Dissertations / Theses: 'Small business Technological innovations Australia'

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Kim, Ye Ryung. "Understanding the adoption of clusters by SMEs in Australia using innovation diffusion theory a case study /." Access electronically, 2007. http://www.library.uow.edu.au/adt-NWU/public/adt-NWU20080610.120546/index.html.

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Bode, Shirley A. "Designing a framework for the alignment of e-business strategy and consultant engagement processes for Australian SMEs : a cross-case analysis." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2002. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/715.

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The majority of SMEs have neither the internal expertise nor financial resources to enable in-house development of electronic commerce and therefore turn to the services of website design consultants to assist them. Unfortunately, they often engage consultants without any clear idea of their intended e-business strategy and without due care as to effective engagement processes. This frequently leads to ineffective e-business development and a highly disaffected group of small entrepreneurs. The study suggests that there is a significant gap between the intended strategies of SMEs and the actual e-business strategy implemented. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between Australian Small and Medium Enterprises, Internet strategy and the engagement of website design consultants. The objectives of the research project were firstly, to identify factors including SME engagement of website design consultants, and other factors presented in previous research that may influence the success of online organizations. Secondly, to construct a framework for analysing those factors' which may influence the success of online organizations. Finally, to provide a set of critical development factors that may be used by Australian SMEs to implement the online organisation. The research methodology chosen used an interpretivist perspective and incorporated a multiple cross-case study approach. Four research instruments were employed in the study to enable triangulation of data and to increase validity and reliability. A pilot study was conducted and the results were used to refine and develop the data collection methods, procedures and theory development for the main study. The expected outcomes of the research project included developing a framework to enhance negotiations between website design consultants and Australian SMEs; to design a set of critical development factors, in relation to Internet strategy and consultant engagement, that may be used by Australian SMEs and consultants to facilitate the implementation of the online organization; and to provide a summarised report to Dow Digital in fulfilment of the requirements of the research funding, and to publish a number of papers based on the research project.

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Navaratnam, Michelle. "The commercialisation of small firm technologies in Western Australia : A case for user-producer interaction and the integration of large industrial users with small technology producers." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1216.

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The purpose of this study was to: * examine how grantee firms of the Western Australian Innovation Support Scheme (WAISS) have overcome their impediments to commercialisation; * examine how the process of user-producer interaction has enabled grantee firms to commercialise their technologies; * examine the process of user-producer interaction with large and/or small industrial users, and the subsequent benefits derived; * examine the entry barriers faced by grantee firms in forming interactions with large industrial users. The study examined the literature involving the role of small firms in the development and commercialisation of new technologies. The study adopted a multiple, holistic case study design using qualitative methodology, A theoretical pathway constructed from arguments presented within the literature was the basis upon which the cases were analysed. The cases have demonstrated that the adoption of strategies promoting user-producer interaction through a dyadic problem-solving style approach with industrial users have enabled small firms to commercialise their technologies in industry. The cases have found that those firms interacting with large industrial users have experienced extensive product diversification and market expansion opportunities as opposed to those firms interacting with small industrial users. In addition to the product diversification and market expansion opportunities acquired through interactions with these large industrial users, it was clear that the large-scale marketing and distribution resources of these industrial users also enabled small firms to attract other industrial users, both domestically and internationally. This ultimately led to further product diversification and market expansion opportunities. Those firms that interacted with small industrial users experienced either minimal or no product diversification and market expansion opportunities because of the ‘small firm’ characteristics or these users. This meant that as 'small firms' these industrial users also faced constraints with regards to the availability of marketing resources and distribution channels, and were therefore unable to attract the interests of industrial users within large-scale markets. Those firms that experienced either minimal or no product diversification and market expansion opportunities have faced entry barriers typical to small firms when trying to find large industrial users for their technologies. They have been unable to attract the interests of large industrial users as a result of the high risk factors associated with the newness of their technologies and their credibility as a newly established firm. The study's main finding reveals that the commercialisation of small firm technologies, the commercial extent derived for these technologies, and the overcoming of barriers faced by the small firm, was dependent on the social orientation of user-producer interaction in conjunction with the dyadic information exchanges of technological opportunities and user needs.

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Samuel, Petra. "Strategies for Integrating Technological Innovations in Small Businesses." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3834.

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The effective integration of technological innovation is vital to the success of small businesses and can catapult growth and profitability. Some business managers and supervisors, however, may not have a firm understanding of strategies for integrating technological innovations in businesses; this lack of knowledge may result in employee frustration and costly roadblocks to achieving business objectives. This case study was conducted to identify the strategies used by business managers and supervisors to integrate technological innovations in small businesses. Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation and Rogers' theory of diffusion of innovation served as the conceptual framework. Ten business managers and supervisors from Castries, St. Lucia, participated in semistructured interviews. Participants who were selected using purposive sampling worked in a small business in St. Lucia for atleast 5 years, were part of senior management, and used strategies for integrating technological innovations in a small business. Two of the themes that emerged from data analysis were integration challenges relating to technological innovation complexity, and technology cost regarding hardware, upgrades and software procurement. Findings from this study may contribute to positive social change by providing business managers and supervisors insight about strategies and innovative solutions they can use to develop better business practices, increase tax revenues, and employment opportunities, improve profitability, and boost the economy.

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Sawers, Jill Lynda. "How small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can influence the successfulness of a partnership with a large company (LCO) in the rechnological innovation sector." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2006. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07212007-124808.

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Chipika, Stephen. "Networking and technological learning : small and medium scale manufacturing enterprises in Zimbabwe." Thesis, n.p, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/.

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Ibáñez, de Opacua Amaia. "The relationship between knowledge management, information and communication technologies and performance from the resource-based view in small and medium manufacturing firms." Connect to e-thesis, 2006. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/977/.

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Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2006.
Ph.D. thesis submitted to the School of Business and Management, University of Glasgow, 2006. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

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Chung, Ka Wai. "Leadership, innovation capability, and SME's product innovation performance :the moderating roles of reward philosophy and entrepreneurial culture." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2019. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_oa/727.

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Innovation is vital to the survival and prosperity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Such firms have the inherent liability of limited resources, which creates a barrier to their pursuit of innovative activities. To compete with larger incumbents and sustain competitive advantages, leaders, the principal decision-makers, play a key role in devising innovation strategies and have overall responsibility for firms' ultimate performance. This study draws on the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities perspective (DC) to develop a model linking leadership (resource) to innovation (dynamic capability) and product innovation performance (sustainable competitive advantage). In addition, it suggests that reward philosophy and entrepreneurial culture can enhance or hinder the effect of transformational and transactional leadership on exploratory and exploitative innovation in the context of SMEs. Using a quantitative research method, 151 valid pairs of questionnaires (i.e. 302 respondents) were collected from the top management of small and medium-sized manufacturing firms in China. The empirical findings showed that transformational leadership behaviors could foster both exploratory and exploitative innovations. Transactional leaders, consistent with the literature, could facilitate exploitative activities, but not exploratory innovation. The data analysis also indicated that different types of innovation delivered different benefits to firms. In addition, reward philosophy and entrepreneurial culture had divergent moderating effects on the relationship between leadership style and innovative outcome.

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Lachance, Jean-Pierre. "Les conditions de succès des pme intégrant de nouvelles technologies : les aspects associés aux activités de formation /." Thèse, Chicoutimi : Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1994. http://theses.uqac.ca.

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Chiza, Albin Boris Lugerero. "Adoption of cloud computing services amongst the micro-enterprise sector in Cape Town." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2862.

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Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.
Micro-enterprises play a vital role towards the South Africa’s economic growth by contributing towards job creation. Despite the importance of the role of micro-enterprises, micro-enterprises face several challenges such as lack of finance, lack of skilled workers and lack of technological resources. Previous studies indicate that Information Technology has a distinct role in assisting micro-enterprises overcome several challenges. It is further evidenced in the extant literature that cloud computing, provides a low cost entry for enterprises to support several facets of their business operations. In the current era cloud computing requires a constant as well as fast internet connection and the South African government has various interventions to address the infrastructure divide. However, we have a scant understanding of the adoption challenges amongst micro-enterprises to adopt cloud solutions, which to date feature more prominently amongst larger organisations. This research investigated the factors that influence cloud computing adoption in the micro-enterprise sector in Cape Town. This is a city that promotes the contribution of micro-enterprises to their economic activity, and was such an ideal location to investigate cloud computing adoption amongst the micro-enterprise sector. This research provides a rich understanding of the factors that influence micro-enterprises in Cape Town to adopt cloud computing services and proposes guidelines to encourage micro-enterprises in Cape Town to use cloud services to improve their productivity. The researcher uses the UTAUT model as a framework and a qualitative research methodology to investigate the research question. Data for this research study was collected via face to face interviews with semi-structured questions of ten micro-enterprises and an IT expert. The findings showed that the factors influencing the adoption of cloud computing services are performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, lack of training, cost efficiency and reduction of working hours.

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Burgess, Stephen Keith 1958. "Business-to-consumer interactions on the Internet : a model for small businesses." Monash University, School of Information Management and Systems, 2001. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/8027.

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Allen, Robert. "Strategies for Integrating and Sustaining Disruptive Innovations in Small Businesses." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5674.

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The evolution of technology has led to a need for business leaders to embrace disruptive technology for the purpose of capturing new markets and remaining competitive. Multiple challenges have been faced by business leaders in the processes of integrating and sustaining disruptive innovations, resulting in the failure to achieve expected efficiency and profitability. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies used by business leaders to integrate and sustain disruptive innovations. The conceptual frameworks were Roger's diffusion of innovation theory and Christensen's disruptive innovation theory. Semistructured interviews were administered to 10 business leaders and employees from institutions of higher learning in the Northeastern region of the United States. The participants were selected using a purposive nonrandom sampling technique. The selection criteria included organizational leaders, technology professionals, training and development professionals, and organizational end-users. Three themes and several subthemes were identified. The strategies for integrating and sustaining disruptive innovations include training, changeover mechanisms, and the use of critical resources. The procedural and structural factors in processes to integrate and sustain disruptive innovations include identifying critical success factors, ascertaining benchmarks, determining levels of support and effectiveness. Obstacles faced during the processes of integrating and sustaining disruptive innovations were categorized into human, technology, changeover, and external issues. Social change may be realized through the improved success rates of small business leaders implementing disruptive innovations by increasing meaningful employment and enhancing livelihoods.

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Mitchell, Suzanne Claudine Campbell. "The adoption of information and communications technologies by rural businesses : the case of the South Midlands." Thesis, Coventry University, 1998. http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/b8169ffb-73ba-228c-33e3-56df228af127/1.

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In the light of increasing promotion of new information and communications technologies (ICTs) as a tool for economic development, this thesis examines the relationship between ICTs, rural businesses and rural development among rural engineering and manufacturing firms in South Warwickshire and the Cotswolds. Despite high levels of general interest in this subject area, previous research has tended to concentrate on the technical (supply-side) issues of these new technologies; the human (demand-side) aspect has, so far, been largely overlooked. The devised theoretical framework distinguishes between influential factors internal and external to the firm. Empirical research draws upon humanistic behavioural concepts to investigate ICT adoption decision-making processes at the micro-level of individual sectors, enterprises and entrepreneurs in rural areas, and to evaluate the role of external agencies. Firms in the study area are diverse in terms of their ICT adoption and use, and entrepreneurial characteristic and linkages with other businesses and organizations are found to be major determinants of technology requirements and uptake. Two types of firms are identified: inwardly-oriented firms, with local buyer and supplier contacts, which make little use of technology; and outwardly-oriented firms, which use ICTs more intensively and have geographically dispersed networks of customers and suppliers. While notable levels of general awareness of ICTs exist among rural businesses, the initial financial outlay involved, coupled with a lack of knowledge of existing technological solutions and support, and a need for skills training, remain significant disincentives to ICT uptake among smaller firms. Agencies currently lag behind local businesses in terms of their ICT awareness and use, and understanding of the potential development implications of technology. In many cases there is a mis-match between agencies' perceptions of ICT use in rural firms and their response to this area of business support. Although there is a recognition amongst agencies that their client firms are applying new technologies in their business processes, ICTs are seen by the majority of agencies as a future component of business strategy. Thus, appropriate support for firms implementing ICTs is not yet widely accessible. Findings suggest that ICT implementation is not appropriate in all firms; requirements and applications vary widely and there is a need for a tailored approach by agencies and policy makers which takes account of the uniqueness of entrepreneur and firm characteristics.

