The research examines how digital platform fees and supply chain sustainability affect the financial and operational performance of halal culinary MSMEs in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. The findings are particularly relevant as halal culinary businesses represent one of the fastest-growing segments of Indonesia’s MSME sector and are among the most active users of online food delivery platforms.
Expanding Markets, Increasing Cost Pressure
Over the past decade, Indonesia’s digital economy has transformed the way small businesses reach consumers. Online food delivery platforms allow MSMEs to sell their products beyond physical locations without building their own logistics systems. For many halal culinary businesses, joining digital platforms has become a strategic necessity rather than a choice.
However, this convenience comes at a cost. Platform commissions, service fees, delivery charges, and promotional deductions directly reduce business margins. According to the authors, many MSMEs focus on increasing order volume but underestimate how cumulative platform fees affect profitability.
“Digital platforms undoubtedly boost transaction volume, but the continuous cost deductions significantly erode net income and cash flow,” the authors note in the journal article.
For small halal culinary businesses with limited financial buffers, even modest increases in platform fees can quickly weaken financial resilience.
Research Design and Data Collection
The study surveyed 67 halal culinary MSMEs actively operating on digital platforms in Samarinda. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and supported by field interviews to capture real business conditions.
The researchers analyzed the data using a statistical modeling approach to identify direct relationships between variables. Platform costs were measured through commission fees, service and delivery charges, and platform registration or subscription fees. Financial performance was assessed based on profit margins, net income, and cash flow stability. Operational performance included order processing speed, inventory management, service quality, and managerial capability.
Supply chain sustainability was measured through the use of local and environmentally friendly raw materials, sustainable production processes, and halal certification practices.
Platform Costs Hit Financial Performance Hard
The analysis shows a significant and strong relationship between platform costs and financial performance. Higher platform fees are directly associated with declining profit margins, reduced net income, and tighter cash flow.
In contrast, platform costs do not significantly affect operational performance. Despite rising costs, MSMEs are generally able to maintain operational efficiency because digital platforms provide standardized systems for ordering, payment, and delivery.
This finding suggests that digital platforms function as operational enablers but simultaneously act as financial pressure points.
“MSMEs continue operating efficiently because platforms simplify daily processes, but efficiency does not automatically translate into financial health,” the study explains.
Sustainability Practices Show Limited Short-Term Impact
Another key finding is that supply chain sustainability does not yet have a significant impact on either financial or operational performance among halal culinary MSMEs.
Practices such as using environmentally friendly ingredients, adopting sustainable production methods, and maintaining halal certification are often implemented only at an administrative level. These initiatives typically require upfront investment and process adjustments, while the economic benefits tend to materialize in the long term.
According to the researchers, many MSMEs have not fully integrated sustainability into daily operations. As a result, sustainability efforts remain symbolic rather than strategic.
Consumer awareness also plays a role. Without strong market recognition or price premiums for sustainable practices, MSMEs struggle to convert sustainability investments into immediate financial gains.
Implications for MSMEs, Platforms, and Policymakers
The study delivers important insights for multiple stakeholders within Indonesia’s digital economy.
For MSME owners, the findings highlight the importance of closely managing platform-related costs. High sales volume does not guarantee profitability if commission structures and service fees are not carefully accounted for. Strategic pricing, cost control, and platform selection are essential to maintain financial sustainability.
For digital platform operators, the research underscores the need for fair and transparent fee structures. Excessive or rigid commission models risk weakening the long-term viability of MSME partners, which could ultimately undermine platform ecosystems themselves.
Meanwhile, policymakers are urged to take a more active role in regulating digital platform practices. Supportive policies could include fee caps, incentive schemes, or targeted subsidies to protect small businesses in the digital supply chain. The study also suggests that sustainability policies should be accompanied by financial or market-based incentives to make sustainable practices economically viable for MSMEs.
Contribution to Digital Supply Chain Research
Academically, the study contributes to the growing literature on digital supply chains by isolating platform costs as a critical determinant of financial performance, rather than focusing solely on technology adoption or digital literacy.
By concentrating on halal culinary MSMEs, the research also adds a sector-specific perspective that has been underrepresented in international studies, despite the global expansion of the halal industry.
“Digitalization should strengthen MSMEs, not place them in a more vulnerable position,” the authors emphasize, calling for a more balanced digital economy that aligns efficiency with fairness.
Author Profiles
- Rina Masithoh Haryadi, S.E., M.M.- Universitas Islam Bandung
- Heriyanto, S.E., M.M.- Universitas Islam Bandung
- Tasya Aspiranti, S.E., M.M.- Universitas Islam Bandung
Research Source
Haryadi, R. M., Heriyanto, & Aspiranti, T. (2026). Supply Chain Dynamics: The Effect of Digital Platform Costs on the Financial Performance of MSMEs.
International Journal of Management Analytics, Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026, pp. 21–34.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijma.v4i1.287
Official URL: https://dmimultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijma
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