Digital Collaboration Network for SMEs: Awareness of ICT and Perceived Outcome

This study aims to analyze degree of awareness of ICT and perceived outcome of SMEs to be involved in digital collaboration networks. Digital Collaborative Networks can be assumed as a digital highway to accelerate economic growth in certain industrial sector. In this network, stakeholders can be formed in a unity to be voluntary sharing their business resources. Moreover, this community network is based on the spirit of cooperation and collaboration to build the economic strength of the nation. This study is thrilling because it has been argued that most of SMEs run their own business individually, experienced with raw material shortages, lack of business resources, innovation and business knowledge, lack of access to markets, and lack of capital access. The population in this study is all SMEs who involved in the supply chain of Batik industry in Indonesia. A number of 429 SMEs had participated in this study. Data were collected from questionnaire and in-depth interview. The analysis result shown that SMEs perceives high benefit or outcome when they collaborate virtually, however, government and other stakeholders have to provide several supports to establish this community network.