Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprise'
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Juell-Skielse, Gustaf. "ERP adoption in small and medium sized enterprises." Licentiate thesis, Stockholm, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-3982.
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Quartey, Peter. "Finance and small and medium-sized enterprise development in Ghana." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.488429.
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This thesis provides a critical evaluation of the inter-relationship between finance and other key factors and SME development. However, the study places much emphasis on issues relating finance and SME development since studies have shown that financial constraint is the major factor affecting SME entrepreneurs in Ghana. Issues of finance and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries have dominated the research agenda at various policy levels. However, very little empirical analysis, that is, hypothesis testing, has been carried out to ascertain the relationship between finance and enterprise performance. Although a few studies have attempted to examine this relationship, there remain large gaps in our knowledge concerning the relationship between finance and SME development. This thesis aims to fill these gaps in our knowledge. The objective of the study is to provide a better understanding of the relationship between finance and other key factors such as exports, education, inter-fiem linkages and small and medium enterprise development in Ghana. It will conduct hypothesis testing on key relationships on the financial structure of small and medium enterprises in Ghana and also ascertain how firms differ in their demand for internal and external sources of finance. The study will also investigate the determinants of growth and SME entrepreneur's access to finance. The analysis is based on firm level data gathered in 1999 from 208 small and medium enterprises located within a 50 Kilometre geographical radius of five principal cities in Ghana. The Study employed a combination of analytical techniques, namely, tile 'Basic Detailed Characteristics' approach and regression analysis (Two Stage Least Squares and Logistic Regression Analysis). This allowed for an exhaustive analysis of the SME sector and its potential for income, employment, and economic growth. The empirical issues revealed by the analysis were: First, results from the regression equation on the determininants of firm growth confirmed the principal hypothesis of the thesis, that is, access to finance exerts a significantly positive effect on growth. This indicates the need to improve the availability of credit to SMEs to enable*the sector realise its potential. Another major finding is, increases in firm size exert a negative and statistically significant effect on growth (when defined as growth in sales). However, when growth is defined as value added, increases in firm size have a positive and statistically significant effect on growth. This has very useful implications for policy, that is, support programmes should be equally targeted towards small and medium enterprises. Another major finding is, exporting firms perform better than non-exporting firms. This re-emphasizes the need for policies to support upgrading of SME products to meet acceptable standards and compete internationally. Higher levels of education of SME entrepreneurs also exert a statistically significant effect on growth. There is therefore the need to educate entrepreneurs especially on production techniques and managerial abilities. The second regression equation investigated the determinants of access to finance and found that frill size exerts a significantly positive effect on access to finance. This implies small firms are often marginalized in the allocation of credit, hence there is the need to target more credit to the small-scale sector. Secondly, older firms tend to have better access to finance than newly established firms. An export equation was also estimated and very interesting findings were revealed. First, foreign owned firms are more likely to export than locally owned enterprises. Educated entrepreneurs are more likely to export than tile less educated ones. Also, males are more likely export than their female counterparts. Finally, medium-sized firms are more likely to export than small-scale enterprises.
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Siddiquie, Mohammed Aslamuddin. "Branding Strategies of Service Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Owners." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6118.
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Most enterprises in the United Arab Emirates are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); some owners of these enterprises lack the knowledge of branding strategies to succeed financially. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore branding strategies used by owners of some successful service SMEs. Krake's funnel model for the role of brand management in SMEs was the conceptual framework used in the study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of 6 owners of medium-sized service enterprises who used branding strategies to improve the financial performance of their companies, and a review of company documents and company websites. Data analysis was conducted using the principles of the content analysis method, which included identifying codes and themes. Findings indicated owners of SMEs should be the personification of their brand, must do internal branding, should use the Internet and social media for marketing and branding, and should use innovative marketing strategies to promote their brand. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential for owners of SMEs, who successfully implement branding strategies, to participate in the social causes started by the local governments for the welfare of people and communities.
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Jones, Leslie. "Small to Medium Sized Enterprise Sustainability through Green Supply Chain Management." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4225.
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Small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) make up between 95%-99% of private businesses worldwide, employ 60%-70% of the workforce in most countries and generate 33% of the GDP. SMEs account for a high percentage of the world's pollution because of the significant numbers of SMEs, and their accumulative impact. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies SME supply chain leaders used to implement green supply chain management (GSCM) policies that increase productivity and decrease losses. The origin of GSCM originates from the research of Ayres and Kneese. A purposeful sample of 3 SME construction companies was selected because of their success in creating strategies resulting in increased productivity and decreased financial losses in Summit County, Ohio. Company documents were reviewed and, member checking, artifact analysis, and reflective journaling were utilized to validate the dependability of the findings. Four main themes were identified: (a) onboarding, (b) fiscal management, (c) policy, and (d) infrastructure. The descriptions provided by SME leaders contributed to exploring the phenomenon in an actual setting. The results of this multiple case study may provide strategies leaders can use to increase productivity, minimize losses, and contribute to social change by decreasing hazardous chemicals and employee health problems.
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Hutchinson, Michael Andrew. "Environmental management in Devon and Cornwall's small and medium-sized enterprise sector." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/2575.
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The challenge of sustainable development has become one of the most important strategic, economic and social concerns facing global society today. Although literature on environmental management theory and sustainable development philosophy has increased apace throughout the 1980s and 1990s, very few of these writings have documented the case of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). The objectives of this research are: i) to determine the level of awareness and perception of environmental issues within the SME sector and to assess prevailing attitudes of owner/managers to the importance they attach to managing this aspect of their business operations; ii) to gain an understanding of the scale and nature of response to environmental issues across a broad section of SMEs; iii) to utilise the knowledge gained about awareness, attitude and organisational response to assess the relevance of the environmental management systems so far developed to and to link this to achieving sustainable development; iv) to draw upon the expertise of owner/managers and appropriate institutions to validate and, if appropriate, further refine the new and/or revised systems as necessary; v) to assess the possibilities for sustainable development within the SME sector. The first phase of the research involves a mail survey which identifies: what the SME sector is doing to improve its environmental performance; what the general attitudes to organisational change are: and levels of awareness of various environmental issues. Phase two of the research considers in more depth the issue of practical response to environmental issues through a series of in-depth interviews concentrating particularly on reasons why companies do not have detailed strategic management plans to deal with the environment. Phase two tests the results from the in-depth interviews on a larger sample frame providing the empirical foundations for testing existing models of environmental management. Phase three of the research analyses the need for an alternative strategy for the SME sector to manage environmental concerns. Material for a new model is obtained from case study material of best practice, alternative literature and primary source information. Results show that existing models are inappropriate for the majority of SMEs and that environmental practices are limited within the sector. Awareness of environmental issues and attitudes towards change are more positive from larger secondary sector companies. To this end the research proposes an alternative Bioregional Regeneration Model which could be tested and applied to induce local community regeneration and the development of a sustainable community based SME sector.
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RodriÌguez, Jorge. "The internationalisation of the small and medium-sized enterprise : the aware manager." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.425185.
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Alexis, Armstrong Matthew. "Human Resource Management Strategies for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise Project Success." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5966.
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Critical success factors that contribute to project success in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have received insufficient attention in research. Guided by the goal-setting conceptual framework, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the human resource management (HRM) strategies used by owners of SMEs to achieve project success. Five owners of SMEs in St. Lucia participated in the research by contributing their experiences in using HRM strategies to achieve project success. Data were collected from SME owners using semistructured interviews, and from observations and analysis of company records. Data were manually analyzed using Yin's 5 phases. Five themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the data obtained from the interviews, observations, and company records: (a) financial rewards, (b) team meetings and briefings, (c) training and staff enhancement, (d) retention and loyalty, and (e) work-life balance. The HRM strategies used by the participants to achieve project success have implications for social change because project success can lead to the sustainability of SMEs, thereby creating employment and improving the quality of life for citizens who benefit from the successful infrastructural and social projects that owners of SMEs undertake.
