The Role of Learning Openness in Moderating Tacit Knowledge and Heritage-Based Learning by Doing on Human Resource Productivity in Ulu Belu Coffee
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35870/ijmsit.v6i1.6604Keywords:
Tacit Knowledge, Learning Openness, Learning by Doing, Human Resource Productivity, Coffee MSMEsAbstract
This study examines the role of learning openness in moderating the relationship between tacit knowledge, learning by doing (heritage learning), and human resource productivity in Ulu Belu coffee MSMEs, Indonesia. Grounded in the Knowledge-Based View and Organizational Learning Theory, this research investigates how experiential and inherited knowledge contribute to workforce productivity within traditional agribusiness settings. A quantitative explanatory approach was employed using survey data collected from 200 coffee MSME actors in Ulu Belu, Lampung. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The findings reveal that tacit knowledge significantly and positively influences human resource productivity. Likewise, learning by doing through intergenerational knowledge transfer significantly enhances productivity. These results confirm that experience-based and socially embedded learning mechanisms remain critical drivers of performance in traditional coffee enterprises. Furthermore, learning openness plays a significant moderating role. It strengthens the relationship between heritage learning and productivity, indicating that openness to new ideas, external collaboration, and technological adoption amplifies the benefits of traditional knowledge transfer. Learning openness also moderates the effect of tacit knowledge on productivity, although the effect size is relatively weaker. This study contributes to the literature by integrating tacit knowledge, heritage learning, and learning openness into a single empirical model within the agribusiness MSME context. Practically, the findings suggest that enhancing learning openness alongside preserving traditional knowledge can improve workforce productivity and sustainability in coffee-based MSMEs.
Downloads
References
Alatas, R. (2024). The Role of SME Human Capital Resource Competence in Improving SME Performance.
Arief, D. R., Sari, G. P., & Saputra, A. (n.d.). DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR SME ACTORS AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY OF PADANG PARIAMAN REGENCY.
Brix, J. (2019). Exploring knowledge creation processes as a source of organizational learning: A longitudinal case study of a public innovation project. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 35(3), 101046.
Dewi, A. F. D., & Fadah, I. (2025). LINKING HUMAN RESOURCE COMPETENCY TO THE PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES OF MSMEs. 8.
Donate, M. J., & Sánchez de Pablo, J. D. (2015). The role of knowledge-oriented leadership in knowledge management practices and innovation. Journal of Business Research, 68(2), 360–370.
Durst, S., & Edvardsson, I. R. (2023). Knowledge management in SMEs: A follow-up literature review. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(5), 1093–1112.
Durst, S., & Foli, S. (2023). Tacit knowledge management and innovation in SMEs. Knowledge and Process Management, 30(2), 110–124.
Estuti, E. P., Fauziyanti, W., & Hendrayanti, S. (2022). Salt Productivity Investigation from the Human Resources Aspect. Media Trend, 17 (1), 146–155. https://doi.org/10.21107/mediatrend.v17i1.11509
Handayani, T., & Rahmawati, I. (2022). Tacit and explicit knowledge integration in Indonesian SMEs for sustainable competitiveness in the digital era. Jurnal Manajemen dan Kewirausahaan, 24(2), 87–98.
Hidayat, A., & Sari, M. (2022). Transfer of local in traditionalin Sumatra. Indonesian Journal (3), 145–159.
Indarti, N., Wibisono, D., & Djamhur, A. (2020). Knowledge management practices and organizational performance of SMEs in developing countries. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, 6(1), 1–12.
Kristanti, D., & Churiyah, M. (2024). Marning Siung Mas Kediri MSME Success Strategy in Improving Employee Performance through Competency and HR Development. JEM17: Journal of Economics and Management, 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.30996/jem17.v9i1.10943
Lailatunnajah, L. (n.d.). Strategic Human Resource Planning and Staffing with a Case Study of PT ILMCI.
Lestari, F., Sari, D., & Nugraha, H. (2023). Digital transformation and knowledge management as drivers of MSME competitiveness in Indonesia. Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, 30(4), 512–527.
Manteiro, M. C. B., Bire, A. R., Ringga, M. B., & Hipir, S. D. (2024a). Human Resource Competency Development as A Strategy In Improving the Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara. Journal of Economics, 13(04).
Manteiro, M. C. B., Bire, A. R., Ringga, M. B., & Hipir, S. D. (2024b). Human Resource Competency Development as a Strategy in Improving the Performance of Micro, SmallKupang City, East Nusa Tenggara. Journal of Economics, 13(04).
