THE INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE WORKERS PRODUCTIVITY AND DIGITAL INNOVATION ON THE SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE OF MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES(A Case Study of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Food and Beverage Sector, Tarakan City)

Authors

  • Mulyani mulyani FE UBT Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35334/r4hc5022

Keywords:

sustainability reporting, financial performance, corporate governance, firm size, PLS-SEM

Abstract

Abstract: This study is motivated by the persistently low sustainability performance of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Tarakan City, despite a significant increase in the number of registered business units. The primary challenge resides in the limited productivity of knowledge-based workers and the uneven adoption of digital innovation across the sector. This study aims to examine the influence of Knowledge Workers Productivity (KWP) and Digital Innovation (DI) on Sustainability Performance (SP) among MSMEs operating in the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector in Tarakan City. The theoretical foundations underpinning this study encompass the Resource-Based View (RBV), Knowledge-Based View (KBV), and Dynamic Capability Theory. A quantitative research method with an explanatory design was employed. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey involving 190 employees of F&B MSMEs, selected by means of purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach with SmartPLS software. The findings reveal that KWP exerts a positive and significant effect on SP, both directly and through the mediating role of DI. Notably, DI emerged as the most dominant predictor in enhancing SP and effectively mediates the relationship between KWP and SP. It is concluded that the sustainability impact of knowledge workers' productivity is optimized when channeled through concrete digital innovation initiatives. Investment in human resource capacity and the acceleration of digital transformation are identified as the principal determinants for MSMEs in sustaining long-term competitive advantage.

 

 

References

Alfarizi, M., Widiastuti, T., & Ngatindriatum. (2024). Exploration of Technological Challenges and Public Economic Trends Phenomenon in the Sustainable Performance of Indonesian Digital MSMEs on Industrial Era 4.0. Journal of Industrial Integration and Management, 9(1), 65-96.

Arifin, I. A., & Ardiansyah, R. (2025). Meningkatkan Daya Saing UMKM melalui Kemudahan Akses Pembiayaan, Penggunaan Teknologi Informasi dan Peningkatan Kapasitas Sumber Daya Manusia. Jurnal Ekonomi, Manajemen dan Akuntansi, 27(3), 562-570.

Astuty, E., Sudirman, I. D., & Aryanto, R. (2024). Sustainable Resilience Strategy: Unleash the Micro-businesses's Potential in the Digitalization and Sustainability Era. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 1-29.

Badan Pusat Statistik. (2023). Laporan Kinerja Usaha Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah. Badan Pusat Statistik.

Bahtiar, H., Rabbany, L. R., Bele, Y. F., Husna, M., & Matulessy, G. S. (2025). Digital Transformation toward Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities for Indonesian MSMEs. Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis, 28(1), 131-150.

Banjarnahor, A. R. (2021). Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior: Mapping Literature Review. Golden Ratio of Mapping Idea and Literature Format, 1(2), 134-168.

Barney, J. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.

Carrasco-Carvajal, O., García-Pérez-de-Lema, D., & Castillo-Vergara, M. (2023). Impact of Innovation Strategy, Absorptive Capacity, and Open Innovation on SME Performance: A Chilean Case Study. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 9(2), 100065.

Dabić, M., Obradović Posinković, T., Vlačić, B., & Gonçalves, R. (2023). A Configurational Approach to New Product Development Performance: The Role of Open Innovation, Digital Transformation and Absorptive Capacity. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 194, 122720.

Dinas Koperasi, UKM, dan Perdagangan (DKUKMP) Kota Tarakan. (2024). Survei Pemanfaatan Platform Digital oleh UMKM Kota Tarakan. DKUKMP Kota Tarakan.

Dinas Koperasi, UKM, dan Perdagangan (DKUKMP) Kota Tarakan. (2025). Data Pertumbuhan UMKM Kota Tarakan. DKUKMP Kota Tarakan.

Drucker, P. (1959). The Landmarks of Tomorrow. Harper and Row.

Fandeli, H., Halim, H., Hasibuan, A., Hindayani, P., Reswari, R. A., Sahir, S. H., Hasnawi, M., Pravitasari, C. F., Yuhendra, M. A., Umam, K., & Murtopo, A. S. (2025). Sustainability dalam Manajemen UMKM: Perspektif Lingkungan, Sosial, dan Ekonomi. Yayasan Kita Menulis.

