Dissertations / Theses: 'Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)'

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Panayiotou, Panayiotis. "Automated visual inspection in small and medium sized enterprises." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.339935.

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Fletcher, Margaret. "Internationalising small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) a learning approach." Thesis, Connect to e-thesis, 2007. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/984/.

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Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2007.
Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Department of Management, University of Glasgow, 2007. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

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Hudson, Melanie. "Introducing integrated performance measurement into small and medium sized enterprises." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/400.

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The thesis extends current knowledge and understanding of integrated performance measurement (PM) development into the context of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The research builds on existing knowledge of integrated PM development approaches and identifies the context-specific factors which affect its introduction into SMEs. These are used to design, develop and validate a new, continuous improvement based approach for the development of integrated PM systems, which is specifically designed for use in SMEs. First, a conceptual model of criteria for integrated PM development is synthesised from the literature and the characteristics of SMEs are established. An evaluation of current approaches for the development of integrated PM is undertaken and an approach which conforms to the conceptual model is selected for an empirical study in a SME. Along with a set of interviews examining the state of PM in SMEs, this study identifies several factors which affect integrated PM introduction in this environment. These factors enhance the conceptual model and indicate the need for a more effective development approach for SMEs. Design theory is used to inform and structure the design of the new approach, which is developed and refined for practical use through a SME case study. Two further cases are carried out to validate the new approach, in which cross-case comparisons are made. The results indicate the validity of both the new approach and the enhanced conceptual model. The formulation of an enhanced conceptual model of integrated PM development, detailing the context specific criteria for effective in use in SMEs, together with the validation of a new, continuous improvement based, approach for integrated PM system development in SMEs that conforms to the conceptual model, represents a significant contribution to both theory and practice from this research.

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Elshamly, Amina Basiouny Mousa. "Developing a strategic framework in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, University of Gloucestershire, 2012. http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/454/.

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Aims: The purpose is to understand the strategy process approach within SMEs to gain a better understanding of how a SME performs the strategy process. The research aims to develop a strategy process framework through the findings of a case study within a SME, by comparing those findings with the existing literature. Methodology: The research paradigm is moderate constructionism that adopts first a deductive approach to obtain the required theoretical knowledge of how strategy process (phases, activities, and tools) function and how they have been used within empirical studies, with a specific focus on case studies in SMEs. This is achieved through the establishment of a conceptual framework of the strategy process including phases and activities. Second, an inductive approach is adopted to induce from the research findings how the strategy process of the SME evolves. This mixture of deductive and inductive approaches is known as abductive. The research adopts an abductive approach culminating in a strategy process framework based on the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), the findings of the case study, and the literature. The research strategy is a single case study using semi-structured interviews during which the interviewer conversationally obtained the required information. This was complemented by documentation evidence. The data analysis process used thematic analysis and an enumeration approach. Results: Whilst the literature lays out a systematic, sequential process, the picture presented by the case study in a SME is somewhat different. The SME was involved in several different aspects of strategy as defined in the literature review, including several phases of the strategy process, and the activities within each of these phases. Some activities were more frequently performed than others, in a very ad-hoc manner. Moreover, The SME did not have a coherent strategy process. The process that the SME uses is messy; it is not systematic; it is not sequential and is not clear. These results are incorporated in a revised conceptual framework to reflect the strategy process actuals used within the SME of the present study. The reasons that explain the finding and the need of the framework may be summarized as: Ambiguous communication of information, Inability to manage development, innovation without a flexible approach, a lack of systematic methods for defining strategy, short-term cash flow issues, and high risks in the SME. Originality/value is contribution to knowledge (theory and empirical): First: a comprehensive literature review investigated and extended the strategy process phases and activities literature, by establishment of a conceptual framework of the strategy process including phases and activities. Second: this conceptual framework was revised based on these findings to reflect the strategy process actually emplaced within the SME in the present study, this aided an overall understanding of the theory of the strategy process. Third: due to the lack of formal strategy the SME had much ‘emergent’ strategy, which it failed to deal with effectively. Normatively, it should work to overcome this, by implementing a more coherent and formal approach to the strategy process framework (using the BSC framework with support of other strategic tools [QFD and SWOT analysis]). Fourth: the methodological implementation of the research paradigm of moderate constructionism and validation through crystallization.

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Abdulsaleh, Abdulaziz M. A. "Bank Financing for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Libya." Thesis, Griffith University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365835.

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Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are of increasing importance for all national economies worldwide. Evidence already shows that SMEs are critical in key economic areas, including the distribution of income, the absorption of labour and the alleviation of poverty. As a result, SMEs have been increasingly the focus of policies and strategies that aim at achieving sustainable development goals in both developing and developed countries, regardless of any pre-existing differences in their underlying economic systems. However, despite widespread developments in recent decades, the lack of access to finance remains a formidable obstacle for SME development. In seeking to diversify its economy and reduce its over-reliance on the large firm- dominated oil sector, Libya has chosen to focus on the role of SMEs to assist in achieving myriad economic and social development objectives. However, as the case in many other developing countries, Libyan SMEs face difficulties obtaining external finance, yet, there has been very little research undertaken to investigate the issues associated with their access to finance. This is particularly the case with bank financing, which as elsewhere, is the most important source of external finance for SMEs.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith Business School
Griffith Business School
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Centeno, Edgar. "Exploring how brands are built in small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 2009. http://oleg.lib.strath.ac.uk:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=22003.

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El, Basha Hanan. "Internationalization Strategies for Sustainable Growth of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5004.

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Inadequate use of international knowledge by SME (small- and medium-sized enterprises) leaders is a prime contributing factor to failed internationalization efforts in the U.K. affecting firms' growth and survivability. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies U.K. SME leaders use to expand business internationally for sustainable growth. The Uppsala internationalization process model (UIPM) served as the conceptual framework for this study. Participants consisted of 4 senior leaders and 3 international operations employees who demonstrated effective use of strategies in the operation of the SME internationalization activities. Data collection occurred through semistructured interviews and review of an archival document, complemented by member checking to strengthen the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. Four themes emerged through thematic data analysis: applying home and foreign market knowledge, capitalization of firm characteristics, selecting psychically close markets, and conducting sequential internationalizing activities for successful and sustainable SME internationalization efforts. The conclusion is that to achieve sustainable growth, SME leaders need to understand all factors pertaining to the internationalization initiatives of the firm, inclusive of market research and data collection, using experiential knowledge, assessing firm-specific advantages, capitalizing on limited resources, and leveraging networks in international markets. Subsequent positive social change may include an increase in sustainable SME in the United Kingdom offering innovative and competitive products and services, increasing employment opportunities, contributing to the citizens' financial stability, and contributing to the community's economic prosperity.

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Larsson, Tereza, and Charity Mashegede. "Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) : Towards the development of socially sustainable communities." Thesis, Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för handel och företagande, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-17042.

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Background: Ever since the Brundtland Commission stressed that Social Sustainability (SS) issues are often ignored, there has been mounting research on social sustainability (Boström, Vifell, Klintman, Soneryd, Hallström & Thedvall, 2015). Companies are now addressing sustainability concerns more broadly because of the increasing demand and pressure from society demanding they deal with the negative social impacts associated with their products and activities. This study is delimited to SMEs. While individual SMEs are naturally smaller and have less impact on sustainability than larger businesses, their involvement is important in achieving national SS targets (Weingaertner & Moberg, 2011). Sustainability is often regarded as the privilege of large corporations since they have sufficient funds to improve their carbon footprint (Rodgers, 2010). The activities of SMEs are not well understood and documented, including their entrepreneurial start-ups within communities, of which some are entirely based on sustainable principles (Rodgers, 2010). Given that SMEs play an important role towards sustainable development, understanding the underlying mechanisms of why SMEs are committed to SS within communities is an important research topic. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how SMEs facilitate the ability of communities to develop socially sustainable practices that not only satisfy the requirements of current members but also support the ability of future generations to maintain sustainable communities. Method: Due to the limited literature in social sustainability in the context of SMEs embedded in diverse communities, this thesis employs an exploratory research design together with qualitative and abductive approaches. Qualitative content analysis is used in coding and analysing the empirical findings, and the abductive approach is used in developing an extended framework of social sustainability. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to gain insight into the initiatives implemented by SMEs towards socially sustainable communities and the obstacles they face. Through qualitative research in different sectors of the economy (agriculture, construction, service, retail, manufacturing) and different countries, an empirical understanding of how SMEs engage in social sustainability initiatives was derived. The empirical findings resulted in the extension of a social sustainability framework proposed by Eizenberg and Jabareen (2017). In the extended framework, community social capital was added as the fifth concept of SS and its main components include human capital, social capital, social cohesion, social inclusion, natural capital and philanthropic capital. The variety of sectors and countries enabled us to take into account contextual differences and develop an international view of social sustainability concepts relevant for communities.
Bakgrund: Ända sedan Brundtland kommissionen betonade att SS-frågor ofta ignorerades, har det förekommit forskning om social hållbarhet (Boström, Vifell, Klintman, Soneryd, Hallström & Thedvall, 2015). Företagen är nu pressade att ta itu med sociala hållbarhetsfrågor och denna studie fokuserar på små och medelstora företag. Medan enskilda små och medelstora företag är naturligt mindre och har mindre inverkan på hållbarhetsarbetet än de större företagen, är deras engagemang viktigt för att uppnå nationella SS mål (Weingaertner & Moberg, 2011). Hållbarhet betraktas ofta som ett privilegium för stora företag eftersom de har tillräckliga medel för att förbättra sitt koldioxidavtryck (Rodgers, 2010). De små och medelstora företagens verksamhet är inte väl förstådd och dokumenterad, inklusive företagsetableringar inom samhällen, av vilka vissa är helt baserade på hållbara principer (Rodgers, 2010). Med tanke på att små och medelstora företag spelar en viktig roll för en hållbar utveckling är det viktigt att förstå de bakomliggande mekanismerna bakom varför små och medelstora företag är engagerade i SS inom samhällen. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur små och medelstora företag kan främja en samhällelig förmåga att utveckla socialt hållbara metoder som inte bara tillfredsställer de nuvarande medlemmarnas behov utan också stöder framtida generationers förmåga att bibehålla en hållbar samhällen. Metod: På grund av den begränsade litteraturen om social hållbarhet inom ramen för små och medelstora företag i samhället, använder denna avhandling en explorativ forsknings design tillsammans med kvalitativa och abduktiva metoder. Den kvalitativa innehållsanalysen används vid kodning och analys av empiriska fynd, och den abduktiva metoden används för att utveckla en utvidgad ram för social hållbarhet inom samhällen. Slutsats: Syftet med denna studie var att få insikt i de initiativ som små och medelstora företag genomför för socialt hållbara samhällen och de hinder de står inför. Genom kvalitativ forskning inom olika sektorer av ekonomin (jordbruk, byggande, service, detaljhandel, tillverkning) och olika länder, har en empirisk förståelse för hur små och medelstora företag engagerar sig i sociala hållbarhets initiativ härletts. De empiriska rönen resulterade i en utvidgning av en social hållbarhetsram som föreslogs av Eizenberg och Jabareen (2017). I den utvidgade ramen infördes samhälleligt kapital som det femte konceptet för SS och dess huvudkomponenter är humankapital, socialt kapital, social sammanhållning, social integration, naturkapital och filantropiska kapital. Mångfalden av sektorer och länder gjorde det möjligt för oss att ta hänsyn till kontextuella skillnader och utveckla en internationell syn på sociala hållbarhets begrepp som är relevanta för samhällen.