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Burton, Richard. "A Methodology to Select an Enterprise Resource Planning System for a Small or Medium Sized Enterprise." FIU Digital Commons, 2011. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/387.
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are software programs designed to integrate the functional requirements, and operational information needs of a business. Pressures of competition and entry standards for participation in major manufacturing supply chains are creating greater demand for small business ERP systems. The proliferation of new offerings of ERP systems introduces complexity to the selection process to identify the right ERP business software for a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). The selection of an ERP system is a process in which a faulty conclusion poses a significant risk of failure to SME’s. The literature reveals that there are still very high failure rates in ERP implementation, and that faulty selection processes contribute to this failure rate. However, the literature is devoid of a systematic methodology for the selection process for an ERP system by SME’s. This study provides a methodological approach to selecting the right ERP system for a small or medium-sized enterprise. The study employs Thomann’s meta-methodology for methodology development; a survey of SME’s is conducted to inform the development of the methodology, and a case study is employed to test, and revise the new methodology. The study shows that a rigorously developed, effective methodology that includes benchmarking experiences has been developed and successfully employed. It is verified that the methodology may be applied to the domain of users it was developed to serve, and that the test results are validated by expert users and stakeholders. Future research should investigate in greater detail the application of meta-methodologies to supplier selection and evaluation processes for services and software; additional research into the purchasing practices of small firms is clearly needed.
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Ozalp, Dizem. "Small And Medium-sized Enterprises And Banking Sector In Turkey." Master's thesis, METU, 2006. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/3/12607995/index.pdf.
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This study has the objective of arguing the fact that the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise
(SME) lending is developing, relevant to the evolution of the business environment and banking
sector, during the period between 2001 –
2006 years. The thesis is testing this claim on two data sets. First
the financial data of CBRT during the period of 2001 - 2006 is evaluated. Then, the SME data of a Bank is evaluated. The thesis also covers the arguments on SME definition, the literature survey for SME development policies, SME lending infrastructure, the banking sector, as the main source of finance for SME, and the SME profile of Turkey. The thesis concludes on two things: The share of SMEs in the total credit volume is rising during the period between 2001 &
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2006 years. And the share of medium-term credits is rising, while the short-term credits&
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is decreasing. In addition to these, the study criticizes the recent SME definition of KOSGEB.
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Sari, Burak. "Methodology Development For Small And Medium Sized Enterpise Sme) Based Virtual Enterprises." Phd thesis, METU, 2006. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12607308/index.pdf.
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This dissertation presents the results of a Ph.D. research entitled as methodology development for SME based virtual enterprises. The research addresses the preparation and set up of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. A virtual enterprise (VE) can be perceived as a customer solution delivery system created by a temporary and re-configurable information and communications technology (ICT) enabled aggregation of competencies.
The main achievements of the research include:
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Clarification and definition of the concept for virtual enterprises and enterprise networks including preparation of these. o A fast and efficient setup of virtual enterprises can be enabled through the establishment of an enterprise network in which an appropriate type and degree of work preparation can be established prior to the set up of virtual enterprises. &
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Development of a framework and a reference architecture for virtual enterprises named as Structured Methodology and ICT Reference Architecture respectively. o Structured Methodology structures the body of knowledge related to preparation, set up and operation of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. o ICT reference architecture consists of three levels with seven layers to portray in a diagrammatic fashion how different enterprises may exchange and use information between their respective organizations&
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specific proprietary systems and a central server. &
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Development of a methodology for virtual enterprise named as Virtual Enterprise Methodology (VEM) o VEM consists of a set of guidelines, which systematically describes activities that enterprises should consider in relation to set up and preparation of own enterprise networks with the aim to set up virtual enterprises. &
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Testing and validation of the developed VEM with the realization of a virtual case study and establishment of a validation platform respectively. o Virtual case study demonstrates the application of the developed VE methodology with the illustration of the key activities related to setting up breeding environment, setting up &
operating VE and dissolution of VE. o The findings in the research can be validated through the various activities as meetings, conferences, presentations and publication of journals.
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Qaqish, Tamer Ayoub. "Cost risk management for a small to medium-sized enterprise in the cladding industry." Thesis, Durham University, 2011. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1380/.
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To research the management of risk and cost in the cladding industry, this work has evaluated current practice and deficiencies, concentrating on the lack of integration or standardisation resulting in inaccurate cost estimates, unacceptable risks and loss of profit in cladding manufacture. The research presents an approach for integrating process- and technology-orientated improvements into a knowledge-based model to improve a cladding manufacturing SME’s performance. The research also presents a management method for the selection, integration, control and implementation of this approach. Controlling data transfer between systems produces a knowledge-based model, allowing cladding industry designers and estimators to take more accurate decisions, with the objective of reducing risk and improving company profitability. This model, with the addition of external supply chain elements, is a management framework, which can be termed an agile manufacturing system. The development of this framework has raised the following data certainty questions: • What is the measured uncertainty of that data? • How can the industry control and structure high data volumes transferred between systems to produce more accurate cost models? The answers to these questions were found by applying a structured methodology for the selection, integration and control of technology in the cladding industry, but involving the human factor. In this approach, the principle of entropy was adopted to measure data uncertainty. The structured methodology was made possible by a new categorisation into Innovative, Standard and Semi-Standard cladding projects. The research applied this structured methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative methods for validating assumptions, to a cladding industry SME case-study. The case-study investigated the validity of real cost and project data and calculated data uncertainty for specific projects, categorised as described, using a risk factor percentage predicted on entropy principles, based on historical data fed back from the SME’s ERP system. This risk factor approach was similar to that previously used in the insurance and banking industries. The risk percentage formulae used were based on assumptions extracted from qualitative and quantitative methods applied to the SME, its partner companies and industry specialists. Assumptions about the gross margins for UK metal cladding projects formed part of the risk percentage formulae. The results of this case-study found that gross margins varied from 5% in standard projects to 40% in the Innovative projects. An entropy scale was proposed as a basis for comparing risk calculation results, with the highest entropy equalling 100%, signifying the highest risk possible. It was found that risk rises in the case-study were from 23% for Standard to 93% for Innovative projects. This principle of a risk factor percentage was tested in the UK cladding manufacturer SME case-study and its value to the SME was demonstrated.
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Lashley, Jonathan Graham. "The internationalisation of the small-to-medium sized enterprise (SME) : a critical realist approach." Thesis, University of Northampton, 2001. http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/2790/.
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The Small- to Medium- Sized Enterprise (SME) has attracted the attention of researchers and governments because of the increasingly important role it is playing in national and international economies. The current research is directed towards understanding the internationalisation of this important economic unit, specifically the internationalisation of SMEs in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom. The research adopts a critical realist philosophy, used by researchers to explain the decision-making process, and applies it in a different context to provide insights into the internationalisation process of the SME. A critical realist approach is used as it enables an understanding of the roles of structures and the contingent environment in facilitating differing levels of SME internationalisation. These are factors that are believed to operate at a level below that of the observable. The study adopts a mixed methodology (a questionnaire survey and two company case studies) that identifies three main issues, including, the international orientation of the industry, previous international experience of management, and the age of the firm. The survey also identified two other issues, perceptions of competition levels, and technology. All of these factors heavily influenced the differing internationalisation levels seen. The two case study companies were used to illustrate the issues at a real level, highlighting the effect of the structures of the capitalist mode of production and the supply chain. The roles of these structures were shown as not deterministic, as the affect of structure was only exhibited under particular contingent conditions in the external and internal environments
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Obazee, Alero Theodora. "Exploring Financial Management Practices of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7566.
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Most owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria are inadequately prepared to perform the financial management tasks required for business sustainability. This case study, guided by institutional theory, was conducted to explore how SME owners can be prepared to implement financial management effectively for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The research question addressed the understanding of experienced SME owners regarding how they can develop necessary financial management skills for sustaining a business in Edo state. Data were collected using semistructured interview, and field notes from 15 SME owners in Edo state who had prior knowledge of, experience with, and education on financial management and had been managing an SME for at least 3 years. Through Yin's 5-step data analysis process, member checking, and triangulation, the themes that emerged were strategic accounting practice, knowledge of financial planning, hiring an accountant, record keeping, obtaining accounting education, and embracing technology and financial management software. The study findings have the potential to contribute to positive social change by indicating how SMEs can be more effective in generating employment, ensuring sustainability, and improving the standard of living.
