The Readiness of Micro-businesses in Building Networking, Partnerships, and Collaboration through the MSME Incubator Program

Abstract

Micro-businesses face persistent resource constraints that make networking, partnerships, and collaboration essential for improving competitiveness. While prior studies have documented the benefits of collaboration for small and medium-sized enterprises, empirical evidence on collaborative readiness at the pre-collaboration stage among micro-businesses remains limited. This study examines the readiness of micro-business actors to develop networking, partnerships, and collaboration following a learning-based intervention delivered through an MSME incubation program. Using a descriptive quantitative approach with an exploratory design, data were collected through structured questionnaires and pre-test and post-test instruments to assess changes in conceptual understanding, attitudes, and collaborative intentions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and simple comparative techniques, complemented by thematic analysis of open-ended responses. The findings show a clear increase in participants’ understanding of networking, the role of collaboration as a transitional step toward partnerships, and the use of digital tools for building business networks. Improvements in collaborative attitudes and short-term action intentions were also identified. However, the translation of readiness into formal partnerships remains limited due to structural barriers, including constrained capital, operational capacity, and digital literacy. The study concludes that collaborative readiness among micro-businesses can be strengthened through learning-based interventions and constitutes a critical transitional phase toward sustainable partnerships.

Keywords: Micro-businesses; Networking; Partnership; Collaboration; Business incubation;

REFERENCES

Audretsch, D. B., Belitski, M., & Cherkas, N. (2021). Entrepreneurial ecosystems in cities: The role of institutions. PLOS ONE, 16(3), e0247609. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247609

Audretsch, D. B., Belitski, M., Eichler, G. M., & Schwarz, E. (2024). Entrepreneurial ecosystems, institutional quality, and the unexpected role of the sustainability orientation of entrepreneurs. Small Business Economics, 62(2), 503–522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00763-5

Baranova, P. (2022). Environmental capability development in a multi‐stakeholder network setting: Dynamic learning through multi‐stakeholder interactions. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(7), 3406–3420. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3091

Bataineh, M. J., Sánchez‐Sellero, P., & Ayad, F. (2024). Green is the new black: How research and development and green innovation provide businesses a competitive edge. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(2), 1004–1023. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3533

Bourlès, R., & Cozarenco, A. (2018). Entrepreneurial motivation and business performance: evidence from a French Microfinance Institution. Small Business Economics, 51(4), 943–963. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-017-9961-8

Calza, F., Parmentola, A., & Tutore, I. (2021). For green or not for green? The effect of cooperation goals and type on environmental performance. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(1), 267–281. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2620

Civera, C., Moggi, S., Chiaudano, V., & Freeman, E. R. (2025). Stakeholder Relationships in the Circular Economy. Conceptualizing Relational Approaches Through Systematic Literature Review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 34(8), 10698–10722. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70142

Farrukh, A., & Sajjad, A. (2024). Investigating sustainability tensions and resolution strategies in the plastic food packaging industry—A paradox theory approach. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(4), 2868–2889. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3637

Goodman, J., Korsunova, A., & Halme, M. (2017). Our Collaborative Future: Activities and Roles of Stakeholders in Sustainability‐Oriented Innovation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(6), 731–753. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1941

Hagqvist, E., Vinberg, S., Toivanen, S., & Landstad, B. J. (2021). A balancing act: Swedish occupational safety and health inspectors’ reflections on their bureaucratic role when supervising micro-enterprises. Small Business Economics, 57(2), 821–834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-020-00384-2

Melander, L., & Wallström, H. (2023). The benefits of green horizontal networks: Lessons learned from sharing charging infrastructure for electric freight vehicles. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(4), 1835–1846. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3222

Mishra, R., Singh, R. K., & Subramanian, N. (2023). Exploring the relationship between environmental collaboration and business performance with mediating effect of responsible consumption and production. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(4), 2136–2154. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3240

Shashi, Centobelli, P., Cerchione, R., & Ertz, M. (2020). Managing supply chain resilience to pursue business and environmental strategies. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(3), 1215–1246. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2428

Singh, A., Dwivedi, A., Agrawal, D., & Chauhan, A. (2024). A framework to model the performance indicators of resilient construction supply chain: An effort toward attaining sustainability and circular practices. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(3), 1688–1720. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3563

Tseng, M., Ha, H. M., Tran, T. P. T., Bui, T., Chen, C., & Lin, C. (2022). Building a data‐driven circular supply chain hierarchical structure: Resource recovery implementation drives circular business strategy. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(5), 2082–2106. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3009