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Tsorbatzoglou, Konstaninos. "Marketing in successful agri-food small and medium sized enterprises in the North of England." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/503.

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Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) are vital components of many economic sectors including agri-food. However, due to their nature, SMEs face a number of developmental problems in their growth stages, including a lack of formalised marketing. Improving marketing is thus a potential source of competitive advantage for the industry and is therefore of policy interest to the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Foods (MAFF). This research is an attempt to understand SMEs marketing and identify the successful patterns of agri-food SMEs in the North of England, in terms of their marketing practices. The comparative, integrated model to marketing research, blending the process model with the contingency approach was employed. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques from the transactional and relational marketing literature were used in order to examine twenty hypotheses, and test the marketing practices of agri-food SMEs, and their influence on performance. Furthermore, the ownership status effect (subsidiary or independent) on marketing of SMEs was examined. Then, five cases were analysed to verify the survey's results, and gain a deeper understanding of how and why marketing is practised the way that it is, in successful agri-food SMEs. This research provided evidence to suggest that agri-food SMEs differ from other SMEs in terms of their marketing orientation. It also provided evidence to suggest that the most successful have a very good understanding of the fundamental marketing principles. Moreover, it showed that marketing practices differ between subsidiary and independent SMEs, in three marketing areas, namely Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis, strategic focus, company/brand reputation. There is also an environmental difference between the two groups namely European or government regulation posing a threat to the survival of the company. The case studies showed that most successful SMEs are product oriented and pay attention to high quality, variety and service. They all operate on distinct niche markets or have a niche product in an established market. They are familiar with planning and strategy concepts, undertake many of them internally and constantly seek to strengthen their relationship with their customers. Furthermore, the independent companies do not have the tendency to spend large budgets on marketing research, but try to gain marketing information from family, friends, their sales-force and their customers. Subsidiaries, on the other hand, tend to have bigger contracts/accounts, which allow them to get information from their customers. The thesis concluded by proposing a model of successful marketing for agri-food SME, and making recommendations for policy makers. These included the following areas: 1. Emphasis on high product quality, and niche market or product; 2. Control of the marketing effort, by means of regular performance feedback meetings; and 3. The establishment of an on-going marketing information gathering system, by using all available employees who are in contact with customers, including van drivers and the sales-force.

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Sanderson, Michael. "Externality in industrial relations in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Renfrewshire." Thesis, University of the West of Scotland, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.296465.

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This study attempts to examine change to the industrial relations system of Renfrewshire over the last few decades. By focusing on the area's traditional historical reliance on manufacturing industry as a vital contributor for employment in Renfrewshire, the consequences of change and its effect on the area's local industrial relations system provide the main emphasis for our research. In particular, the study adopts the concept of'externality' as a theme, and as an analytical tool for analysis, in order to comment on change experienced by Renfrewshire's distinct industrial relations system. Investigation took the form of a survey of workplace industrial relations in manufacturing small and medium sized establishments in the districts of Renfrew and Inverclyde. The main chapters of this study consider the main institutions of industrial relations support for the Renfrewshire area, such as Employers' Organisations, Trade Unions or ACAS; and the changes which have been seen to occur with regard to these bodies. We contend that an industrial relations parallel to the concept of 'branch factory syndrome' has been witnessed by these institutional bodies in relation to Renfrewshire. The main conclusion of this study is that the system has adapted, in its own way, based on its historical characteristics, especially in respect of workplace organisation. The study identifies four main factors which have a relevance on the changing face of the industrial relations system in Renfrewshire: 1. industrial re-structuring (at macro level) 2. non-unionism 3. national bargaining decline 4. organisation-level rationalisation Finally, some recommendations for further research are made

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Doole, Isobel. "How small and medium sized enterprises learn to compete effectively on international markets." Thesis, Sheffield Hallam University, 2000. http://shura.shu.ac.uk/3150/.

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This thesis seeks to develop insights into the nature of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that are effective in competing internationally, over the longer term. It therefore aims to provide a better understanding of the behaviour that engenders this capability. Its contributory value lies in the development of the new perspectives which emerged from inductive theory development grounded in longitudinal data collected between1996-1999. Traditionally explanations for the success of SMEs in export markets, it is suggested, have been sought in the marketing mix paradigm rooted in exchange theory. This thesis draws from a range of literature in seeking an understanding of the behaviours observed. In developing a substantive theory to explain the dynamic nature of firms that sustain their competitive effectiveness on international markets this thesis then seeks explanations from the organisational learning paradigm. This study follows the tradition of the naturalistic paradigm and as such the research was a phenomenological study of an exploratory and qualitative nature. The naturalistic paradigm recognises the importance of the subjective experiences of individuals and groups. In the verstehen tradition this study stresses the importance of the informant as the primary source of information. The aim of the inquiry was to develop an ideographic body of knowledge, the emphasis being on explanation and understanding rather than the identification of general and universal laws. The epistemological stance taken required an inductive approach to theory building. Examining the firms longitudinally was the means by which the author was able to take an holistic view of the international activities of the firms studied and focus on the change processes and challenges faced in the study period. The central proposition of this thesis is that the firms that compete effectively on international markets exhibit a positive marketing orientation, and have a strong core purpose on which is generated a clear internationally based strategic direction. It is further proposed that over a period of time, through an iterative process of strategy development, firms build a sustainable competitive advantage in their international markets and develop the ability to maintain this advantage, even when faced with hostile challenges in their international markets. Firms, it is suggested through their relationships, build a virtual structure to their international markets, which provide the means through which a knowledge of their markets is acquired, and an input is made to the strategy development process by external partners. However, it is through the dynamic processes of organisational learning that SMEs develop these capabilities and so enhance their ability to sustain a competitive advantage over a period of time.

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Peters, Yvette Julianne. "Exploring Leadership Skills for the Sustainability of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6854.

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute to the stability and growth of economies by creating employment in rural and urban areas. More than 60% of SMEs do not survive for longer than 5 years; a lack of leadership skills is among the key problems. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the leadership skills owners-managers used to sustain their businesses for longer than 5 years. Research participants were 4 owners-managers of SMEs from the manufacturing industry in Trinidad and Tobago that sustained their businesses for at least 5 years. The contingency leadership model and the skill-based leadership model formed the conceptual lens for this study. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and direct observations. Data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman's analytical strategies and Morse's cognitive process of coding, pattern matching, interpreting, and summarizing the data. Five themes emerged from the data analysis: leadership skills, leadership values, development of leadership skills, leadership challenges, and improvement in leadership skills. The findings from this study could influence positive social change by providing insights on leadership skills SME leaders could use to sustain their operations for the longer term, resulting in reduced failure of SMEs. A decrease in the failure rate of SMEs might contribute to improved economic conditions, leading to the reduction of poverty in families and communities.

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Jaroudi, Hicham. "Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Geoeconomic Crisis." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4637.

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lebanon are at risk of failure because of the geoeconomic crisis. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that successful leaders of SMEs use to sustain their businesses during tenuous economic conditions. The target population for the research comprised 6 business leaders of SMEs in Beirut, Lebanon: 3 in the civil security field and 3 in the facilities management field. Kotter's change model theory provided the conceptual framework for this research. Data were gathered from company documents and interviews with SMEs leaders in Beirut. Data were analyzed using Yin's data analysis method, which included compiling the data, disassembling the data, reassembling the data, interpreting the meaning of the data, and concluding the data. Member checking and methodological triangulation were used to add consistency and rigor to the findings. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) leaders of SMEs embedded change management in their organizations to sustain their businesses, (b) leaders of SMEs increased awareness in their organizations, (c) leaders of SMEs succeeded in creating solid organizational and financial structures to ensure a sustainable cash flow, and (d) leaders of SMEs formed niche markets to grow. Leaders of SMEs achieved their strategies by (a) establishing a sense of urgency, (b) forming a powerful guiding coalition by creating awareness in leaders' organizations, (c) empowering others to communicate both organizational and financial visions, and (d) generating short-term wins. The implications for positive social change include the potential to reduce unemployment rates and create new job opportunities by sustaining businesses of SMEs during tenuous economic conditions.