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Heang, Rasmey. "THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF ADOPTING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISE (SME)." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för ekonomi, teknik och naturvetenskap, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-33509.
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Nowadays, managing business performance is becoming a relatively difficult and complex process for managers since it is undertaking major change both in research and practice. With the growing global interest in Business intelligence (BI), it has also been identified as an important role for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to satisfy their customer’s needs by analyzing through BI system. However, the limited financial resource and lack of human capital are becoming the constraint for SMEs to invest in Business Intelligence system; as well the return of their investment in BI system is still being considerable for SMEs to invest in the system. This study proposes an innovative approach for assessing and prioritizing the use of BI, which can help SME owners to prioritize their customer’s needs and communicate with their stakeholder by using Kano model. This paper is prepared in a way to define and convey the idea of Kano Model and its application to aspiring organizations.
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Ayele, Seife. "The role and impact of investment incentives on small and medium-sized enterprise development in Ethiopia." Thesis, n.p, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/.
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Sloan, Brian Andrew. "Determining the Incidence of Direct Taxation on the United Kingdom Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Sector." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.508910.
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The objective of this thesis is to develop a means of quantifying the level of direct taxation resulting from the activities of the United Kingdom's small and medium sized enterprise sector, over a six year period 1999-2000 to 2004-05. As many developed nations have accepted the argument that a prosperous small firms sector can be a contributory factor to economic growth (Evans and Leighton, 1989) public policy has been used to promote small firm ownership and business growth. The value and success of such policies in the United Kingdom has been questioned (Storey, 1994) and techniques have been developed to identify those firms that might unintentionally benefit as a consequence of such policy interventions (Lenihan, 2004). Of particular interest in this research is the use of tax policy to promote small firm ownership and growth. Within the academic literature there is considerable debate concerning the use of the tax system for this purpose; Johnson (1990) arguing that it is appropriate to tax favour small firms on the basis of the externalities that these firms yield to the economy, yet due to their size do not capture themselves. Conversely, Holtz-Eakin (1995 and 2000) argues that such intervention is inappropriate on the basis of the consequent inequity and inefficiencies that are created in the tax system. Despite the use of tax policy to promote small firm ownership and growth, little is known about the direct tax revenues resulting from the activities of these firms in the United Kingdom. Tax modelling is a technique that can address such deficiencies in the literature and support the value judgements of policymakers (Creedy, 2001). Accordingly a model· is developed here that applies the parameters of the tax system to a unique dataset, capturing the heterogeneity of the small and medium sized enterprise sector, dividing it into strata based on legal form, industrial sector and employment size. This allows the size and distribution of direct tax liabilities to be assessed across the sector. As a consequence this thesis contributes to knowledge with an empirical innovation, capable of providing ex ante evaluation of policy, one of the exciting 'frontiers' of policy analysis (Lenihan, Hart and Roper, 2007; page 318). The main finding of this research is that the small and medium sized enterprise sector contributed £102.0bn in direct tax revenues for the year 2004-05 (22.6% of all government tax receipts); companies contributing £82.3bn and unincorporated firms £19.7bn. Whilst the distribution of these tax liabilities across this sector of the economy is largely dependent on the profitability and number of firms in each industrial sector, this research quantifies these revenues for the first time. The significance of the research is that in the absence of access to tax authority data, a method has been developed for estimating tax revenues at the level of the firm by mimicking the computations of the tax system, validating the outcomes at the level of the firm for taxes on profits and utilising statistical techniques to control for bias in the data sources to aggregate taxes to the level of the economy. The restrictions on the availability of tax authority data also applies across government departments and therefore this model is able to provide ex ante assistance to policymakers regarding a range of issues related to the small firms sector, some applications of which are presented in the penultimate chapter of this thesis.
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Azarikasmaee, Yasamin. "Adoption of Building Information Modelling in Construction: The Case of a Small - to Medium-sized Enterprise." Thesis, Curtin University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/68274.
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This research aims to understand why and how small to medium enterprise (SME) construction companies can effectively utilise Building Information Modelling (BIM). Using an in-depth case study, it focuses on an organisation that used design-build methods within the residential sector. The research demonstrates that many of the enabling foundations of BIM are already in place within this sector and the move towards a collaborative environment can be enabled without the need for disruptive changes.
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Deprey, Brynn Darin. "The internationalisation process of small and medium-sized management consultancies in the UK." Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, 2011. http://arro.anglia.ac.uk/211610/.
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This thesis focuses on how small to medium-sized management consultancies internationalise, as this is an under-researched area. Investigation focuses on identifying the factors that facilitate international market success for these small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the challenges they encounter, and how those challenges have been overcome. The relevance of SME internationalisation theories is explored for SME management consultancies in the UK. The study is exploratory, phenomenological and framed within an interpretive research paradigm. Primary data was gathered qualitatively using multiple (9) case studies, collected principally through semi-structured interviews. This empirical research, one of the first to focus solely on SME management consultancies, finds the owner/founders as the key driver of internationalisation. Their past experience enables an international outlook and brings established networks to firm formation. The findings highlight the relevance of intangible resources: the firms’ skills, competencies and networking capabilities, as integral to successful internationalisation. Additional key critical success factors are niche market specialisation, firm reputation, firm location, ability for service provision modification and the role of technology. There are observed firm size-related differences in the challenges these firms face, with smaller-sized firms being more vulnerable to challenges from the external environment, including the 2008 financial crisis. Firms are able to overcome these challenges with the help of their networks. Other challenges stem from the firm’s service provision: difficulty in finding skilled staff and communication with clients. The findings suggest applicability for other knowledge-intensive firms. The research contributes to closing the gap in literature on how firms successfully provide services internationally and in so doing advances theoretical understanding of SME service internationalisation. This theory-building research demonstrates partial relevance of Stage Theory, Networking Theory, and Born Global Theory, but overall the resource-based view was found as the most relevant to understanding the internationalisation process of SME management consultancies. This sets a foundation for further research on the internationalisation process of other knowledge-intensive firms.
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Bača, Slavomír. "Comparative analysis of business environment conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises within V4 countries." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2013. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-198434.
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The main aim of the master's thesis is to clarify the problematic of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), analyse relevancy and historical development of selected ratios influencing business environment conditions for SMEs, and determine the best country within V4 region in terms of favourableness of selected business environment conditions for 2014. Theoretical part of the thesis discusses the problematic of SMEs from different points of view emphasizing on the approach of European Union. Based on literature relevant indicators are selected and presented for each V4 country individually. Analytical part of the thesis analyses external environment conditions for SMEs within V4 region in 2014 through five groups of indicators: Taxation, Labour Cost, Demand, Corruption and Law Enforcement, and Easy of Doing Business. The whole analysis is conducted based on secondary data and method of indexes. All of the five groups of indicators are analysed separately and based on these results the final ranking is created. The results of the study show relatively similar business conditions for SMEs within V4 area with Poland having the best SMEs business environment in 2014.
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Ofoegbu, C. A. "Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) adoption in a hybrid service and manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) : an action case study." Thesis, University of Salford, 2016. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/38665/.
