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The café industry has become increasingly competitive, including in the Arcamanik District of Bandung City. This study seeks to investigate the extent to which marketing intelligence capabilities influence the competitiveness of café MSMEs in the region. A descriptive and verificative research approach was employed, utilizing linear regression analysis with the assistance of SPSS version 20 software. The study population consisted of 43 café MSME entrepreneurs, selected through a saturated sampling technique, thereby including all members of the population. Data were collected through field studies—comprising questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations—as well as literature reviews to strengthenthe theoretical framework. The results demonstrate that marketing intelligence capabilities have a significant effect on competitiveness. This finding highlights the critical role of marketing intelligence in enabling café MSMEs to sustain their operations and enhance their competitive advantage. Strengthening marketing intelligence can serve as an effective strategic approach for café MSMEs to ensure business sustainability and improve competitiveness. The study suggests that future research may incorporate moderating variables such as digitalization or service quality to further explore the dynamics between marketing intelligence and competitiveness.

Digitalization has been a key catalyst for change in the global business landscape, driving the transformation of companies' strategies, organizational structures, and operational models. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), digital technology opens up great opportunities to expand market reach and compete in the international arena more effectively. Technologies such as e-commerce, social media, big data analytics, and cloud-based platforms enable SMEs to break through geographical boundaries, facilitate access to global customers, and accelerate product distribution and marketing processes. This paper explores the current academic literature that discusses the influence of digital technology on the internationalization of SMEs. A total of five relevant studies were analyzed to identify common patterns, challenges, and successful strategies in the use of digital technology. The results of the study show that the adoption of digitalization not only improves operational cost efficiency, but also encourages business model innovation, such as digital platform-based marketing, cross-border virtual collaboration, and the development of a more adaptive global business ecosystem. In addition, the ability to utilize digital technology gives SMEs a competitive advantage through access to real-time market information, personalization of offers, and more targeted branding strategies. However, the research also found obstacles, such as limited human resources, technological infrastructure, and digital literacy among SMEs. Therefore, synergy is needed between business actors, the government, and academia to support the acceleration of digital technology adoption through training, mentoring, and policies that support innovation. The paper also highlights future research opportunities, such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, automation, and blockchain in supporting the global expansion of SMEs. These findings are expected to be a strategic reference in designing sustainable internationalization policies in the digital era.

Reducing product quality is one of the main challenges in the Tofu processing industry, especially in the Sumedang Bumi Armasta Tofu business which is small to medium-scale. The processing, which still maintains the traditional method without the help of technology, has been carried out for many years, but the processing that is still traditional has turned out to cause a dependence on expert employees which if not present will have a direct impact on the quality and quality of the Tofu products produced and the skills of new employees are not optimal in replacing the role of expert employees if they are unable to attend. This study aims to analyze employee development strategies in improving the quality of tofu products using the Fishbone (cause-and-effect) approach. The research method used is qualitative descriptive with data collection techniques through observation and interviews. The results of the analysis show that Human factors (HR) are the main cause of the decline in the quality and quality of Tofu products in Sumedang Tofu SMEs which can be seen from changes in texture, aroma, appearance, and size that are not suitable. Therefore, employee development strategies need to be carried out such as job training, assistance for new employees, and standardization of SOPs that are considered effective in improving the quality of Tofu products to remain consistent.

This study aims to examine the implementation of competency-based human resource management (HR) in improving employee professionalism at Devos Jok, an SME engaged in the automotive interior manufacturing sector. A descriptive qualitative approach is used to explore in depth the HR practices carried out, the challenges faced, and the impact on employee work quality. The results of the study indicate that the transformation of the HR system from an administrative pattern to a competency-based one has made a significant contribution to improving individual and organizational performance. The strategies implemented include competency-based recruitment, ongoing training, flexible payroll systems, and adaptation to digital platforms. However, challenges remain, especially in overcoming resistance to change and limited training resources. This study provides theoretical and practical contributions to the development of a competency-based SME HR system in the context of today's creative and digital industries.

The coffee shop industry in Indonesia is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the cultural tradition of coffee consumption and the transformation of digital-based businesses. Kakaku Coffee, founded by Fitra Alhady in 2020 in East Jakarta, is a successful example of a coffee shop that combines high-quality coffee with an authentic Japanese cultural concept. Despite achieving initial success, Kakaku Coffee faces challenges such as long service times and limited parking space. This study aims to formulate a comprehensive development strategy for Kakaku Coffee using SWOT analysis. By identifying the internal and external factors affecting Kakaku Coffee's performance, this study provides practical and applicable recommendations. The method used is descriptive qualitative research with purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The analysis results show five strengths, five weaknesses, four opportunities, and three threats faced by Kakaku Coffee, along with applicable TOWS strategies. This research is expected to serve as a reference for other SMEs looking to adopt similar strategies in a competitive industry.    

This research aims to investigate the multifaceted components influencing the competitive edge of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The research model integrates financial knowledge, AI integration, human capital, and digital marketing to explore their collective impact on SME competitiveness. Through purposive sampling, SMEs across diverse sectors will be selected for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data analysis will employ thematic analysis techniques to derive rich insights from qualitative data. The study anticipates uncovering nuanced relationships between the aforementioned variables and SME competitiveness. Findings will contribute to enhancing understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping SME competitiveness and inform strategic interventions to bolster their competitive edge in the market landscape.