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Mohammad, Fedek. "Sustainability drivers in Small and medium-sized enterprise's." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Avdelningen för industriell ekonomi, industridesign och maskinteknik, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-33220.

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Problem: There is little amount of research focused on small and medium-sized enterprise’s (SMEs) and their work with sustainability. Most research on sustainability drivers has been developed on large organizations which makes this thesis provide a perspective on the most important sustainability drivers in SME’s and how they are embedded in SME’s. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to deepen and enrich knowledge of sustainability drivers in SME’s with the aspects internal and external drivers. Method: This thesis has a qualitative and quantitative research approach where the interview included qualitative questions and quantitative rankings of the internal and external drivers by the interviewed SMEs. Findings: The findings of the qualitative and quantitative research indicate that SMEs have embedded sustainability in their work by ranking the most important drivers. The highest ranked internal drivers are proactive leadership, company culture and moral and ethical obligations. The highest ranked external drivers are regulation and legislation, customer demands and expectations, society’s raising awareness and market demands. Conclusion: The main contribution of the thesis is presented by highlighting the most important drivers in SMEs, external stakeholders might have an idea of which driver influences SMEs to make them sustainable; if sustainability is not embedded in the SME. This thesis did not aim to generalize the findings about SMEs sustainability drivers, but to obtain a deeper insight by the interviewees experiences.

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Xu, Chenke, and Hao Hu. "Factors influencing SMEs' export performance : A case study of Chinese SMEs." Thesis, Halmstad University, School of Business and Engineering (SET), 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-4786.

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Small and medium-sized enterprises play much more important roles in both domestic and international markets nowadays. The issue that factors influence their export performance (mainly the export sales and profits) also becomes much more attractive these years. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the factors which influence the SMEs’ export performance and how each factor influences the SMEs’ export performance. This study is built on a modified model of the factors influencing the SMEs’ export performance. The authors use case study to conduct this research, and one company’s (Company B’s) data is collected through the semi-structured interview. Some findings are obtained: the important factors which influence Company B’s export performance contain the trade shows, the expenses on getting the authentication, capital sources, export rebate, firm network, firm previous experience, firm competencies, personal network, international orientation and personal previous experience. In addition, the authors also find the effect of firm size is indirect. However, customs duty, transportation, as well as building up the brand do not play important impacts on export performance. Take the trade shows as an example, personal cards and product samples are sent to the customers, then the customers who are interested in the products will contact Company B. In this way, the customers are accumulated and the export sales increase. Thus, the export performance is enhanced.

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Kfutwa, Fukah. "Motivational Factors for Growth in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) : Information Technology Perspective." Thesis, Jönköping University, JIBS, Business Informatics, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-844.

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Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) constitute the backbone of many economies in the world today. This is because they are creating new jobs and contributing positively to their respective economies in which Sweden is not an exception and par-ticularly the municipality of Jonkoping. SMEs invest in IT to gain access to integration of transactions oriented data and business processes.

This thesis, motivational factors for growth in SMEs – (IT perspective) give an overview of how SMEs grow as a result of the introduction and implementation of IT. Information Technology (IT) is seen to be a motivational factor for the growth of SMEs. This is because it acts like an enabler to their businesses and the current business environment.

To answer the research question, I conducted an empirical study of some companies in Jonkoping that are using IT as a motivational factor for growth. Interviews were con-ducted through the use of a structured questionnaire and to a lesser extent, unstructured questionnaire.

Results from studies portrayed that, these companies introduced and implemented IT as a motivational factor for similar reasons though with different objectives.

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Lemoussu, Sophie. "A model-based framework for innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Aeronautics." Thesis, Toulouse, ISAE, 2020. http://www.theses.fr/2020ESAE0014.

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Le marché de l'aviation fait face aujourd'hui à une croissance rapide des technologies innovantes. Les drones cargo, les taxis drones, les dirigeables, les ballons stratosphériques, pour n'en citer que quelques-uns, pourraient faire partie de la prochaine génération de transport aérien. Dans le même temps, les Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (PMEs) s'impliquent de plus en plus dans la conception et le développement de nouvelles formes de système aéroporté, passant du rôle traditionnel de fournisseur à celui de concepteur et intégrateur. Cette situation modifie considérablement la portée de la responsabilité des PMEs. En tant qu'intégrateurs, elles deviennent responsables de la certification des composants et du processus de fabrication, domaine dans lequel elles n’ont encore que peu d'expérience. La certification, qui requiert une connaissance très spécifique des réglementations, des normes et standards, demeure un processus obligatoire et une activité critique pour les entreprises de l'industrie aéronautique. C’est aussi un défi majeur pour les PMEs qui doivent assumer cette responsabilité de certification avec des moyens limités. Dans cette thèse, deux besoins majeurs sont identifiés: le soutien méthodologique n'est pas facilement disponible pour les PMEs; et les exigences de certification ne sont pas facilement compréhensibles et adaptables à chaque situation. Nous examinons donc des voies alternatives pour réduire la complexité de la situation des PMEs. L'objectif est de fournir un soutien afin qu'elles puissent être plus efficaces pour comprendre et intégrer les règles, les législations et les lignes directrices à leurs processus internes de manière plus simple. Cette thèse propose ainsi une approche méthodologique pour soutenir ces organisations. Développée en étroite collaboration avec une PME française, l'approche est composée d'un ensemble de modèles (métamodèle, modèles structurels et comportementaux) couverts par un mécanisme de gouvernance
The aviation market is facing nowadays a fast growth of innovative airborne systems. Drone cargo, drone taxi, airships, stratospheric balloons, to cite a few, could be part of the next generation of air transportation. In the same time, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are becoming more and more involved in designing and developing new forms of air transportation, transitioning from the traditional role of supplier to those of system designer and integrator. This situation changes drastically the scope of SMEs' responsibility. As integrators they become responsible for certification of the components and the manufacturing process, an area in which they have little experience. Certification mandates very specific knowledge, regarding the regulations, norms and standards. Certification is a mandatory process and a critical activity for the enterprises in the aerospace industry. It constitutes a major challenge for SMEs who have to take on this certification responsibility with only limited resources. In this thesis, two major needs are identified: methodological support is not easily available for SMEs; and certification requirements are not easily comprehensive and adaptable to each situation. We examine alternate paths, reducing the complexity and bringing one step closer to solving the problem for the innovative SMEs. The objective is to provide support so that they can be more efficient to comprehend and integrate rules, legislations and guidelines to their internal processes in a simpler way. This thesis proposes then a methodological approach to support such organisation. Developed in close cooperation with a French SME in this situation, the approach is composed of a set of models (metamodel, structural, and behavioural models) covered by a certification governance mechanism

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Cheng, Yan. "First line management in small and medium sized enterprises in the UK and China." Thesis, University of Derby, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10545/211229.

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The research question was offered by the sponsor of this Ph.D., The National Examining Board of Supervision and Management (NEBS Management). This research is a study of the First Line Management (FLM) role in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and China. Different culture background, management styles, and communication systems, can be expected to affect the roles of managers. The Chinese style of managing the organisation has long been a subject of interest to researchers and practitioners. Research studies on managerial work and managerial roles have been well established in Western countries. Until recently, the cultural and political climate in China was less conducive to research into areas that might have caused too much debate. As a result, those researching management in China tended, until relevantly recently, to be isolated from main stream academic debate. It is believed that this study is unique in focusing on the FLM in China as well as in the UK. In both countries research on the FLM in SMEs is limited. This research attempts to bridge this gap by trying to define, for the first time, the roles, functions and skills required of FLMs in SMEs in the UK and China. The study argues that it is crucial to understand the FLM's role and place it within the organisation. The FLM is a critical link in any organisation because it is at this level that managerial and non managerial employees meet face to face and work in a close relationship with each other. The evidence from the research suggests that the FLM's role in the SME is broader than that of equivalent FLM role in the large organisation. It was found that FLMs in SMEs were seen as 'non-specialist', expected to cope with whatever aspect of work came their way. The implication of this broad 'nonspecialist' role was that they were expected to be a 'master of many trades'. The skills required to perform the FLM role were not perceived, despite their breadth as specialist skills such as finance, quality, purchasing and so on. Rather they were perceived as underpinning generic key skills which could, and should, be further supported by improved training and development. The research revealed that FLMs in SMEs perform a unique and a valuable role.There has been some concern about the extent to which models and practices of supervisory management are capable of being transferred from one country to another. The UK and China have evolved supervisory management styles and systems which are rooted in their respective social, economic and political circumstances but which are now being shaped increasingly by external, international and global patterns, trends and models. The study revealed there was a surprising degree of consistency in certain aspect of the FLM role in both countries. In particular, responsibility for 'organising and managing' was perceived as the core element ·of the FLM role. Differences were reviewed in how this core role was delivered in the two countries. For example, FLMs in the UK favoured a team working approach which was not adopted to the same degree by their Chinese counterparts. Other examples of differences included greater involvement and responsibility for financial matters in China than in the UK. These and other examples arise from different social, cultural and political circumstances and help illuminate the detail differences in both countries. In conclusion, the influence of international and global trends is likely to reduce the level of difference in the future. Summarising the FLM role in the SME, the research suggests that the FLMs are both co-ordinators and human relations engineers.

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Nsubuga-Mugoa, Josephine Kayaga. "Successful Strategies for Using Knowledge Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6464.

