AHRMR

Article Details

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): June

Human Resource Management in Realizing Blue Ocean Strategy: A Case Study of Global-Oriented MSMEs

https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v6i2.3951

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine how Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM), HR Innovation and Creativity, and Global Orientation influence the implementation of the Blue Ocean Strategy among globally oriented MSMEs in Indonesia.

Research Methodology: This study used a quantitative approach with an explanatory design. Data were collected through a survey of 154 MSME actors selected using purposive sampling. The analysis employed Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) using SmartPLS 4.0 software.

Results: The findings revealed that Strategic Human Resource Management and Global Orientation significantly and positively affect Blue Ocean Strategy implementation. Meanwhile, HR Innovation and Creativity show a non-significant result, indicating that individual creativity alone cannot drive strategic outcomes without organizational support.

Conclusions: Strategic HR practices and a global mindset are key factors for MSMEs to create new market opportunities and support innovative value.

Limitations: The study is limited by the sample size and focus on globally oriented MSMEs, which may restrict generalization to other contexts and countries.

Contributions: This study contributes to the strategic management and human resource literature in emerging economies and provides practical insights for MSME owners and policymakers to strengthen competitiveness through strategic HR investment.

Keywords

Blue Ocean Strategy Global Orientation Innovation and Creativity MSMEs Strategic HR Management

How to Cite

Suwarno, S., & Aprianto, R. (2026). Human Resource Management in Realizing Blue Ocean Strategy: A Case Study of Global-Oriented MSMEs. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 6(2), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v6i2.3951

References

  1. Albrecht, S. L., Bakker, A. B., Gruman, J. A., Macey, W. H., & Saks, A. M. (2015). Employee engagement, human resource management practices and competitive advantage: An integrated approach. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 2(1), 7-35. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-08-2014-0042
  2. Alon, I., Anderson, J., Munim, Z. H., & Ho, A. (2018). A review of the internationalization of Chinese enterprises. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 35(3), 573-605. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-018-9597-5
  3. Amin, M., Ismail, W. K. W., Rasid, S. Z. A., & Seleman, R. D. A. (2014). The impact of human resource management practices on performance: Evidence from a Public University. The TQM Journal, 26(2), 125-142. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-10-2011-0062
  4. Cavusgil, S. T., & Knight, G. (2015). The born global firm: An entrepreneurial and capabilities perspective on early and rapid internationalization. Journal of International Business Studies, 46(1), 3-16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2014.62
  5. Chesbrough, H., & Bogers, M. (2014). Explicating open innovation: Clarifying an emerging paradigm for understanding innovation. New Frontiers in Open Innovation, 3-28. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199682461.003.0001
  6. Dang, L. H., Vuong, B. N., & Huan, D. D. (2025). How human resource management practices promote job performance through innovative work behavior: does innovative climate matter?. Cogent Psychology, 12(1), 1-15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2025.2498245
  7. Donate, M. J., & Pablo, J. D. S. d. (2015). The role of knowledge-oriented leadership in knowledge management practices and innovation. Journal of Business Research, 68(2), 360-370. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.06.022
  8. Eromafuru, G. E. (2025). Blue ocean strategy, firms’s core competence, and the micro, small, and medium enterprises’ obsession for industry competitiveness. Future Business Journal, 11(1), 1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00683-8
  9. Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1-4. doi:https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
  10. Fadli, F., Husainah, N., & Maswanto, M. (2025). Big five personality traits and executive meta-competencies: implications for strategic decision making. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 5(4), 93-105. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i4.3333
  11. González-Mohíno, M., Donate, M. J., Guadamillas, F., & Cabeza-Ramírez, L. J. (2024). Knowledge-oriented leadership for improved coordination as a solution to relationship conflict: effects on innovation capabilities. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 22(4), 388-403. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2024.2306338
  12. Hair, Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
  13. Hamsal, H., Nurman, N., Hamzah, Z., Arif, M., & Sukri, A. (2025). Work environment as mediator between workload and health worker performance. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 5(4), 107-120. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i4.3300
  14. Hiswara, A., Ali, H., Sawitri, N. N., & Rony, Z. T. (2025). Determination of publication performance: Analysis of organizational culture and leadership style mediated by motivation. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 5(4), 199-214. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i4.3278
  15. Jiang, K., Lepak, D. P., Hu, J., & Baer, J. C. (2012). How does human resource management influence organizational outcomes? A meta-analytic investigation of mediating mechanisms. Academy of management Journal, 55(6), 1264-1294. doi:https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2011.0088
  16. Kim, C., & Mauborgne, R. (2005). Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant. New Jersey: Harvard Business Review Press.
  17. Knight, G. A., & Liesch, P. W. (2016). Internationalization: From incremental to born global. Journal of world business, 51(1), 93-102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2015.08.011
  18. Kustiningsih, N., Tjahjadi, B., & Soewarno, N. (2022). Projecting experience of technology-based MSMEs in Indonesia: Role of absorptive capacity matter in strategic alliances and organizational performance relationship. Sustainability, 14(19), 1-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912025
  19. Leavy, B. (2018). Value innovation and how to successfully incubate “blue ocean” initiatives. Strategy & Leadership, 46(3), 10-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-02-2018-0020
  20. Makhmut, K. D. I., Setiawan, A. R., & Manune, S. A. (2025). Strengthening green transformational leadership through green organizational culture and green self-efficacy to improve employee green behavior in sustainable organization. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 5(4), 27-44. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i4.3165
  21. Oviedo, A. B. M., Pimenta, M. L., Piato, É. L., & Hilletofth, P. (2021). Development of market-oriented strategies through cross-functional integration in the context of the food and beverage industry. Business Process Management Journal, 27(3), 901-921. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-03-2020-0106
  22. Paul, J., Parthasarathy, S., & Gupta, P. (2017). Exporting challenges of SMEs: A review and future research agenda. Journal of world business, 52(3), 327-342. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2017.01.003
  23. Rana, G., & Arya, V. (2024). Green human resource management and environmental performance: mediating role of green innovation–a study from an emerging country. foresight, 26(1), 35-58. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-04-2021-0094
  24. Saridakis, G., Muñoz Torres, R., & Johnstone, S. (2013). Do human resource practices enhance organizational commitment in SME s with low employee satisfaction?. British Journal of Management, 24(3), 445-458. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2012.00814.x
  25. Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach. London: John Wiley & Sons.
  26. Surjanti, R. L. P. N. S., Mulyantomo, E., Triyani, D., & Kurniawati, E. (2025). Improving MSME perfomance through competences and entrepreneurial characteristics. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 5(4), 171-185. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i4.3285
  27. Suseno, Y., Standing, C., Kiani-Mavi, R., & Jackson, P. (2020). National innovation performance: the role of human capital and social capital. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 33(3), 296-310. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2018.1536536
  28. Sutomo, S., Sudarmiatin, S., & Wardana, L. W. (2023). Optimizing MSME performance through implementing effective human resource management practices in the creative industries sector: Systematic literature review (SLR). International Journal of Management Research and Economics, 1(4), 123-141. doi:https://doi.org/10.54066/ijmre-itb.v1i4.1172
  29. Wang, J., Zhang, J., & Zhao, Y. (2025). Strategic HRM and SME innovation: a chain mechanism of learning-resilience pathway and nonlinear environmental dynamism. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1-18. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1584489
  30. Zhu, H. (2024). Human resource management in the age of AI. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 43, 254-259. doi:https://doi.org/10.54097/64jw7m34
WhatsApp Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Email