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There is a growing need for understanding business process re-engineering within SMEs such as the service management companies and this calls for more research focusing on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and implementation. The aim of this study is to highlight the impact of an in-depth business process analysis during the pre-adoption and implementation of an ERP system in a hybrid service and manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME). Service management SMEs are identified as lacking in research focus especially in service operations, and in hybrid organisations that combine manufacturing and service provision. The study extends the existing knowledge in business process analysis and ERP adoption research by drawing upon the interpretive action case and Organisational Information Processing Theory (OIPT). The emphasis is on the impact of appropriate business process analysis during the pre-adoption decision making of an ERP system in a hybrid service and manufacturing SME. Primary data was collected using an online survey with 72 customer responses, questionnaires for in-company observations and third party meetings conducted at an SME in the North West of England, UK. OIPT specifically states that organisations are structured around information and the flow of information in order to minimise uncertainties. The theory suggests the use of information processing needs and information processing capabilities of an organisation to find an optimal performance. The theory however made no suggestion of how to find this optimal performance. Customising OIPT as the theoretical framework, the current study identified two variables a) information processing needs and b) information processing capability of the case organisation and used Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to analyse both variables in order to obtain an optimal fit during IS/IT pre-adoption decision making. The current study takes an original approach by combining and customising OIPT with VSM to the needs of the current study. It also highlights existing wastes in the business process and areas of improvement are suggested while mapping the information processing needs and information processing capabilities of the organisation. The study used action case methodology to provide a rich insight into business process analysis and ERP pre-adoption in a hybrid service and manufacturing SME. The current study was conducted over a period of two years from January 2010 to December 2011. The author was fully immersed into the study as both a participant and a researcher. The action case provided an environment where information processing needs and information processing capabilities as well as the application of VSM could be studied while analysing the resultant implications. Using action case, the current study was able to focus on pre-adoption decision making and monitored the initial impact of action on the case. The key finding is that OIPT and VSM are compatible and offer an opportunity of closing the weaknesses of not being able to identify the optimal fit when using OIPT alone during business process analysis. The contributions to knowledge are: i) Modification of OIPT in the form of OIPT2.0 to reproduce the current state as well as develop the future state value stream to suggest the optimal fit between the information needs and capability of an organisation. ii) Emphasis on extensive scoping during an IS/IT pre-adoption process aids the identification and adoption of an ERP system which best fits the business process and also suggests areas of the business process which could benefit from improvement. iii) The study also creates more awareness of action case methodology by demonstrating how it provides a rich insight into the process of ERP pre-adoption decision making in a hybrid SME. iv) Recommendation is made to the definition of hybrid service and manufacturing SME.
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Mukwasi, Carrington M. "Enterprise resource planning business case considerations : an analysis of Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises in developing countries." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5666.
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Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems because they promise significant benefits. However, the majority of ERP deployments rarely meet user expectations and often do not yield expected benefits. As a result, the failure rate of ERP implementations at SMEs is estimated to be between 40 and 60 percent. This high rate of failure, together with the resultant impact on SMEs and the consequences for national development is a cause for concern. In order to address this concern, this study aims to explore how SMEs develop their business cases, as well as how the benefits, risks and costs of ERP systems are realised in SMEs. Companies need a clear vision and convincing reasons when they adopt ERP systems. The study used the qualitative research method. Cases from South Africa and Zimbabwe were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using elements of thematic data analysis, grounded theory, and a general inductive approach to analysis. The Design Reality Gap Model formed a theoretical base and was used as lens for data collection and analysis.
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Jurgenliemk, Amely A. (Amely Antoinette) Carleton University Dissertation International Affairs. "Privatization of the Polish economy after 1989; obstacles to financing the emerging small and medium-sized enterprise sector." Ottawa, 1996.
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Kristjónsdóttir, Marta Karen. "Shaping the Climate Action trajectory within the Fashion Industry : a case study of a Small Medium Sized Enterprise." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Naturresurser och hållbar utveckling, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-388637.
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The apparel and footwear industry’s contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the fifth largest per industry, equal to that of livestock, after electricity and heat, oil and gas, agriculture, and transportation (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017). For industry-wide emissions reduction, investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs across highest impacting life cycle phases offer the most effective solution. However, identifying the highest impacting life cycles phases shows varied results depending on the particular type of business model under examination. This paper responds to the lack of existing data and empirical research on how to accurately measure, report and reduce carbon emissions across the highly complex and globally interconnected apparel value chain. This is done through a single case study investigation of an Icelandic fashion brand. A hybrid approach of a standard Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Sustainable Global Value Chain (SGVC) functions to produce a Hotspot Identification Tool (HIT) to establish a holistic portrayal of business operations in relation to emission impacts and level of controllability across Scopes. The conceptual analysis and qualitative results identify the most relevant emission hotspots to lie within the company’s privately owned manufacturing facilities, as well as the procurement phase, due to its direct connection with and influence on material production, user phase, and end-of-life. The main obstacle in this pursuit is identified as restriction of resources in terms of time, capital and expertise. It is suggested that this be overcome by joining a Multi-Stakeholder Initiative where resources and expertise is pooled in a pre-competitive manner to reach common objectives. The investigation further suggests a need for global fashion brands to leverage their influential position on down- and upstream activities across the value chain, i.e. with their supply chain partners and consumers. I argue that fashion brands play an integral role in supporting local efforts to build a decarbonisation pathway towards climate neutral economies on a global scale.
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Agyeiwaa, Owusu Jacqueline, and Aguirre Gonzalez Victor Raul. "ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMEs: A Case Study from a Ghanaian SME." Thesis, Högskolan Dalarna, Företagsekonomi, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:du-28512.
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Aim: The purpose of this research is to develop an in-depth understanding on the environmental factors that influence the internationalization of SMEs in an emerging African market environment. Methods: The study was conducted by using a qualitative research design. To fulfil the purpose of this research, the researchers adopted the use of a single case study to explain the different aspects of the topic being studied within the emerging market context. The research was supported with primary data obtained directly from the company through interviews and also with secondary data in order to support and compare the results obtained from this research. Results were analyzed using thematic analysis with the use of the NVivo software to represent data collected. Results: The main findings of this research indicate the internationalization process of financial SMEs in an African country like Ghana is heavily influenced by the socio-cultural factors in their home market environment and the technological factors in their host markets. Again, it was realized that the internal resources of the firm, particularly the competitive advantage, remained highly relevant and influential in the internationalization process on both markets. Furthermore, it was found that the internationalization process was not only influenced by the firm’s resources or the environmental factors but also by the firm’s organizational internal processes, international activities, level of foreign experiences and firm identity. Conclusions: Environmental factors have both positive and negative influence on the internationalization process of financial SMEs in an emerging economy like Ghana. Some factors have more impact on the home market than on the host market and vice versa. In addition, the internationalization process of financial SMEs in Ghana can mostly be initiated and successful when the firm has a market gap or foothold strong enough to sustain competitive advantage in the long run on both host and home markets. More importantly, this unique edge must be buttressed by ample firm resources.
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McDonald, William James Charles. "The ideology of managers in the management of employees in small and medium sized enterprises in Australia." University of Southern Queensland, Faculty of Business, 2005. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/archive/00001470/.
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Alan Fox's unitarist ideology provided a useful categorisation of managerial perspectives on managing employees and the nature of organisation. However, it was an intuitive framework, developed as part of a reformist argument for a pluralist system of industrial relations. It was not based on a systematic, empirical study of managers and, while applied to research, there has been little testing of the construct. The primary research question addressed in this thesis is whether managers in contemporary SMEs exhibit unitarist characteristics. A number of subsidiary questions follow. The first set explores managers' attitudes towards managerial prerogative, conflict, collective workplace relations and trade unions. Analysis of the data produced 11 unitarist dimensions. The second addresses whether organisational and personal characteristics and managers' perceptions of the limitations on management are significant for SME managers' ideological frameworks. The third identifies whether consultative, participative and collective practices are employed in work organisations. The definition of managerial ideology, including both managers' beliefs and values and also their workplace behaviour and practices, led to testing the relationship between the unitarist dimensions and managerial practice, and managers' satisfaction with employees. Finally, the thesis investigated whether there were any significant links between managerial practices and managers' satisfaction with employee performance. The methodology included a mail survey of SME managers in Eastern Australia with 206 respondents, and an interview programme of 20 SME managers in Brisbane, Queensland. The significant findings of this research are, first, that consultative or participative managerial practices do not necessarily reflect a pluralist ideology or orientation. SME managers limit the scope of decisions for involving employees, and usually shopfloor employees, utilising practices that do not compromise managerial power or managerial prerogative. Second, organisational and personal characteristics are relatively unimportant contextual variables in management behaviour in SMEs, unless it was described as a family business. Third, this thesis provides an alternative to the conclusions of some industrial relations scholars that managers employ a mix of unitarist and pluralist strategies. The adoption of apparently pluralist management practices in consultation and employee participation are revealed in this research as being predominantly non-threatening to managerial prerogative and organisational power structures in workplaces in terms of who is involved or excluded, and about what matters employees are consulted or involved. The overall results of managers' attitudes to collective workplace arrangements and trade unions confirm a general unitarist orientation in Australian SMEs. Fourth, the evidence does not suggest any clear binding of values and beliefs with managerial behaviour. Underpinning normative perspectives on management is an underlying commitment to protecting managers' power in the work organisation. It is this fundamental political commitment that both guides and constrains strategic choice in managing employees in SMEs. Unitarist ideology is thus central to the norms of management, and goes to the core of managerial prerogative. Finally, the results indicated that SME managers in the study usually did not demonstrate strong attachments to their views on the issues presented to them.
