Examining the Role of Digital Transformation as Business Resilience Due to the Pandemic, Lecturer in Animal Science Socio-Economy Earns a Doctoral Degree

Lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB), Jaisy Aghniarahim Putritamara, S.Pt.,M.P. received a doctoral degree, after conducting an open dissertation examination, Thursday (15/6/2023). Located in the senate meeting room on the 6th floor of building V, he discussed his research entitled “Digital Transformation Exploration of Business Resilience in Facing the Impact of a Pandemic; Perspective of Dynamic Capability Based on Size and Form of Business Institutions in the Honey MSME Case in East Java.”

According to him, the cases of the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in 2020 – 2022 have threatened the existence of businesses in various countries, both on a large, medium and small scale. This happened due to the fragility of the supply chain due to the lockdown policy so that producer sales decreased. On the other hand, ordinary people also have difficulty accessing food products. Even though an important aspect of business continuity is the smooth supply chain of goods. This condition threatens businesses that are vulnerable to bankruptcy.

“Therefore we need a solution that encourages business people so that more resilient (ability to overcome, go through, and return to its original state).” said Jaisy

“According to previous research has informed us that to achieve resilience in business digital transformation is needed as a mediator.” she continued

The beekeeping business is the sector most vulnerable to being affected by COVID-19. In fact, beekeeping helps improve food security and makes a positive contribution to income in Indonesia, so that the government and society are very concerned about the dynamics of the beekeeping business. Indonesia is considered a net importer of honey (most in Asia). However, even though this product tends to increase during the pandemic, it is not matched by availability and restriction policies disrupting product distribution activities.

This research will examine the role of dynamic capabilities in digital transformation, digital transformation in resilience, dynamic capabilities in resilience, and the role of digital transformation in mediating dynamic capabilities in resilience.

The research was conducted on honey SMEs in East Java using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach. The results showed Dynamic capabilities at all sizes and forms of business (micro-family business entrepreneurs, small-family business entrepreneurs, small-non-family business entrepreneurs, medium-sized entrepreneurs-family businesses) in honey SMEs have a positive effect on digital transformation.

Meanwhile, digital transformation for small and medium entrepreneurs in family businesses has a positive effect on resilience the honey MSME business, while in the case of micro-family business and small-non-family business, digital transformation has no effect on business resilience. Then the dynamic capabilities of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs for business families has a positive effect on the resilience of the honey MSME business, but in the case of small businesses-not family businesses dynamic capabilities do not affect resilience.

Jaisy is a lecturer who teaches at the Department of Animal Science Socio-Economics and performs study assignments at the Doctoral Program in Animal Science Faculty of Animal Husbandry UB class of 2020. Prof. Budi Hartono (Fapet UB), Hery Toiba, Ph.D. (UB Faculty of Agriculture), and Prof. Hamidah Nayati Utami, M.Sc (Faculty of Administrative Sciences UB). (dta)