Depok, July 3, 2025 — Doctor of Administrative Sciences from Universitas Indonesia (FIA UI) and women’s rights activist, Hadriani Uli Tiur Ida Silalahi, spotlighted the urgency of tailored intervention strategies to accelerate community-based women’s entrepreneurship in the Super Priority Destination (DSP) area of Lake Toba during her doctoral promotion session. Her research stemmed from concern over the gender gap in ownership and management of tourism businesses in Lake Toba, despite the fact that women dominate the labor force in the sector.

Dr. Uli explained that women often find themselves in vulnerable positions with limited access to capital, technology, and sustainable business training. The entrenched patriarchal culture in Batak society frequently places women in the role of “de facto owners” without formal recognition or full control over their businesses.

“This situation creates a structural imbalance that not only hinders economic growth potential but also slows social transformation toward a more just and gender-equal society,” said Dr. Uli.

Her research shows that women entrepreneurs in the Lake Toba DSP area generally have high levels of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), with an average score of 3.61. They demonstrate strengths in innovation, proactiveness, and independence in business management. Many are capable of developing new products, adapting to tourist demands, and running businesses independently in sectors such as culinary, homestays, handicrafts, and tourism services. However, their risk-taking ability and aggressive competitiveness remain low, indicating a preference for cautious and sustainable business strategies.

The study also identified generational differences. Younger women entrepreneurs (millennials) tend to score higher in EO, particularly in innovation, the use of technology, and digital market orientation. They are more open to collaboration and experimenting with new strategies. In contrast, older entrepreneurs tend to rely more on traditional social networks and prefer maintaining conventional business practices, with lower risk-taking tendencies.

Dr. Uli noted that the type of business also influences EO scores. Culinary and handicraft businesses typically show higher product innovation due to their responsiveness to trends and tourist demands, while homestays and local transportation services tend to be more conservative, focusing on service quality and sustainability. Therefore, intervention strategies must be differentiated. For younger generations, it is important to foster digital literacy, innovation, and collaboration. For older generations, guidance should focus on strengthening management skills, adaptive leadership, and training to build confidence in taking business risks.

Based on the research, an effective intervention strategy for empowering women entrepreneurs in the Lake Toba area is structured around five main pillars: training programs that foster a growth and entrepreneurial mindset, improved access to finance through women’s cooperatives and microcredit, business digitalization and market expansion, cross-generational and cross-sector collaboration, and the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders through a Pentahelix approach.

Dr. Uli recommended that the strategy should be directed toward various actors. The central government is expected to simplify community-based financing schemes without collateral, allocate part of event budgets for local women’s products, and integrate women-led MSME data into the OSS/NIB system to support incentives and promotional efforts. Local governments are encouraged to map out women entrepreneurs, provide mobile business clinic services, develop family-based training programs, and engage social networks such as kinship groups and churches to strengthen women’s business communities. The Lake Toba Authority (BPODT) is expected to provide dedicated zones for women-led MSMEs during tourism events, develop home-based business incubators, and encourage large vendor collaborations with local MSMEs.

Support is also needed from academia, the private sector, local communities, and the media. Educational institutions can develop Batak-culture-based training modules and implement community-based learning programs. The private sector is expected to partner with women-led MSMEs and support product promotions at strategic locations such as hotels and airports. Local communities can activate savings groups, establish cross-generational mentoring, and offer business consultation services. Meanwhile, the media and digital platforms play a crucial role in spreading inspiring stories, promoting women’s products, and providing forums for community dialogue and complaints.

The doctoral examination board included Chair Prof. Dr. Dra. Retno Kusumastuti Hardjono, M.Si.; Promoter Dr. Pantius Drahen Soeling, M.Si.; Co-promoter Prof. Dr. Chandra Wijaya, M.Si., MM.; and members Prof. Dr. Sapta Nirwandar, S.E., DESS.; Dr. Elitua Hamonangan Simarmata; Dr. Fibria Indriati Liestiawati, M.Si.; and Dr. Ixora Lundia Suwaryono, M.S.