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Lindqvist, Maria. "Infant multinationals : the internationalization of young, technology-based Swedish Firms /." Doctoral thesis, Stockholm, Sweden : Stockholm School of Economics : Distributed by Institute of International Business, 1991. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=002839148&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.

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Sungur, Onur Dulupçu Murat Ali. "Bölgesel ölçekte inovasyon: NUTS 2 TR61 düzeyi KOBİ'leri ile yerel paydaşlar arasındaki bilgi dinamikleri ve ağbağları üzerine bir inceleme /." Isparta : Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, 2007. http://tez.sdu.edu.tr/Tezler/TS00571.pdf.

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Gökdoğan, Tuğba Çarıkçı İlker. "KOBİ ve ulusal teknoloji politikaları çerçerçevesinde teknoloji geliştirme bölgeleri: NUTS2 TR61 (Antalya-Isparta-Burdur) düzeyi KOBİ'lerin tutumları /." Isparta : Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, 2007. http://tez.sdu.edu.tr/Tezler/TS00584.pdf.

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Inácio, Júnior Edmundo 1972. "Padrões de inovação em pequenas e medias empresas e suas implicações para o desempenho inovativo e organizacional." [s.n.], 2008. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/287793.

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Orientador: Ruy de Quadros Carvalho
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociencias
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T21:49:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 InacioJunior_Edmundo_D.pdf: 10079959 bytes, checksum: 90cba8de0a3732e50ee5fe343753c71d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008
Resumo: O tema/problema que deu início a esta tese foi o estudo da inovação e do desempenho organizacional. Para uni-los surgiu a idéia de estudar as pequenas e médias empresas industriais brasileiras, através da pesquisa intitulada Pesquisa de Inovação Tecnológica (PINTEC), realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). O objetivo do trabalho tem dois componentes: o primeiro é o estabelecimento de padrões de inovações pela criação de uma taxonomia, tendo como insumos os indicadores de esforços e resultados inovativos dessas empresas; o segundo é analisar a relação existente entre a taxonomia desenvolvida e os resultados econômico-financeiros alcançados por elas. As justificativas para o estudo de padrões de inovação em pequenas empresas podem ser sintetizadas em duas vertentes: a teórica, que sofre da falta de estudos mais abrangentes e sistemáticos sobre o tema; e a econômica, que prega a relação existente entre crescimento econômico e atividade inovadora e o importante papel desempenhado pelas pequenas e médias empresas na estrutura industrial brasileira. A justificativa para o uso da PINTEC como principal fonte de dados deve-se ao fato que é a única pesquisa, de âmbito nacional, a cobrir um amplo espectro de questões relacionadas às atividades inovadoras das empresas. A metodologia compreendeu a criação de um conjunto de indicadores destinados a avaliar as dimensões dos esforços e resultados inovativos e do desempenho organizacional. Técnicas estatísticas multivariadas de análise fatorial e análise de agrupamentos foram empregadas como forma de se desenvolver a taxonomia de pequenas e médias empresas inovadoras. Testes de significância foram feitos pela aplicação da análise de variância, para acessar as diferenças entre as médias dos indicadores criados ao longo das categorias de empresas da taxonomia. Os resultados obtidos apontaram para a existência de cinco padrões de inovação distintos, com relação à natureza, fonte e direção da inovação. Esses padrões de inovação apresentaram relações diversas com os indicadores econômicos estudados, porém, de modo geral, a tendência verificada foi que as empresas mais inovadoras tendem a apresentam desempenho organizacional superior, principalmente os relacionados à dimensão produtiva e operacional.
Abstract: The leading questions that motivated this dissertation were the study of innovation and organizational performance. To connect these two subjects it has emerged the idea to study the small and medium Brazilian industrial enterprises using the research named Technological Innovation Research (PINTEC), conducted by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). The objective of this dissertation has two components. The first one is the establishment of innovation patterns by the creation of taxonomy, using effort indexes and innovative outcomes from the companies in PINTEC. The second one is to analyze the existent relation between the taxonomy developed and the companies¿ economic and financial results. The relevance of this research on innovation patterns in small and medium enterprises can be summarized in two points: the theoretical one that suffers from the lack of more comprehensive and formal studies; and the economic one that highlights the existent relation between economic growth and innovative activity and the key role that small and medium companies have in the Brazilian industrial structure. To explain the using of PINTEC as the main data source is because this is the unique research, in a national context that spread a wide range of questions related to companies¿ innovative activities. The methodological proceedings consisted of the creation of a set of indexes to evaluate the dimensions of the innovative efforts and outcomes and the organizational performance. Multivariate analysis techniques such as factor and cluster analysis were used as a strategy to develop a taxonomy in small and medium innovative enterprises. Chi-square test of significance and analysis of variance was applied to access the differences between the means of the created indexes in the enterprises categories of the taxonomy. The outcomes appointed towards the existence of five distinctive innovation patterns related to the innovation nature, source and direction. These innovation patterns demonstrated different relations with the economic indexes studied. However, the verified tendency was that the most innovative companies tend to present superior organizational performance, especially those indexes related to productive and operational dimensions.
Doutorado
Doutor em Política Científica e Tecnológica

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Buthelizi, Nozipho Charity Sindisiwe. "Development of a framework of organisational culture that characterises an innovative organisation in small, medium and micro enterprises in the South African economy : an exploratory study." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/8501.

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Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that without the ability to innovate, an organisation will not be able to survive the demands of an ever-changing operating environment. This raises the question: How can organisations ensure that they are able to innovate? Organisational culture has been identified as a critical variable in answering this question. The culture of the organisation determines to a large extent the degree of innovation in that organisation. Business leaders have made attempts to nurture a culture of creativity and innovation in their organisations through the recruitment of dynamic individuals with innovative traits. However, most of their attempts seemed insufficient in achieving their goals. The primary purpose of this research is to develop a framework for organisational culture that characterises an innovative organisation in small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The secondary objective is to identify the enablers and inhibitors of innovation. Research method: The research approach starts with a review of existing literature. This is followed by the development of the theory and empirical research. Data collection was also carried out in the form of semi-structured interviews with senior and middle management in innovative SMMEs. Main findings: The analysis of the findings indicates that an organisation cannot focus on any single aspect of organisational culture. Innovation is a system in the organisation that is strongly guided by the culture of the organisation. Recommendations: Future research on this subject will benefit from the selection of a larger sample of data. Given the dynamic nature of innovation and organisational culture, it is recommended to repeat this research over time in order to explore whether the same dimensions in determining innovative organisational culture still apply. The current research can also be followed up by a study on the sources of innovation in an organisation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Sonder die vermoë om te kan innoveer, sal ’n organisasie nie kan oorleef in ’n bedryfsomgewing wat voortdurend verander nie. Dit laat die vraag ontstaan: Hoe kan organisasies seker maak hulle die vermoë het om te innoveer? Organisasiekultuur is geïdentifiseer as ’n kritiese veranderlike in die beantwoording van hierdie vraag. Die kultuur van ’n organisasie bepaal grootliks die mate van innovering in daardie organisasie. Sakeleiers probeer om ’n kultuur van kreatiwiteit en innovering in hul organisasies te koester deur dinamiese individue met innoverende karaktereienskappe te werf. Dit blyk egter dat die meeste van hul pogings nie daarin kan slaag om hul doelwitte te bereik nie. Die primêre doel van hierdie navorsing is om ’n raamwerk vir organisatoriese kultuur te ontwikkel wat ’n innoverende organisasie in klein, medium-grootte en mikro ondernemings (KMMO’s) kenmerk. Die sekondêre doelwit is om die moontlikmakers en inhibeerders van innovering te identifiseer. Navorsingsmetode: Die navorsingsbenadering begin met ’n oorsig van bestaande literatuur. Dit word gevolg deur die ontwikkeling van die teorie en empiriese navorsing. Data-insameling is uitgevoer in die vorm van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met senior en middelvlakbestuurders van innoverende KMMO’s. Vernaamste bevindinge: Die ontleding van die bevindinge dui daarop dat ’n organisasie nie op een enkele aspek van organisasiekultuur kan fokus nie. Innovering is ’n stelsel in die organisasie wat baie sterk deur die kultuur van die organisasie beïnvloed word. Aanbevelings: Toekomstige navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp sal baat vind by die seleksie van ’n groter steekproef van data. Gegewe die dinamiese aard van innovering en organisatoriese kultuur, word daar aanbeveel dat hierdie navorsing mettertyd herhaal word om uit te vind of dieselfde dimensies vir die bepaling van innoverende organisatoriese kultuur steeds van toepassing is. Die huidige navorsing kan ook opgevolg word deur ’n studie oor die bronne van innovering in ’n organisasie.

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Nzawou, Arnaud. "E-commerce strategies for SMME sustained growth in the manufacturing sector." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/989.

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Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology: Business Information System In the Faculty of Business At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013
The South African manufacturing industry landscape has changed due to the pressures of globalisation and liberalisation of trade policy regimes. The structural shift of this industry has led to a global market in which many small businesses in the manufacturing sector find it difficult to compete with competitors for example, in Asian countries. Companies are required to improve their competitiveness by using various strategies such as e-commerce. However, these strategies are changing economics, markets, industry structure, products and services, the flow of products and services, consumer segmentation, consumer values, consumer behaviour and labour markets. An e-commerce strategy could assist small businesses in emerging markets to streamline their business processes in their respective sectors and industries, thus enabling them to enhance their business activities. Yet, literature reveals that most SMMEs do not take full advantage of e-commerce applications in their business activities. A qualitative approach using a case study methodology is used for this research. The researcher adopted models such as the Technology-Organisational-Environmental model, a value proposition model and a key assets model to collect and analyse evidence to propose guidelines for e-commerce initiatives in the selected environment. The findings indicate that SMMEs could improve their performance by establishing formal strategies and structures to increase their worth. This is done by creating e-commerce strategies to fit their organisational goals and objectives. Furthermore, manufacturing SMMEs need appropriate online platforms to transact and build strong relationships with suppliers, customers and partners. In addition, it is essential for SMMEs to establish and monitor quality standards in their e-commerce activities. It was found that the key assets needed by SMMEs in the manufacturing sector could impact their ability to sustain their business activities. Finally, manufacturing SMMEs need to deliver targeted and contextual marketing messages to help influence potential decision makers. This research contributes to the field of e-commerce by providing guidelines which manufacturing SMMEs could use as a starting point, to understand and improve their current e-commerce strategies and sustain their business growth.

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Maladzhi, Wilson Rendani. "Analysis of innovative leadership and sustainability of SMEs in the Western Cape Province, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1295.

