Challenges and Opportunities for MSMEs in Accessing the Global Market: Qualitative Analysis through In-Depth Inter-views with Export-Oriented MSME Entrepreneurs

Endayani ; Fatmasari ; Sudarmiatin Sudarmiatin ; Heri Pratikto
International Journal of Economics, Management and... 📅 2026 Vol 3, No 1 🔗 DOI: 10.61132/ijema.v3i1.1145
Abstract
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in Indonesia's economy with a contribution of more than 60 percent to the Gross Domestic Product and the absorption of 97 percent of the national workforce, but their participation in international trade is still low with only 14 percent involved in export activities. This research aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities faced by MSMEs in accessing the global market and identify adaptation strategies developed by entrepreneurs. A qualitative method with a phenomenological approach was applied through in-depth interviews with 18 export-oriented MSME owners and managers in East Java who were selected by purposive sampling. Thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti revealed seven main challenges including limited access to capital, complexity of export regulations, constraints on production capacity and quality consistency, language and cross-cultural communication barriers, lack of international market information, logistics infrastructure problems, and intensive competition. On the other hand, four strategic opportunities were identified, namely increasing demand for sustainable authentic products, accelerating digitalization and e-commerce, utilizing free trade agreements, and ethical consumerism trends. MSMEs develop effective adaptation strategies in the form of strategic collaboration, product differentiation with  premium positioning, the use of digital technology, and a focus on  specific market niches. The research emphasizes that the successful internationalization of MSMEs requires a holistic approach integrating internal capacity building with the support of a conducive external ecosystem.
Keywords
Adaptation Strategies; Export Challenges; Global Markets; Internationalization; MSMEs
How to Cite

Endayani, et al. (2026). Challenges and Opportunities for MSMEs in Accessing the Global Market: Qualitative Analysis through In-Depth Inter-views with Export-Oriented MSME Entrepreneurs. International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.61132/ijema.v3i1.1145

Endayani, Fatmasari; Sudarmiatin Sudarmiatin; Heri Pratikto, "Challenges and Opportunities for MSMEs in Accessing the Global Market: Qualitative Analysis through In-Depth Inter-views with Export-Oriented MSME Entrepreneurs," International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026.

Endayani, Fatmasari; Sudarmiatin Sudarmiatin; Heri Pratikto. "Challenges and Opportunities for MSMEs in Accessing the Global Market: Qualitative Analysis through In-Depth Inter-views with Export-Oriented MSME Entrepreneurs." International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026.

Endayani, Fatmasari; Sudarmiatin Sudarmiatin; Heri Pratikto. "Challenges and Opportunities for MSMEs in Accessing the Global Market: Qualitative Analysis through In-Depth Inter-views with Export-Oriented MSME Entrepreneurs." International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting 3, no. 1 (2026).

Endayani, et al. (2026) 'Challenges and Opportunities for MSMEs in Accessing the Global Market: Qualitative Analysis through In-Depth Inter-views with Export-Oriented MSME Entrepreneurs', International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting, 3(1). doi: 10.61132/ijema.v3i1.1145.

Endayani, Fatmasari; Sudarmiatin Sudarmiatin; Heri Pratikto. Challenges and Opportunities for MSMEs in Accessing the Global Market: Qualitative Analysis through In-Depth Inter-views with Export-Oriented MSME Entrepreneurs. International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting. 2026;3(1).

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