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Knowledge management (KM) is vital for an organization to succeed in a highly dynamic and competitive world. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use to effectively integrate KM into business practices. The study population comprised 5 managers from 2 SMEs operating in Uganda. The eligibility criteria for this study were that participants had to be from Ugandan SMEs with a knowledge-intensive environment, managers with some responsibility of KM in the organization, and experienced with at least 1 year of successful KM practices. The conceptual framework for this study was theory z. Data were collected through face-to-face, semistructured interviews and reviews of company documents. Member checking was completed to strengthen credibility and trustworthiness. After methodological triangulation of the data sources collected and completion of Yin's 5-step process of data analysis, 5 themes emerged: having supportive leadership, ensuring sustainability, embedding KM practices in the organization culture, socialization, and embracing modern technology. The findings of this study might promote social change by supporting SME managers' use of KM to expand opportunities for employees to learn new skills and knowledge leading to the expansion of employment opportunities.

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Poole, Nicole Lesley. "Organisational change in Queensland small and medium size enterprises (SMEs)." University of Southern Queensland, Faculty of Business, 2009. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/archive/00006242/.

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[Abstract]A substantial amount of change management research exists internationally and in Australia in relation to the causes, processes and outcomes of organisational change in large organisations. However this does not reflect the change scenarios in SMEs. Furthermore, the academic and professional discipline of organisational change in Australia, while well-researched in some areas, remains embryonic when translatedto SMEs in a dynamic environment. Very few large scale state-wide and national surveys have been conducted in Australia. This study is filling the theoretical gap inrelation to the theory and practice relating to the nature, extent and characteristics of organisational change in Queensland Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs).The objective of this study was to examine the nature and extent of organisational change in Queensland SMEs. Five research questions were developed to inform thisresearch objective, including: What are the forces of change in Queensland SMEs?; To what extent does the main change driver (change agent) in SMEs possess effectivechange management skills?; What mental models do Queensland SME managers espouse in relation to the management of organisational change?; What is the natureand prevalence of change interventions for achieving organisational change in Queensland SMEs? ; and What is the impact of organisational size on the nature andprevalence of organisational change in Queensland SMEs? Eleven hypotheses in relation to the last research question were developed and tested.To answer the research questions, the study employed the use of quantitative data which was collected through a state-wide mail survey of 1000 Queensland SMEs. A34 percent response rate was achieved. The survey was adapted from a previous validated questionnaire measuring employee management and organisational change practices in Australian SMEs.The results indicate that by far the most important factor in the decision to introduce change in Queensland SMEs was customer expectations for quality. The survey results also show that, overall, the SMEs were able to achieve the objectives they pursued when implementing significant changes. The findings indicate that the main change drivers in Queensland SMEs possess a moderate profile in relation to change management skills. Furthermore, the findings reflect the view that managers tend tosupport forms of limited employee participation and consultation.Change practices are only moderately represented in Australian SMEs. Taken together with low participation of employees in the decision to employ these changes; low levels of union membership; a low presence of specialist HR managers in SMEs; and the fact that the majority of SMEs that do have written strategic plans do not use it to develop operational plans and drive day to day operations; a ‘transforming’ scenario in Queensland SMEs is unlikely. However, one very positive trend is the achievement by the majority of SMEs of change objectives pursued. Nevertheless, the fact that the mental models of Queensland SMEs favoured managerial prerogative is of more significance for the effectiveness of both the management of employees and the performance of SMEs.The findings show that organisational size is significant for the factors important in the introduction of organisational change, however size is not particularly significant in relation to the objectives pursued and achieved in the introduction of organisational change. Furthermore, size is also not significant in relation to the extent to which the main change driver (change agent) in SMEs possesses effective change management skills, and the mental models that Queensland SME managers espouse in relation to the management of organisational change. In contrast with these findings, the analysis suggests that organisational size is significant for the prevalence of change interventions/practices, with medium organisations employing change interventions to a significant greater extent. The thesis concludes with commentary on the practical implications for SME managers and policy and several directions for future research.

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Smith, Mark T. "Eco-design innovation in small and medium sized enterprises." Thesis, Open University, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.341364.

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Bernhard, Dominik, and Mohidin Abukar. "Social media utilization in the communication process of small and medium-sized enterprises." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Sektionen för ekonomi och teknik (SET), 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-18996.

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This dissertation examines the role of social media in the communication process of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on communication and social media theories, this study examines how small and medium-sized enterprises incorporate social media in their marketing and communication strategy. As a result, this study concludes that social media has an important role in the communication process of SMEs. The study shows, that to increase a two-way communication via social media, SMEs must focus more on enabling interactions, to collect responses and feedback. A professional appearance on the platforms has been considered as crucial. The results additionally show that SMEs recognize space and need for improvement of their social media skills. The integration of social media into the overall concept differs among the cases. A major obstacle can be found regarding the detection of target groups on social media. Moreover, a lack of strategic orientation can be found in terms of social media goals and budgets, as well as performance measurement.

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Navamarat, Pantiva. "Strategies to Decrease Business Failure in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5756.

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In Southeast Asia, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fail each year; in 2010, SME failure rate exceeded 50%. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that some SME business leaders use to decrease the failure rate of SMEs in Southeast Asia. The target population consisted of 5 SME business leaders in Southeast Asia who demonstrated success in using strategies to decrease the failure rate of SMEs. The conceptual framework for this study was the Ulrich model, which supports the notion that a human resource manager needs to be involved in overall organizational decision making as a strategic partner, administrative assistant, employee champion, and a change agent for business continuity and sustainability. Data collection sources included semistructured interviews and analysis of company documents. Using Yin's 5-step data analysis approach resulted in 3 themes: governance, marketing and branding, and integration of information technology. The governance theme included employee engagement and leadership strategies, which could help business leaders to create an agile work environment and work commitment to decrease business failure. The marketing and branding theme included social media and networking strategies that could promote the brand and enhance company image. The implication for social change is that business continuation could lead to economic development, employment opportunities, and tax revenue for local governments, leading to an improved standard of living and overall prosperity of local communities.

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Jonas, Julia, and Stefan Eriksson. "Sustainable Business at Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) : The Case of Coffee Queen AB." Thesis, Karlstad University, Service Research Center, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-1149.

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Society demands more and more that corporations take over responsibility on the effects of their business actions in a stakeholder view. Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance are catchwords in this context that stand for a management view there one focuses on more than profits and quality. In corporate responsibility management one takes a stakeholder view and integrates also issues such as supplier relations, supply chain management, environmental practices and sustainability as well as labor standards and human rights into the management view. The integration and balance between economic, environmental and social issues going above legal requirements is called triple bottom line thinking.

Today, corporate responsibility is no more only an issue for large international corporations but also for SMEs with limited resources and less market power. The purpose of this thesis is to describe and understand how a sustainable business approach can develop and be maintained in SMEs. By examining the case Coffee Queen, we want to find out about driving forces for development of corporate responsibility.

To receive nuanced information and deeper insight into the corporate responsibility of a company, a single case study with a qualitative research approach was chosen. The empirical material for this case was collected during a visit of Coffee Queens’ plant in Arvika and three open personal interviews.

Based on a literature review and narratives from the empirical material it was found that driving forces for the development towards sustainable business are strongly related to leadership by values. The engagement of one or more organization members that are supported by the top management and a values base that gives a framework for corporate behavior and supports the reputation of the company were found to be important variables to reach an ISO 14000 certification for Coffee Queen. From the management side, the corporate responsibility can be seen as a market requirement and used as a marketing tool for competitive advantage. A strategic approach to corporate responsibility was appeared to be helpful as it increases the accountability of positions, and demanded in SMEs.

Total quality management according to ISO 9000 and 14000 was in this context found as additional driver for sustainable development. On a basis of continuous improvement companies have to forward their positions step-by-step towards an integrated sustainability approach. This idea of corporate responsibility development is demonstrated by a model showing the steps towards an integrated triple bottom line.

With these findings, this study provides insight into corporate responsibility in a SME and links values-based management and quality management to the process of developing a sustainable business approach.

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Rousseau, Stéphane. "Designing an efficient securities market for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), perspectives for reform." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape9/PQDD_0007/NQ41087.pdf.

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Norton, Henry. "Process failure mode & effect analysis (FMEA)method for small to medium sized enterprises (SMES)." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.537876.

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Fang, Wen-Hsin. "Analysis of quality management requirements for product design in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, Cranfield University, 1997. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/4614.

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The use of a quality management approach in the product design/development process is to control and monitor the design activities to improve the consistency of design, and further help to produce quality products that meet the customer needs. This is of particular importance to the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to their natural constraints. The aim of this study has been firstly to examine relationship between the ISO 9000 approach and the Quality Award Business Excellence Models to see to what extent they can be applied in the SMEs. Secondly, several different techniques including metrics of the new view of value engineering using a design process 'model' as framework were developed theoretically and applied in practical terms during the product design process to improve the efficiency of quality management on design for the SMEs. The conclusions are that, in the case of the ISO 9000 approach and the Models, it is appropriate for the SMEs to use in order to maintain competitiveness provided they are considered as process management disciplines. The concept of the new view of value engineering can be widely and consistently used to facilitate the generation process of design efficiency for the SMEs through a two-level of validation processes including a checklist. Such concept can only be fulfilled in practice with the positive recognition that achieving high worth instead of high value for the stages in the design process is a key factor.

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Si, Thu. "An investigation of computer integrated batch manufacturing processes in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10369/6517.