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Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012
Over the years, many organisations are constantly under extreme pressure for their survival and sustainability due to globalization, rapid pace of technological innovation and growing knowledge of their customers. Leaders within the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) struggle in dealing with these pressures due to lack of management skills, market know-how, education and training, entrepreneurial drive, technological orientation, product distribution and networking, particularly when compared with large companies. Innovative culture becomes a major problem among these SMEs. This forces leaders to establish a sound environment where employees can be creative and innovative. However, innovative culture is relatively at a slow pace in South Africa compared with other countries. In an attempt to create an innovative environment for employees, many leaders introduced international based policies such as organisational restructuring and reengineering. Instead of these policies to ease the prevailing conditions, the stress levels within the workplaces elevated and crushed the little creativity left in them. Therefore, this study is undertaken to investigate the appropriate leadership style capable to spearhead the SMEs in instilling local based innovation culture for sustainability in the Western Cape, South Africa. A group of participants including both employees (n1=336) and leaders (n2=130) took part in the research survey within 50 SMEs in the Western Cape. Nevertheless, different sample sizes were utilised in various stages through different case studies. This study has adopted the survey research method for its reliability and being quantitative in nature originated from positivism paradigm. An innovative leadership model covered the key characteristics of leadership was developed to achieve the research objectives. All the characteristics as variables were formulated into propositions and hypotheses to determine the state of innovative culture in these SMEs. Cronbach's-Alpha coefficient was used for reliability test of all the characteristics. In addition, descriptive statistical results such as means, standard deviations, correlations, and Chi-Square were generated. The study results revealed that all leadership characteristics variables were found to have p values below (0.01) which suggested on the rejection of null hypotheses. From employees’ point of view, the results showed that the leaders lack inspirational and motivational and high gain risk-taking characters. Thus, employees were not satisfied with their management styles toward innovation. However, leaders rated themselves highly based on the responses. In essence, a mathematical model was also used to analyse the impact of innovative leadership on productivity and profitability. The research findings have confirmed that leadership has the ability to stimulate both productivity and profitability. The study results further indicated that innovative leadership contributed to low production costs that resulted in the increase of productivity and profitability. This study concluded that innovative leadership was vital to the innovative culture within SMEs. The proposed leadership model can be used as a guideline for SMEs to create innovative culture. Moreover, the mathematical model can be utilised for any SMEs to predict their productivity and profitability. ii The rest of the thesis is organized as follows: Chapter one emphasises on the research problems pointing out factors that affected leadership in South African SMEs. The importance of the SMEs in the economy of the country as well as their descriptions and definition of SMEs were discussed. The problem statement, research objectives, leadership definitions, research propositions were highlighted. A description of the proposed model was detailed, and finally, the significance of the study and ethical issues were addressed. Chapter two focused on improving new product development (NPD) through innovative leadership qualities. In this regard, the key factors bearing the impact on NPD such as lack of understanding customer needs, business skills and understanding of innovation in NPD. Chapter three discussed the impact of innovative leadership on organisational culture within SMEs in the Western Cape, South Africa. It outlined the key leadership characters such as visionary, passionate, charismatic, inspirational and motivational, immersed in progressive change, high gain risk taking, ability to network and fast and action oriented leadership, and how these characteristics influence leadership to create an innovative culture within SMEs. Chapter four highlighted how passionate and charismatic leadership impacted creativity and innovation within the SMEs. The leaders in these SMEs were passionate and charismatic. However, it is not sufficient to instill an innovative culture. Chapter five presents an approach on how to create an innovation culture through visionary leadership in the SMEs. The results revealed that employees were very satisfied with their leaders. However, the leaders needed to make more efforts in making employees to embrace their organisational vision in order to be competitive. Chapter six alluded on the developed mathematical model to analyse the impact of innovative leadership on organisational sustainability in terms of productivity and profitability. The mathematical model predicts how changes of innovative leaders influence the increase of profits while production costs decreasing. Chapter seven concluded the importance of innovation culture within the SMEs. This chapter also indicated that there is a tremendous lack of innovation drive within the leaders in the SMEs; such that employees are not motivated enough to bring new ideas that can add organisational values. The further study areas were highlighted as well. Keywords: Innovation, leadership, culture, new product development, sustainability and SMEs

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Galope, Reynold. "Public financing of risky early-stage technology." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/45801.

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This dissertation examines the role of public investments in inducing small firms to develop risky, early-stage technologies. It contributes to expanding our understanding of the consequences of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship policies and programs by investigating in more depth the effect of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program on the innovation effort, ability to attract external capital, and other metrics of post-entry performance of small business start-ups using a new sample and estimation approach. Unlike prior R&D subsidy studies that concentrated almost exclusively on European countries, this dissertation focused on small business start-ups in the United States using a new scientific survey of new firms. It integrated the Kauffman Firm Survey (KFS) from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation with the SBIR recipient dataset from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and used advances in statistical matching to achieve better comparability between the treated and control groups of small business start-ups. The integrated KFS-SBA dataset, which contains both recipient and non-recipient small firms, and statistical matching allowed us to empirically construct the counterfactual outcomes of SBIR recipients. This dissertation balanced the pre-treatment characteristics of SBIR recipients and non-recipients through propensity score matching (PSM). It constructed the comparison sample by identifying non-recipients with nearly identical propensity scores as those of SBIR recipients. Consistent with the propensity score theorem, observations with the same distribution of propensity scores have the same distribution of observable characteristics. PSM made the comparison and treatment samples homogenous except in SBIR program exposure, making the fundamental assumption of ignorability of treatment assignment more plausible. Using the realized outcomes of observationally similar non-recipient start-ups as the counterfactual outcomes of SBIR recipients, we found empirical evidence of the input additionality effect of the SBIR program. Had they not applied for and granted SBIR R&D subsidies, recipient start-ups would have spent only $185,000 in R&D, but with SBIR their R&D effort was significantly increased to $663,000, on average. The treatment effects analyses also found a significant positive effect of SBIR on innovation propensity and employment. However, it appears that public co-financing of commercial R&D has crowded-out privately financed R&D of small business start-ups in the United States. A dollar of SBIR subsidy decreased firm-financed R&D by about $0.16. Contrary to prior SBIR studies, we did not find any significant "halo effect" or "certification effect" of receiving an SBIR award on attracting external capital. However, we discovered a different certification effect of the SBIR program: SBIR grantees are more likely to attract external patents. This finding also confirms that innovation requires a portfolio of internal and external knowledge assets as theorized by David Teece and his colleagues. This dissertation's empirical results may be relevant to the Small Business Administration, SBIR participating agencies, the U.S. Congress, other federal, state and local policymakers, small high-tech start-ups, and scholars in the field of science, technology, and innovation policy.

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Lose, Thobekani. "The role of business incubators in facilitating the entrepreneurial skills requirements of small and medium size enterprises in the Cape metropolitan area, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninisula University of Technology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2049.

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Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.
In both developed and developing countries, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) create employment opportunities and can therefore improve the standard of living. The South African Government have embarked on a number of initiatives in support of SMEs. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the SEDA Technology Programme (STP) have a number of assistance programmes that are being implemented in support of SMEs. Although there have been many varied studies on business incubators, there is still a need for research to determine the importance of entrepreneurial skills for the development of successful incubators.Business incubators are essentially organisations that assist to increase survival rates of innovative start-up companies and support the entrepreneurial process. Incubators provide resources and services to entrepreneurs, including working space or physical offices, technical expertise, management mentoring, assistance in compiling an effective business plan, shared administrative services, technical support, business networking, advice on intellectual property and sources of financing, markets as well as strict admission and exit rules, which are designed to ensure that the incubator concentrates its efforts in helping innovative and fast-growth business start-ups that are likely to have a significant impact on the local economy. This therefore reduces the start-up capital and overhead costs, and allows the entrepreneur to focus on his/her core business whilst receiving operational support and hand-held coaching. The incubator concept supports the clients’ development journey to ensure business sustainability and growth.The main objective of the study is to determine the role that business incubators play in filling entrepreneurial-skills requirements for SMEs in the Cape metropolitan District. The population of this study comprised all the business incubators on the data base of one of the organisations that promotes SME development strategies and programmes in the Cape Metropolitan Area (CAM). All of the five business incubators that were registered on the database of a local organisation, known as Traction, during the course of the investigation, were deemed suitable for the study and therefore comprised the sample, which promotes SMEs’ development. The study utilises a mixed approach of quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data. From a quantitative point of view, questionnaires are utilised, while face-to-face interviews is used as a qualitative method. A maximum of seventy questionnaires is administered to incubated SMEs, 28 questionnaires were returned and all qualified for data analysis. This amounts to a 40% response rate. To complement the survey questionnaire, five face-to-face interviews were conducted with business incubators. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was utilised to analyse the quantitative data, whereas qualitative data was analysed by means of content analysis and the results for both methods were presented in the format of figures, tables and charts.

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Souza, Gleide Lima de. "Gestão da difusão de inovações no mercado em micro e pequenas empresas brasileiras: estudo de uma vencedora do prêmio finep de inovação." Universidade Federal da Bahia, 2011. http://www.adm.ufba.br/sites/default/files/publicacao/arquivo/gleide_l._de_souza.pdf.

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144 p.
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Este trabalho se propõe a analisar como uma pequena empresa inovadora gerencia o processo de difusão das suas inovações, especialmente no que tange à difusão das novas idéias para o mercado, bem como entender quais variáveis interferem neste processo. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo de caso com uma organização baiana vencedora nacional do Prêmio FINEP de Inovação 2010, a Softwell Solutions. Foram adotados como referenciais teóricos da pesquisa o conceito de inovação apresentada pela Teoria do Desenvolvimento Econômico, de Schumpeter, e a Teoria da Difusão de Inovações proposta por Everett Rogers, autor considerado principal autoridade nesta temática. Para Rogers, a difusão de uma inovação consiste no processo de adoção, incorporação e utilização do novo método ou artefato por agentes de determinado sistema produtivo ou social. Este processo é composto por quatro elementos-chaves: a inovação em si, os canais de comunicação empregados para troca de informações entre os agentes envolvidos no processo, o tempo necessário para absorção da inovação e o sistema social onde ocorre a difusão. Outros dois conceitos, baseados em diversos autores, foram vinculados à teoria proposta por Rogers: o uso das novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs) como importantes canais de comunicação para a troca de informações e interação entre agentes sociais; e a importância de as organizações construírem redes produtivas, alianças estratégicas e parcerias com fornecedores, órgãos públicos de fomento, concorrentes, universidades, centros de pesquisa, dentre outros agentes, tanto para gerar quanto para difundir inovações. A partir desta fundamentação teórica, a pesquisa a ser apresentada neste trabalho dissertativo se propôs então a responder à seguinte questão: Como uma pequena empresa reconhecidamente inovadora gerencia o processo de difusão da sua inovação tecnológica no mercado? Considera-se como principal justifica para realização da pesquisa o entendimento, fundamentado em diversos autores da literatura consultada, de que o conhecimento do processo de difusão da inovação favorece a sua gestão, ainda que este envolva também fatores que estão fora da esfera de controle da empresa. Conclui-se que a empresa estudada gerencia de forma sistemática e planejada o processo de inovação, e isto se reflete no planejamento do processo de difusão da inovação no mercado. Embora esta etapa não seja gerenciada com base em critérios tão claramente definidos como na etapa de criação e desenvolvimento de novas idéias, observa-se o planejamento das ações de comunicação, a adequada identificação dos membros mais propensos à adoção da inovação e dos agentes influenciadores da decisão de adoção da inovação, bem como a compreensão dos canais de comunicação mais adequados ao perfil dos públicos de interesse da empresa e dos mecanismos eficazes para legitimar o produto socialmente, fornecer informações sobre ele ao mercado e reduzir inseguranças.
Salvador

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Azogu, Olajumoke Oluwaseye. "The Acceptance and Use of Cloud Computing Services by Small and Medium Enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2017. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc984117/.

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This study explored the acceptance of cloud computing (CC) services by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos, Nigeria, which has been missing from CC services literature. It aimed to understand the motivations for adoption, the uses of the services, and the benefits they derive from it. The uses and gratification theory was applied as the theoretic framework for this endeavor. An online survey with close-ended and open-ended questions was distributed to 1200 randomly selected participants through email. In total, 392 valid responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and categories. The results found that SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria had a low level of awareness and appreciation of CC services. The adoption rate was also low. Unlike their counterparts in other regions, SMEs primary concerns were service downtime, stable power supply, and better internet access. The study found that SMEs were not taking full advantage of the capabilities of CC services. Some sections, however, were doing better than others, such as the information and communications sub-sector. This study suggested that targeted interventions should be conducted to raise the awareness of CC services in SMEs, and to improve their efficient and effective use of CC services. The uses and gratification theory was appropriate for guiding this study to understand the acceptance and use of CC services by SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria.

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Françoso, Mariane Santos 1990. "O surgimento das startups da bioindustria nos Estados Unidos : o papel do financiamento e dos laboratórios púbicos." [s.n.], 2014. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/286597.

