Becoming International without Leaving the Island: Inbound Internationalization of Homestay SMEs in Gili Lampu, Nusa Tenggara Barat

Yuyun Kristianingsih; Sudarmiatin Sudarmiatin; Heri Pratikto

doi:10.55927/ajabm.v5i2.39

Authors

Yuyun Kristianingsih Universitas Negeri Malang
Sudarmiatin Sudarmiatin Universitas Negeri Malang
Heri Pratikto Universitas Negeri Malang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/ajabm.v5i2.39

Keywords:

Inbound Internationalization, Homestay SMEs, Community Based Tourism, Digital Platforms, Gili Lampu

Abstract

This study aims to explore the process of inbound internationalization experienced and interpreted by homestay SME actors in Gili Lampu, West Nusa Tenggara, focusing on how they understand "becoming international" amidst geographical limitations, how digital platforms shape their experiences, how they negotiate local values with global expectations, and what transformations they undergo. This research employs a qualitative case study approach with an interpretive paradigm. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with eight homestay owners selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, participant observation over two months, and documentation from digital platforms and field notes. Data analysis used the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña combined with thematic analysis from Braun and Clarke. Data trustworthiness was ensured through prolonged engagement, triangulation, member checking, and peer debriefing. The findings reveal four main themes. First, the meaning of "becoming international" is multidimensional, encompassing economic, social, and cultural meanings. Second, digital platforms are ambivalent, acting as a "enablers and constraints" connecting them to global markets, while their algorithmic opacity creates dependency and anxiety.

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