Identifying Business Uncertain Situations Using SWOT Analysis: Evidence from a Small Group of Salted Fish Producers in Indonesia

In addition to being a popular accompaniment to side dishes, salted fish in Indonesia also plays a significant role in fish production and the national economy. Business entities involved in the manufacturing of salted fish employ many techniques, particularly modern and traditional ways, commonly observed in Indonesia. The primary obstacle to operating this enterprise lies in its reliance on natural factors, particularly the vagaries of weather and climate. This affects the accessibility of recently caught fish by fisherman and the rate at which the drying process occurs when using sunshine. This study seeks to provide a detailed analysis of the internal and external elements that impact the performance of the salted fish industry. This study elucidates the significance of SO strategies, as determined by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. One such strategy is bolstering the presence of intermediaries or online markets to augment the sales network. In addition, the WO strategy can incorporate the usage of a salted fish drying machine as a viable option to provide a continuous supply of salted fish for manufacturing and sale. According to the IE matrix, there is a wanted area to build and grow. The practical implication of this study is that having strong networks, which include online media platforms, partnerships with intermediaries, and retail salted fish markets, is crucial for ensuring long-term business resilience. The constraints of this investigation reside in the necessity to incorporate diversifications in the captures of different fisherman, including shellfish, crabs, squid, and shrimp. Moreover, this study primarily concentrates on natural elements, whereas other factors such as alterations in fishing regulations or policies, advancements in fishing technology or equipment, and financial capital in the fishing industry can be considered in future study.