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Orientador: Sérgio Robles Reis de Queiroz
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências
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Resumo: Tendo como pano de fundo a busca por combustíveis e matérias-primas alternativas aos tradicionais materiais fósseis, o objetivo desse trabalho é mostrar como a estrutura de financiamento e a criação de laboratórios públicos contribuíram para a criação de startups especializadas no processamento integrado da biomassa nos Estados Unidos, que gera em uma mesma estrutura produtiva, as chamadas biorrefinarias, biocombustíveis e insumos químicos, a partir de uma gama variada de matérias-primas. A pesquisa mostrou que esses dois fatores foram cruciais para a criação dessas empresas, pois foi criada uma estrutura de suporte técnico-científico, que contribui para a produção de conhecimento na área, e uma complexa estrutura de financiamento, que contempla diversas etapas do processo de desenvolvimento das tecnologias das startups, desde as etapas mais iniciais, como a P&D, até etapas mais avançadas, como a instalação de unidades produtivas em escala comercial. Dessa forma, foi constatado que os Estados Unidos vêm assumindo um papel de destaque nas novas tecnologias de produção de biocombustíveis, superando outros países que vinham se destacando na área, como o Brasil
Abstract: Considering the search for alternative fuels and raw materials to the traditional fossil materials as a research context, the goal of this work is showing how the financing structure and the establishment of public laboratories contributed to the creation of startups, specialized in integrated processing of biomass in the United States, which generates, in the same production unit, the so-called biorefineries, biofuels and chemical inputs from a wide range of raw materials. The research has shown that these two factors were crucial for these enterprises¿ creation, because a structure of technical and scientific support, which contributes to the production of knowledge in the area, and a complex financing structure were created. This financing structure acts in several stages of the technological development of startups, from initial phases, such as R&D, to more advanced phases, like commercial-scale production units. Therefore, it was found that the United States is taking a leading role in new technologies for producing biofuels, surpassing other countries that were standing out in the field, such as Brazil
Mestrado
Politica Cientifica e Tecnologica
Mestra em Política Científica e Tecnológica

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Sophonthummapharn, Kittipong. "A comprehensive framework for the adoption of techno-relationship innovations : Empirical evidence from eCRM in manufacturing SMEs." Doctoral thesis, Umeå : Umeå School of Business, Umeå University, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-1800.

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Kummer, Aulison André. "Orientação para a sustentabilidade nas atividades de inovação e desempenho organizacional sustentável: o caso das empresas participantes dos APLs do sudoeste do Paraná." Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2013. http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/699.

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O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a orientação para a sustentabilidade nas atividades de inovação desenvolvidas pelas empresas participantes dos Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APLs) da Mesorregião Sudoeste do Paraná, bem como sua influência no desempenho sustentável dessas organizações. Para esse propósito, inicialmente realizou-se um estudo qualitativo de caráter exploratório junto à quatro empresas, sendo uma representante de cada APL do Sudoeste do Paraná (Confecções, Móveis, Alumínio e TI), por meio da aplicação de entrevistas individuais baseadas em um roteiro semiestruturado, as quais foram analisadas através da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Com base nas características identificadas na etapa qualitativa, o estudo assumiu natureza quantitativa e caráter descritivo a partir da adaptação de um questionário que posteriormente fora aplicado em 191 empresas, das quais resultaram 106 casos válidos. A análise dos dados efetivou-se, primeiramente, por meio de estatística descritiva, para posteriormente serem utilizadas as técnicas estatísticas de análise fatorial e regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados permitiram confirmar que as empresas pesquisadas desenvolvem práticas voltadas ao desenvolvimento de inovações orientadas para a sustentabilidade, bem como a parcial relação entre essa orientação para a sustentabilidade e o desempenho organizacional nas dimensões econômica, social e ambiental. Futuras complementações dessa pesquisa pode-se dar com a investigação qualitativa dos resultados alcançados ou então a investigação de outros setores econômicos, bem como a inclusão de variáveis externas que permitam diferenciar melhor as organizações pesquisadas.
The present work has the aim to analyze the orientation for the sustainable in activities of innovation developed by the participated companies of Arrangement Productive Locals (APLs) in a region of Southwest of Paraná, and its influence in the sustainable performance of these organizations. For this purpose, initially it was carried out a qualitative study of explorer character joined to four companies, being a company represented by each APL in the Southwest of Paraná (production, furniture, aluminium and TI), by individual interviews based in a schedule half structured, that they were analyzed through the technique of analyzis of the content. Based on identification characteristics in the qualitative stage, the study accepted quantitative nature and a descriptive character to the point of the adaptation of a questionnaire that later it was applied in 191 companies, and turned out to be in 106 valid cases. The fact analysis happened by the descriptive statistic and later the facts were used in the statistic techniques of factor analysis and return of multiple linear. The results allowed to confirm that the researched companies develop practices that work in the development of innovation returned to the sustainable, and the relation between the orientation for the sustainability and the organizational performance in the economic, social and environment measures. Future complements of this research can give with the qualitative investigation of the obtained results or the investigation of the others economic sectors, like the inclusion of external variable that permit to differentiate better the research organizations.

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Sauka, Jean Elizeu. "Fatores condicionantes na gestão da inovação em empresas de incubadoras tecnológicas na cidade de Curitiba - Paraná." Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2016. http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/1832.

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CAPES
Os ambientes que propulsionam a inovação têm se apresentado como subsídios importantes no desenvolvimento de novas empresas. As questões sobre a discussão de inovação em incubadoras tecnológicas crescem gradativamente tanto na literatura como nas aplicações práticas das empresas, onde a inovação vem sendo construída ao longo dos tempos, demonstrando modificações em suas demarcações e adicionando novas ferramentas e práticas. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo identificar os fatores condicionantes no processo de Gestão da Inovação em empresas de base tecnológica, incubadas na cidade de Curitiba, Paraná. Para tanto, aplicou-se uma pesquisa exploratória em nove organizações de quatro incubadoras tecnológicas, buscando detalhar sobre o tema de Gestão de Inovação em micro e pequenas empresas incubadas. A coleta de dados foi efetuada por meio de questionários, com questões estruturadas a partir da utilização da Escala de Likert, realizadas diretamente com os gestores das empresas incubadas que desenvolvem produtos inovadores. Desta forma, com base nos resultados obtidos pela pesquisa, aponta-se que as organizações desenvolvem ações de inovação no desenvolvimento de suas atividades, sendo possível perceber que as micro e pequenas empresas apresentam um formato particular em seu processo de inovação voltado às práticas diárias que exercem juntamente com seus integrantes, mantendo um processo contínuo e dinâmico e ocasionando saídas que auxiliem na melhoria de seus negócios e melhor atuação no mercado. As transformações internas e externas ocorrem gradativamente, exigindo das organizações uma atitude ativa e de constante adaptação quanto às mudanças do mercado, destacando a relação com os recursos humanos de cada empresa, a qual deve ser ressaltada em suas características marcantes e seu acesso a recursos informacionais, observando suas necessidades e viabilidades para atuar de forma efetiva.
Innovation-promoting environments have been shown to contribute significantly to the development of new companies. The discussion of issues surrounding Innovation in technological incubators has grown both in the academic literature and in corporate practice, where Innovation has been developing over time, with shifting boundaries and a growing body of frameworks and techniques. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify conditioning factors in the Innovation Management process in technology companies incubated in the city of Curitiba, in Paraná, Brazil. We carried out an exploratory study of nine organizations in four technology incubators, seeking to understand the details of Innovation Management in small incubated companies. We gathered data by having the managers of these businesses answer questionnaires with Likert-Scale questions. Our findings indicate that these organizations implement innovative actions and techniques in the course of their business, and we find that these small businesses do so in a particular manner that is geared towards the day-to-day activities of their team-members, thereby maintaining a continuous and dynamic process of innovation. This, in turn, results in superior problem-solving, business improvement and market performance. The internal and external transformations occur gradually, requiring that organizations actively and constantly adapt to market changes, with emphasis on their own human resources, specifically in terms of their defining characteristics, access to information, needs and capacity for effective action.

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Serpe, Luís Filippe. "Proposta de metodologia de requisitos para a inovação em micro e pequenas empresas." Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2014. http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/928.

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CAPES
O desenvolvimento das organizações, face a um ambiente crescentemente competitivo, se vê diante de desafios que crescem em escala acelerada. Assim, a inovação tecnológica se constitui como um importante instrumento na manutenção de um perfil competitivo para as organizações. Dentro desta questão, existem muitas ferramentas que auxiliam na obtenção de índices de inovação. No entanto, o ponto central é que as empresas sejam capazes de implantar inovações de maneira sustentável e contínua, no sentido de incrementar suas atividades inovativas e assim melhorar seu prospecto competitivo. Observa-se, outrossim, que as empresas de pequeno porte são aquelas que apresentam as maiores dificuldades na sustentação deste processo, devido a uma série de fatores. Neste sentido, o objetivo central deste trabalho é propor uma metodologia de soluções e requisitos para o aumento do grau de inovações em micro e pequenas empresas. O levantamento de dados se traduz pela obtenção do diagnóstico, observando assim qual é o nível de inovação nas empresas pesquisadas, e obedecendo a determinados critérios, que serviram de parâmetro à consecução do objetivo central. Já a proposta de metodologia contempla níveis de comprometimento das organizações de acordo com as atividades de inovação descritas, ou seja, identifica em qual nível a empresa se encontra (Levantamento; Seleção de idéias; Apropriação de recursos e Execução). Para facilitar a obtenção dos resultados, as atividades foram agrupadas em seis (6) dimensões de estudo. Tais atividades foram formuladas seguindo parâmetros descritos pelo Manual de Oslo e pela bibliografia consultada. Por meio de tabelas e figuras indicando a localização das empresas em cada dimensão, é possível identificar quais itens devem ser melhorados dentro dos quatro (4) níveis de atividade e assim oferecer a proposta de requisitos. Os resultados apontaram que as empresas pesquisadas possuem, em grande parte, níveis médios de evolução das atividades descritas, indicando a falta de entendimento da importância das atividades, e a dificuldade em compreender como as atividades descritas se coadunam com os objetivos de inovação. Não obstante, foi possível operacionar a proposta, demonstrando assim como as fases são aplicadas.
The development of organizations, due to an increasing competitive environment, faces challenges which grow in an accelerated rate. Thus, the technological innovation appears as an important instrument in the maintenance of a competitive scenario inthe organizations. When analysing the question, it can be observed that there are many tools tohelp obtaining the innovation indexes. However, the focal point is that companies be capable of developing innovation in a continuous and sustainable way, towards the increase in their innovative activities and the improvement of their competitive performance. It can also be observed that the micro enterprises show the major difficulties concerning the development of such process, due to many factors. Thus, the central objective of this study is to propose a methodology of solutions and requisites, aiming to increase the innovation degree in micro and small enterprises. The data collection is represented by the diagnosis, observing the degree of innovation within the researched companies, obeying to specific criteria, which also served as a parameter to the execution of the main objective. The proposition of the model shows some degrees of commitment of the organizations, concerning the innovation activities described. In other words, it identifies in which level the companies are located. (Looking for ideas, Selection of ideas, Gathering of resources; Execution). To facilitate the data collection, the activities were divided in six (6) dimensions. Such activities were formulated following parameters described by the Oslo Manual –Guidelines for Collecting and Interpreting Innovation Data, and the researched literature. Through the use of tables and figures indicating the localization of the companies in each dimension, it is possible to identify which items must be improved within the four (4) activity levels, then offering the proposition of requisites. The results showed that the researched companies have medium levels of evolution concerning the described activities, highlighting the lack of understanding on the importance of the activities. Notwithstanding, it was possible to operationalize the proposition, showing how the phases are applied.

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Romain, Astrid. "Essays in the empirical analysis of venture capital and entrepreneurship." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/210729.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This thesis aims at analysing some aspects of Venture Capital (VC) and high-tech entrepreneurship. The focus is both at the macroeconomic level, comparing venture capital from an international point of view and Technology-Based Small Firms (TBSF) at company and founder’s level in Belgium. The approach is mainly empirical.