Fernanda, S. A., & Larassaty, A. L. (2024). Knowledge Worker Productivity di PT Trikayarasa Jaya Food: Peran Knowledge Management melalui Kemampuan Adaptasi dan Kepuasan Kerja Karyawan. JMBI UNSRAT, 11(1), 343-361.

Grant, R. M. (1996). Toward a Knowledge-Based Theory of the Firm. Strategic Management Journal, 17(S2), 109-122.

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage Publishing.

Istamarina, S., Anggraeni, E., & Astuti, D. (2025). Inovasi dan Keberlanjutan Bisnis UMKM di Era Digital: Kajian Literatur Sistematis. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 1(3), 323-327.

Kaltum, U., Joeliaty, J., Sarasi, V., & Iskandar, Y. (2025). The Effect of Cloud Technology Implementation, Employee Engagement, Digital Literacy, and Organisational Readiness on Employee Productivity and Business Sustainability in Indonesian MSMEs in the Era of Digital Transformation. BIS Economics and Business, 2, V225004.

Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Perekonomian Republik Indonesia. (2025). Pemerintah Dorong UMKM Naik Kelas, Tingkatkan Kontribusi terhadap Ekspor Indonesia. Siaran Pers.

Kianto, A., Shujahat, M., Hussain, S., Nawaz, F., & Ali, M. (2019). The Impact of Knowledge Management on Knowledge Worker Productivity. Baltic Journal of Management, 14(2), 178-197.

Lukita, C., Purnama, I. Y., Rahardja, U., Natasya, A. E., & Sanjaya, Y. P. A. (2025). The Effect of Technology Training on Increasing MSME Productivity: Case Analysis of Digital Training Programs for Local Craftsmen. International Journal of Engineering, Science and Information Technology, 5(1), 420-426.

Martini, I. A. O., Arsawan, I. W. E., Sari, D. M. F. P., & Muna, N. (2023). Increasing Product Competitiveness in Weaving SMEs: The Role of Competency, Creativity, and Performance. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 11(3), 855-866.

Nambisan, S., Lyytinen, K., Majchrzak, A., & Song, M. (2017). Digital Innovation Management: Reinventing Innovation Management Research in a Digital World. MIS Quarterly, 41(1), 223-238.

Nogueira, E., Gomes, S., & Lopes, J. M. (2023). A Meta-regression Analysis of Environmental Sustainability Practices and Firm Performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 426, 139048.

Ozdemir, S., Fernandez de Arroyabe, J. C., Sena, V., & Gupta, S. (2023). Stakeholder Diversity and Collaborative Innovation: Integrating the Resource-Based View with Stakeholder Theory. Journal of Business Research, 164, 113955.

Radar Tarakan. (2025). UMKM Tarakan Masih Minim Melakukan Ekspor, Begini Penjelasan DKUKMP. Radar Tarakan.

Ramdani, B., Raja, S., & Kayumova, M. (2021). Digital Innovation in SMEs: A Systematic Review, Synthesis and Research Agenda. Information Technology for Development, 28(1), 56-80.

Ramírez, Y. W., & Nembhard, D. A. (2004). Measuring Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Taxonomy. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 5(4), 602-628.

Ridho, S. A., Adriyan, F., Windayati, D. R., & Abdilla, N. A. (2025). Produktivitas Karyawan UMKM: Tinjauan dari Perspektif Motivasi dan Lingkungan Kerja. Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi dan Manajemen, 3(8), 17-27.

Tariq, A., Sumbal, M. S. U. K., Dabic, M., Raziq, M. M., & Torkkeli, M. (2024). Interlinking Networking Capabilities, Knowledge Worker Productivity, and Digital Innovation: A Critical Nexus for Sustainable Performance in Small and Medium Enterprises. Journal of Knowledge Management, 28(11), 179-198.

Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509-533.

Wardhani, N., Noermijati, N., & Sunaryo, S. (2022). Knowledge-Worker Productivity in Defence Industry: The Role of Knowledge Management through Employees' Adaptability and Job Satisfaction. Jurnal Media Ekonomi dan Manajemen, 37(1), 140-160.

Wernerfelt, B. (1984). A Resource-Based View of the Firm. Strategic Management Journal, 5(2), 171-180.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-25