Product Differentiation Strategies in Indonesian Green MSMEs: An Integrated Marketing Mix Analysis

Authors

  • Nukeu Novia Andriani Hurriyati
  • Ratih Hurriyati Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
  • Puspo Dirgantari Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
  • Vanessa Gaffar Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61194/ijjm.v7i2.2007

Keywords:

product differentiation, green msmes, sustainable entrepreneurship, indonesia, triple bottom line

Abstract

This study investigates product differentiation strategies employed by Indonesian green Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through qualitative descriptive methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with founder-owners of five green MSMEs in fashion and handicraft sectors across Java, analyzed using thematic coding (Braun & Clarke, 2006), SWOT-IFE/EFE evaluation, and QSPM prioritization. Findings revealed that effective differentiation requires holistic integration across Marketing Mix elements, characterized by three core dimensions: universal natural and upcycled material sourcing (100% adoption), premium pricing with 2 to 5 times markups, and export-oriented positioning with 70 to 90 percent international revenue. Strategic analysis positioned enterprises in the "Hold and Maintain" quadrant (IFE = 2.63; EFE = 2.55), suggesting selective growth. The study identifies three structural paradoxes constraining development: certification barriers, premium pricing traps excluding mass markets, and digital hesitancy limiting e-commerce engagement. Strategic priorities include Green Export Acceleration (TAS 2.60), National Standard Harmonization with Subsidized Certification (TAS 2.54), and Tiered Product Development (TAS 2.52). These findings extend differentiation theory (Porter, 1985; Barney, 1991) by demonstrating that resource constraints fundamentally alter differentiation mechanisms for green enterprises in emerging economies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

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

Belz, F. M., & Peattie, K. (2012). Sustainability marketing: A global perspective (2nd ed.). Wiley.

Booms, B. H., & Bitner, M. J. (1980). Marketing strategies and organization structures for service firms. Marketing of Services, 25(3), 47-52.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2019). Digital marketing: Strategy, implementation and practice (7th ed.). Pearson Education.

Chen, Y. S., & Chang, C. H. (2013). Greenwash and green trust: The mediation effects of green consumer confusion and green perceived risk. Journal of Business Ethics, 114(3), 489-500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1360-0

Cheng, C. C., Yang, C. L., & Sheu, C. (2024). Pricing strategies for green products: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 389, 136084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136084

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Dangelico, R. M., & Vocalelli, D. (2017). Green marketing: An analysis of definitions, strategy steps, and tools through a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Cleaner Production, 165, 1263-1279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.184

David, F. R., & David, F. R. (2017). Strategic management: A competitive advantage approach, concepts and cases (16th ed.). Pearson Education.

Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532-550. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4308385

Elkington, J. (1994). Towards the sustainable corporation: Win-win-win business strategies for sustainable development. California Management Review, 36(2), 90-100. https://doi.org/10.2307/41165746

Fauchart, E., & Gruber, M. (2011). Darwinians, communitarians, and missionaries: The role of founder identity in entrepreneurship. Academy of Management Journal, 54(5), 935-957. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2009.0211

Geissdoerfer, M., Vladimirova, D., & Evans, S. (2018). Sustainable business model innovation: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 401-416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.240

Hart, S. L. (1995). A natural-resource-based view of the firm. Academy of Management Review, 20(4), 986-1014. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMR.1995.9512280033

Hockerts, K., & Wustenhagen, R. (2010). Greening Goliaths versus emerging Davids: Theorizing about the role of incumbents and new entrants in sustainable entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Venturing, 25(5), 481-492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2009.07.005

Holt, D., & Anthony, S. (2012). How green is your business? An evaluation of corporate environmental engagement strategies. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 55(4), 441-462. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2011.608006

Jaiswal, D., Singh, B., & Kant, R. (2020). Green consumer segmentation: A systematic review. Management of Environmental Quality, 31(5), 1079-1094. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-11-2019-0254

Ji, X., Zhou, Y., & Lan, J. (2024). Can green innovation promote the financial performance of SMEs? Empirical evidence from China. Sustainability, 16(2), 721. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020721

Klewitz, J., & Hansen, E. G. (2014). Sustainability-oriented innovation of SMEs: A systematic review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 65, 57-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.07.017

Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs. (2024). Data UMKM Indonesia 2024. Republic of Indonesia.

Mirzaa, N., Umar, M., Afzal, A., & Ikram, M. (2022). The impact of green lending on banking performance: Evidence from SME credit portfolios in the BRIC. Economic Analysis and Policy, 77, 843-850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2022.12.024

MyHIJAU. (2024). Malaysia green certification programme. MyHIJAU Malaysia. https://www.myhijau.my

Narayanan, S. (2022). Green banking and financial inclusion: Evidence from India's priority sector lending. Journal of Sustainable Finance and Investment, 12(3), 678-695. https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2021.1912833

Ottman, J. A. (2011). The new rules of green marketing: Strategies, tools, and inspiration for sustainable branding. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press.

Rahman, M. M., Rana, M. S., & Barua, S. (2023). The impact of green refinancing on SME sustainability: Evidence from Bangladesh. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(4), 2156-2171. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3234

Rodrigues, M., & Franco, M. (2023). Green implementation on SMEs: Barriers and benefits. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(1), 714-731. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3167

Rodriguez-Gutierrez, P., Guerrero-Villegas, J., & Ortiz-de-Mandojana, N. (2020). Green entrepreneurship in developing countries: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, 12(23), 10158. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310158

Schaltegger, S., Hansen, E. G., & Ludeke-Freund, F. (2016). Business models for sustainability: Origins, present research, and future avenues. Organization and Environment, 29(1), 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615599806

Taufique, K. M. R., Vocino, A., & Polonsky, M. J. (2022). The influence of eco-label knowledge and trust on pro-environmental consumer behaviour in an emerging market. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 30(7), 580-602. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2017.1318946

Yadav, R., & Pathak, G. S. (2016). Young consumers' intention towards buying green products in a developing nation: Extending the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 732-739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.120

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-27

How to Cite

Andriani, N. N., Hurriyati, R., Dirgantari, P., & Gaffar, V. (2026). Product Differentiation Strategies in Indonesian Green MSMEs: An Integrated Marketing Mix Analysis. Ilomata International Journal of Management, 7(2), 566–573. https://doi.org/10.61194/ijjm.v7i2.2007

Issue

Section

Articles