This work is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on venture capital. First of all, we test the impact of VC on productivity. We then identify the determinants of VC and we test their impact on the relative level of VC for a panel of countries.

The second part concerns the technology-based small firms in Belgium. The objective is twofold. It first aims at creating a database on Belgian TBSF to better understand the importance of entrepreneurship. In order to do this, a national survey was developed and the statistical results were analysed. Secondly, it provides an analysis of the role of universities in the employment performance of TBSF.

A broad summary of each chapter is presented below.

PART 1: VENTURE CAPITAL

The Economic Impact of Venture Capital

The objective of this chapter is to perform an evaluation of the macroeconomic impact of venture capital. The main assumption is that VC can be considered as being similar in several respects to business R&D performed by large firms. We test whether VC contributes to economic growth through two main channels. The first one is innovation, characterized by the introduction of new products, processes or services on the market. The second one is the development of an absorptive capacity. These hypotheses are tested quantitatively with a production function model for a panel data set of 16 OECD countries from 1990 to 2001. The results show that the accumulation of VC is a significant factor contributing directly to Multi-Factor Productivity (MFP) growth. The social rate of return to VC is significantly higher than the social rate of return to business or public R&D. VC has also an indirect impact on MFP in the sense that it improves the output elasticity of R&D. An increased VC intensity makes it easier to absorb the knowledge generated by universities and firms, and therefore improves aggregate economic performance.

Technological Opportunity, Entrepreneurial Environment and Venture Capital Development

The objective of this chapter is to identify the main determinants of venture capital. We develop a theoretical model where three main types of factors affect the demand and supply of VC: macroeconomic conditions, technological opportunity, and the entrepreneurial environment. The model is evaluated with a panel dataset of 16 OECD countries over the period 1990-2000. The estimates show that VC intensity is pro-cyclical - it reacts positively and significantly to GDP growth. Interest rates affect the VC intensity mainly because the entrepreneurs create a demand for this type of funding. Indicators of technological opportunity such as the stock of knowledge and the number of triadic patents affect positively and significantly the relative level of VC. Labour market rigidities reduce the impact of the GDP growth rate and of the stock of knowledge, whereas a minimum level of entrepreneurship is required in order to have a positive effect of the available stock of knowledge on VC intensity.

PART 2: TECHNOLOGY-BASED SMALL FIRMS

Survey in Belgium

The first purpose of this chapter is to present the existing literature on the performance of companies. In order to get a quantitative insight into the entrepreneurial growth process, an original survey of TBSF in Belgium was launched in 2002. The second purpose is to describe the methodology of our national TBSF survey. This survey has two main merits. The first one lies in the quality of the information. Indeed, most of national and international surveys have been developed at firm-level. There exist only a few surveys at founder-level. In the TBSF database, information both at firm and at entrepreneur-level will be found.

The second merit is about the subject covered. TBSF survey tackles the financing of firms (availability of public funds, role of venture capitalists, availability of business angels,…), the framework conditions (e.g. the quality and availability of infrastructures and communication channels, the level of academic and public research, the patenting process,…) and, finally, the socio-cultural factors associated with the entrepreneurs and their environment (e.g. level of education, their parents’education, gender,…).

Statistical Evidence

The main characteristics of companies in our sample are that employment and profits net of taxation do not follow the same trend. Indeed, employment may decrease while results after taxes may stay constant. Only a few companies enjoy a growth in both employment and results after taxes between 1998 and 2003.

On the financing front, our findings suggest that internal finance in the form of personal funds, as well as the funds of family and friends are the primary source of capital to start-up a high-tech company in Belgium. Entrepreneurs rely on their own personal savings in 84 percent of the cases. Commercial bank loans are the secondary source of finance. This part of external financing (debt-finance) exceeds the combined angel funds and venture capital funds (equity-finance).

On the entrepreneur front, the preliminary results show that 80 percent of entrepreneurs in this study have a university degree while 42 percent hold postgraduate degrees (i.e. master’s, and doctorate). In term of research activities, 88 percent of the entrepreneurs holding a Ph.D. or a post-doctorate collaborate with Belgian higher education institutes. Moreover, more than 90 percent of these entrepreneurs are working in a university spin-off.

The Contribution of Universities to Employment Growth

The objective of this chapter is to test whether universities play a role amongst the determinants of employment growth in Belgian TBSF. The empirical model is based on our original survey of 87 Belgian TBSF. The results suggest that both academic spin-offs and TBSF created on the basis of an idea originating from business R&D activities are associated with an above than average growth in employees. As most ‘high-tech’ entrepreneurs are at least graduated from universities, there is no significant impact of the level of education. Nevertheless, these results must be taken with caution, as they are highly sensitive to the presence of outliers. Young high-tech firms are by definition highly volatile, and might be therefore difficult to understand.

CONCLUSION

In this last chapter, recommendations for policy-makers are drawn from the results of the thesis. The possible interventions of governments are classified according to whether they influence the demand or the supply of entrepreneurship and/or VC. We present some possible actions such as direct intervention in the VC funds, interventions of public sector through labour market rigidities, pension system, patent and research policy, level of entrepreneurial activities, bankruptcy legislation, entrepreneurial education, development of university spin-offs, and creation of a national database of TBSF.

Doctorat en Sciences économiques et de gestion
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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Gonzales, Gemio Carla Tattiana. "The role of responsible innovation in increasing firm performance in small and medium-sized enterprises and increasing their sustainability." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Barcelona, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/671230.

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It is difficult to imagine life without changes influenced by technology and innovation, which are characteristic of the era in which we live, with changes that, albeit always present throughout the history of mankind, are today presented as challenges for companies, organisations and governments, which pursue sustainable development, that is, prudent use of resources for the benefit of humans and the ecosystem around us, in a way that makes available such resources today and into the future. Unfortunately, the outcome of business innovation practices that are at the centre of these processes have resulted in the exclusion of four billion segment of the population comprising low-income groups in developing countries, also in degradation of natural resources, climate change, social inequality and excessive consumption of resources, because perhaps what was once good and innovative is now no longer so. In this context, debates have emerged and caught the attention of researchers and practitioners about how companies could innovate in a way that promotes sustainable development, which comes from "innovation", but also it to be "responsible". Responsible innovation (RI) deepens the relationship between science and society, which seeks for innovation under a democratic governance framework to be better integrated into society to ensure its contribution and benefits are effective. But how does responsible innovation in industry happen? In other words, in terms of one of the most widely used definitions in the academic context, “responsible innovation means taking care of the future through collective stewardship of science and innovation in the present”. Although this last definition acknowledged responsible innovation as a practice closely related to sustainability, the way in which its integration happen into industry is still in its infancy, and even more so when it comes from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This discussion remains one of the major research gaps analysed in this thesis. Moreover, in order to survive in a global and highly competitive environment, SMEs seek to achieve sustainable development through technological innovations. 3D printing (3DP) holds substantial promise for sustainability and the creation of a circular economy. Although 3D printing does not have a real sense of poverty alleviation in developing countries, has the potential to be a transformative alternative to the local production and consumption system. Manufacturing requires an understanding of local cultural issues that affect the management and organizational practices on which the competitiveness of enterprises is based. In that sense, once the decision is made to use a technology, it must be adopted and implemented. However, 3D printing, in that sense, is currently in the early stages of adoption especially from the perspective of small and medium enterprises. Therefore, in order to strengthen this area of research, this dissertation presents a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the adoption of 3D printing by different types of SMEs. This analysis is therefore another of the main topics analysed in this thesis. Regarding the main topics of this thesis, unawareness of the potential value of responsible innovation for SMEs with the common objective of reaching sustainability, that generates economic benefits, but also generate social value connected to the global challenges of society. Even more so in a developing country, such as Bolivia, means once again being left out of an important socio-economic development, in a society that is marginal to what is going to happen. Bolivia has been undergoing a major boom period in recent years due to the price of oil and its derivatives, which has led to one of the best GDP per capita indices in Latin America, but despite these indicators, it is one of the poorest countries in the region with one of the highest indices of inequality, which could increase levels of poverty and extreme poverty, which in 2019 were 37.2% and 12.9% respectively (INE, 2019). These are part of the greatest challenges that Bolivia still faces. Thus, the third analysis for understanding the spread of responsible innovation is through corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. This understanding is crucial for SMEs because, CSR seems to have a relevant capability of promoting responsible innovation, in particular resulting from collaboration with other stakeholders. Based on the existing literature, this dissertation proposes three different analyses. The first empirical study explores the key factors that determine the adoption of 3DP technology by SMEs in Arizona in the United States. Their results suggest that factors such as relative advantage, integration, readiness, managerial obstacles, and in turn, external collaboration foster the adoption of 3DP. The second study deals with a systematic literature review to develop a conceptual model for responsible innovation and its relationship with business performance through corporate social responsibility and sustainable innovation practices. The last one empirical study focuses on explore whether CSR practices towards stakeholders promotes RI and financial performance, findings suggest that the relationship between CSR and financial performance mediated by responsible innovation was positive but weak. Finally, the results of this dissertation join the emerging debate on responsible innovation and its application in SMEs. The focus is on SMEs because they represent 98% of the companies in the world. Their achievements have the potential to generate a major impact on the country's economy and society. Furthermore, this dissertation could also help researchers and practitioners to new insights to address responsible innovation for society, with society and for sustainable development.

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Santos, Ivânia Ramos dos. "Modelo para processo de desenvolvimento de software a partir da engenharia de requisitos: uma proposição orientada às empresas do APL de TI do sudoeste do Paraná." Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2016. http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/2167.

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A qualidade do produto de software tem sido associada à qualidade do seu processo de desenvolvimento. Existem diversos modelos e normas de qualidade, que podem ser utilizados por empresas de software de pequeno porte, a partir dos quais se entende que os processos definidos de acordo com esses modelos permitem prever os seus resultados. Um dos processos essenciais para a qualidade está relacionado aos requisitos do software, abrangendo da definição do requisito, do ponto de vista do usuário, à manutenção do software, com rastreabilidade ao longo de todo o ciclo de vida e do seu processo de produção, sendo esse o campo de estudo da Engenharia de Requisitos (ER). A inovação desempenha um papel relevante no desenvolvimento de software, no produto e no uso de tecnologias e procedimentos técnicos e gerenciais, visando assegurar qualidade e minimizar recursos, custo e prazo. Com base nessas motivações, este trabalho propõe um modelo para inovação no processo de desenvolvimento de software, com ênfase na ER, orientado ao contexto do Arranjo Produtivo Local (APL) de TI do Sudoeste do Paraná. O agrupamento de micro e pequenas empresas em APLs ou outras formas de organização, traz como benefícios o compartilhamento de recursos, experiências, mão-de-obra especializada, estratégias de mercado, ações de capacitação e consultorias. Porém, apenas participar desses agrupamentos não é suficiente para assegurar às empresas desenvolvedoras de software, especialmente as de pequeno porte, a expansão e mesmo a manutenção no mercado. A competitividade também está associada à redução de recursos e de tempo de produção e ao fornecimento de produtos e serviços que atendam a critérios estabelecidos de qualidade. O modelo proposto foi construído a partir de uma pesquisa-ação, de abordagem predominantemente qualitativa, envolvendo embasamento bibliográfico e estudo multicasos realizado com cinco empresas desse APL. O estudo multicasos permitiu identificar necessidades e problemas das empresas acerca do Processo de Desenvolvimento de Software (PDS), a serem supridos com o modelo proposto; e a pesquisa ação possibilitou ajustar, detalhar e validar esse modelo. O processo padrão define um modelo que é especializado, quando da realização de cada projeto de software, pelos ajustes necessários ao contexto do projeto. Os resultados dessa pesquisa buscaram apresentar alternativas de aplicação de técnicas para atender critérios de qualidade, alinhados a ER e modelos de qualidade. O trabalho também apresenta alternativas de adaptação às empresas do APL.
The quality of the software product has been linked to the quality of its development process. There are several models and quality standards, which can be used for small software companies, from which it is understood that the defined processes according to these models can anticipate their results. One of the key processes for quality is related to software requirements, including the definition of requirement, from the user point of view, the software maintenance, with traceability throughout the lifecycle and its production process, and that the study of the Requirements Engineering fields. The Innovation plays an important role in the development of software, the product and the use of technologies and technical and managerial procedures to ensure quality and minimize resources, cost and time. Based on these, this work proposes a model for innovation in the software development process, with emphasis on Requirements Engineering, oriented to the context of the Local Productive Arrangement IT Paraná Southwest. The grouping of micro and small enterprises or other forms of organization, brings the benefits of resource sharing, experiences, skilled labor, marketing strategies, training activities and consulting. However, only be part of these groups is not enough to ensure the software development, especially small companies, expansion and even the market kept. Competitiveness is also associated with reduced resources and production time, goods and services the supply, that meet established quality criteria. The proposed model was constructed from an action research, of qualitative approach, involving bibliographical basis and multicases study of five companies that Cluster. The multicases study identified needs and problems of companies about the Software Development Process (SDP), to be supplied with the model; and action research possible fit, detail and validate this model. The pattern defines a process model that specializes when performing each software project, the necessary adjustments to the project context. The results of this research sought to present application of technical alternatives to meet quality criteria, aligned to RE and quality models. The work also presents alternatives to adapt to Cluster companies.