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Steele, Laura. "Corporate social capital creation and transfer among small to medium sized enterprise (SME) owner-managers in two recreational settings." Thesis, Ulster University, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.603574.
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Corporate Social Capital theory has been used as a prism through which diverse economic issues have been explored (Leenders and Gabbay 1999). This thesis draws upon it once again, to provide a framework for understanding the attitudes to business networking held by the owner-managers of Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ireland. Using a multiple case study approach as outlined by Yin (2009), the research was conducted in Rotary clubs and golf clubs, which have traditionally fostered such exchanges but in secondary function to wider social welfare or sporting aims. Through the use of in-depth interviews the individual's opportunities to engage with others, motivation for doing so and ability to produce value from the interactions were explored (Adler and Kwon 2002). Respondents provided clear examples of when their business had benefited (or indeed suffered) as the result of their social network. The overarching themes emerging from the data are increased access to information that could be converted into competitive advantage and the accelerated development of trust among network members. This, however, was tempered by frequent mention of the ‘dark side' (Gargiulo and Benassi 1999) where an unpropitious reputation is easy to form but difficult to shed and the very idea of overt networking is still considered by some to be uncouth. The research identified five factors that impacted on an individual SME owner-managers ability to generate social capital, specifically: the location and age profile of the club and the gender/ occupation and personality of the SME owner-manager. This thesis provides a new perspective on the experiences of the SME owner-manager in a time of continued economic uncertainty.
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Brickau, Ralf Alexander. "The strategic response of small and medium-sized enterprise sector firms to the Single European Market : a comparative study." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/1842.
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The creation of the post-1992 European Single Market represents a significant change in the business environment confronting firms throughout Europe. Although there is an extensive source of literature available on appropriate strategic responses to the Single Market, very few of these writings contain guidance specifically related to the situation facing small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). The objectives of this study are i) to determine important veu-iables which might influence SME competitiveness, ii) how these may influence SME competitiveness and iii) to identiiy the formal or informal strategic approaches of SME firms responding to the challenge of the Single Market. To achieve these objectives a comparative study has been undertaken across approximately 200 UK and German SME food & drink processing firms. The first phase of the research involves a survey aimed at identifying which national, regional and company-specific variables may influence SME sector competitiveness in the Single European Market envirormient. British firms identify only a small number of crucially important vauriables whereas German respondents identify a much larger number of variables. Variables identified as having an important/very important influence on competitiveness are used in the second survey to determine whether these Eire likely to place firms in a stronger or weaker position on the competitive continuum within the post-1992 environment. UK firms are much more indifferent about competitive advantages and disadvantages compared to their German counterparts. German firms, in contrast, identify a balanced portfolio of disadvantages and advantages. The third survey is aimed at establishing companies' strategic approaches in terms of planning philosophy, market opportunities and internal capabilities. The survey establishes that German firms have a more formalised planning approach. Furthermore, most German SMEs follow a focused differentiation strategy, emphasising premium product performance with distinctive tangible and intangible benefits. At the same time increased emphasis is placed on making production more cost effective and efficient. Given that the identified strategic approach by the German firms appears to be the most appropriate strategic option for Northern European SME firms, it may be concluded that the latter appear to be in a stronger competitive position in the post-1992 environment. In contrast, small UK firms appear to reject the idea of getting actively involved in Single Market activities and continue to pursue domestic market issues. Findings indicate that UK respondents show distinctive gaps in their strategic approach. Hence, it can be anticipated that these firms are in a weaker position to counteract threats to their marketplaces from foreign competitors. A strategic response framework for SME firms is introduced and additional measures are discussed which may assist UK owner/managers to become more involved in formalised strategic plarming. This may lead to a more successful strategic response to the challenges of the Single European Market.
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Sefera, Ali Shigute, and Jude Bahanag Nunga. "The importance of open innovation in small and medium-sized enterprise in Sweden : A case study of Single Technologies." Thesis, KTH, Industriell ekonomi och organisation (Inst.), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-246071.
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The entrepreneurs behind newly formed companies in Sweden as well as small medium-sized enterprises and start-ups are increasingly getting involved in open innovation or exploring its practices. They do this in order to develop innovative products and services. SMEs and start-ups are collaborating with external stakeholders, such as enterprise service providers, industrial suppliers, research institutions or universities, to either bring their innovative products and solutions to the market faster or to stay ahead of the game of competitions. By engaging in open innovation practices, the different stakeholders involved are able to combine human capital, in addition with a collection of available resources. By reading further into this thesis research, a typical exploration of resources can be noticed spanning from hardware to software and from soft skills to hard skills, thus resulting to innovative outcomes (product and services). This thesis research will investigate the benefits Swedish start-ups and small-medium-sized enterprises can gain from open innovation. There are several studies on large companies that use open innovation to generate additional values. Accordingly, external learning is very important in small and medium-size enterprises for growth. However, there are fewer studies on startups and SMEs, in terms of open innovation; therefore, this research study aims to address this gap. SMEs and open innovation are becoming very important in the local Swedish and global knowledge-based economy. In the past Sweden’s economy, SME played an important role and in the future SMEs are estimated to be more important, due to the rapid technology development and fast-growing services sector. An important contributing fact to the local economy is that 9 out 10 new jobs during the last twenty years were created within the SME sector in Sweden. Accordingly, this study has highlighted the importance of external learning and its contribution towards improving the innovative performance of small and medium-size enterprises. The findings from all interviews and case study revealed different impact about the importance of open innovation. All companies had their respective motivating reasons to explore external resources, while some could attest the resources helped to verify their assumption. Other SME and companies were collaborating with research institutes, academia in order to complement their innovation process, which ended up being a benefit to all parties involved in open innovation.Entreprenörerna bakom nybildade företag i Sverige samt små medelstora företag och nystartade företag blir alltmer involverade i öppen innovation eller utforskande av sina metoder. De gör det för att utveckla innovativa produkter och tjänster. Små och medelstora företag och nystartade företag samarbetar med externa intressenter, såsom företagstjänstleverantörer, industrileverantörer, forskningsinstitutioner eller universitet, för att antingen föra sina innovativa produkter och lösningar på marknaden snabbare eller för att ligga före tävlingsspelet. Genom att engagera sig i öppen innovationspraxis kan de olika berörda parterna kombinera humankapitalet, dessutom med en samling tillgängliga resurser. Genom att läsa vidare i denna avhandling kan en typisk prospektering av resurser märkas från maskinvara till programvara och från mjuka färdigheter till svåra färdigheter, vilket resulterar i innovativa resultat (produkt och tjänster). Denna avhandling kommer att undersöka fördelarna svenska nybörjare och små och medelstora företag kan dra nytta av öppen innovation. Det finns flera studier på stora företag som använder öppen innovation för att skapa ytterligare värden. Externt lärande är därför mycket viktigt i små och medelstora företag för tillväxt. Det finns dock färre studier om nystart och små och medelstora företag, när det gäller öppen innovation. Därför syftar denna forskningsstudie till att hantera denna klyfta.
