How to cite:

Sigit Tri Wahyudi (2021) Building a Work Ethos to Strengthen the

Independence and Resilience of SMEs during Pandemic. Journal Eduvest.

1(9): 923-930

E-ISSN:

2775-3727

Published by:

https://greenpublisher.co.id/

Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies

Volume 1 Number 9, September 2021

p- ISSN 2775-3735 e-ISSN 2775-3727

BUILDING A WORK ETHOS TO STRENGTHEN THE INDEPENDENCE

AND RESILIENCE OF SMEs DURING PANDEMIC

Sigit Tri Wahyudi

Pancasakti University Bekasi

E-mail: triwahyudisigit930@gmail.com

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Received:

August, 26

2021

Revised:

September, 12

2021

Approved:

September, 14

2021

The Covid-19 pandemic is increasingly threatening the

Indonesian economy (including West Java Province) and its

impact can be seen clearly from the outbreak that erupted in

early February 2020. Shops, retail, travel services, Micro-Small

and Medium Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as SMEs) and

Small and Medium Industries (Many SMEs in West Java have

closed. This study aims to build a work ethic to strengthen the

Independence and Resilience of MSMEs during the Pandemic in

Bekasi City. This type of research is descriptive qualitative that

uses the type of research in the form of Document Study. The

location of this research was carried out in MSMEs in the

culinary field around Bekasi City starting in May 2021. Based on

the results of a simple linear regression test, the results of this

study concluded that the Covid-19 variable has an effect on

microenterprise variables, small and medium. It is here every

increase of one unit of will hamper the economy so that the

income of micro, small and medium enterprises in Bekasi City

decreases. The strategy of Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises facing Covid-19 to continue their business

continuity is to increase the sales volume of each SMEs by

applying conventional marketing strategies to online marketing

and using social media as an online channel.

KEYWORDS

Work Ethic, Independence, Resilience, SMEs

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons

Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Sigit Tri Wahyudi

Building a Work Ethos to Strengthen the Independence and Resilience of SMEs during

Pandemic 924

INTRODUCTION

The Covid-19 pandemic is an occurrence in which disease spreads globally in the

form of a virus (Amin, Saleh, & Bilfaqih, 2020). Which is caused by a new type of

Coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 (Yuzar, 2020). This outbreak was first detected in the

city of Wuhan, China in 2019, and was identified as a pandemic by the World Health

Organization (WHO), this virus continues to spread worldwide with nearly 35 million

confirmed cases in 188 countries and more than 1 million deaths (Zendrato, 2020).

In Indonesia the first positive case of Covid-19 was found in 2020, the first positive

case of Covid-19 in Indonesia was found in 2020, when a Japanese citizen infected an

Indonesian citizen (Bahtiar & Ariyanti, 2021). As of April 9, the Covid-19 pandemic has

spread to 34 provinces, including East Java, DKI Jakarta, West Java and Central Java,

which are provinces affected by the corona virus in Indonesia.

The government itself has compiled the impact of Covid-19 on the economy as

well as the decrease in people's income in each province, city and district based on mild,

moderate, to bad scenarios (Abdi, 2020). The scenario refers to the economic resilience of

each province as well as the decline in income of economic actors (Kriswibowo &

Utomo, 2020). In the medium scenario the economic influence has an impact of 25% of

labor income declining in Bekasi City.

The Covid-19 pandemic is increasingly threatening the Indonesian economy

(including West Java Province) and its impact can be seen clearly from the outbreak that

erupted in early February 2020. Shops, retail, travel services, Micro-Small and Medium

Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as MSMEs) and Small and Medium Industries (Many

SMEs in West Java have closed (Indayani & Hartono, 2020). This resulted in a large

number of volunteers and employees being sent home. Meanwhile, affected by the Covid-

19 outbreak in Bekasi City, the data is still undergoing verification together with the

Bekasi City Social Service, Bekasi City Community Empowerment Service, and Bekasi

City Population and Civil Registration Office.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the MSME/IKM sector,

starting from a decrease in turnover, interrupted cash flows, and bad loans, to an increase

in worker layoffs (Rohani, 2018). Compared to usual, some traders who feel the impact of

Covid-19 are street vendor/hawker (Hutasuhut, 2020). One of them is a trader in the city

of Bekasi, West Java Province whose income is far from usual before the Covid-19

outbreak.

The Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (CSA) shows that the impact of Covid-

19 is quite deep, reaching negative 5.32% far from the last crisis in 1998 and 2008. The

latest data shows that 98% of businesses in the micro sector or about 68 million people

are affected (Fitriani, Ali, & Maniza, 2021).

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which the result of an economic slowdown

and social restrictions have led to a decline in public demand. MSMEs are one of the

most important parts of the economy and national development (Kristiyanti, 2012).

Considering that the MSMEs sector is the driving force of the economy and national

development, a strategy to increase the capacity of the MSME sector is needed

(Sudaryanto & Wijayanti, 2013). It aims to support efforts to reduce poverty and

inequality and increase employment opportunities.

Under the influence of globalization that has swept the world, the economic

conditions of a country must be effective, efficient and competitive. This is a challenge

for Indonesia as the largest archipelagic country in the world (population 237,642,326).

With this figure, it is hoped that there will be a balance between various sectors that

support the country's economic growth.

Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies

Volume 1 Number 9, September 2021

913 http://eduvest.greenvest.co.

925 http://eduvest.greenvest.co.id

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and

Medium Enterprises has formulated various strategies to encourage MSMEs and

cooperatives to maintain their capacity. Survive and rise in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Where the Ministry first implemented various policies, the Ministry of Cooperatives and

Small and Medium Enterprises reorganized to provide credit to MSME participants, thus

helping cooperatives and MSMEs to survive and rise in the Covid-19 pandemic, with the

aim of giving them credibility (Priatama, 2017). Postponed for the next 6 months, a new

light capital system will be opened for MSME participants and cooperatives.

MSMEs, of course, without exception, experienced the impact of the emergence of

the Pandemic. Some initial reports indicate that MSMEs are the affected business group

because they have a high dependence on external input goods (Sasmita, 2021). Many

MSMEs have experienced a large and sudden decline in demand, thereby reducing sales

turnover. At the same time, the MSME group may experience a loss of labor supply

caused by the implementation of policies in Large-Scale Social Restrictions (LSSR).

Various problems faced by MSMEs in Indonesia as a result of the Covid-19

pandemic require special attention (Marlinah, 2020). About 9 8.68% of the 64 million

MSMEs in Indonesia are micro enterprises that are run independently and are vulnerable

to internal and external disturbances. Although MSMEs have an important role, it is not

yet known to what extent Covid-19 had an impact on this business group.

The West Java Provincial Government itself has prepared various programs to

fulfill and restore socio-economic needs that have been launched by the Governor of

West Java with the "breath of industrialization" as the flagship program. One of them is

through the Social Safety Net (SSN), program which aims to meet the needs of the poor

in West Java for the next 3 months. This JPS prepares 105,000 packages containing;

Food, Fishery Products, Medicines, Vitamins, Personal Protective Equipment, and all of

which are taken from local products produced by SMEs.

With this step, it can empower MSMEs affected by the Covid-19 Virus Pandemic.

The West Java Regional Government continues to empower and strengthen the role of

MSMEs and local entrepreneurs. Both for producing masks, PPE to other food needs, this

is to continue to empower MSMEs in West Java so that the wheels of the economy can

continue to spin, besides that the local government also treats Village-Owned Enterprises

(BUMDES) in each village of every county town.

The West Java provincial government inaugurated the Trade and Distribution

Center (TDC) which belongs to BUMDES, with the TDC aiming to distribute the results

of MSME products for the West Java community that are needed by residents and small

stalls to become outlets and distributors of MSME products in West Java on in general

and in the city of Bekasi in particular.

In addition, there is no clear strategy to mitigate the impact and speed up post-

pandemic recovery. Thus, MSMEs need assistance and protection for their businesses and

workers in order to survive these challenges from the government through the West Java

Province SME Cooperative Service and contributing to economic recovery during the

2020 Covid-19 pandemic in West Java, especially in empowering MSMEs.

This effort is part of the government's strategy to improve the economy and welfare

of the people of West Java. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this strategy was used to

create and develop resources to achieve prosperity. Therefore, the implementation of this

strategy is expected to determine whether the results will be achieved are effective or not.

