The Effect of Product Innovation on the Performance of Food SMEs: The Moderator Effect of Quadruple Helix

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in driving Indonesia's economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. However, SMEs, particularly in the food sector, face challenges such as changing market demands, limited resources, and restricted access to innovation support systems. This study investigates the influence of product innovation on the performance of food SMEs in Malang Regency and examines the moderating effect of the Quadruple Helix framework, which involves collaboration among academia, business, government, and mass media. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 335 food SMEs registered with the SME Business Communication Forum (FKPU) and analyzed using Warp-PLS SEM to evaluate structural and measurement models. The findings reveal that product innovation significantly enhances SME performance, as reflected in improved customer satisfaction, expanded market share, increased revenue, and profitability. The Quadruple Helix actors were found to play critical roles in amplifying this relationship. Academia supports SMEs by bridging research and practice, offering training, and providing operational tools. Government interventions such as subsidies, tax incentives, and promotional activities foster a conducive environment for innovation. Businesses contribute by mentoring, sharing market knowledge, and opening new opportunities. Mass media amplifies these efforts by promoting innovative products, disseminating market information, and connecting SMEs with broader consumer bases. This study highlights the importance of integrating collaborative frameworks into innovation ecosystems to ensure sustainable SME growth. While the research provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, it is limited to food SMEs in Malang Regency. Future studies should explore other sectors and regions to validate these findings and uncover additional dimensions of the Quadruple Helix framework's impact.