Articles

A Study of the Financial Sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs: The Role of Internal Audit

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This research article mainly aims to analyse the influence of internal audit on the financial sustainability of SMEs in Cameroon. Specifically, it aims to analyse the nature of the effect of internal control system on the growth of the company’s workforce on one hand, and on the other and to analyse the nature of the effect of risk mapping on changes in the company’s net profit in Cameroon. Using quantitative analysis, in particular analysis of variance and linear regression, we find that internal audit significantly influences the sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs. It is therefore recommended that SMEs, no matter their size and experience, should put in place tough internal audit functions to assure sustainable performance.

Impact of FinTech Adoption on Financial Inclusion among Small and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka: A Mediated Moderation Analysis of Digital Financial Literacy and Perceived Regulatory Support

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Despite the increasing number of available digital financial technologies, the financial inclusion of Small and Medium Enterprises has remained a problem in developing countries, including Sri Lanka. Based on this, the paper assesses various factors influencing the adoption of FinTech as per the Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Security, and Trust on the financial inclusion of SMEs in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, as well as the moderating effects from Digital Financial Literacy and Perceived Regulatory Support. The sample comprised 160 SME owners and managers who were purposively selected to ensure their prior knowledge of FinTech services. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection, while descriptive statistics, correlation, regression analysis, and PROCESS macro for mediation and moderation were performed. The results indicated that all the factors that influence FinTech adoption have a positive significant effect on SMEs financial inclusion: PEOU (β = 0.253, p < 0.01), PU (β = 0.167, p < 0.01), PS (β = 0.422, p < 0.01), and T (β = 0.167, p < 0.01). Nonetheless, DFL at 95% CI = –0.3817 to –0.0309 with an effect = –0.2097 did not have any significant moderating effect, as did PRS, β = –0.0466, p = 0.119. The study concludes that FinTech adoption is indeed a strong driver of financial inclusion, and neither the perceptions of regulatory support nor DFL significantly alter this relationship either positively or negatively. Practical implications of the findings are addressed to the FinTech providers, regulators, and managers of SMEs, since they will be capable of devising friendly and safe digital financial solutions, and further engage the less-than-fully-engaged FinTech platform users, thus pushing the needle on financial inclusion in underbanked areas forward.

Innovating Architectural Service Offerings for SMEs: A Design Thinking Approach

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 Entering a highly dynamic and competitive future, architectural services are no longer confined to designing spaces or planning buildings. Architects possess multidisciplinary skills that can extend into strategic roles—particularly in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and communities that increasingly require design-informed solutions to stay competitive in a rapidly shifting market. However, many architects are unaware of how to reposition or promote their extended capabilities beyond conventional design, often lacking insight into the market segments that would benefit most from these services. To address this gap, this study applies a Design Thinking methodology—centered on empathy to explore how architects can innovate their service offerings to better align with the needs of SMEs. By collecting qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with SME business owners in fashion and food-related sectors, the study identifies pain points, unmet visual and spatial needs, and opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, business model innovation is used to reframe the architect’s role from a traditional service provider to a strategic design consultant. Findings reveal that while SMEs seek impactful and functional spatial design, they rarely consider architects as partners in solving such challenges. This study contributes a strategic framework for repositioning architectural services as user-driven, business-enhancing solutions—opening new pathways for architects within the creative economy.

Innovative Packaging Design to Empower Local SMEs: A Case Study on Honey Pineapple Products

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Innovative packaging design plays a pivotal role in empowering local SMEs by enhancing the marketability and competitiveness of their products. This study focuses on honey pineapple products in Pemalang, Central Java, where local producers face challenges such as low product value due to unattractive packaging and limited promotional efforts. Through a workshop conducted with SMEs and local women’s farming groups (Kelompok Wanita Tani), this program provided training on designing packaging that adheres to functional, aesthetic, and ecological standards. The results demonstrate significant improvements in packaging design, which boosted product appeal and market competitiveness. This study underscores the importance of packaging innovation as a strategic tool for SME growth, with implications for local economic development and sustainability.

Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Entrepreneurial Branding: Small and Medium Enterprises in Lembang, Indonesia

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This study aims to analyze the impact of social media on entrepreneurial branding in the Lembang area, West Bandung, focusing on 10 (ten) business units that use social media platforms to build their brand image. In today’s digital era, social media plays an increasingly important role in marketing strategies, allowing entrepreneurs to increase consumer engagement and expand market reach. Through a quantitative approach, this study uses simple linear regression analysis to identify the relationship between the intensity of social media use and the strength of branding perceived by consumers. Data were collected through surveys filled out by business owners and consumers who engage with the brand on social media. The results show that the use of social media has a significant influence on entrepreneurial branding and contributes to strengthening entrepreneurial branding. Several recommendations are given to small and medium business actors in utilizing social media to strengthen their brand image.

Optimizing Instagram Management for SMEs: A Case Study of Indonesian Batik SMEs

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A multidisciplinary approach is employed to explore the effectiveness of social media marketing by collaborating with Instagram experts and analyzing qualitative data from SMEs A, SMEs B, and SMEs C. The primary objective is to measure the impact of Instagram usage on SMEs business performance, both non-financial and financial. Additionally, this research offers social media management strategy recommendations that can be directly implemented in social media management experiments by these SMESs to observe their real impact on business performance.

This research findings show significant variations in Instagram adoption among SMEs A, SMEs B, and SMES C. SMEs A and SMEs B require substantial improvements, while SMEs C shows better adoption but still needs enhancement. Increased Instagram presence, better content strategies, and maximum utilization of Instagram features can improve interaction and business performance.

This research provides insights for SMEs to develop effective digital marketing strategies through Instagram. It also offers practical suggestions for academics for long-term research and exploration of other social media platforms like TikTok to provide more comprehensive insights. It is hoped that this study will assist SMESs and academics in developing effective and applicable digital marketing strategies.

Social Media Utilizations in SMEs Context: Review Paper

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Numerous comprehensive investigations have been carried out regarding social media usage, yet the factors driving its adoption within organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), remain unclear. Specifically, internal, and external social media usage. Previous studies have predominantly concentrated on individuals or the use of social media by large corporations. As a response, the present review seeks to provide an encompassing perspective on the utilization of social media and its advantages for SMEs. It systematically combs through pertinent research articles on the integration of social media within SMEs, drawing from reputable databases like Web of Science and Scopus. This search employs specific keywords such as (“social media” OR “Facebook” OR “Twitter” OR “Instagram” OR “social networking sites” OR “External social media” OR ” Internal social media”) AND (entrepreneur* OR “SME” OR “small business” OR “small and medium”). The ensuing articles scrutinized in this review delve into the subsequent aspects: (1) the objectives driving social media employment in SMEs, (2) the publication year, (3) authors’ nationalities, (4) publishing journals, and (5) how the present research enriches the existing literature by furnishing an exhaustive assessment of viable options and pinpointing gaps in research. Consequently, this exploration offers researchers and innovators enticing prospects to cultivate new strategic implementations by extensively examining the significance of social media and its multifaceted advantages across various dimensions of SMEs.

The Internationalization of SMEs: Motives and Barriers

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This study answers questions about the motives and barriers to the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A literature review was conducted to identify relevant research findings on the motives and barriers to the internationalization of SMEs. The finding of the study is consistent with the Resource-Sector Model of SME Internationalization, that the internationalization motives of SMEs are classified into internal motives, namely increasing profits, availability of resources, creating market power, and business growth. While external motives are limited domestic market, competition, and proximity to customers and suppliers. In addition, the study shows that resource strength and owner-manager competence are the driving factors for the internationalization of SMEs. SMEs entering the international market will face internal barriers: human resources, product quality, and financial resources, and external barriers: business environment, government barriers, and socio-cultural barriers. This study contributes to providing new insights into consideration of opportunities and threats for the internationalization of SMEs.