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Peres, Clérito Kaveski. "Proposta de uma metodologia para a classificação de alternativas de abertura da inovação em pequenas e médias empresas." Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2017. http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/2286.

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Este estudo teve como objetivo propor uma metodologia para a classificação de alternativas de abertura da inovação em Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PMEs). A estruturação da metodologia passou por duas etapas, a primeira relacionada à base teórica e a segunda à base matemática. Na base teórica foi elaborado um portfólio bibliográfico sobre o tema que forneceu base às análises bibliométricas e sistemática. Os resultados da análise bibliométrica revelaram que a literatura sobre o tema Inovação Aberta (IA) em PMEs, apesar de crescente, ainda não está consolidada. Por meio da análise sistemática do conteúdo dos artigos foram identificadas 18 alternativas e 29 variáveis, que foram agrupadas em 4 critérios, relacionados ao processo de abertura de inovação nas PMEs. Na base matemática, segunda etapa, foi estruturada a metodologia por meio das etapas previstas pelo método ELECTRE TRI. A metodologia conta com oito etapas que possibilitam uma classificação das alternativas de forma estruturada, de acordo com as classes pré-definidas. Posteriormente, a metodologia foi implementada, para teste, em 3 empresas de diferentes setores da economia. Os resultados apontaram diferentes níveis de desempenho nos critérios relacionados às capacidades de cada empresa, sendo: 2,57; 2,37 e; 1,74 para as empresas 1; 2 e; 3, respectivamente, em uma escala de 0 a 4. O resultado da classificação das alternativas de abertura da inovação alocou na classe “A”, considerada a classe mais favorável às empresas, 50% das alternativas para a Empresa 1, 28% para a Empresa 2 e 11% para a Empresa 3. Ao se considerar um cenário de melhoria, foi implementado um aumento de 10% no peso do critério crítico de cada empresa. Com esta variação foram alocadas 72% das alternativas na classe “A” para a Empresa 1, e 22% para a Empresa 3. Para a Empresa 2 não houve reclassificação. Com estes resultados, pôde-se verificar que o aumento no nível de capacidade das empresas pode levar a um aumento significativo de alternativas realocadas em classes superiores.
This study aimed to propose a methodology for the classification of alternatives for opening innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The structuring of the methodology went through two phases, a first relation to the theoretical basis and a second mathematical basis. On the theoretical basis a bibliographic portfolio was elaborated on the subject that serves as the basis for bibliometric and systematic analyzes. The results of the bibliographic analysis reveal that the literature on topic AI in SMEs, although increasing, is not yet consolidated. Through the systematic analysis of the content of the identified articles 18 alternatives and 29 variables were grouped into 4 criteria related to the process of opening innovation in SMEs. In the mathematical base, second stage, a methodology was structured through the ELECTRE TRI method steps. The methodology has the steps that allow a classification of the alternatives in a structured way, according to the predefined classes. Subsequently, the methodology was implemented, for testing, in 3 companies from different sectors of the economy. The results indicate the different levels of performance in the following criteria: 2.57; 2.37 e; 1.74 for enterprises 1; 2 e; 3, respectively, on a scale of 0 to 4. The result of the classification of alternatives to open innovation in class "A", considered a class more favorable to the company, 50% of the alternatives for the company 1, 28% for the Company 2 and 11% for Company 3. When considering a scenario of improvement, a 10% increase in the weight of the companies' critical criteria was implemented. With this variation 72% of the alternatives for class "A" were adopted for company 1, and 22% for company 3. With this, it can be verified that the increase there is no level of capacity of the companies can lead to an increase Significant reallocated alternatives in upper classes.

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Leite, Marco Antonio Silvestre. "Fatores que influenciam a probabilidade de ocorrência de inovação tecnológica em micro e pequenas empresas brasileiras: uma análise quantitativa dos dados da PINTEC 2008." reponame:Repositório Institucional do BNDES, 2011. https://web.bndes.gov.br/bib/jspui/handle/1408/10414.

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A presente pesquisa visa identificar os fatores que influenciam a inovação tecnológica em micro e pequenas empresas brasileiras, por meio da análise dos dados secundários da Pesquisa de Inovação Tecnológica (PINTEC 2008), conduzida pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) junto a 16.371 empresas de ramos industriais e de serviços selecionados. Para tanto, foi feita a modelagem estatística dos microdados relativos à sub-amostra formada pelas 3.092 micro e pequenas empresas inquiridas pela PINTEC 2008. A análise das correlações entre as variáveis que influenciam as inovações e quatro variáveis que caracterizam o tipo e a abrangência das inovações tecnológicas – inovação em produto para o mercado nacional, inovação em produto para o mercado mundial, inovação em processo para o mercado nacional, inovação em processo para o mercado mundial – permitiu selecionar as variáveis independentes mais significativas em termos de influência sobre a ocorrência de inovação em micro e pequenas empresas. Com base nessas mesmas correlações, foram elaboradas regressões logísticas (logit), nas quais as variáveis dependentes escolhidas foram as quatro variáveis caracterizadoras do tipo e da abrangência da inovação acima mencionadas, e as variáveis independentes foram selecionadas dentre aquelas com maior poder explicativo sobre a ocorrência de inovação. Foram tomadas as devidas precauções para evitar a ocorrência de multicolinearidade nas regressões. Os resultados das regressões, analisados à luz da revisão bibliográfica, revelam a importância das variáveis independentes para a ocorrência de inovação em micro e pequenas empresas, e ajudam nas reflexões sobre possíveis melhorias nas políticas de estímulo à inovação tecnológica em micro e pequenas empresas.
This research aims to identify which factors influence the technological innovation in micro and small businesses in Brazil, through the analysis of secondary data from the Survey of Technological Innovation (PINTEC 2008), conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) at 16,371 companies in selected industries and services. To that end, we made statistical modeling of micro-data on the sub-sample formed by the 3,092 micro and small businesses surveyed by PINTEC 2008. The analysis of correlations between the variables that influence innovation and four variables that characterize the type and scope of technological innovation – product innovation for the domestic market, product innovation to the world market, process innovation for the domestic market, process innovation for the global market – allowed to select the most significant independent variables in terms of influence on the occurrence of innovation in micro and small enterprises. Based on these same correlations were developed logistic regressions (logit), in which the dependent variables chosen were the four variables characterizing the type and the scope of innovation mentioned above, and the independent variables were selected from those with greater explanatory power on the occurrence of innovation. Precautions have been taken to prevent occurrence of multicollinearity in the regressions. The results of the regressions, examined under the light of the literature review, reveal the importance of the independent variables for the occurrence of innovation in micro and small enterprises, and help in discussions about possible improvements in policies to stimulate technological innovation in micro and small enterprises.
Dissertação (mestrado) - Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2011.
Bibliografia: p. 255-273
Inclui notas de rodapé

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Gonçalves, Lidiane Delesderrier. "Desafios na economia do conhecimento: o caso do BNDES." reponame:Repositório Institucional do BNDES, 2009. https://web.bndes.gov.br/bib/jspui/handle/1408/10354.

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Terra, capital e trabalha ditavam o sucesso das organizações na era industrial. Somados a estes fatores, os ativos intangíveis são considerados o complemento chave para determinar a sustentabilidade dos negócios na era do conhecimento. A globalização cria uma nova dinâmica nos mercados e a gestão do conhecimento torna-se foco de atenção por parte das organizações. Intensifica-se a formação de redes interorganizacionais a fim de alavancar os negócios das empresas numa estratégia ganha ganha na qual o conhecimento tácito, não codificado, é compartilhado. Mais especificamente a gestão da inovação, uma das dimensões dos ativos intangíveis, assume um papel prioritário na agenda do Governo Federal, por meio do PDP, e de outros agentes de mercado. O BNDES deu alguns importantes passos para atender às demandas das empresas na era do conhecimento, dentre eles a adoção da metodologia do BSC de Capitais Intangíveis para fins de avaliação de risco de crédito das empresas e a parceria firmada com a Universidade de Brightom (UK) com a finalidade de prover aos gestores das empresas o treinamento em gestão da inovação. Dado o pontapé inicial, quais são os desafios que o BNDES deve enfrentar daqui por diante? Na revisão bibliográfica, faz-se a análise dos fatores de competitividade na era do conhecimento, da evolução do tema ativos intangíveis até os dias atuais, da formação de redes de relacionamento como estratégias relacionais, avaliando seus prós e contras, de alguns conceitos de inovação e sua gestão passando pela identificação do estágio de desenvolvimento das empresas brasileiras neste quesito. Posteriormente, procede-se a análise da ferramenta de gestão denominada Balanced Scorecard, que é base do BSC de Capitais Intangíveis. São identificadas as ações já desenvolvidas pelo BNDES, Sebrae e FINEP voltadas para o tema em referência a fim de avaliar o nível de integração entre elas e passa-se a discorrer sobre a relevância do tema para o BNDES e para a sociedade. Este estudo aborda o problema mediante a elaboração de um diagnóstico das 30 empresas ativas da carteira de investimentos em PMEs da BNDESPAR, subsidiária do BNDES, mediante a aplicação do BSC na forma de questionário. O objetivo é verificar se há espaço para a elaboração de planos de ação voltados para a criação de valor das empresas mediante a construção de ativos intangíveis e se a ferramenta é útil e adequada para tal finalidade. Procede-se, ainda, a avaliação de conteúdo das respostas ao questionário encaminhado aos participantes do treinamento em gestão da inovação a fim de avaliar sugestões de ações voltadas para a maximização do retorno esperado com a iniciativa. Na conclusão deste estudo, verifica-se que a ferramenta denominada BSC de Capitais Intangíveis é adequada à atividade de gestão da carteia de investimento em PMEs da BNDESPAR, que há um bom espaço para adoção de medidas voltadas para a criação de valor das empresas, citando-se alguns exemplos, e são destacadas algumas contribuições acadêmicas preliminares para a melhoria contínua da ferramenta ora desenvolvida além de sugerir outras iniciativas que o BNDES pode adotar a fim de otimizar as ações já implementadas até então.
Land, capital and work dictated the organizations’ success in the industrial era. Added to these factors, the intangible assets are considered the key complement to determine business’ sustainability in the knowledge era. The globalization creates a new dynamic in the markets and the knowledge management becomes focal point to the organizations. It becomes more common the incorporation of inter-organizational nets to improve business, in a strategy win-win where the tacit knowledge, noncodified, which is shared. More specifically, the innovation management, one of the intangible assets aspects, plays an important role in the Federal Government agenda, through the PDP and other market players. BNDES made significant progress to assist companies’ demands in the knowledge era, among them: the adoption of the Intangible Assets BSC methodology to evaluate companies’ credit risk and the partnership with Brightom University (UK) to train innovation management to companies’ managers. Besides the initial steps, what are the challenges that BNDES will face from now on? In the bibliographic review, it is analyzed the competitive factors in the knowledge era, the evolution of the intangible assets concept, the consolidation of the networking as business strategy, evaluation its advantages and disadvantages, some innovation definitions and its management through the identification of the development level of the Brazilian companies’ in this aspect. After that, it is analyzed the management tool so-called Balanced Scorecard, which is fundamental to the Intangible Assets BSC. The actions already implemented by BNDES, Sebrae and FINEP focused on the subject are identified in order to evaluate the integration level among those actions. Then, it is demonstrated the relevancy of the subject not only to BNDES, but also to society. This study faces the subject by the preparation of a diagnostic from 30 actives SMEs investments from BNDESPAR portfolio, a BNDES subsidiary, adopting the BSC methodology through questionnaire. The objective is to certify if there is enough space to elaborate an action plan focused on creating value to companies considering them intangible assets and, if it is viable, how this toll can be useful and adequate to achieve such objective. The questionnaire content, answered by the training participants in the innovation management program, is also evaluated to check the suggestions of actions to maximize the expected feedback. In the conclusion, it is verified that the tool so-called Intangible Assets BSC is adequate to the management activity of the investments in PMEs from BNDESPAR portfolio and there is enough space to adopt measures focused on creation of companies’ value, mentioning some examples and highlighting some preliminary academicals contributions to improve the tool and also suggests other steps that BNDES can adopt to optimize the actions already implemented.
Dissertação (mestrado) - Curso de Mestrado em Gestão Empresarial, Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Rio de Janeiro, 2009.
Bibliografia: p. 201-211.