What is meant here is the empowerment strategy, which focuses on MSME Strategic

Sigit Tri Wahyudi

Building a Work Ethos to Strengthen the Independence and Resilience of SMEs during

Pandemic 926

Planning which is more oriented towards macro empowerment. Seeing the

economic downturn in the Covid-19 pandemic, of course, the role of stakeholders in

implementing the Empowerment Strategy is highly expected. Thus, the West Java

Province SME Cooperative Service issued several policies in empowering MSMEs

during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, including implementing policies such as:

1. Establish a Program for the Procurement of Goods and Services for Social

Safety Nets (JPS).

2. Establishing an economic stimulus in the form of facilitating the provision of

capital for cooperatives and SMEs.

Based on the problems described above, this study aims to build a work ethic to

strengthen the Independence and Resilience of MSMEs during the Pandemic in Bekasi

City.

RESEARCH METHOD

This type of research was descriptive qualitative which used Document/Text

Studies. Document or text study is a study that focuses on the analysis or interpretation of

written material based on its context. Materials can be published notes, textbooks,

newspapers, magazines, letters, films, diaries, manuscripts, articles, internet and so on. To

gain high credibility, document researchers must be sure that the texts are authentic. This

type of research can also explore someone's thoughts contained in books or published

manuscripts. The location of this research was carried out in MSMEs in the culinary field

around Bekasi City starting in May 2021.

Data analysis in this study was carried out before entering the field, while in the

field, and after finishing in the field. Data collection techniques are the methods used by

researchers to obtain data in a study.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

A. Profile of Bekasi City and Overview of Research Objects

In its current development in accordance with Regional Regulation No. 4 of 2004,

Bekasi City has 12 sub-districts, consisting of 56 urban villages, namely: West Bekasi

District, South Bekasi District, East Bekasi District, North Bekasi District, Pondok Gede

District, Jatiasih District, Bantar Gebang District, Jatisampurna District, Medan District

Satria, Rawalumbu sub-district, Mustika Jaya sub-district and Pondok Melati sub-district.

In addition to being a residential area, Bekasi City is also developing as a city of

trade, services and industry. To support its development, the Bekasi City Government has

developed a One-Stop Service Unit (OSSU), which has received a National Level Public

Service Image. Bekasi City Government continues to develop facilities that support

community activities, such as traditional and modern markets, housing, places of worship,

education and health facilities.

Support for land transportation facilities in Bekasi City, continues to be evaluated

and developed. Bus and train stations in Bekasi had enough routes so that the mobility of

people, goods and daily services can run smoothly. It has direct access to Tanjung Priuk

port and Soekarno Hatta Airport via the West Bekasi and East Bekasi toll gates crossing

Jakarta or vice versa.

B. Discussion of Research Results

1. Work Ethic

As a spirit and mentality that manifests into a single unit of positive work behavior

Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies

Volume 1 Number 9, September 2021

913 http://eduvest.greenvest.co.

927 http://eduvest.greenvest.co.id

such as; diligent, enthusiastic, thorough, diligent, tenacious, patient, respecting time and

so on.

Work ethic as shown by management studies and sociology as the main factor for

productivity. Using mathematical symbols, the relationship between the two is; P = f (ek)

means that productivity is a function of work ethic. Work ethic can be grouped into three,

namely; personal, organizational and national.

In any group studied, improving work ethic for the sake of independence, resilience

and competitiveness of the productivity system must involve the following things:

a) The existence of awareness programs, socialization and national campaigns on a

regular basis and continuously.

b) The presence of support and example from the top leadership layers at every strata

and echelon from the highest to the lowest.

c) This work ethic must be translated into a variety of productivity that is more like UU

and PP.

d) Give fair, clear, and firm rewards or punisments.

e) The above work ethic management is integrated into the corporate management

system (recruitment, selection, operation, performance evaluation, promotion, etc.).

2. Independence

The definition of independence is the readiness and ability of individuals to stand

alone which is characterized by taking the initiative. Besides trying to solve problems

without asking for help from others, trying and directing behavior towards perfection.

Steinberg in the book Adolescene (2002) states that the notion of independence is

the ability of adolescents to think, feel and make decisions personally based on

themselves rather than following what others believe. Independence is often equated with

the word independence even though there is actually a slight difference with autonomy.

