Dr. Ardaneswari Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi STP MP when presenting her dissertation in the Open Doctoral Promotion Session of the Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering, ITS

ITS Campus, ITS News — A doctoral graduate of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) conducted research on a framework to improve the performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the creative industry subsector. Through her research, Dr. Ardaneswari Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi STP MP offers a measurable roadmap so that MSMEs can work smarter, more comfortably, and more creatively.

The woman, familiarly known as Arda, stated that her research aimed to find the most effective ways to improve the creative performance of MSMEs. Several surveys have shown that ergonomics, workforce sustainability, and readiness for digital transformation contribute to improving MSME creative performance. Practically, these findings can improve product or service quality through digitalization, streamlining workflows, and maintaining team capacity.

Highlighting the difficulties faced by MSMEs in improving their creative performance, Arda developed and validated an integrated model through a sequential mixed methods approach . These included a quantitative survey using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), expert consensus using the Delphi Method , and a qualitative survey to contextualize the framework . “The practical implementation is to follow the priorities of the Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA) and Delphi recommendations, such as strengthening feedback and improving team well-being,” he explained.

In addition to the combination of PLS-SEM and IPMA, Arda offers the benefits of his research at several levels. In MSMEs, the impact of this creative framework can reduce production errors, speed up processing times, and reduce wasted materials. For workers, an ergonomic work environment and humane working hours can reduce fatigue and injuries, improve skills through training, and clarify roles and development paths.

Dr. Ardaneswari Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi STP MP (carrying a bouquet of flowers) with the examiner and promoter lecturers at the Ergonomics and Work System Design Laboratory

At the regional level, more creative and efficient MSMEs can boost local labor absorption, strengthen supply chains, and foster new entrepreneurial ecosystems. Furthermore, this Madiun native also projects the implementation of the framework for relevant partners. “This research can be directly used by supporting agencies for targeted training and microfinance programs,” explained the doctor, who has been involved in MSME research since 2012.

Together with Professor Dr. Ir. Sri Gunani Partiwi, MT, as the promoter of the Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering at ITS, and Ratna Sari Dewi, ST, MT, PhD, a lecturer at the Ergonomics and Work System Design Laboratory at DTSI ITS, as the co-promoter , the 35-year-old woman not only demonstrated the usefulness of her systematic innovation but also her extraordinary achievements during her studies.

During her studies, Arda successfully published several prestigious scientific papers. Two of them are indexed by Scopus, each in proceedings and an international journal. This demonstrates that women who have been focusing on MSME issues since her thesis research continue to develop new innovations in the industrial sector. “Meanwhile, I’ve only been focusing on MSMEs in the creative industry subsector for the past four years,” she said.

Along with his dissertation, Arda hopes that the innovation he proposes can serve as a practical framework for implementation in MSMEs in the creative industry subsector. Academically, Arda hopes this framework can stimulate replication studies and intervention trials.

This innovation demonstrates ITS’s commitment to facilitating student development. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 4 on Quality Education. Furthermore, Arda’s research also supports SDG point 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Ahmad Husein Al Qomary
Translator : Devinka Mutianeira