This study aims to assess the impact of competitive pressure and innovation capability on business performance in small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the batik industry in East Java, Indonesia. Furthermore, this study explores the impact of competitive pressure on business performance through innovation capability as a mediating variable. This research was quantitative using primary data with questionnaire as a method of sampling collection. The measurement of the variables was captured using Likert scale. The respondents were small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the batik industry in East Java Province, Indonesia. The sample totaled 254 subjects. The data analysis was done using SEM-PLS. The results of the study show that: 1) there was a positive direct impact of competitive pressure on business performance; 2) competition pressure positively influences innovation capability; 3) innovation capability positively influences business performance; and 4) innovation capability has a partial mediating role in the effect of competitive pressures on business performance. The findings of this study suggest that managers in SME’s batik industry should increase their effort to cope with the high competitive pressure to increase the innovation capability, so that they can have an advantage to face successfully competitors, leading to higher business performance.

The study examines how business conditions, demand conditions and the role of government can influence the development of batik clusters in Pekalongan. This research is expected to be able to provide recommendations for both employers and local governments in order to help in optimizing the development of batik clusters. The research applied a quantitative research by engaging multiple regression analysis as an effort to understand the effect of the relationship between independent and dependent variables. In addition, this research was conducted in three largest batik clusters in Pekalongan, Indonesia namely batik cluster of Pasindon, Kauman, and Jenggot. These results indicate that business conditions positively affect the batik clusters development. It implies that the greater both business conditions in a cluster will lead the better the development. Indeed, the demand conditions also have an impact on the cluster development. This finding remarked that demand conditions are variable that need to be considered to development of batik cluster. Lastly, Government’s role is confirmed that positively related to the Development of Batik Clusters. It implies that the more active the government’s role in a cluster will have a good impact on the development of the cluster in certain area.