Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research

From Cash to Clicks: A Systematic Review on the Role of Digital Payment Systems in Enhancing MSMEs' Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion

2025-11-21T08:06:11+00:00

The rapid shift from cash-based transactions to digital payment systems has transformed the operational practices of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in emerging economies such as Indonesia. Despite increasing adoption of digital payment platforms, empirical evidence on their effectiveness in enhancing MSME competitiveness and financial inclusion remains dispersed and inconclusive. The research employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach encompassing the stages of planning, conducting, and reporting the review. Literature searches were conducted across four major academic databases Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and DOAJ to identify peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2024. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis to extract key themes related to digital payment adoption drivers, barriers, and impacts on MSME performance. The results demonstrate that digital payment adoption—particularly QRIS, e-wallets, and mobile banking—enhances MSME competitiveness by improving transaction efficiency, expanding market reach, and strengthening financial record management. In addition, digital payment usage supports financial inclusion by creating transaction histories that facilitate access to formal financial services, credit evaluation, and financing opportunities. The findings imply that the effectiveness of digital payments depends not only on technological availability but also on supportive policies, digital and financial literacy programs, and inclusive digital infrastructure. This study contributes to the literature by providing a structured and PRISMA-based synthesis of existing evidence, clarifying the conceptual link between digital payments, MSME competitiveness, and financial inclusion, while identifying critical gaps for future empirical research.

Exploring The Impact of Green Knowledge and Packaging on Consumer Purchase Intentions

2026-03-23T17:16:17+00:00

Growing environmental concerns have increased attention to sustainable consumption, yet inconsistencies remain in how cognitive and tangible factors shape consumer purchase intentions. This study aims to examine the effects of green knowledge and green packaging on consumer purchase intention among Millennials and Generation Z in Solo. This research employs a quantitative, cross-sectional design to examine relationships among variables at a single point in time. Data were collected from 155 respondents via structured questionnaires and analysed using multiple linear regression in SPSS. The results indicate that green packaging has a positive and significant effect on purchase intention, reflecting the importance of tangible product attributes in shaping consumer decisions. In contrast, green knowledge shows no significant effect, suggesting that cognitive awareness alone does not necessarily translate into purchasing intention. These findings imply that companies should prioritise the development of environmentally friendly packaging as a strategic tool to enhance consumer interest and trust. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the gap between knowledge and behaviour and by emphasising the stronger role of visible product attributes in influencing sustainable consumption decisions.

The Role of the Lynk Platform in Increasing the Competitiveness and Growth of Digital Design Business Actors in the Creative Economy Sector in Indonesia

2026-01-07T19:19:46+00:00

The rapid growth of the creative economy sector in Indonesia has encouraged digital design business actors to adopt digital platforms as a strategy to improve competitiveness and business growth. This study aims to analyze the role of the Lynk.id platform in supporting the competitiveness and growth of digital design entrepreneurs in Indonesia’s creative economy sector. The research employs a qualitative approach using a phenomenological study method to explore the experiences and perceptions of digital design business actors who actively use Lynk.id. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and digital documentation involving two digital design entrepreneurs as research participants. The data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive analysis technique, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings show that Lynk.id plays a significant role in helping business actors manage digital portfolios, strengthen professional branding, expand market reach, and improve operational efficiency through integrated digital features. The monetization system, digital store, affiliate features, and online payment integration also contribute to increasing income opportunities and simplifying business transactions. The participants reported positive impacts on business growth, particularly in attracting new clients, improving professionalism, and facilitating communication with potential customers. The study concludes that Lynk.id functions not only as a promotional platform but also as a strategic digital ecosystem that supports the sustainability and competitiveness of digital design businesses in the digital economy era. These findings indicate that local digital platforms can become effective tools for strengthening Indonesia’s creative economy sector through technology-based business development.

Islamic Ethical Values Driving Sustainable Entrepreneurial Behavior in Small and Medium Enterprises

2026-02-07T09:53:48+00:00

This study investigates the role of Islamic ethical values in driving sustainable entrepreneurial behavior in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Using a Systematic Literature Review approach, the research synthesizes interdisciplinary findings on Islamic business ethics, sustainability, and SME practices to identify conceptual patterns linking faith-based values with responsible entrepreneurship. The review reveals that principles such as justice, trustworthiness, social welfare, and environmental stewardship shape entrepreneurial decision-making beyond short-term profit orientation. These values encourage SMEs to adopt socially responsible practices, strengthen community engagement, and integrate environmentally conscious operations into their business models. The findings also indicate that Islamic ethical frameworks contribute to organizational resilience and long-term orientation by aligning moral commitments with strategic business sustainability. Theoretically, the study advances the ethics-based entrepreneurship literature by integrating faith-based moral reasoning into sustainability discourse and extending conventional models of ethical entrepreneurship to include spiritual and socio-cultural dimensions. Practically, the results highlight the importance of ethical leadership, institutional support, and value-driven governance structures in enabling SMEs to implement sustainable practices effectively. Overall, the study demonstrates that Islamic ethical values provide a coherent normative and practical foundation for fostering balanced economic performance, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability within SME contexts.