In the Big Indonesian Dictionary, independence is defined as a person's condition

or condition that can stand alone or not depend on others. This means that independence

is the readiness and ability of individuals to stand alone which is characterized by taking

the initiative. Besides trying to solve problems without asking for help from others, trying

and directing behavior towards perfection.

3. Independence factor

Here are some factors that can affect the development of independence, namely:

a) Agent

The nature of parental independence can be passed down to children. However,

some experts still argue about this, because independence occurs because it is formed.

b) School education system

The educational environment tends to develop democracy and emphasizes respect

for the potential of students. This will stimulate the development of the child's

independence.

If the educational environment emphasizes punishment, it will hinder the

independence of the child.

c) The system of life in society

A community environment that respects potential and does not emphasize the

hierarchical social structure will encourage the development of adolescent independence.

d) Parenting pattern

Parenting patterns given by parents to children greatly affect the independence of

children. If parents provide a comfortable and safe family atmosphere in building

communication, then the development of children's independence will go well.

Sigit Tri Wahyudi

Building a Work Ethos to Strengthen the Independence and Resilience of SMEs during

Pandemic 928

However, if parents tend to control their children, then the social and intellectual

development of children will affect their independence. The child's inability to break

away from the power of authority or the child's submission to the power of authority is

one indicator of obedience.

4. Durability

Definition of resilience is the reaction of an agency to an attack, and by extension

all means and measures of risk or hazard identification and measurement, as well as

protection and/or response.

5. Function of national defense

In the journal Cultivating Pancasila Values for the Community as the Basic Capital

of the National Defense of the Republic of Indonesia (2016) by Adi, national security has

three main functions, namely:

Deterrence as a concept of deterrence, meaning that national security serves as a

deterrent from all forms of threats, disturbances or obstacles to the integrity, identity and

survival of the nation and state. National resilience as a guide, meaning that national

resilience serves to direct the potential strength of the Indonesian nation in the fields of

ideology, politics, economy, social, culture, defense and security, to achieve the welfare

of the Indonesian people.

This guide can be achieved by the Indonesian people through policies made by the

government and implementing them in the life of the nation and state, so that people can

live justly and prosperously.

Economic resilience is a part of economics that aims to turn threats into

opportunities. Stakeholders related to state resilience need to understand how to solve the

problem of resilience into economic aspects, namely production, distribution and

consumption. Then, if MSME is one of the units that can advance the economy for the

Indonesian nation and Bekasi City in particular because it involves various sectors such

as furniture, handicrafts, agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, culinary to industry, it

is hoped that the community can try to become economic subjects not only as an

economic object.

Seeing the latest news, the majority of MSME players have problems with

financing, declining demand, and disrupted distribution of raw materials. Therefore, in

this case the government has a role as a catalyst by releasing the National Economic

Recovery (PEN) program policy.

After that, from these policies, it is hoped that MSMEs can continue to produce and

can continue their business activities. This is because the policy provides a cost-capital

scheme that makes it easier for MSMEs to allocate budget and refocus appropriately and

accurately. Meanwhile, MSMEs receive financing facilities with low interest rates of six

percent per year. This policy certainly requires the role of all parties and the role of the

community to support government policies in synergizing against the Covid-19

pandemic.

Furthermore, to maximize and optimize MSME business activities, an integrated

digital platform is needed in carrying out marketing activities. The existence of a digital

platform makes it easier for MSME actors to sell their local products to buyers. Thus,

MSME products will not lose competitiveness with other products in e-commerce.

For your information, Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) are currently the

government's priority to become the economic center of the village. For this reason,

MSMEs are expected to synergize with BUMDes in order to strengthen the MSME

Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies

Volume 1 Number 9, September 2021

913 http://eduvest.greenvest.co.

929 http://eduvest.greenvest.co.id

economy. Not only BUMDes, but all agencies involving BUMN, BUMD, banks and

institutions/organizations can identify in more detail in building synergies with MSMEs.

if this can be achieved, the wheels of the economy can continue to spin so that the

economy in the country can increase.