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Global competition and improved manufacturing technologies have resulted in shorter product life cycles and smaller batch production with increasing product variations. Traditional batch manufacturing can never cater efficiently and effectively to the needs of ever changing markets. These changes and problems force small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to look for adaptations and improvements in their manufacturing processes. Larger companies have resources to adapt to these changes, however SMEs face major obstacles such as a lack of finance, technology know-how and expertise. These difficulties are heightened by the fact that current technologies and research are tailored towards larger companies and pay little attention to the demands of SMEs. This research presents an integrated methodology intended specifically to assist SMEs in the design and selection of the most viable batch manufacturing system. The motivation for the research was twofold, firstly there was a need to transfer the advanced batch manufacturing technologies to SMEs through the applications of analytical hierarchy technique (AHP) and computer simulation which are generally used in larger companies, and utilise them effectively in their manufacturing processes. Secondly, the lack of a comprehensive and integrated methodology to deal with the major concerns faced by SMEs in adopting these technologies needed to be addressed. Unlike previous investigations, this study uses an approach which considers all facets of an SME including organisational, tactical, operational and financial issues. It attempts to address the complex problems of manufacturing system design by integrating a decision framework with the group technology concept and powerful computer tools. This is accomplished by the use of multi-criteria decision making, Group Technology, computer simulation and costs modelling tools and techniques. To validate the suitability of the methodology, an industrial case study with an SME engaged in discrete batch manufacturing was used. The results indicate that the research methodology is effective and useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a generic system and can be tailored to fit the uniqueness of any SME. Also, it will assist in helping SMEs to understand the advanced technologies, ease the decision making process, facilitate the effective integration of information and the decision making process, reduce investment risks, and eventually achieve the introduction of a much needed "low cost system" to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing companies.

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Luo, Kongming, and Wenjie Zhang. "Motives and Challenges of Open Innovation in Manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) of China." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Akademin för teknik och miljö, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-15820.

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Since the concept of open innovation was put forward by Chesbrough (2003), many researchers focus on open innovation in large enterprises. There is a research gap in how open innovation is implemented in SMEs, specially in Chinese companies. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the motives and challenges of manufacturing SMEs in China to implement onpen innovation. The study is based on analysis of scientific literature and four case studies of manufacturing SMEs. The empirical data were collected by semi-structure interviews and a survey. Overall, collsboration with external partners was found to be good for improving innovation performances in the studies companies. And also, four motives were found, which were forming innovation networks, cooperating with external innovation sources, importing advanced technologies, and driving and motivating innvation processes. Meanwhile, four main challenges were found lack of trust in collaboration, disability for transforming external knowledge to internal knowledge, low support from government, and barriers to overcom intellectual property disputes. At last, the authors suggest that manufacturing SMEs in China could collaborate with each other more, and improve the knowledge of intellectual property as well.

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Ma, Yigui. "Modelling credit risk of small and medium sized enterprises using transactional, accounting and market variables." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/9498.

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This thesis comprehensively explores the credit risk of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) using transactional characteristics, financial variables and market information. It contributes SMEs credit risk modelling by exploring a range of soft features, such as management capability, industrial sectors, entity type, etc. It is the first study of investigating the concept of management capability through quantitative transactional information. Firstly, models are proposed to assess the credit risk of SMEs by identifying the significant factors. To fulfill this, two studies are carried out. In the first study, logistic regression, survival analysis and ordinal regression are used to model the relationship between transformed financial variables and probability of default. Both the traditional AUROC measure and Hand Statistic are used to evaluate the performances of the models, and they both indicate that logistic regression on weights of evidence transformed data yields the best prediction. Survival model takes an extra element of the time dimension into consideration. Ordinal regression performs poorly possibly due to impact of sample sizes. The factors appeared with highest frequencies are ratios associated with liquidity and growth. The other study predicts the credit risk (‘good’ ‘bad’ and ‘indeterminate’) of the SMEs using transactional characteristics. 35000 SMEs are clustered by different clustering algorithms. It is notably found that most ‘indeterminate’ observations are clustered with ‘bad’ observation, which is different from industry habit of combining ‘indeterminate’ and ‘good’. Logistic regression performs better than ordinal regression according to AUROC measure. In addition, some key points raised in focus group interview with bank managers are seen in the modelling process as significant variables, such as sector belonging to, entity type, region/location, time associated with bank, and account conduct. Secondly, the informational bases of two major models, which are accounting based credit scoring models and Merton type models, are explored to figure out aspects which affect SMEs’ credit risk. 33 financial variables covering nine financial categories are considered. It employs other modelling frameworks rather than the often-used linear regression, which are linear regression with interactions and the Cox proportional hazard model. It is found that weak relationship exists between these two models. The two major models capture different aspects of corporate information, it is suggested that a hybrid model, which incorporate both sources of information, might be considered to predict SMEs financial health. Thirdly, management capability of SMEs is elicited by applying principal component analysis to their transactional characteristics. Management capability is a qualitative idea, and its manifestation in quantitative variables was not explored in previous research. This study indicates some success in determining management capability. It is found that financial measure (credit turnover and debit turnover) and the performance measure (number of days in excess of the account) could be considered as reflecting management capability. Good management can identify trends at a very early stage and take action to mitigate the issue.

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Chen, Jui-Chih. "The impact of electronic data interchange and its implications for small and medium sized enterprises : an empirical study." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.296929.

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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 &
#8211
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 &
#8211
2006 years. And the share of medium-term credits is rising, while the short-term credits&
#8217
is decreasing. In addition to these, the study criticizes the recent SME definition of KOSGEB.

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Oyedepo, Gbemisola Aramide. "Examining the factors affecting U.K. manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises' corporate sustainability behaviour." Thesis, University of Bedfordshire, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10547/622527.

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This study explores the factors that affect the corporate sustainability behaviour of UK manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). To date, SMEs have been reported as being generally reluctant to engage in corporate sustainability activities. However, due to their significant negative environmental impacts, volume, and the contributions they make to economic growth and stability, no meaningful progress can be made towards corporate sustainability without SMEs’ involvement. As extant literature has focused more on the corporate sustainability activities of large or multinational companies with limited focus on SMEs, this study contributes to addressing this gap by adopting an SME perspective to exploring the factors affecting their corporate sustainability behaviour. The study was conducted as a qualitative study and data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a total of forty SME owner-managers from manufacturing companies in the South-East region of the UK and a focus group conducted with an additional twelve SME owner-managers from the same sector and region. Based on the study’s findings and an elaboration of the Responsible Environmental Behaviour (REB) framework, a framework for exploring the factors affecting SMEs’ corporate sustainability behaviour was developed. This framework suggests that SME Capacity Building in the form of information on corporate sustainability issues as they relate to SMEs, action strategies they can employ for corporate sustainability and transparency of the corporate sustainability business case, as well as Organisational Attitude, Stakeholder Influence and Resource Constraints are the main factors affecting UK manufacturing SMEs’ corporate sustainability behaviour.

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Gulari, Melehat Nil. "Evaluating the effectiveness of design support for small and medium sized enterprises in Scotland." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1238.

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of economic growth and job creation. Governments have devoted considerable resources to increase their competitiveness in the market. Several design support programmes (DSPs) have emerged from this investment to promote design as a strategic resource for innovation and business growth. Although existing research indicates that an effective use of design can enhance the business performance, a lack of interest amongst SMEs to work with designers is cited in several studies. Despite the great amount of money, energy and time that has been spent on design support for SMEs, there is still a lack of knowledge about effective delivery and evaluation. This thesis focuses on the problem of finding better ways to assist SMEs with design for economic growth by evaluating the effectiveness of design support for SMEs. This research, therefore, has examined the activities of UK-based DSPs, investigated the expertise of design consultancies and inquired about the self-image of designers in order to expand the knowledge of design support for SMEs. The research applied an interpretive paradigm, where multiple realities are recognised as socially constructed. Data was gathered through interviews with individuals representing DSPs, SMEs, design consultancies and government support agencies assisting SMEs. Observation of business support events and publicly available documents were used as additional sources. A thematic analysis and a systematic metaphor analysis were employed to examine the resulting data. The research has highlighted a number of key issues that are pivotal to the success of design support for SMEs. This PhD research also proposes two explanatory frameworks to contribute to design theory and practice: a seven-step evaluation framework for planning and evaluating the outcomes of DSPs and a re-framing of the generalist-specialist dilemma that can inform the activities of design consultancies and DSPs and can guide designers to improve their expertise.

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Abdullah, Azizan. "Study of total quality management (TQM) application by Malaysian small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2007. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/55700/.

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After 50 years since TQM began to be popularised in the management literature, companies still struggle to implement and sustain these programmes of continuous improvement despite the central importance of TQM to maintaining business competitiveness. Much of what has been written under the banner of TQM has been drawn directly from studies of large businesses and there remains a void as to how small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can engage such systems (in the absence of a large number of business managers and an established hierarchy of command). SMEs have therefore been left behind in the academic debate and few studies have truly attempted to investigate the models of TQM application at SME businesses. Malaysia is an economy that is dependent upon SME businesses and the improved performance of these organisations to meet the challenges of the economy in the transition to a modern manufacturing state. Following an extensive literature review and interviews with academic experts in the field of TQM, the objectives of this study were designed to close this gap in knowledge and to identify the enablers of successful TQM implementation and how the models, engaged by Malaysian SME businesses. The survey questionnaire distributed to Malaysian and Welsh SMEs to gain a general understanding of TQM implementation and to identify the enablers from the perspective of senior business managers. The main section of this study concentrated upon eight purposively selected and in-depth case studies of Malaysian SMEs (3 award winners and 5 non-award winners) to determine differences in performance and the differences in features engaged at high and lower performing businesses. The findings of this study show a series of enablers that correlate with higher performance and underpin a model of TQM that was later developed by the researcher. The analysis of the research clearly indicates three levels of TQM application starting with Quality Control (QC), then a broader application of management involvement with Quality Assurance processes (QA) and finally a system-wide application of Total Quality Management (TQM) which involves a high degree of strategic integration of TQM principles. The integration between functional areas in the factory, formalisation of activities and clear strategy were present at the TQM businesses and resulted in effective and efficient systems of customer service, operational excellence and human resource integration. The conclusions of the study suggest there is a logic and structure to high performance businesses and the application of TQM and this finding has important implications for the future study of TQM application by SME businesses and how best to promote these concepts for the economic prosperity of Malaysia. With almost 100:1 better performance advantage enjoyed by the award-winning companies over their closest rivals the importance of promoting TQM on a national scale cannot be under-estimated and could bring about a renewed interest in the relationship between TQM implementation, SMEs improvement and national competitiveness for SMEs and for their larger customer businesses in Malaysia and abroad.