Meyana, Y. E. (2025). Pengembangan sistem manajemen pengetahuan berbasis metode K-TRIPLE untuk meningkatkan kapasitas sumber daya manusia di UMKM berbasis kearifan lokal. JUMPA: Jurnal Manajemen, Pelatihan, dan Administrasi, 8(2), 77–90. https://ejournal.stiekia.ac.id/index.php/JUMPA/article/view/340
Mura, M., Lettieri, E., Radaelli, G., & Spiller, N. (2013). Promoting professionals' innovative behavior through knowledge sharing: The moderating role of social capital. Journal of Knowledge Management, 17(4), 527–544.
Nguyen, N. T., Doan, T. N., & Nguyen, T. P. (2021). The impact of knowledge management on firm performance in the digital transformation context: Evidence from ASEAN SMEs. Sustainability, 13(21), 11845. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111845
Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2019). The Wise Company: How Companies Create Continuous Innovation. Oxford University Press.
Pham, L. T. (2019). Organizational learning capability and openness: Evidence from small firms in emerging economies. Journal of Small Business Management, 57(2), 391–407.
Pratama, D., & Rahmawati, L. (2023). Learning and innovation in Lampung coffee MSMEs. Journal of Management and Agribusiness, 20(2), 115–128.
Rosdyanti, T., Aditi, B., Pratama, R. H., Gustinasari, E., & Setiyarini, E. Y. (2025). The Effect of Human Resource Competency Development on The Productivity of Salted Fish SME Centers in Pulau Pasaran Lampung. 4(3).
Sari, D. F., Nanda, M., & Prasetyo, E. (2024). Digital adaptation and organizational learning in Lampung coffee MSMEs. Indonesian Journal of Creative(1), 77–90.
Sewang, S. (2024). Competence of Human Resources (HR) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Has a Significant Impact on Performance. Indonesian Journal of Innovation Multidisciplinary Research, 2 (2), 265–279. https://doi.org/10.69693/ijim.v2i2.136
Sun Siagian, T., & Agusty Ningrum, D. (2022). Improving the Competence of Human Resources for the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Medan City which is mediated by the use of Information Technology. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 3 (6), 1743–1752. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v3i6.636
Tian, H., Dogbe, C. S. K., Pomegbe, W. W., Sarsah, S. A., & Otoo, C. O. (2023). Organizational learning ambidexterity and openness as determinants of SMEs’ innovation performance. Sustainability, 15(14), 11076.
Voca, Z., & Havolli, Y. (2019). The Impact of Human Resources Development on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Performance. Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 2 (2), p45. https://doi.org/10.30560/jems.v2n2p45
Wahab, N., Zawawi, D., & Khalid, N. (2021). Knowledge management and innovation performance among SMEs: The mediating role of learning orientation. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(7), 1348–1363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2021.1893130
Wibawa, D. P. (2018). ANALYSIS OF HUMAN RESOURCE COMPETENCY AS AN EFFORT TO INCREASE SMES ECONOMIC SECTOR PRODUCTIVITY WITH GENDER AS A DIFFERENTIATING VARIABLEIJBE (Integrated Journal of Business and Economics), 2 (2), 122. https://doi.org/10.33019/ijbe.v2i2.85
Wibawa, I. M. (2023). Tacit knowledge sharing in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. International Journal of Social Sciences and Business, 7(3), 115–125. https://ejournal.undiksha.ac.id/index.php/IJSSB/article/view/60619
Windiarti, S. (2024). Tacit and explicit knowledge management moderated by learning organization in an effort to improve lecturers’ performance in West Java. Sultanist Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 3(1), 45–58. https://sultanist.ac.id/index.php/sultanist/article/view/652
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sri Asmirani, Rizky Khairunnisa, Reza Pahlepi, Afit Afrizal, Reza Hardian Pratama.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1. Copyright Retention and Open Access License
Authors retain copyright of their work and grant the journal non-exclusive right of first publication under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This license allows unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
2. Rights Granted Under CC BY 4.0
Under this license, readers are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercial use
- No additional restrictions — the licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as license terms are followed
3. Attribution Requirements
All uses must include:
- Proper citation of the original work
- Link to the Creative Commons license
- Indication if changes were made to the original work
- No suggestion that the licensor endorses the user or their use
4. Additional Distribution Rights
Authors may:
- Deposit the published version in institutional repositories
- Share through academic social networks
- Include in books, monographs, or other publications
- Post on personal or institutional websites
Requirement: All additional distributions must maintain the CC BY 4.0 license and proper attribution.
5. Self-Archiving and Pre-Print Sharing
Authors are encouraged to:
- Share pre-prints and post-prints online
- Deposit in subject-specific repositories (e.g., arXiv, bioRxiv)
- Engage in scholarly communication throughout the publication process
6. Open Access Commitment
This journal provides immediate open access to all content, supporting the global exchange of knowledge without financial, legal, or technical barriers.