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Allan, Suzanne Christine. "Creating knowledge in a small business: a qualitative case study." Thesis, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/4714.

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This study investigates how knowledge is created in a small business organization. Knowledge creation refers to organizational learning which results in innovation. The research design was a qualitative, single site case study of three firms in the point of sale industry. Data collection took place during a six month field study and employed multiple methods including participant observations, interviews, document reviews, and field journal entries. The study was informed by a conceptual framework which focused on the importance of both tacit and explicit knowledge forms, multiple modes of knowledge conversion (socialization, externalization, combination, internalization), and a knowledge spiraling process. Six themes emerged from the data. The first theme, "the people are the business" indicated that individuals become a knowledge creating structure that transcends office boundaries. A second theme, "we just spend tons of time talking", emphasized the importance of dialogue and informal communication structures to the sharing of tacit knowledge. A third theme, "there hasn't been a new idea in a million years", illustrated the predominance of incremental rather than radical innovation, the strategy of mimicking concept successes, and the importance of learning with other organizations through strategic alliances. A fourth theme, "you learn from your mistakes", represented the experiential nature of learning within the firm. A fifth theme, "it's one of those crystal ball kind of things" depicted the intuitive nature of personal knowledge and its limitations. Finally, the sixth theme, "a day late and a dollar short" explored how time and money pressures both enhance and hinder knowledge creation within a small business context. By comparing the themes to the conceptual framework the study concluded that small business organizations create knowledge in accordance with the nature of interpersonal interactions as they occur in context. The theoretical knowledge spiral was reconceptualized as a web structure in order to accommodate more diversity of approaches to knowledge creation and the complex nature of innovations.

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Utomo, Hargo. "The diffusion of information technology innovations within small and medium-sized firms in Indonesia." Phd thesis, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/148146.

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O'Mara, Charles Edward, University of Western Sydney, College of Business, and Centre for Industry and Innovation Studies. "Evaluating new product development performance in small to medium sized manufacturing firms." 2009. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/38926.

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The purpose of the research undertaken for this thesis was to examine management practices relating to new product development processes in small to medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMEs). The thesis topic has its origins in a European Community funded research project carried out during 1997-9 and designated CIMA (Continuous Improvement in Global Innovation Management) ESPRIT project 26056. The CIMA project had as its objective the development, testing and dissemination of a methodology to support knowledge transfer in the product innovation process. The CIMA model suggested a relationship between management behaviours and performance outcomes that used literature from a variety of research areas including continuous improvement, product innovation, performance measurement, and inter-project learning. This literature was centred largely on research undertaken in large organisations, with little information available on the new product development (NPD) practices in SMEs. This thesis sought to examine the management of NPD activities in SMEs across a range of important variables as identified in larger organisations in an effort to evaluate whether they were as relevant in smaller organisations. The literature review reduced the research to four broad questions: 1.what is the relationship between a business unit’s competitive strategy and its new product development strategy, 2.how management involvement in improving NPD performance, 3.does a more systematic approach to management of NPD projects would lead to better outcomes, and finally 4.how new product development performance is measured in SMEs. A two-stage, field based research methodology was used to gather data for this thesis. Firstly, a quantitative survey instrument was used to collect data across a broad range of variables. The data thus gathered were supported by a subsequent set of interviews in three SMEs that. In each of these firms, employees from the broad functional areas of sales, operations, and design, were interviewed to gain a greater understanding of the issues that might emerge in the quantitative survey. Thematic analysis was used to examine the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics, in the main were used to evaluate the quantitative data. Findings relevant to each of the research questions provide valuable insights into NPD practices in SMEs. For instance, strategies tend to be hazy, and have a short term emphasis. The qualitative interviews in particular showed a lack of certainty and direction when it came to strategy. With regard to management involvement, there was more emphasis on individual effort rather than team-based activities. Managers tended not to look for external sources to improve their NPD performance. The approach taken in managing NPD activities, whether it was systematic or informal, did not appear to affect innovativeness, though it did appear to impact other variables such as time-to-market. Finally, performance measurement in SMEs tended to emphasise cost outcomes as opposed to variables critical to customers such as conformance quality or time-to-market. Further, outcomes in those performance dimensions did not appear to influence future strategy or actions within the organisations. A detailed review of the data is provided in chapters five, six and seven.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Van, der Merwe Gabriel Jacobus. "The management of high-technological development in a small-to-medium enterprise within the mobile and portable power industry." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1942.

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D.Ing.
During the last pre-millennium decade South African engineers were involved mainly in military product development. The downscaling of development within the military arena, forced the engineering as well as other industries to refocus on commercial product development and marketing (the engineers in the military environment were not the only ones influenced by the change in the economic climate. Many others were also affected, but for the sake of explanation, the military environment was used). This stage led to the creation of various small- to-medium enterprises (SMEs), which were set up by creative, determined engineers and entrepreneurs. However, by the latter part of the last decade, these initiatives ended sadly in the liquidation of quite a number of companies. These ongoing liquidations are a result of various aspects, such as cash flow restrictions, growing currency value and a low national- growth figure. The research done in fulfilment of this thesis, addresses some of the events of the last decade and offers general, practical suggestions on how to overcome some of these hurdles within the current economic climate. It illustrates that experience enables an entrepreneur to develop methods and provide suggestions on how to create, establish, survive and grow within a high-technology driven SME. Shortfalls, methods and products are discussed by means of case studies. The products discussed in the thesis, are all classified among the field of mobile, portable and static electronic power-conversion. Thirty high-technology companies participated in a survey in support of the research statements. As a summary, it is shown that various aspects often restrict new product development (NPD) for SMEs. Optimum and effective usage of knowledge and experience in areas of technology, marketing, human resources, organisational, operational, manufacturing and financial management is required to achieve goals successfully and to survive in today’s industry. An investigation was done to determine the relationship between these interdivisions of an SME. In conclusion, methods and models are presented to optimise the techniques that are currently used within SMEs. These techniques are then further expanded on and presented as guidelines for business discussions. Practical examples are presented in support of the actual models.

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Matandela, Wanda. "Determinants influencing adoption of cloud computing by small medium enterprises in South Africa." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/24124.

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Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce in Information Systems (Coursework) at the School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, June 2017
Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are now recognized as the driving force behind most thriving economies. This is mainly attributed to the role they play in most economies in reducing unemployment and their contribution towards Gross Domestic Product. This means that SMEs should have the right resources to enable them to enhance performance. Choosing the right technology to support their businesses is one of the important decisions that SMEs should make. Understanding the benefits and challenges of different technologies is often a problem for most SMEs. One of the new technologies that has gained prominence in recent years is cloud computing. Even though the value associated with this technology has been widely researched especially for large enterprises, the rate at which SMEs adopt cloud computing still remains low. The purpose of this research sought to explore and describe the determinants influencing the adoption of cloud computing by SMEs in South Africa. The study used Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework as the theoretical lens in understanding the adoption of Could Computing phenomenon. Further, this qualitative exploratory and descriptive study used semi-structured interviews to collect data from five SMEs based in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, operating in different industries and belonging to the National Small Business Chamber. The main factors that were identified as playing an important role in the adoption of cloud computing by SMEs are, relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, awareness, trialability, culture, top management support, size, regulation and trade partner relationship. It is worth noting that there was not enough evidence that competitive pressure played a significant role in SME cloud adoption.
XL2018

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Pillay, Priyal. "Barriers to information and communication technology (ICT) adoption and use amongst SMEs: a study of the South African manufacturing sector." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/21552.

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A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Management (MMENVC) Johannesburg, February 2016
This paper aims to look at the barriers of ICT adoption amongst Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, specifically in the high growth-manufacturing sector. The population of the study is comprised of manufacturing SME owners and managers in Gauteng, South Africa. The objectives of this study are threefold. Firstly, it aims to establish which ICTs SMEs are currently making use of in South Africa. Secondly, it will analyse the perceived value added to SMEs through ICT adoption. And thirdly, the study endeavours to unearth the various barriers faced by SMEs when adopting ICTs. The research consists of data collection from 81 SMEs in the manufacturing sector in Gauteng, South Africa, by means of an online questionnaire. The data was analysed through a variety of statistical techniques covering both descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis. The following conclusions were reached:  Three barriers examined are significantly important to the adoption of ICTs, namely lack of existing hardware, immediate return on investment (ROI), and lack of infrastructure.  The perceived value of ICT has a positive, significant relationship to ICT adoption.  The majority of SMEs still predominantly make use of general ICTs, with more advanced ICT use lagging behind significantly. The majority of respondents have Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services (69%), Internet access and e-mail (90%), as well as telephone (89%) and fax (82%) services as ICTs that have already been implemented.  The education level of the owner/manager has a significant, positive relationship with the level of ICT adoption, particularly amongst general-use ICT and production- integrating ICT.
MB2016

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Gichohi, Paul Maku. "The role of public libraries in the development of small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/21588.

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Small-scale Business Enterprises (SBEs) lack proper mechanisms for supporting the provision and access to business information that can nurture their development in Kenya. This study investigated the role that public libraries could play in supporting the development of SBEs in Meru County with a view to developing a model that would enable public libraries to effectively support the development of SBEs. The study used the pragmatic paradigm to explore the identified phenomena. It applied the mixed methods approach and survey research design; collected data from 355 SBEs, 21 staff from three public libraries and two staff from the enterprise development unit of Meru County. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and document analysis. The response rate was 83.4% and 95% for SBEs and public library staff respectively. The descriptive and inferential statistics were used with the help of SPSS and Excel. Thematic analysis was applied on qualitative data. The study found that the factors that influence the development of SBEs are anchored in the environmental, cultural and personality factors of SBEs. SBEs have a myriad of business information needs which are sector-specific and cut across all the stages of business development. To fulfil these needs, most SBEs consult informal information sources and places. Technology-related tools were a popular means of accessing business information. Public libraries were poorly stocked with business information sources while business information services were in a desolate state. The study concludes that public libraries have facilitative and functional roles of providing business information solutions to SBEs by collaborating with like- minded stakeholders. The availability and accessibility of business information sources and services at public libraries is critical in addressing the information needs of SBEs. The study recommends repositioning of public libraries as business community development centres by providing value-based information sources and services. Public libraries need to revise their collection development policy, increase budget allocation, establish business information centres, seek partnerships, improve ICT facilities, ensure adequate staffing, engage business services librarians, open more libraries and widen their business outreach activities for effective support of SBEs. Policy framework and support systems for symmetrical access to business information, and entrepreneurial training for SBEs and for public library staff are needed. The proposed model of public library’s support for the development of SBEs is valuable and contribute to knowledge in business development.
Information Science
D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

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43

Pantano, Victor. "An interdisciplinary model of international technology transfer." Phd thesis, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/109795.