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Visser, Dirk Jacobus. "An investigation into aspects of transformational leadership in South African small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/49840.

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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2004
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: To the world community at large globalisation has been a gradual process, whereas its impact in South Africa was more intensive and concentrated over a shorter period of time - in particular since South Africa's return to the international community in the early to middle 1990s, its economy, inter alia, has had to adjust to this phenomenon. It is within this environment that all enterprises constituting the South African economy also had to adapt and adjust to a new world environment. From the middle 1980s a new discourse in the literature on the effect of a "new" style of leadership (based on continuous learning, renewal, innovation and entrepreneurship) was reported on in which these leaders brought about significant change in organisations. These leaders recognise the need for change in their organisations. They create a new vision. They bring about change in their organisations to meet the challenges from the changing environment and have been accordingly recognised as transformational leaders. This leadership style has been extensively reported on in large organisations, in both the private and the public sectors. For example, literature and research abound on the impact of transformational leaders in large business enterprises (e.g. Lee lacocca of Chrysler, Jack Welch of General Electric) and government institutions, such as education, the military and health (e.g. Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Mahatma Ghandi of India). A review of the literature on the impact of transformational leadership in large organisations, without fail, reports significant manifestations of success in those organisations' growth, cohesion and development into' more successful and competitive units. Concomitantly, it is generally acknowledged by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank and other organisations of similar position, that small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) shape the very foundation of the majority of successful economies. The impact of transformational leadership in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has not been measured and reported on in an empirical appraisal and surprisingly little has been forthcoming on the role and impact of transformational leadership in SMEs globally. However, from an entrepreneurial perspective, much has been researched and written on the qualities that support risk-taking, innovation and competition in SMEs. It is within this context that it was decided to investigate the concept of transformational leadership in entrepreneurs, i.e. that group of people who are generally referred to as the drivers of the economy. This dissertation reviews the literature on leadership practices and styles in organisations as a basis to specifically identify the co-producers of leadership in entrepreneurs in SMEs. It is within this context that an empirical study on aspects of transformational leadership in SMEs in a South African context was conducted. This empirical survey verifies the relationship between characteristics of these entrepreneurs and characteristics typically associated with transformational leaders, as manifested in large organisations. Therefore, given the above empirical evidence, the model developed for this study defines the qualities of a transformational leader which will enable those leaders/entrepreneurs (in SMEs with growth potential) to take their organisations from average performance levels to levels comparable to world-class leadership and competitiveness.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vir die wêreldgemeenskap in sy geheel was globalisering 'n geleidelike proses, terwyl die impak daarvan op Suid-Afrika meer intensief en gekonsentreerd oor 'n korter tydperk plaasgevind het - meer spesifiek sedert Suid-Afrika se terugkeer gedurende die vroeë tot middel 1990s tot die internasionale gemeenskap waartydens die ekonomie, onder andere, tot hierdie verskynsel moes aanpas. Dit is binne hierdie omgewing waarbinne alle ondernemings wat die basis van die ekonomie vorm, tot die nuwe wêreldomgewing moes aanpas. Vanaf die middel 1980s is daar redevoering in die literatuur oor die invloed van 'n "nuwe" leierskapstyl (met die uitgangspunte van verandering, innovering en entrepreneurskap) waarvolgens hierdie leiers aansienlike verandering in hul organisasies teweegbring. Hierdie leiers begryp die noodsaaklikheid van verandering en skep sodoende 'n nuwe visie binne hulorganisasies. Hulle bring verandering binne hierdie organisasies teweeg en aanvaar die uitdagings vanuit die omgewing - hierdie leiers word as transformasieleiers uitgeken. Vanuit die oogpunt van beide groot, privaat- en openbare organisasies, word hierdie leierskapstyl omvattend vermeld; byvoorbeeld, in navorsing en literatuur is voldoende verwysings oor die invloed van transformasieleierskap in groot ondernemings (bv. Lee lacocca van Chrysler, Jack Welch van General Electric) en in staatorganisasies, soos in opvoeding, die militêre asook gesondheid (bv. Nelson Mandela van Suid-Afrika, Mahatma Ghandi van Indië). 'n Literatuuroorsig oor die invloed van transformasieleierskap op groot organisasies dui sonder uitsondering op 'n beduidende invloed van sukses in die groei van hierdie ondernemings aan, asook beter spanwerk en die ontplooiing van meer suksesvolle en mededingengde eenhede binne hierdie organisasies. Insgelyks, word dit algemeen deur die Wêreldbank, die Internasionale Monetêre Fonds, die Europese Gemeenskap, die Asiese Ontwikkelingsbank en ander soortgelyke organisasies aanvaar dat klein tot middelgroot-ondernemings (KMOs) die onderbou van die meerderheid van susksesvolle ekonomië vorm. Vanuit 'n entrepreneuriese perspektief is 'n aansienlike hoeveelheid navorsing en publikasies reeds oor die faktore gedoen wat entrepreneurskap in KMOs ondersteun, naamlik risikoneming, innovering en mededining. Dog, vanuit 'n empiriese benadering, is daar nog nie navorsing oor die invloed van transformasieleierskap in KMOs gelewer nie. Dit is binne hierdie konteks dat die besluit geneem is om die konsep van transformasieleierskap in entrepreneurs te ondersoek, m.a.w. daardie groep mense waarna oor die algemeen as die dryfkrag van die ekonomie verwys word. As vertrekpunt ondersoek hierdie verhandeling die literatuur met betrekking tot leierskapgebruike en -style in organisasies, om sodoende meer spesifiek die medeprodusente van leierskap in entrepreneurs in KMOs te bepaal. Vanaf hierdie vertrekpunt word die empiriese ondersoek geloods en voltooi om die teenwoordigheid van transformasieleierskap in KMOs in Suid-Afrika te bepaal. Die empiriese navorsing bevestig die verwantskap tussen die eienskappe van hierdie entrepreneurs en die eienskappe wat tipies aan transformasieleiers in groot organisasies toegeskryf word. Gegewe die bogenoemde empiriese bevindinge omskryf die model (wat gevolglik vir hierdie studie ontwikkel is) die eienskappe van transformasieleiers wat vir leiers/entrepreneurs (in KMOs met groeimoontlikhede) van nut sal wees om sodoende hulondernemings tot prestasievlakke te neem wat met wêreldleierskap en mededingingheid vergelyk kan word.

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Phan, Mai Thi Huong, and mai phan@rmit edu au. "Building green capability in small-to-medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs)." RMIT University. Management, 2009. http://adt.lib.rmit.edu.au/adt/public/adt-VIT20090821.162056.

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Despite the widely acknowledged contention that pollution control measures would be less beneficial than pollution prevention technologies in the long run, pollution control approaches remain a popular solution for organizations seeking, or coerced, to engage in corporate environmentalism. Drawing on the conceptual underpinnings of the Theory of Planned Behaviour as an integrative framework, this study combines the tenets of five major management theories - institutional, stakeholder, planned behaviour, resource-based view, and life-cycle management - to examine how and why small and medium sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) embrace dissimilar approaches to implementing green initiatives under different circumstances. This research adopted a nested, multiple-case design to explore why some organizations have been able to obtain beneficial effects from their green initiative implementation while others have not. The findings, based on the experiences of s even SMMEs, which implemented a total of 27 green initiatives in their production operations, reveal that legislative requirements, stakeholders' expectations, organizations' natural environmental orientation, as well as their environmental resource base and capabilities, jointly drive corporate environmental strategies. The case study found that the higher the external pressures, a combination of legislative requirements and stakeholder expectations, the more likely it was for SMMEs to adopt quick-fix, off-the-shelve solutions, which typically carried limited short-term benefits with associated high long-term costs. By contrast, less intense external pressures offer firms the opportunities to explore plausible options and exploit internal resource capabilities to advantage, giving rise to the adoption of more sustainable approaches. The study further discovers that experiential learning, i.e., a firm's ability to learn from its green initiative implementation experience, separates SMMEs capable of capital izing on the values of their implemented green initiatives to gain competitive advantages and redefine competition from those that are immersed in a cognitive lock-in, unable to free themselves from an unproductive green wall. The findings suggest that nurturing organizational learning among environmentally resistive firms could transform them into environmentally responsible enterprises. The study concludes by interpreting its findings into a number of theoretical propositions for theory building in corporate environmental management.

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Msuku, Ken Karunga. "The effect of resource acquisition networks on the internationalisation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/22805.