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Nwagbo, Alfred. "Strategies to Minimize Profit Loss From Small Business Enterprise Credit Rejections." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5919.
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Institutional policies or terms and conditions of credit allocation complicate the demand and supply of small business enterprise (SBE) credit, causing lost profits. Banks leaders losing 28% of profitable projects because of the high rejection rate of credit applications for SBE loans is a concern. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies Southeastern Nigerian state bank leaders use to minimize lost profit from SBE credit rejections. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was credit rationing focused on the lender-borrower relationship. Data collection involved reviews of company documents and face-to-face semistructured interviews of 6 participants from 3 banks in the Southeastern Nigerian state. Based on the Schorr's modified data analysis approach, 5 themes emerged (a) credit rationing depends on sufficient information (b) business accounts statements are a fall back for credit availability (c) character may be more important than collateral (d) government policies are challenges to the formal banking system (e) profits may be a hedge for high-interest rates. Findings may be used to enhance the profitability of banks in the Southeastern Nigerian state. Implications for positive social change may include the support of community projects for individuals living at or below the poverty level in the region.
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Atrash, Ala. "Modeling a system of expertise capitalization to support organizational learning within small and medium-sized enterprises." Thesis, Compiègne, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015COMP2229/document.
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La gestion des connaissances dans les petites et moyennes entreprises a toujours été un défi. Ces entreprises ont des caractéristiques particulières qui sont liés à la taille, la structure et la coordination et la collaboration de leurs membres. L’enjeu scientifique de ce travail est de mieux appréhender les spécificités de la gestion des connaissances et de l’apprentissage organisationnel dans ces petites entreprisesKnowledge management in small and medium enterprises has always been a challenge. These companies have special features that are related to the size, structure and coordination and cooperation between members. The scientific challenge of this work is to better understand the specifics of knowledge management and organizational leaning in these small businesses
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Sun, Yunchen. "System Customisation under Multiview Framework : Analysis and design for a web information system in a small and medium-sized enterprise." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för informatik och media, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-303484.
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Assis, Jose A. B. "External linkages, innovation and the small and medium sized enterprise : the role and effectiveness of public technology policy in Portugal." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.364136.
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FINOTTO, Vladi. "Design and Innovation in Management Sciences: Aesthetics, Communication and Ergonomics." Doctoral thesis, country:ITA, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10278/22582.
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Felippe, Mario Celso de. "Survival and mortality of small to medium-sized enterprises in the city of São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, Brazil." Universidade de Taubaté, 2003. http://www.bdtd.unitau.br/tedesimplificado/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=20.
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The aim of this work was to identify and analyze the inner
and outer causes, which may influence the success or failure of small to medium-sized enterprises located in the city of São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil. Such enterprises represent a fundamental pillar for the economy of all countries. In Brazil, its social and economical importance is confirmed by the following statistical indexes: the large percentage of workmanship and registered enterprises. However, most of the new undertakings do not last over the two first years of activity. In order to reach the proposed aim, first of all, the study of those causes has been conducted. Secondly, a field research has been carried out with the purpose of gathering information. With the support of explanatory methodology, bibliography and field research, a total of 656 enterprises have been analyzed through the information found in the records of enterprises provided by the Town Hall of the city of São José dos Campos. This research has identified various causes, which interfere in the management of such enterprises, and concludes that the cause for their premature death is due to several associated factors, which together accelerate such phenomenon. Among the main causes are, the lack of clients and working capital, the high tribute taxes as well as inadequate location.O Objetivo deste trabalho foi de identificar e analisar as causas internas e externas que podem influenciar no sucesso ou no fracasso das pequenas e médias empresas, sediadas na cidade de São José dos Campos, estado de São Paulo. A pequena e média empresa representa um pilar fundamental para a economia de todos os países. No Brasil, sua importância social e econômica é confirmada pelos índices estatísticos: o grande percentual de mão-de-obra ocupada e empresas registradas. Entretanto, a maioria dos novos empreendimentos não completa os primeiros dois anos de atividade. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, em um primeiro momento, fez-se um estudo destas principais causas. Em seguida, efetuou-se uma pesquisa de campo para a coleta de informações. Com o uso da metodologia explicativa, da bibliográfica e da pesquisa de campo, foram analisadas 656 empresas, utilizando para isto o Cadastro da Prefeitura Municipal da cidade de São José dos Campos, buscando maiores informações sobre as causas citadas. A pesquisa identificou várias causas que interferem na gestão das pequenas e médias empresas e concluiu que a causa da mortalidade prematura ocorre devido a vários fatores associados que, acumulados, aceleram esse fenômeno, sendo os quatros principais: a falta de clientes, a falta de capital de giro, a carga tributária elevada e a localização inadequada.
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Setia, Diarta. "Small and Medium Sized Enterprise(SME) in Social and Political Context： A Case of Metal-working Industry in Indonesia 1980s-2015." Kyoto University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/235976.
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Kuma-Kpobee, Mercy Afi. "Determination of a sizing system for mass customisation of Ghanaian women's traditional dress : and a conceptual framework for small and medium scale enterprises." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.497775.
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Dress whether traditional or contemporary is a visual symbol that communicates the identity of individuals and groups who share a common background and heritage. This study identified that the usage of traditional dress in the Ghanaian society functions as an important medium for social differentiation in terms of identity construction which is communicated through its symbolic meaning. Traditional dress for women, known as "slit and kaba", previously consists of two pieces of cloth and a semi-fitted blouse which requires no standardised sizing and fit requirements but as this dress has undergone an evolution process into a skirt and blouse with western features, the fit and manufacturing quality has become increasingly important. The usage of this dress for both formal and informal functions and its evolution places importance on its overall production quality and fit.
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Isik, Seval Iskender. "Strengthening Turkish Small And Medium Size Enterprises And Promoting Entrepreneurship In The Light Of European Union Policies." Master's thesis, METU, 2005. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12606515/index.pdf.
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This thesis analyses the ways of strengthening Small and Medium
Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey and promoting entrepreneurship in the
light of the current EU policies from a holistic approach. Analyses of
theoretical framework and exploring the structure of SMEs, existing support
policies and the future strategies of both European Union and Turkey are the
major stages of this study. This thesis makes critical evaluation of SME
policies in Turkey by pointing out their weaknesses, which are supported by
the results obtained from the case study conducted on SMEs in Adana. This
study also attempts to develop some recommendations in order to eliminate
shortcomings of SME policy in Turkey. The main idea of this thesis is that a
long term strategy, which should be developed in order to promote
entrepreneurship and support Turkish SMEs requires reassessment of the
policies and developing effective measures in wide range of policy domains
such as, R&D, technology, labor markets, financial markets, education and social policies.
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Haugh, Helen. "Organisational culture, management and strategy in the small and medium sized enterprise : the case of the fish processing industry in north east Scotland." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 1999. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=165725.
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This thesis explores the nature of organisational culture, management and strategy in the small and medium sized enterprise (SME). Empirically, the study of organisational culture reflects a diversity of definition, methodology and findings, with a large body of research which is either quantitative, or carried out in large organisations, and relatively few studies which specifically explore organisational culture in the SME. This study aims to further the current understanding of the internal operating environment of the SME, namely the relationships between organisational culture, management, strategy and manager behaviour in the independent firm. The methodology adopted consists of ethnographic research conducted in four SMEs using participant observation, informant and respondent interviewing, and analysis of a small amount of documentary material. In an attempt to draw boundaries around the SMEs studied, all four SMEs are located in the same period code area, operate in the same industry and each is independently owned. However, the operating strategy in unique to each SME studied and the four firms consist of two domestic operators and two explorers. The thesis makes three major contributions to research in this area. Firstly, the cultural analysis identifies shared values between the firms of survival and continuity, independence and control, and financial prudence. Secondly, the managerial paradigm in each SME articulates, the nature of management in the specific firm and in so doing demonstrates the critical role of the owner manager in shaping and maintaining the culture of the SME which he manages. Thirdly, the cultural analysis of strategy in each firm portrays a detailed analysis of the impact of basic assumptions in determining the values and surface artefacts of the SME.
