, J.D., & Okpara, J.O. (2019). Timing and speed of internationalization: Evidence from African banks. Journal of Business Research, 102, 12-20.
Leonidou, L.C., Katsikeas, C.S., & Coudounaris, D.N. (2011). Five decades of business research into exporting: A bibliographic analysis. Journal of International Management, 16(1), 78-91.
Leonidou, L.C., Palihawadana, D., & Theodosiou, M. (2018). National export-promotion programs as drivers of organizational resources and capabilities: Effects on strategy, competitive advantage, and performance. Journal of International Marketing, 19(2), 1-29.
Mathews, S., Bianchi, C., Perks, K. J., Healy, M., & Wickramasekera, R. (2016). Internet marketing capabilities and international market growth. International Business Review, 25(4), 820-830.
Muogbo, US (2013). The impact of strategic human resource management on small and medium sized enterprises: A study of some selected paint manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. Global Journal of Management and Business Studies, 3(3), 323-340.
North, K., Aramburu, N., & Lorenzo, O. J. (2019). Promoting digitally enabled growth in SMEs: A framework proposal. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 33(1), 238-262.
Onkelinx, J., Manolova, T.S., & Edelman, L.F. (2016). Human capital and SME internationalization: Empirical evidence from Belgium. International Small Business Journal, 34(6), 818-837.
Oura, M. M., Zilber, S. N., & Lopes, E. L. (2016). Innovation capacity, international experience and export performance of SMEs in Brazil. International Business Review, 25(4), 921-932.
Paul, J., Parthasarathy, S., & Gupta, P. (2017). Exporting challenges of SMEs: A review and future research agenda. Journal of World Business, 52(3), 327-342.
Taiminen, H.M., & Karjaluoto, H. (2015). The usage of digital marketing channels in SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 22(4), 633-651.
Torkkeli, L., Kuivalainen, O., Saarenketo, S., & Puumalainen, K. (2019). Institutional environment and network competence in successful SME internationalisation. International Marketing Review, 36(1), 31-55.
Ukko, J., Nasiri, M., Saunila, M., & Rantala, T. (2019). Sustainability strategy as a moderator in the relationship between digital business strategy and financial performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 236, 117626.
van Laar, E., van Deursen, A.J., van Dijk, J.A., & de Haan, J. (2020). Determinants of 21st-century skills and 21st-century digital skills for workers: A systematic literature review. SAGE Open, 10(1), 2158244019900176.