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The need for this research stemmed from the fact that most of what we know about the internationalisation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) emerges from developed countries; little is known about internationalisation of African SMEs or, in particular, South African SMEs. The impact of globalisation, trade liberalisation, and technology advancement on SMEs is that they face increased competition right on their doorstep. To remain in existence and sustain their growth, SMEs are concertedly seeking opportunities in foreign markets. In order for SMEs to succeed and exploit international opportunities, they develop and rely on networks to compensate for their liability of foreignness, as well as their lack of resources in terms of finance, marketing, human capital, reputation, and technology.This research investigated the effect of resource acquisition networks on the internationalisation of small and medium enterprises. The study involved SMEs who had internationalised their operations. Data were collected through unstructured interviews in Phase One and semistructured interviews in Phase Two of this research study, with SME owners and their managers who were responsible for international operations. The key focus was the three research propositions dealing with networks, which focused on three network characteristics: network diversity, network density, and network size.The findings show that the South African SME internationalisation process is highly influenced by resource acquisition networks. SMEs use their networks to exploit international opportunities by accessing resources that they lack internally. A highly diversified and highly connected network is significant to the SMEs’ opportunity identification of and access to resources, while the size of the network is quite important.
Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
unrestricted

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Haddad, Monther I. S. "Strategies for Implementing Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6035.

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Inefficient processes for innovation implementation can prevent owners of small and medium-sized enterprises from realizing goals and growth potential. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that managers of small and medium-sized enterprises use to implement innovation in their organizations to improve performance. The population for this study consisted of 5 managers from 4 small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Dubai. The resource-based view theory was the conceptual framework of this study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and review of companies' documents. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-step process. After transcribing the interviews and coding the resulting transcripts, the key themes that emerged included: the role of the top management in cultivating an innovative culture, the identification of ideas as the starting points for innovation, and the recognition of customers as resources for the company. Managers of small and medium-sized enterprises might benefit from the results of this study by implementing the recommendations and strategies to improve performance. Implications for social change include the potential to create employment opportunities and improve the living conditions of the employees in Dubai through economic growth.

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Villafuerte, Hugo, Gino Viacava, and Carlos Raymundo. "Continuous improvement model for inventory planning applying MRP II in small and medium sized enterprises." Springer Verlag, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656139.

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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.
Planning of resources is a powerful tool in the field of supply chain management and control and in general. Global large-scale companies and enterprises have this implemented in their planning processes. Today, experts in the subject have found issues regarding the implementation of such tools in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, this paper aims to develop an application for the methodology of continual improvement of processes, referred to as the Deming cycle or Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA), which adapts to continuous improvements of processes and products in SMEs. The methodology was modeled in a SME dedicated to manufacture and distribution of wine and products (wine and Pisco). The model was simulated through a simulation software, obtaining results of improvement regarding problems like break of stock, taking into account the satisfaction of the client, productivity in the delivery, and shipment time.

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Hamza, Mukhail. "A Quantitative Study of Multilayered Market Systems and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1782.

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for approximately 50% of the world's gross domestic product. However, these economic agents suffer from inadequate access to liquid funds to finance their operations. The liquidity gap has led to early bankruptcy and liquidation, stagnant growth and development, and fewer employment opportunities. The problem under study was the effect of funding limitations on SMEs' business operations and growth. The purpose was to examine the impact of multilayered capital systems as alternative funding for SME growth. This study was informed by Gilbrat's law and the theory of financial exclusion. The research questions addressed the use of a multilayered capital market as a substitute for the conventional methods of funding for SMEs. A survey instrument was used to collect data using a stratified random sample of 54 small-scale business owners and finance professionals. These participants were identified from U.S. Census Bureau data between 2009 and 2014 across the information technology, service, and manufacturing sectors. Multiple regressions and correlation analyses were used to analyze the data. The results showed that age, credit score, average turnover, and total assets have significant impacts on obtaining funding, especially total assets. Moreover, results showed that growth rates correlated with funding from multilayered capital systems. This study contributes positively to social change by highlighting alternative means of funding SMEs, leading to reduced dependency on government, less crime through gainful employment, and improved corporate social responsibility due to better interactions among community members

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Ljungberg, Cajsa, and Sara Olsson. "Up in the Cloud : Exploring small and medium-sized enterprises cloud computing adoption factors." Thesis, Jönköping University, Internationella Handelshögskolan, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-52812.

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Background: The intense growth of data that is continuously expanding has resulted in SMEs using cloud computing to store, process and analyze data. Thus, a critical element is for SMEs to understand the value of cloud computing and the factors influencing the adoption decision. Problem: Due to the increased use of cloud computing, the importance of examining the factors that can affect and impact SMEs adoption has been highlighted. Cloud computing has been pointed out as a component for SMEs to stay competitive and sustainable in public crises and uncertain environments. Despite the importance among scholars, no research has studied cloud adoption factors among SMEs during 2020 - 2021 and the present of a public crisis. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate and explore SMEs cloud computing adoption factors in the turbulent time of a public crisis. The result of this research is expected to add knowledge and theoretical insights to existing literature and fill the gap within the underexplored context of cloud computing adoption factors during public crisis. Method: In this research, a qualitative research design was applied where six semi-structured interviews with people experienced of the phenomenon under study were conducted and eight customer cases with cloud users were collected from cloud providers' websites. Conclusion: The findings of this research declared ten significantly important factors; complexity, compatibility, relative advantage, cost savings, security, top management support, technology readiness, organizational culture, competition and trading partner pressure and supplier computing support, to influence SMEs cloud computing adoption. Although this research was conducted during the time of a public crisis, no conclusion of the crisis' impact on which factors influencing SMEs cloud computing adoption could be recognized.

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Bradshaw, Adrian Tyrone. "The Impact of Information Systems Consultants on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: A Theory of the Firm Perspective." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Management, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/6933.

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This research aims to show the impact that consultants have on the creation of IS knowledge assets as well as the impact that they have on the development of IS competencies in SMEs. Exploratory case studies involving SMEs and consultants are used to investigate the impact consultants have on SMEs. IS knowledge and IS competencies are important themes that emerge from the exploratory stage of the study. This research further investigates the types of IS knowledge assets and IS competencies that consultants impact in SMEs by conducting further case studies with consultants and SMEs. Several propositions about the types of IS knowledge assets and IS competencies impacted by consultants are developed and tested using a longitudinal single-case study. The results are analysed using resource-based theory and knowledge-based theory and reveals that consultants contribute to the development of experiential knowledge assets like know-how and experience, routine knowledge assets and systemic knowledge assets by influencing the knowledge creation processes of implementing SMEs. Consultants enhance and contribute to the development of the Management of IT competence which relates to the SME’s ability utilise IS. However, the results also show that consultants compensate for other IS competencies: strategy and vision; sourcing and alignment; and systems and infrastructure. These competencies relate to the SME’s ability to integrate IT with business processes, to source and alignment IT/IS and to engage in business and IS strategic thinking. It is proposed that in addition to overcoming the knowledge barrier in SMEs, consultants are an essential part of the IS knowledge-creation process. Additionally, consultants compensate for IS competencies which are abilities; however, it is noted that if an on-going relationship develops between the consultants and SMEs then SMEs may, over time, develop IS competencies related to business and IS strategic thinking, management of IT and, sourcing and alignment.

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Mandawa, Bernadette. "Enhancing the performance of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries : a study of Zambia." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/enhancing-the-performance-of-womenowned-small-and-mediumsized-enterprises-in-developing-countries--a-study-of-zambia(8d24fed5-2cef-44a3-ba6f-c7e480bf350d).html.

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Female entrepreneurs contribute significantly to the global economy especially through employment creation, contributing to diversity in entrepreneurship and economic growth. Notwithstanding this contribution, their potential remains considerably unexploited in many countries, evidenced by businesses that underperform those owned by men. Significant research gaps on the subject of female entrepreneurship exist in the literature. To illustrate, the number of studies focusing on women-owned businesses remains significantly fewer than that of studies focusing on businesses owned by men, resulting in little being known about the subject. Another important research gap is the absence of a conceptual model of factors affecting performance of women-owned SMEs in the context of Sub-Saharan African countries. Furthermore, the majority of studies on female entrepreneurship have been done in developed countries, giving rise to theories originating from those contexts and relative lack of knowledge and empirical results in the context of developing countries. Zambia represents a specific case of a developing context where little is known about female entrepreneurs. This research develops and tests a conceptual model of individual level and firm level factors affecting performance in women-owned SMEs in Zambia, drawing on the Competency Approach, Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), and Resource Based View of the firm as the main theoretical foundations. It adopts a mixed method approach implemented in two stages: an exploratory qualitative study (carried out as the initial stage of this research) and a main quantitative study. The study uses the findings of the exploratory qualitative study to refine the conceptual model developed and to provide insights into the quantitative findings. The conceptual model is tested empirically using structural equation modelling with SPSS Amos software. The research makes a new contribution by identifying a new set of entrepreneurial competencies relevant to the Zambian context. It also attempts to integrate two literature streams (i.e. competency approach and entrepreneurial orientation) by providing empirical evidence that the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and firm performance is partially mediated by entrepreneurial orientation. The study also extends the boundaries of knowledge by challenging the applicability of established measures and research approaches originating from developed contexts to non-industrially developed contexts. For example, it provides empirical evidence that the relevance of entrepreneurial competencies in a particular context is contingent on the unique aspects of its business environment. The study also challenges widely accepted knowledge that EO enhances firm performance, and provides empirical evidence for the argument that this relationship is context-specific. It further demonstrates that the individual dimensions of EO may have varying effects on firm performance, suggesting that it is better to view the EO construct as a multidimensional rather than unidimensional construct. This research also extends literature on entrepreneurial competencies by showing that they are strong predictors of firm performance in the current research context, and that formal education and previous entrepreneurship experience contribute to their development.

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Razmyar, Ardeshir, and Dilixiati Muzhapaer. "Business Ethics in International Small and Medium-sized Enterprises : Ethical Dilemmas of International SMEs and handling solutions." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Handelshögskolan vid Umeå universitet, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-56730.

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Freund, David. "Foreign direct investment by small and medium-sized enterprises : the case of German nanotech and biotech SMEs." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2014. http://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/347078/.

