ENHANCING VALUE AND COMPETITIVENESS IN FISHERY PRODUCTS: STRATEGIES IN BENGKALIS DISTRICT, RIAU PROVINCE, INDONESIA
The specific context of Bengkalis, Riau Province, Indonesia, necessitates a localized approach to addressing the challenges faced by the fisheries sector. This is evident in the study, which examines peatland fires in Riau, Indonesia, and their relation to land cover type, land management, and spatial management. This study adopts a quantitative research design, employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as the primary analytical technique using WarpPLS. This method is chosen for its robustness in analyzing complex variable relationships and its ability to handle small to medium sample sizes, which is typical in studies involving SMFEs. Through this approach, the study aims to provide empirical insights into the strategic development of fishery products in Bengkalis, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable and competitive fisheries management in Indonesia and beyond. This research reveals the factors influencing the added value and competitiveness of UPI UMKM businesses in Bengkalis District, Riau Province. The findings indicate that raw material availability does not significantly impact, while food safety plays a crucial role in enhancing both added value and competitiveness. Although transportation equipment does not affect added value, it significantly boosts competitiveness. Meanwhile, business feasibility contributes to added value but does not impact competitiveness. In conclusion, enhancing food safety and transportation facilities are key to advancing the added value and competitiveness of the fisheries business in Bengkalis, although the relationship between business feasibility and competitiveness requires further investigation. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the Bengkalis fishery sector for strategic development of UPI UMKM businesses.
Bengkalis, Competitiveness, Fishery Products, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), WarpPLS