The development of Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showed growing trend in Indonesia and also in Pekanbaru. Although small-scale enterprises, but it has very meaningful role to contribute to prop up the national economy and create many new jobs. The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of entrepreneurial competencies on business performance, and its opportunities and threats in the two types of small and medium enterprises that is, food and restaurants industries. Data was collected using a questionnaire. As many as 52 respondents from SMEs in food industries and 58 respondents SMEs in restaurants industries are participating in this study. Data is processed descriptively and quantitatively. The result of the study showed that both types of SMEs have high entrepreneurial competencies in their business. Based on quantitative analysis using regression, it was found that both entrepreneurial competencies have positive and significant effect on performance. Opportunities held by SMEs in Pekanbaru, among others, are economic growth above the national average, high level of public consumption, the conducive atmosphere to investment, geographically located close to the neighboring countries and so on. Nevertheless we can not deny the empowerment of the SME sector is still faced with the challenges, such as limited access to capital, raw material, information technology, qualified human resources, marketing the product or services, lacked of guidance from government, exchange rate, high interest rate, and so on. Therefore, increasing competitiveness of SMEs is urgently required especially in dealing with the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

This research developed the Islamic governance model for assessing sharia banking performance management. This research engaged with mixed methods by combining a positive or quantitative paradigm approach and an interpretive paradigm. The quantitative approach was carried out using Factor Analysis with Structural Equation Modeling. Data collection was executed using the observation technique, three in-depth interviews, documentation in building the sharia governance model, and questionnaires distributed to respondents to measure more dominant indicators in building the sharia governance model. The result of the analysis scores demonstrated that the moral and integrity variable exhibited the best goodness of fit model. It was followed by independence and responsible freedom; continuous improvements; honesty; positive thinking; balance, transparency and openness; belief and faith; accountability; professionalism; spirit; management; fulfilment of trust; intelligence; leadership; and justice. Keywords: Islamic governance, Islamic banking, performance

This study aimed to examine the effect of contestant image, advertising, program, and the party to local elections in the city of Pekanbaru. Data were collected using a questionnaire. After being tested for validity and reliability, the data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. This research found that the four independent variables simultaneously affect the decision to choose the candidates. However, partial test results found that, of the four independent variables, only the image of candidates and programs offered by the candidate have positive and significant impact. The interesting things from this study is that the negative effect of advertising which means that when the candidate improve the advertisement, the lower the community's decision to choose them, yet this negative effect is not significant. Based on the results of this research it can be inferred that when someone wants to nominate themselves to become head of the regions, then they must have good image and proper program that it was trusted by the community as their leader.