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Equity entry modes are increasingly important regarding the internationalisation agenda of high-tech SMEs (HTSMEs). However, the fields of international business, international entrepreneurship and strategic management have not been able to provide or identify a specific theory or framework, which is able to explain the relevant factors related to the asset-exploiting and asset-augmenting FDI of HTSMEs. Therefore, in light of the absence of a specified analytical approach to the FDI of HTSMEs, the aim of this study was to test whether the new envelope paradigm framework, which additionally accounts for dynamic knowledge related factors and strategic asset seeking FDI, can serve as an analytical tool to explain the different types of FDI of HTSMEs. This study employed a cross sectional research design and conducted an email survey. The survey was based on an authoritative federal database, which was extended by the researcher into a state of the art tailor made census database of German nanotech and biotech SMEs. The firm- and location-specific variables in the conceptual framework were adopted and adapted from related studies. The results indicate that the envelope paradigm framework is able to explain the asset-augmenting FDI of HTSMEs. The relevant knowledge related firm-specific advantages (O-advantages) are the absorptive capacity and the internal knowledge network of the HTSME. Important knowledge related location advantages (L-advantages) are highly skilled workforce, innovative public and private scientific institutions and industrial concentrations. In terms of the asset-exploiting FDI of HTSMEs, the framework was able to determine relevant O-advantages such as scale economies and the internal support structure of the HTSME. However, the framework was not able to identify important L-advantages for the asset-exploiting FDI of HTSMEs. Overall, the findings imply that the envelope paradigm framework can serve as an analytical tool for understanding a substantial amount of the asset-exploiting and asset-augmenting FDI of HTSMEs. It provides a comprehensive picture of the structure and composition of HTSMEs that engage in the different types of FDI. The results contribute to the interdisciplinary debate on the compatibility and suitability of an IB framework in an entrepreneurial context. Furthermore, this study can assist HTSME managers in effectively configuring FDI strategies according to firm-specific abilities and location specific attributes. Policy makers could use this study in designing policies and support schemes to the specific requirements of this new type of HTSME. In a wider context, the findings bare relevant implications beyond the context of nanotech and biotech industries and the country context of Germany. It provides valuable insights for the group of coordinated market economies such as Germany and for other high high-tech industries, which increasingly define the future of mature industrialised economies.

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Khan, Khurram Iqbal Ahmad. "Management of information complexity using system dynamics for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on construction projects." Thesis, University of Reading, 2016. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.701801.

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The increase in e-commerce, the digitisation of design data, and the interchange and sharing of information has made the construction sector more reliant upon IT infrastructure and systems. The design and production process is complex, dynamic, interconnected, and dependent upon greater information mobility, requiring seamless exchange of data and information in real-time. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular, the specialty contractors, can utilise cost-effective collaboration technologies, such as cloud computing using software as a service, to help in the effective transfer of information and data. The system dynamics (SO) approach gives a better understanding of the dynamics of complex systems. SO methodology is used as a modelling and analysis tool, to understand and identify the key drivers in the absorption of cloud computing for SMEs. The aim is to determine how the use of SO can improve the management of information complexity, leading to improved performance for SMEs. The research consists of two phases; (phase 1) development of a system dynamics model to address information complexity for productivity and performance improvement for SMEs; and (phase 2) the development of a conceptual framework to improve the work packages information flow and feedback for SMEs using a system dynamics approach at the site production phase. The SO model is useful for the specialty contractors; it provides a system and procedures with feedback loops that has the potential to provide and capture real-time information on performance and productivity. A conceptual framework has been proposed for the specialty contractors to improve work packages information and document management using system dynamics and collaboration technologies. The framework helps to improve productivity, performance and likelihood of increased profitability for the specialty contractors. SD is shown to be a viable tool to manage information complexity using cloud computing for performance improvement in construction.

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Panagiotakopoulos, Antonios. "An empirical investigation of employee training and development in Greek manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2009. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/1565/.

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Skills are increasingly identified by policy makers as a central means to address social and economic challenges at national and supranational levels. The present study looks specifically at the Greek economy and explores the determinants, nature and extent of skills development in Greek manufacturing SMEs, notably in the textile sector. The research involved three main stages. First, interviews were conducted with high-ranked industrial policy makers in Greece to gain an understanding of the key problems facing Greek manufacturing industry, and to identity the policy measures introduced to promote skills upgrading and industrial competitiveness. The policy agenda was then interrogated `in practice', through complimentary survey and case study research of textile SMEs. The study argues that current policy intervention neglects the workplace and production context in which skills are created and mobilised, which acts to impede the policy agenda of a viable skills strategy. The study reveals that a narrow skills supply strategy is adopted by the Greek government and policy action is based on simple targets for the accumulation of human capital. It is strongly believed by decision makers that publicly-funded boosts to stocks of qualifications will push the Greek economy onto a new, higher skilled, higher value added pathway. Yet, the demand for skills, which appears to be the real problem, is not considered. The research shows that the vast majority of textile employers do not demand a highly-skilled workforce and that formal HRD interventions are not their preferred method of skills development. In contrast, informal learning activities seem to serve as the key vehicle to help Greek SMEs meet their skill needs. This suggests a new agenda for policy intervention. What is being contested in the present study is the tendency by Greek policy makers to depict skills as a panacea for a range of social and economic ills. As such, there is an immediate need for a more open debate about what skills can contribute as part of wider strategies to help improve the economic performance of Greece and the competitiveness of SMEs specifically. VET has a role to play, but its nature, scope and relationship with other policies needs a lot more thought. Greek policy makers need to construct a more sophisticated and integrated approach to developing social and economic policies wherein skills play a part rather than carry the entire weight of policy.

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Caldera, Helessage T. "Doing more with less: Exploring approaches to sustainable business practice in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2018. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/118728/1/Helessage_Caldera_Thesis.pdf.

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This research explored how SMEs could cost-effectively achieve sustainable business practice, through strategically investing in 'lean and green' tools and processes. The research produced a cost-cutting 'Lean and Green Strategy Model' to enable executive-level decision-making with regard to investing in circular economy solutions. The findings have immediate value for SMEs, providing clear pathways for moving beyond ad hoc, highly variable and champion-based approaches, to effectively using resources and energy in manufacturing. The findings also provide a reference guide for enabling responsible consumption and production, towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

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Salimzadeh, Parisa. "Sustainable practices in small and medium sized enterprises in regional Australia." Thesis, Federation University Australia, 2016. http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/102924.

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Abstract:

Global warming, through rising greenhouse gas emissions, is not only impacting on human populations and ecosystems; it is also causing negative impacts on economic development. Commercial activities of businesses are contributing to global warming through unethical social behaviours, so businesses have a role to play by adopting environmental friendly practices in their actions and strategies, so as to reduce their impact on ecosystems. Also, successful businesses to be sustainable need to consider the social concerns within their local communities. Socially friendly businesses attempt to increase human capital through skill improvement and contribute to social capital in a way that community and social groups respect their social responsibility and support them. Sustainability adoption refers to the actual implementation of sustainable practices in currently operating businesses. Such adoption in terms of ecology and community has been commonly accepted as a requirement for large businesses under the rubric of corporate social responsibility. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have not been scrutinised anywhere near to the same level in terms of their attention to sustainability adoption in their business mission and strategies. Owner/managers of SMEs are no more exempt from environmental and social ethics than anyone else in society. Furthermore, SMEs are significant regional development agents contributing to the increased productivity and an improved quality of local life. Especially in Regional Australia where SMEs constitute approximately 95% of businesses in services and industry sectors, so for Regional Australian SMEs to adopt sustainability and regional economic strategies at the same time, enables local communities to benefit from sustainable development, innovation and economic development in their regions. In the SME literature, there is a lack of appreciation of the sustainability issue and its connection with its local community. Bringing together the relevant literature, this research develops a sustainability assessment framework for SMEs by determining the internal and external drivers and inhibitors affecting the adoption of social and environmental friendly practices in SMEs within the regional context. This framework can be used as a basis for application in regional development. It will also be a valuable tool for evaluation and monitoring of strategies for sustainability adoption. To gain a deep understanding of sustainability adoption by regional SMEs, this research investigates social and environmental practices adopted by regional SMEs in order to respond to the sustainability challenge. This research explores factors affecting the sustainability adoption by regional SMEs. Also the research undertaken seeks to identify whether some demographic variables (i.e. business size, business category, business age, owners/managers‟ experience and educational level) have any significant impact on the adoption of social and environmental practices. This quantitative research has a response rate of 28.77% and stands on pre-test, a pilot study and the main study. It draws on the response of 233 SME owner/managers within the regional city of Ballarat. The research uses descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression and is guided by the conceptual framework. The results show that the SMEs are actively engaged in employee support and they tend to be close to the local community while lacking environmental practices. However, despite being active in the areas of recycling, energy efficiency, and using environmentally friendly products, these SMEs showed an inability to grasp the strategic importance of overall environmentally sustainable policy and practice. Moreover, findings reveal that business size and owner/managers‟ education have significant positive effects on the adoption of socially responsible practices. The results of this research contribute significantly to understanding of sustainability adoption by SMEs in a regional context. This research is one of the first empirical studies undertaken to investigate the factors affecting the sustainability adoption by regional SMEs in Australia. Thus, this research builds a platform for future research in relation to understanding better the factors that are barriers to adoption of sustainable practices outside major metropolitan regions, and a theoretical framework to guide such future research. The findings of this research highlight significant implications for both theory and practice in the context of a non-metropolitan urban setting. These implications include addressing practices in a way that brings business operators together to network and collaborate with the communities in the region.
Doctor of Philosophy

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)'

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