The Effect of Business Mentoring, Digital Capability, and Quality Management Capacity on MSMEs’ Export Performance: The Mediating Role of Export Readiness

Authors

  • Intan Maria Lewiayu Vierke Politeknik APP Jakarta
  • Muhammad Aqib Shafiq Ghazi University, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21512/tw.v27i1.15034

Keywords:

MSMEs, business mentoring, digital capability, quality management capacity, export readiness, export performance

Abstract

This research examined the effects of business mentoring, digital capability, and quality management capacity on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises’ (MSMEs) export performance, with export readiness serving as a mediating variable. The research was conducted among MSMEs in DKI Jakarta. Using a quantitative explanatory design and Structural Equation Modeling - Partial Least Squares (SEM–PLS) analysis, data were collected from 100 export-oriented MSMEs through an online questionnaire. The results indicate that business mentoring, digital capability, and quality management capacity significantly enhance export readiness, and export readiness significantly improves export performance. However, export readiness does not significantly mediate the relationship between these three internal capabilities and export performance. The novelty of this research lies in its integration of business mentoring, digital capability, and quality management capacity within a single conceptual framework grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), and Export Readiness Theory (ERT), while empirically testing the mediating mechanism of export readiness in a metropolitan MSMEs context. The findings highlight that strengthening internal capabilities is essential to building export readiness. However, additional external factors are required to translate that readiness into measurable export performance.

Dimensions

References

Añón Higón, D., & Bonvin, D. (2024). Digitalization and trade participation of SMEs. Small Business Economics, 62(3), 857–877. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00799-7

Ayudiana, S. (2025, June 13). Apindo: Hanya 4 persen UMKM Indonesia terhubung rantai pasok global. Antara. https://www.antaranews.com/berita/4898437/apindo-hanya-4-persen-umkm-indonesia-terhubung-rantai-pasok-global

Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108

Bertrand, O., Betschinger, M.-A., & Brea-Solís, H. (2022). Export barriers for SMEs in emerging countries: A configurational approach. Journal of Business Research, 149, 412–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.05.045

BPS Batang. (2024, August 12). Selamat hari UMKM Nasional. Badan Pusat Statistik Kabupaten Batang. https://batangkab.bps.go.id/id/news/2024/08/12/336/selamat-hari-umkm-nasional.html

Calheiros-Lobo, N., Vasconcelos Ferreira, J., & Au-Yong-Oliveira, M. (2023). SME internationalization and export performance: A systematic review with bibliometric analysis. Sustainability, 15(11), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118473

Chou, S.-C., Kuo, Y.-H., & Cheng, Y.-H. (2024). The value of international standards certification: Evidence on export and firm performance from a security enforcement on borders. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 98, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qref.2024.101926

Denicolai, S., Zucchella, A., & Magnani, G. (2021). Internationalization, digitalization, and sustainability: Are SMEs ready? A survey on synergies and substituting effects among growth paths. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 166, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120650

Febriani, F., & Nasution, E. Y. (2025). Analysis of technology adoption, digital market access, and product innovation on SMEs competitiveness in the era of digital transformation. Jurnal AKMAMI (Akutansi, Manajemen, Ekonomi), 6(1), 58–67.

Ferdiansyah, V., & Nasution, A. I. L.. (2025). Strategi UMKM dalam menghasilkan produk ekspor melalui peran Dinas Perindustrian, Perdagangan, Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral. EKOMA: Jurnal Ekonomi, Manajemen, Akuntansi, 4(2), 3755–3762. https://doi.org/10.56799/ekoma.v4i2.6954

Ferreras-Méndez, J. L., Fernández-Mesa, A., & Alegre, J. (2019). Export performance in SMEs: The importance of external knowledge search strategies and absorptive capacity. Management International Review, 59, 413–437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-019-00379-6

Gerschewski, S., Scott‐Kennel, J., & Rose, E. L. (2020). Ready to export? The role of export readiness for superior export performance of small and medium‐sized enterprises. The World Economy, 43(5), 1253–1276. https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.12928

Gkypali, A., Love, J. H., & Roper, S. (2021). Export status and SME productivity: Learning-to-export versus learning-by-exporting. Journal of Business Research, 128, 486–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.02.026

Goldooz, A., & Zakery, A. (2024). Assessing the impact of digitalisation on the export performance of Iranian SMEs: The mediating role of export readiness. International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 14(1), 86–106. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJGSB.2024.138681