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Bernroider, Edward, and Michel J. Leseure. "Enterprise resource planning (ERP) diffusion and characteristics according to the system's lifecycle. A comparative view of small-to-medium sized and large enterprises." Institut für Informationsverarbeitung und Informationswirtschaft, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, 2005. http://epub.wu.ac.at/1354/1/document.pdf.
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This report represents the next step of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)related research at the Department of Information Business at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Adminstration following previous work on the selection process. Based on 209 datasets originating from a primary, national and industry independent survey, it provides a descriptive oriented overview of main characteristics of ERP in all stages of the system's lifecycle, emphasising differences between small-to-medium sized and large enterprises (SMEs and LEs). The given research topics in particular comprise software diffusion, resources allocated, strategic project guidance, investment drivers, considered and chosen solutions, team structures, selection criteria, information gathering, methodical support, implementation approaches, acompanying business strategies, implementation problems, perceived utilisation of ERP benefits, firm level ERP impact, and the role of ERP systems as technology enabler. Future work based on the gathered data will document analytical projects undertaken in particular focusing on ERP success, enterprise integration, organisational fit of ERP, and BPR/BPI related questions.Series: Working Papers on Information Systems, Information Business and Operations
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Johansson, Emma, and Elisa Baker. "The management of family firms: supportive work-family culture and work-family conflict in Sweden." Thesis, Internationella Handelshögskolan, Jönköping University, IHH, Företagsekonomi, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-48547.
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The management of work-family conflict is an important aspect within the context of family firms. Managing work and family domains successfully are often known to be an issue for members of family firms and may result in negative outcomes affecting both individuals and organisations. Organisational cultures supporting individuals in managing work and family domains is believed to reduce the level of work-family conflict and constitutes the focus of this study. Historically, most of the scholarly contributions within the field of work-family conflict and organisational culture are within a non-family firm context. This thesis contributed to current literature with in-depth insights on the family business concepts by relating it with work-family conflicts. Family firms possess unique characteristics that are different from non-family firms, making the management of work-family conflict more difficult. The study shows that the relationships between the components of supportive work-family culture and work-family conflict are factors that impede individuals’ ability to manage multiple roles satisfactorily. The findings of this study could be used to contribute understanding in future research within the field of family firms and in connection to the management of work-family conflicts.
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Ramirez-Mitma, Maricarmen, Jose Rojas-Garcia, Carlos Torres-Sifuentes, and Carlos Raymundo. "A Strategic Lean Procurement Model Based on Supplier Approval to Reduce Unplanned Downtime in a Textile Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises." Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/653808.
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El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.In Peru, companies within the textile sector encounter problems such as a decrease in the contribution to an industrial gross domestic product from 10.6 to 7.5%, a decline in financial credits by about 0.7% p.a., and the direct competition of Central American countries across the textile chain. The finishing of fabrics shows the worst performance, with losses of a 38.8% variation in industrial production and a 7.5% growth rate per textile industrial sector. In this scenario, a strategic lean procurement model based on 5S and supplier approval was designed. The lean objective is to streamline workflow in the raw material warehouse that generates excessive lead time to production and leads to unplanned downtime. In addition, supplier approval boosts procurement efficiency and provides strategic value in assessing and planning raw materials to ensure efficient supply. The model is validated through a case study involving a textile small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), and drastic improvements are made. These improvements address the problem of unplanned downtime by reducing its incidence and making economic contributions to the company.
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Magnusson, Johan, and Andreas Nilsson. "Interorganizational Collaboration among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises : A Pan-European Study of the Influence of Type of Collaboration on SME Practice." Licentiate thesis, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-94888.
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Montesinos-Rosales, Andrea, Sebastian Salas-Villacorta, David Mauricio-Sanchez, and Carlos Raymundo-Ibañez. "Cloud-based open-source enterprise content management model at a SME operating in the manufacturing sector." Association for Computing Machinery, Inc, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656282.
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El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.Every year, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand their participation in the Peruvian market, while facing high internal disorganization issues that stifle their growth. This problem is rooted on the fact that the contents generated by these companies are not usually adequately recorded, managed, and exploited, and thus negatively affecting the organization and their competitiveness levels. Now, although most of this issue may be solved through enterprise content management (ECM) solutions, they are not affordable for most SMEs because of their high prices. Within this context, this study proposes the implementation of a cloud-based open-source ECM model at a manufacturing SME in Peru. Through this model, the company was able to access the benefits of an ECM to restructure the way they manage content, gaining 67% more efficiency, establishing a collaboration channel between employees, suppliers, and customers, and reporting a 93% model adaptation rate among staff members.
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Batterbury, Sarah C. E. "Top-down meets bottom-up : institutional performance and the evaluation/monitoring of the EU's small and medium sized enterprise policies in Galicia and Sardinia." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.264556.
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Muwunga-Zake, Oliva Jullian. "A Mobile social networking framework to create a virtual community of practice in aid of rural small , medium and macro-sized enterprise support and development." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5785.
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Rural community media are identified as a critical component of the rural community communication process. These SMMEs are however struggling to achieve sustainability and operate effectively due to the various challenges and constraints impacting them. This study seeks to address this by developing a Rural Community Media Mobile Social Networking Framework that will create a virtual community of practice for the purposes of support of rural entrepreneurs in small, medium and macro enterprises (SMMES) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The author has specifically scoped this research to focus on Rural Community Media as a specialised subsegment of entrepreneurs operating in rural areas. The reasons for this decision were in part due to the effect and impact of community media on socio-economic development due to the role they play in enabling access to information and knowledge and giving a voice to poor and isolated communities The study proposes that provision of access to relevant information and knowledge via a mobile social networking framework would assist in cutting implementation costs through utilisation of a platform that is already there (known as rural community media). This study is scoped to focus specifically on rural community media with fieldwork conducted in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. In summary the Research Methodology applied is as follows: - Research Philosophy: The interpretive research philosophy was chosen for this study - Research Design: This study will apply qualitative design - Research Approach: The case study approach will be used in the study - Data Collection Techniques: Source data will be comprised of primary and secondary data. Primary data will be collected through implementation of a questionnaire and expert reviews, while the secondary data will be collected through literature review. Hermeneutics will be used as the data collection technique in this study. - Data analysis: Cross-case data analysis will be applied Key findings included that rural community media already utilise mobile technology and social media/networking to conduct business. Rural community media required access to information and knowledge pertaining to internal business process, funding, governance, training and access to skilled resources. Mobile social networking is identified as a suitable vehicle for delivery. A Rural Community Media Social Networking Framework was developed as a result of this study. Framework elements were supported, and in some cases modified, by case study findings and expert review feedback.
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Järbur, Martin, and Christopher Nyström. "Towards Increased Strategy Involvement of Boards in SMEs : A qualitative study mapping obstacles and exploring solutions for boards' involvement in strategy." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-109984.
