STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE COMPETENCIES TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE AQUACULTURE SMEs SECTOR

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of the strategic competence of human resources on the achievement of sustainable competitive advantages in the aquaculture MSME sector. The four dimensions of strategic human resource competencies studied include strategic thinking, change management, networking & collaboration, and innovation orientation. Competitive advantage is measured through four indicators, namely product uniqueness, operational efficiency, reputation, and customer loyalty. This study uses a quantitative approach with the Structural Equation Modeling method based on Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), based on data from 150 aquaculture SME actors. The results of the study show that the four dimensions of strategic human resource competences have a positive and significant effect on the dimension of sustainable competitive advantage, with innovation orientation making the most dominant contribution. The R-square value obtained shows a strong contribution of the model to dependent variables, especially in the dimensions of customer loyalty and operational efficiency. These findings affirm the importance of strengthening human resource capabilities based on innovation, networking, and strategic adaptation as the foundation for creating sustainable competitive advantages for MSMEs in the aquaculture sector. This research provides practical implications for policy makers and business actors in designing strategic interventions for human resource competency development.