Reimagining SOPs: Operational Innovations and Sectoral Adaptation in Philippine SMEs and Institutions
Explore research topic ideas on reimagining SOPs in Philippine SMEs, focusing on operational innovations and business process improvement to enhance efficiency and adaptability in various sectors.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Realyn Manalo
5/28/20253 min read
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are critical for achieving consistency, safety, and efficiency in any business operation. In the Philippines, SOPs have long been part of operational manuals in sectors like manufacturing, hospitality, and finance. Yet, the ability of these procedures to support real-world communication, innovation, and long-term performance remains uneven. While some studies confirm the positive impact of SOPs on employee output and service delivery, recent research calls for deeper investigation into their real-world effectiveness, adaptability, and contextual relevance—especially in dynamic business environments, rural settings, and micro- to small-scale enterprises. As the Philippine economy leans on operational stability and quality assurance, research on SOP optimization has become vital for both educational and industry innovation.
Who Can Use These Topics
This research is ideal for students and professionals pursuing the following courses or strands:
College Programs:
BS in Business Administration major in Operations Management
BS in Hospitality Management
BS in Industrial Engineering
BS in Management Accounting
BS in Entrepreneurship
Senior High School Strands:
Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM)
General Academic Strand (GAS)
Why This Topic Needs Research
The role of SOPs in enhancing performance and efficiency has been well-documented, but key limitations remain unaddressed in the Philippine and Southeast Asian context:
Lack of research on workplace communication outcomes in SOP-based training: Although Saputri et al. (2023) designed English materials based on restaurant SOPs, there has been no follow-up study measuring how such training translates into improved communication performance during actual hospitality internships or employment.
Unclear balance between SOP compliance and employee innovation: Satria (2024) found that SOPs improved performance in manufacturing but highlighted the need to explore how rigid compliance can hinder creative thinking or adaptability, especially in industries undergoing digital and process transformation.
Insufficient research on SOP modernization in microfinance institutions: Efendi and Meirison (2024) confirmed SOP effectiveness in teller services but noted that there is still no empirical assessment of how digital or automated systems could enhance SOP execution and reduce bottlenecks in grassroots Islamic finance organizations.
Neglected behavioral and cultural dimensions of SOP non-compliance: Nazara et al. (2024) identified a strong link between SOP adherence and performance in local government units, but future studies must explore the behavioral or cultural reasons behind inconsistent enforcement and rule-following in public service contexts.
Unresolved performance gap between material quality and SOP-driven outcomes: Although Miharja et al. (2024) confirmed SOPs improve SME performance, their study also showed that material quality had no effect—suggesting an unexplored variable, possibly customer perception or resource constraints, which needs deeper analysis.
Lack of studies on practical, low-cost SOP solutions for traditional food MSMEs: Candrianto et al. (2024) showed SOP deviations in traditional food production like rendang, but research has yet to test low-cost sanitation or training solutions that could realistically enhance compliance in resource-limited production setups.
No evidence yet linking SOPs to long-term MSME sustainability in rural settings: Armania et al. (2025) implemented SOPs in a tourism village MSME center but pointed out that there's no broader data showing whether such improvements lead to sustained market competitiveness across other rural community-based enterprises.
Feasibility & Challenges by Target Group
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References
Armania, G. K. P., Mulyani, S., & Yuliafitri, I. (2025). PREPARATION OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP) FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF UMKM CENTERS IN TOURISM VILLAGES CIBURIAL SAUNG. Abdi Dosen: Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat, 9(1), 155-161.
Candrianto, C., Mouludi, I., & Sipahutar, E. (2024). EVALUATION OF THE APPLICATION OF GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE AND SANITATION STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN PRODUCTION PROCESS. JEMIS (Journal of Engineering & Management in Industrial System), 12(2), 78-86.
Efendi, E. C., & Meirison, M. (2024). ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION OF TELLER STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP) IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT KJKS BMT AGAM MADANI KOTO TUO. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL ECONOMICS, 1(2), 375-387.
Miharja, R., Martini, N., Selvi, E., Tazliqoh, A. Z., & Octaviani, I. N. (2024, June). Analysing The Operational Relationship to Business Performance in Small and Medium Enterprises. In 8th Global Conference on Business, Management, and Entrepreneurship (GCBME 2023) (pp. 359-365). Atlantis Press.
Nazara, S., Hulu, P. F., Mendrofa, Y., & Telaumbanua, A. (2024). Influence of Standard Operational Procedures on Employee Performance in Technical Preparation for Public Order and Community Tranquility at the Regional Civil Service Police Unit of North Nias District. ProBisnis: Jurnal Manajemen, 15(2), 155-160.
Saputri, F., Ampa, A. T., & Nappu, S. (2023). The Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures of Restaurant Services in Developing English Material. Pusaka: Journal of Tourism, Hospitality, Travel and Business Event, 33-47.
Satria, V. A., & Christian, T. F. (2024). APPLICATION OF STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES TO THE PERFORMANCE OF PT SATU RODA INDONESIA EMPLOYEES. International Journal of Review Management Business and Entrepreneurship (RMBE), 4(2), 69-76.