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Using R (3rd Ed.). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7

Heriqbaldi, U., Esquivias, M. A., Lau, W., & Cesilia, A. F. (2025). Export promotion programs and firm performance: Linking knowledge, commitment, and market strategy to enhance competitiveness. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100479

Imran, M., Abdul Hamid, S. N., & Aziz, A. (2018). The influence of TQM on export performance of SMEs: Empirical evidence from manufacturing sector in Pakistan using PLS-SEM. Management Science Letters, 8(3), 483–496. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2018.3.003

Melese, E. (2024). Export performance research over five decades: A bibliometric analysis. MANTHAN: Journal of Commerce and Management, 11(2), 100–122. https://doi.org/10.17492/jpi.manthan.v11i2.1122406

Nurhaliza, S. (2023, December 30). Upaya pemerintah tingkatkan produk dalam negeri lewat UMKM Jakarta. Antara. https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3893640/upaya-pemerintah-tingkatkan-produk-dalam-negeri-lewat-umkm-jakarta

Oh, S., & Hwang, S. (2025). How does digital capability translate into export performance?: The critical mediating role of GVC upgrading. Asia and the Global Economy, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aglobe.2025.100116

Pacheco, L., Lobo, C., & Maldonado, I. (2022). Do ISO certifications enhance internationalization? The case of portuguese industrial SMEs. Sustainability, 14(3), 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031335

Parast, M. M., & Safari, A. (2022). Enhancing the quality and competitiveness of small businesses: A pooled cross-sectional analysis. International Journal of Production Economics, 246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2022.108410

Ribau, C. P., Moreira, A. C., & Raposo, M. (2017). SMEs innovation capabilities and export performance: An entrepreneurial orientation view. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 18(5), 920–934. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2017.1352534

Robbani, M. B., Muzdalifah, L., Larassaty, A. L., & Sholikhah, A. (2025). The influence of digital literacy, self-efficacy, and social environment on the intention to become an entrepreneur among gen-z in coastal areas. Journal of Educational Management Research, 4(2), 424–440. https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v4i2.934

Robiyatuladawiyah, A. F., & Rajiyem. (2023). Kesiapan Pelaku Usaha Kecil dan Menengah (UKM) Dalam Menghadapi Program UMKM Go Digital Shopee Ekspor (Studi Kasus Pada Pengrajin Kerajinan Tangan di Kabupaten Bandung Barat Tahun 2021) [Master Thesis, Universitas Gadjah Mada].

Sadeghi, A., Aliasghar, O., & Bouguerra, A. (2023). Unpacking the relationship between post-entry speed of internationalization and export performance of SMEs: A capability-building perspective. Journal of International Management, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2022.100982

Safari, A., & Saleh, A. S. (2020). Key determinants of SMEs’ export performance: a resource-based view and contingency theory approach using potential mediators. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 35(4), 635–654. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-11-2018-0324

Singh, V. K., Keshari, A., Singh, D., Singh, P. C., & Gautam, A. (2024). Green export strategies and SMEs export performance: Mediating roles of innovation, readiness, and activities. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-024-00451-y

Teece, D. J. (2018). Business models and dynamic capabilities. Long Range Planning, 51(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2017.06.007

Vardarsuyu, M., Spyropoulou, S., Menguc, B., & Katsikeas, C. S. (2024). Managers’ process thinking skills, dynamic capabilities and performance in export ventures. International Marketing Review, 41(1), 302–332. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMR-10-2022-0224

Wijatmoko, S. (2023). Statistik sektoral DKI Jakarta Tahun 2023: Volume 5 Tahun 2023. Bidang Data dan Statistik Dinas Komunikasi, Informatika dan Statistik Provinsi DKI Jakarta.

Zhang, C., Bai, T., Zhou, A. J., & Zhou, S. S. (2025). Digital platforms, internal digitalization, and internationalization of SMES. Long Range Planning, 58(6), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2025.102588

Downloads

Published

2026-04-21

How to Cite

Vierke, I. M. L., & Shafiq, M. A. (2026). The Effect of Business Mentoring, Digital Capability, and Quality Management Capacity on MSMEs’ Export Performance: The Mediating Role of Export Readiness. Journal The Winners, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.21512/tw.v27i1.15034

Issue

Section

Digital Transformation from Strategic Perspective in Developing Countries
Abstract 340  .
PDF downloaded 0  .

Similar Articles

<< < 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.