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Abstract
This study investigates the role of strategic marketing innovation in enhancing competitive advantage within the context of the digital economy, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and digitally active firms in Indonesia. The primary objective is to examine how the adoption and implementation of innovative marketing strategies influence key performance indicators such as customer loyalty, market reach, and brand differentiation. Using a descriptive quantitative research design, data were collected from 150 businesses across various sectors through structured online questionnaires. The instrument measured the types of marketing innovations adopted, perceived organizational capabilities, enabling and inhibiting factors, and the outcomes of innovation on competitive advantage. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were employed to identify relationships between variables. The results reveal a strong prevalence of digital marketing innovations, especially in the use of social media, content personalization, and customer engagement automation. Respondents reported significant improvements in brand visibility, customer retention, and market responsiveness. Marketing capability and digital literacy emerged as key internal enablers, while limited financial resources and skill gaps were identified as primary constraints, particularly among micro-enterprises. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between marketing innovation and competitive advantage indicators, validating the theoretical proposition that innovation functions as a strategic capability. These findings contribute to the literature on marketing strategy and digital transformation by highlighting the mechanisms through which innovation supports sustainable competitive positioning. The study also offers managerial implications for enhancing internal capabilities and fostering innovation culture in digitally evolving business environments.
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References
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- Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2019). Digital marketing (7th ed.). Pearson Education.
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- Rosyihuddin, M., & Sudarmiatin, S. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of digital marketing innovation. Indonesian Journal of Business Analytics, 3(2), 409–422.
- Sharabati, A.-A. A., Alnawafleh, H., Aljawarneh, N. M. S., & Alnawafleh, T. (2024). The impact of digital marketing on small and medium enterprises' performance: Evidence from Jordan. Sustainability, 16(19), 8667. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198667
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- Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319–1350. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640
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- Varadarajan, R. (2018). Strategic marketing, marketing strategy and market strategy. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 46(2), 184–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-017-0543-6
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- Xue, F., Tan, Y., Wu, L., & Liang, S. (2024). Innovation strategy, digital transformation, and competitive advantage of manufacturing enterprises: Empirical evidence from China. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-03-2023-0081
References
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Calantone, R. J., Cavusgil, S. T., & Zhao, Y. (2017). Learning orientation, firm innovation capability, and firm performance. Industrial Marketing Management, 31(6), 515–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0019-8501(00)00122-3
Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2019). Digital marketing (7th ed.). Pearson Education.
Clauss, T., Bouncken, R. B., Laudien, S. M., & Kraus, S. (2021). Business model reconfiguration and innovation: How strategic marketing innovation fosters competitive advantage. Journal of Business Research, 130, 317–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.03.065
Eckstein, G., Shrestha, A., Sassenberg, A.-M., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2023). Marketing agility in VUCA contexts: A systematic literature review. Management Review Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-023-00263-6
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Martin, J. A. (2000). Dynamic capabilities: What are they? Strategic Management Journal, 21(10-11), 1105–1121. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0266(200010/11)21:10/11<1105::AID-SMJ133>3.0.CO;2-E
Garcia-Martin, J., García-Murillo, M., & Manzano, D. (2023). Marketing innovation and digital transformation: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 10014402. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.10014402
Haider, G., Zubair, L., & Saleem, A. (2024). Big data analytics-enabled dynamic capabilities and market performance: Empirical insights. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 193, 122519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122519
Hooley, G. J., Greenley, G. E., Fahy, J., & Cadogan, J. W. (1998). Market-focused resources, competitive positioning and firm performance. Journal of Marketing Management, 17(5-6), 503–520. https://doi.org/10.1362/026725701323366908
Hult, G. T. M., Hurley, R. F., & Knight, G. A. (2004). Innovativeness: Its antecedents and impact on business performance. Industrial Marketing Management, 33(5), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2003.08.015
Jung, S.-U., & Shegai, V. (2023). The impact of digital marketing innovation on firm performance: The mediating role of marketing capability and the moderating role of firm size. Sustainability, 15(7), 5711. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075711
Khan, H., Osei, C., Yamoah, F., & Uzonwanne, F. (2020). Strategic marketing agility in emerging markets. International Business Review, 29(5), 101702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101702
Rosyihuddin, M., & Sudarmiatin, S. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of digital marketing innovation. Indonesian Journal of Business Analytics, 3(2), 409–422.
Sharabati, A.-A. A., Alnawafleh, H., Aljawarneh, N. M. S., & Alnawafleh, T. (2024). The impact of digital marketing on small and medium enterprises' performance: Evidence from Jordan. Sustainability, 16(19), 8667. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198667
Sundström, M., Wiberg, N., & Sandberg, E. (2021). Co-creating value in digital marketing innovation among small firms. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 28(5), 747–763. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-06-2020-0223
Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319–1350. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640
Vargo, S. L., & Lusch, R. F. (2004). Evolving to a new dominant logic for marketing. Journal of Marketing, 68(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.68.1.1.24036
Varadarajan, R. (2018). Strategic marketing, marketing strategy and market strategy. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 46(2), 184–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-017-0543-6
Vogue Business. (2025, May 1). Digital brand-building strategies: The end or the evolution? Vogue Business. Retrieved from https://www.voguebusiness.com
Xue, F., Tan, Y., Wu, L., & Liang, S. (2024). Innovation strategy, digital transformation, and competitive advantage of manufacturing enterprises: Empirical evidence from China. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-03-2023-0081