CONCLUSSION

Based on research and discussion on the economic impact of Covid-19 on micro,

small and medium enterprises in Bekasi City, based on the results of a simple linear

regression test, it can be concluded that the Covid-19 variable has an effect on

microenterprise variables, small and medium. Where every increase of one unit of Covid-

19 will hamper the economy so that the income of micro, small and medium enterprises

in Bekasi City decreases. The strategy of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises facing

Covid-19 to continue their business continuity is to increase the sales volume of each

MSME by applying conventional marketing strategies to online marketing and using

social media as an online channel.

REFERENCES

Abdi, Muhammad Nur. (2020). Krisis Ekonomi Global dari Dampak Penyebaran Virus

Corona (Covid-19). AkMen Jurnal Ilmiah, 17(1), 90–98.

Amin, Mohamad, Saleh, Akhmad Muwafik, & Bilfaqih, Habib Zainal Abidin. (2020).

Covid-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019): Tinjauan Perspektif Keilmuan Biologi,

Sosial, dan Agama. Malang: Inteligensia Media.

Bahtiar, Heri, & Ariyanti, Maelina. (2021). PROMOSI KESEHATAN TENTANG

COVID-19, PENCEGAHAN DAN PENANGANAN HIPERTENSI PADA

LANSIA. Jurnal Lentera, 1(1), 74–80.

Fitriani, Lia, Ali, Muhammad, & Maniza, Lalu Hendra. (2021). Efektivitas Strategi

Pemberdayaan Usaha Mikro Kecil Dan Menengah (UMKM) Dimasa Pandemi

Covid-19 Tahun 2020 Pada Dinas Koperasi Dan UKM Povinsi NTB. JOURNAL of

APPLIED BUSINESS and BANKING (JABB), 2(1), 46–65.

Hutasuhut, Indra Muda. (2020). Nasib PKL Di Tengah Pandemi Covid-19.

Indayani, Siti, & Hartono, Budi. (2020). Analisis Pengangguran Dan Pertumbuhan

Ekonomi Sebagai Akibat Pandemi Covid-19. Jurnal Perspektif, 18(2), 201–208.

Kristiyanti, Mariana. (2012). Peran strategis usaha kecil menengah (UKM) dalam

pembangunan nasional. Majalah Ilmiah Informatika, 3(1), 63–89.

Kriswibowo, Arimurti, & Utomo, S.Andre Prasetyo. (2020). Ekonomi Politik Indonesia

Di Tengah Pandemi Covid-19. Penerbit Cakradewa Ilmu.

Marlinah, Lili. (2020). Peluang dan Tantangan UMKM Dalam Upaya Memperkuat

Perekonomian Nasional Tahun 2020 Ditengah Pandemi Covid 19. Jurnal Ekonomi,

22(2), 118–124.

Priatama, Regant Yudha. (2017). Strategi Pemerintah Desa Dalam Pengembangan

Sektor Usaha Mikro, Kecil Dan Menengah (UMKM)(Studi Pada Kantor Desa

Ngrayun Kecamatan Ngrayun Kabupaten Ponorogo). Universitas Brawijaya.

Rohani, Siti. (2018). Analisis Potensi UMKM Tahu Dan Tempe Terhadap Peningkatan

Pendapatan Keluarga Menurut Perspektif Ekonomi Islam (Studi pada UMKM

Bapak Marzuki di Desa Pekalongan). UIN Raden Intan Lampung.

Sasmita, Hafizah Dwi. (2021). Analisis Tentang Dampak Covid-19 Terhadap

Perekonomian Usaha Mikro Kecil dan Menengah di Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus

(KEK) Mandalika Kabupaten Lombok Tengah. Mataram: Universitas

Sigit Tri Wahyudi

Building a Work Ethos to Strengthen the Independence and Resilience of SMEs during

Pandemic 930

Muhammadiyah Mataram.

Sudaryanto, Ragimun, & Wijayanti, Rahma Rina. (2013). Strategi pemberdayaan UMKM

menghadapi pasar bebas Asean. Pusat Kebijakan Ekonomi Makro. Badan Kebijakan

Fiskal. Kementerian Keuangan, Jakarta.

Yuzar, Dinda Nadilla. (2020). Penyakit Menular Dan Wabah Penyakit Covid-19.

Zendrato, Walsyukurniat. (2020). Gerakan mencegah daripada mengobati terhadap

pandemi covid-19. Jurnal Education and Development, 8(2), 242.