PARTICIPATORY COMMUNICATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND SME GROWTH IN RESOURCE-BASED ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIES: INSIGHTS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Purpose: This study examines how participatory communication shapes small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development in post-mining communities of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Drawing on empowerment theory, diffusion of innovations, and entrepreneurial ecosystem perspectives, it investigates how socio-demographic factors condition perceptions of participatory communication. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data from 382 respondents in Porgera District with qualitative insights from focus group discussions. Quantitative analysis used chi-square tests and binary logistic regression, while qualitative narratives were thematically analyzed. Findings: Education, income, and age significantly predict positive perceptions of participatory communication, while gender differences were not statistically significant. Community voice emerged as the strongest participatory principle, although inclusiveness and gender equity remained weak. Focus groups revealed that education-built confidence, youth valued dialogue, low-income households felt excluded, and women’s participation was often constrained. The results highlight a participatory paradox: communities value communication, yet systemic inequalities restrict equitable engagement. Practical implications: Policymakers and development agencies should embed participatory communication into SME programs by prioritizing education-based training, financial inclusion, youth engagement, and gender-sensitive participation. Social implications: Participatory communication can strengthen social cohesion by amplifying community voice, empowering marginalized groups, and building trust between communities, institutions, and development actors. Originality/value: This paper contributes to entrepreneurship scholarship by positioning participatory communication as a strategic resource in resource-rich Asia-Pacific economies. It extends empowerment and ecosystem theories while providing rare empirical evidence from PNG, a setting underrepresented in entrepreneurship research.