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Strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses has not been given adequate focus in contemporary research. The main concern has been on exploring the phenomenon in large corporations, which means that the field remains fairly unexplored. The purpose of this study is two folded. Firstly we want to understand what obstacles boards of small and medium-sized businesses face for strategy involvement. Secondly we want to generate new insights and knowledge about how these obstacles can be tackled. In order to accomplish these goals we assume the following two research questions: Research Question 1: Are there any obstacles in the way for strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses? Research Question 2: What solutions are there to overcome these obstacles for strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses? The first question aims to explore and map potential obstacles for strategy involvement, whereas the second question addresses potential solutions. By utilizing a qualitative approach and interviews we want to better understand the context. Our goal of using this method was to reveal motives and opinions to get a better understanding of how small and medium-sized businesses deal with strategy issues. The participants held various positions within small and medium-sized businesses in Sweden. CEOs, directors and busy directors participated in semi-structured interviews. This study is based upon two frameworks. Firstly we constructed an obstacle framework consisting of five obstacles derived from existing literature. Secondly we made a solution framework, which includes potential solutions connected to the obstacles, also derived from contemporary research. These two frameworks were then used to see what opinions our participants held about them. The data were analyzed by performing a thematic analysis. The idea of using this technique was to identify themes participants held in common. We found some patterns among the respondents which led us to revise both of the frameworks. The main finding of this study is that the presence of a board role conflict seems to be very limited in the context of small and medium-sized businesses. We furthermore found that there are differences in how to solve obstacles in regards to firm size. Two of the suggested solution in existing literature was found to be irrelevant for small and medium-sized businesses. Namely that it is not necessary to get CEOs to embrace strategy involvement, and stopping CEOs from handing over deceiving information is not solved by changing incentives. We also found patterns of two new solutions which were added in the revised solution framework. The first solution involves having regular strategy sessions and meetings. The second solution suggests that it can be advantageous to replace directors uncommitted to strategizing.
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Mueller, Anne, and Berit Janssen. "Production Planning Solutions for Mass Customised Fashion." Thesis, Högskolan i Borås, Institutionen Textilhögskolan, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-16810.
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This thesis concentrates on different production planning solutions for mass customised fashion with regard to machine setups. The purpose of this research is to reveal the significant aspects and challenges for SMEs that have to be considered when production steps need to be aligned to the mass customisation principle. Therefore a theoretical framework will approach the subject of production planning, as well as mass customisation. In addition, a case study will assure scientific support by developing and examining production planning solutions. The different levels of production set-ups induce the technological facilities that are indispensable for an integration of mass customisation. Finally it will be analysed and discussed whether it is feasible for an SME to invest in such a business strategy. Especially in a SME the boundaries between pure tailor- made customisation and pure mass customisation are often blurred, wherefore the findings should contribute to a clarification. Since mass customisation is a future- oriented concept, this paper is of definite interest to small companies, which intend to successfully achieve mass customisation.Program: Master programme in Applied Textile Management
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Wecker, Florian. "Finding your niche in a global wine market - Establishment of the new wine brand #QSTG with focus on product development and entrepeneurial marketing." Master's thesis, ISA, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/19581.
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Vinifera Euromaster European Master in Viticulture and Oenology - Instituto Superior de Agronomia / EMaVEThe author intends to establish a new wine brand named #QSTG, which is a diminutive of the German term Quereinsteiger (in English: career changer). The name refers to the completely different professional background of the author, who has been a lawyer and entrepreneur for many years, before studying viticulture and enology. The idea is to create a brand for wines, produced by the author and other winemakers who also have other professional backgrounds, bringing in new ideas based on their different perspective, approach and style of winemaking. Within this project thesis the author first describes the scenario in which the new wine brand should be established, before defining the term entrepreneurial marketing by reviewing the existing literature and analyzing the current wine market. In the next step the author develops the wine brand #QSTG in accordance with the targeted niche market. This includes key aspects, such as positioning, brand name, logo, wine style and quality. Finally the marketing mix of #QSTG is developed, considering the findings about entrepreneurial marketing. Besides designing the product in collaboration with different graphic designers, this thesis also includes detailed elaborations about pricing, placement and promotion of the #QSTG products. Due to the concluded feasibility, the author will implement the project following the graduation. Therefore the master thesis ends with an outlook on the next steps of the implementation of the #QSTG wine project
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Salehi, Yazdi Fatemeh. "Commercializing emerging technologies through networks : case of nanotech SMEs in the UK." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.684809.
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This research aims at understanding how business networks influence the commercialization of emerging technologies. It focuses on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of nanotechnology in the UK and aims to identify what types of networks they use for commercialization. It also examines how different types of networks can explain success or otherwise in commercialization with respect to the position of the SME in the value chain and the type of resulting innovation. Various streams of literature including debates on SMEs and innovation, open innovation, the innovation systems literature, and the industrial networks approach are used to develop a conceptual framework that guides this research. Using a case study approach, 23 Nanotech SMEs in the UK are investigated. Secondary data on firms are gathered from various sources including company websites and the FAME database. Primary data are collected through 40 semi-structured interviews with SMEs’ senior managers and key informants. Data analysis is based upon thematic analysis. The findings present a typology of networks based on a combination of network structure and actor roles, including six network types: incumbent-oriented network with reactive SME, incumbent-oriented network with proactive SME, SME-oriented network, broker-oriented networks, hybrid networks and interrupted networks. The findings indicate that a reactive approach towards networking is less conducive to commercialization, regardless of the innovation type or value chain position. SMEs can proactively create incumbent-oriented, SME-oriented or broker-oriented networks to facilitate commercialization. Incumbent-oriented networks with proactive SMEs are conducive to commercialization of both nanomaterials and nano-intermediate products and can facilitate commercialization of moderately and highly radical nanotechnology. SME-oriented networks are also conducive to commercialization of moderately and highly radical nanotechnology, but have been used for commercialization of nano-enabled products. Broker-oriented networks can facilitate commercialization of technologies or products developed in the upstream part of the value chain and are more influential in the commercialization of moderately or highly radical nanotechnology. Some Nanotech SMEs are simultaneously involved in more than one network type, i.e. have hybrid networks, pursuing multiple strategies for commercialization. All SMEs with hybrid networks have broker-oriented networks in common and in some cases the broker-oriented network has caused formation of other network types. Finally, the findings show how interrupted networks pose the biggest challenge for commercialization. The thesis contributes to the debates on SMEs and innovation and the gap on how open innovation is implemented within the context of SMEs and emerging technologies. This research also informs SME managers' strategies and choices related to participation in business networks. It provides further insights for policy makers regarding the networking behaviour of SMEs and contribution of various network actors to commercialization and in this way assists with devising policies for encouraging and facilitating collaboration for commercialization.
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Lai, Kun-Yin, and 賴坤銀. "A study on small and medium-sized enterprise financing in China： The feasibility of small and medium-sized enterprise credit guarantee fund." Thesis, 2013. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/j6r74p.
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碩士國立中興大學
高階經理人碩士在職專班
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The development of SMEs plays an important role in China’s twelfth Five-Year Economic Plan which is mainly to adjust the industrial structure and increase domestic demand to retard the reliance of economy on manufacturing exports. However, China’s SMEs now experience the difficulty of loan obtainment from banks and high financing cost caused by insufficient collateral and incomplete credit system. How to help SMEs having sustainable development and improve the investment environment are the policy priorities of China’s “Xi-Lee” government. Does the successful experience of Taiwan’s SMEs development, especially the financing tools and systems, provide a reference to solve the financing problems face to China’s SMEs? This is the question under exploration in this thesis. Typically, this thesis emphasizes the feasibility of SME Credit Guarantee Fund in Taiwan to Mainland China. The SME Credit Guarantee Fund in Taiwan is recognized as a very successful design for the development of SMEs in Taiwan. By exploring the regulations of SME Credit Guarantee Fund in Taiwan and the differences in economic situations between Taiwan and China, we raise up suggestions to solve the financing problems facing to the SMEs in China. We, first of all, suggest the transplantation of SME Credit Guarantee Fund from Taiwan to China with moderate modifications. Due to the different economic and financial developments in the states (provinces) of China, we don’t suggest transplant the SME Credit Guarantee Fund to China in one step. More feasible method is to take gradual approach which starts with improving the legal environment for SME financing, financial environment, Letter of Credit System, financial intermediation tutoring system. Strengthen monitoring on the commercial credit guarantee institutions and establishment of the SME credit guarantee business are necessary to be led and undertaken by state governments. We suggest the transplantation of SME Credit Guarantee Fund to the states with economic and financial environment and industrial structure are similar to Taiwan. Given the success of the SME Credit Guarantee Fund in the states, the nationwide SME Credit Guarantee Fund is suggested finally.