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Central to this thesis is the issue of how to account for the effects of micro-level organisational factors such as culture and social norms on the technology transfer process. The expansion of multinational firms has created a need for increased international technology transfer into nations with distinctly different cultures, social norms and · methods of organisation. The dilemma of how to deal with the transfer of technology into different countries is a continuing problem for academics in the innovation adoption field and corporate managers alike. A synthesis of the literature revealed a lack of understanding associated with the influence of managerial interventions, social, cultural and other organisational processes on the adoption decision. In an international context, it was found that there was an increased need to understand cross-national differences in the determinants of technology adoption. Further, the bulk of conceptual technology transfer models were found to be difficuit to operationalise and overwhelmingly unidimensional. This precipitated a need to develop a pragmatic interactive and dynamic interdisciplinary model that could be used to quantitatively predict transfer difficulty and develop implementation strategy. Longitudinal research methods were used to investigate the implementation of a knowledge management system within a multinational automotive manufacturing organisation. Focusing on two distinct cultures - Australia and India, observations showed that innovation perceptions have a comparatively minor influence on the adoption decision and advocated a need for frameworks capable of explaining adoption and diffusion from a cultural and social basis. These findings were subsequently reinforced through an investigative case study of technology transfer within the automotive manufacturing organisation at a global (or corporate) level. Both research studies supported the conceptualisation of the transfer process as a game between two players (management and the workforce) each weighing perceived advantages and disadvantages associated with adoption relative to their internal schemata. The extent and seriousness of the game is in the first instance determined by the technology itself and later moderated by the cultural, organisational and social norms that dictate play. This game-play notion was the platform upon which specifications for the international technology transfer model were developed. An integration of the literature review and research case studies, produced a top-level requirements model based on various inputs, desired outputs and operating conditions. A variety of interdisciplinary concepts including: technology classification, social capital, the social discount rate, investment appraisal (utilising cost-benefit analysis) and game theory, were used to construct a threestage model of technology transfer. An innovative hypothesis is put forward, enabling the derivation of the social discount rate (based on the social time preference rate) from estimates of a culture's social capital (principally based on measures of trust). Verification and validation of the model showed significant explanatory power in a retrospective context. It also highlighted the model's ability to differentiate between cultures and its potential ability as a predictive tool. It is thought that the greatest application for the model lies in its potential use as a pre-transfer assessment tool aiding corporate managers in the formulation of implementation strategy.

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Kademeteme, Edzai. "A 4IR framework for ICT evaluation : a case from South African SMEs." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/27446.

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No keywords provided in thesis
The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the immense benefits they present to organisations have made ICT innovations prominent. However, there is a constant contention between ICTs that already exist in organisations and emerging digital technologies (DTs). The exponential rate at which these DTs evolve often overwhelms decision-makers. This study focused on the decisions of small medium enterprises (SMEs) whether to adopt emerging DTs or to continue using their existing ICTs: SME owners need to evaluate existing ICTs to gauge their usefulness before adopting emerging DTs. Existing decision tools are often insufficient, being based only on either financial evaluation models or ICT usage/adoption models. This study therefore reviewed ICT use, acceptance and adoption theories, as well as financial models, in identifying both the non-financial and financial factors relevant to the evaluation of existing ICTs. Using the Updated Information Systems Success Model as the base model, the study developed an integrated conceptual framework for the evaluation of existing ICTs. The conceptual framework was tested per the positivist philosophical paradigm using data collected from SME owners. Structural equation modeling was used to test and validate the framework. The key findings from the study are that the psychological views and personal experiences of SME owners play the most important role in the evaluation of existing ICTs; and are primarily driven by the social environment surrounding them. The thesis recommends that SME owners should not base their decisions to continue using the existing ICTs on their psychological views and personal experiences only. Such owners may be deceived into believing that emerging DTs are better than the existing ICTs, or vice versa. Rather, SME owners should also consider the performance of software and hardware; and the quality of the information from the existing ICTs. Some features of the existing ICTs, such as database, network, and cloud computing, do not seem to matter to the SME owners; nevertheless these factors are important to consider. The study contributed to Information Systems theory by scoping a body of literature specific to the evaluation of existing ICTs within SMEs in South Africa. The study also contributes to practice, in creating a framework that could assist SME owners to objectively evaluate existing ICTs before adopting emerging DTs. Future research, however, should consider qualitative methods to elicit other factors which may be relevant to the evaluation of existing ICTs
School of Computing
Ph. D (Information Systems)

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45

O'Connor, Bill. "Solutions to problems encountered during the adoption and management of new colour measuring and control technology in the textile industry." Thesis, 1995. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/18199/.

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This research identifies the key factors involved in the successful adoption of a computerised match prediction system in the textile industry. The adoption of this technology has created big problems for many companies and few have succeeded without difficulty. Five companies adopting the technology were investigated to identify common problem areas. These areas were compared with the results of a literature review. A case study format was used to study in greater detail two companies in the carpet industry regarding their adoption of this system. One company was remarkably successful whilst the other company succeeded after much delay and difficulty. The literature relating to technological change and its effects on employees indicates the problems involve management, environmental, technical and social factors. Hence four research questions concerning prescriptive and contextual factors are tested by case study research and a cultural survey of all involved at both sites. Factors like the importance of strategy, management support and training are examined. The impact of culture, management style and fear of change are closely investigated. The results, whilst not conclusive, do give a good indication of the areas for special attention and the key factors, should the adoption of a computerised match prediction system be contemplated. The key factors form the basis of the conclusions that training, management support and the presence of a knowledgeable champion to drive the implementation were crucial whereas there was very little evidence of fear of the technology. Culture and management style were found to have an impact in so far as they direct the companies' approach to adopting the technology and influence h o w decisions are made and problems solved.

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Modiba, Florah Sewela. "Accessing and using information and communication technologies by women-owned SMMEs in Pretoria, South Africa." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/4257.

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SMMEs contribute to socio-economic development, and play a critical role in reducing unemployment. Information and communication technology infrastructures (ICTs) impacts on the establishment, growth, and success of SMMEs and also on how enterprises manage their operational activities. This study was conducted in Pretoria, South Africa, in Gauteng province, with the objective to study SMMEs owned by women in order to identify the challenges they encounter in accessing and using ICT infrastructures. The researcher addressed issues related to ICTs in general, and then assessed the challenges preventing business owners from accessing and using ICT infrastructures in order to improve their operational capabilities. A qualitative research methodology which included explorative and descriptive approaches was used. The findings of the study revealed the following challenges which women experience in their businesses: entrepreneurial challenges, infrastructure, ICTs, family responsibilities, support from government and other relevant bodies, lack of mentoring, financial and gender inequality.
English Studies
M.A. (English)

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47

Firth, Lucy. "Learning in industry, innovation and growth." Thesis, 1997. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/15421/.

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This thesis investigates issues of learning, innovation and growth by considering arguments from disparate schools of theory, and by an empirical investigation. The development of new growth theory models that demonstrate sustained growth driven by endogenous learning and innovation is reviewed. The importance of learning to the growth mechanisms of many of these models suggests that the new growth theories may have a contribution to make on the understanding of learning in industry. However, it is found that, in focusing on advancing neoclassical growth theory, the new growth theories have introduced learning in scenarios that are schematic and designed to suit the modelling enterprise rather than to capture the nature and process of learning in industry.

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48

Bok, Elizma Sharee. "Adopting green information and communication technology: barriers for South African small and medium enterprises." Diss., 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26472.

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Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa
Green information and communication technology (ICT) is viewed as a pioneering initiative that plays a key role in reducing the negative impact of ICT on the environment. The research problem of the study was the low green ICT adoption rate in South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The primary objective was to identify the most prominent barriers resulting in this low adoption rate. The first secondary objective was to determine the barrier with the strongest underlying correlation resulting in the low adoption rate of green ICT in South African SMEs. The second secondary objective was to recommend strategies on how to improve the adoption rate of green ICT. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data through electronic and paper-based surveys. A census study was conducted among owners and managers of high-technology-based SMEs located in Gauteng. An exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify the barriers resulting in the low adoption rate of green ICT. These barriers were found to be a lack of funding, awareness, legislation, skills, and knowledge based on complexity and uncertainty. A lack of funding was identified as the most prominent barrier to adopting low green ICT. Although five constructs were discussed in the literature, the overall results presented six components, with the construct of knowledge being made up of two parts – complexity and uncertainty. This study recommends that SMEs align green ICT initiatives with their strategic goals and that government consider more adequate support structures for SMEs. The study confirmed a low green ICT adoption rate in South African SMEs, and more research is required to explore the impact of each of the factors above on the environment.
Met groen inligting-en-kommunikasietegnologie (IKT) word baanbrekerswerk gedoen om die nadelige uitwerking wat IKT op die omgewing het, te verklein. Die trae tempo waarteen Suid-Afrikaanse klein en medium ondernemings (KMO’s) groen IKT aanneem was die navorsingsprobleem van hierdie studie. Die primêre oogmerk was om die grootste struikelblokke vir die aanneem van groen IKT aan te toon. Die eerste sekondêre oogmerk was om die struikelblok met die sterkste onderliggende korrelasie met die trae tempo waarteen Suid-Afrikaanse KMO’s groen IKT aanneem, te bepaal. Die tweede was om met strategieë te kom om die tempo te versnel waarteen groen ITK aangeneem word. Data is met ŉ selfvraelys deur elektroniese en papieropnames versamel. ŉ Sensusstudie is onder die eienaars en bestuurders van hoëtegnologie-KMO’s in Gauteng gedoen. Struikelblokke wat vir die trae aanneming van groen ITK verantwoordelik is, is met ŉ verkennende faktoranalise aangetoon. Daar is bevind dat gebrekkige befondsing en bewustheid, wetgewing, ŉ gebrek aan vaardighede en kennis weens die kompleksiteit en onsekerheid struikelblokke is. ŉ Gebrek aan befondsing was die grootste struikelblok vir die aanneem van groen IKT. Hoewel vyf konstrukte in die literatuur bespreek is, het die uitslag aangedui daar is ses. Die konstruk kennis is uit twee dele saamgestel: kompleksiteit en onsekerheid. Hierdie studie beveel aan dat KMO’s hulle groen IKT-inisiatiewe met hulle strategiese doelwitte in ooreenstemming bring, en dat die regering KMO’s beter ondersteun. Die studie bevestig die trae tempo waarteen Suid-Afrikaanse KMO’s groen ITK aanneem. Die invloed van elk van die bogenoemde faktore op die omgewing moet in verdere navorsing verken word.
Ulwazi lwezeMvelo kanye nobuchwepheshe bezokuxhumana (ICT) kuphawuleka njengemizamo yamaqhinga amasha adlala indima esemqoka ekunciphiseni umthelela omubi we-ICT kwezemvelo. Inkinga exazululwayo kucwaningo kwabe kuyizinga eliphansi lomthintela we-ICT kwezemvelo kumabhizinisi amancane nalawo asafufusa (SMEs) eNingizimu Afrika. Inhloso yokuqala kwabe kuwukuthola izikhinyabezo ezigqamile eziholela ekutheni kube nezinga eliphansi lokwamukela ezemvelo. Inhloso yokuqala esesigabeni sesibili kwabe kuwukuthola isikhinyabezo esinezimpawu ezihambisanayo kakhulu esidala izinga eliphansi lokwamukela ezemvelo kwi-ICT. Inhloso yesibili yesigaba sesibili kwabe kuwukuncoma amasu angasetshenziswa ukuthuthukisa izinga lokwamukelwa kwezemvelo kwi-ICT. Umbhalo wemibuzo ehlelwe wumcwaningi ngokwakhe wasetshenziswa ukuqoqa idatha ngohlelo lwesaveyi eyaqhutshwa ngekhomphyutha nangephepha. Ucwaningo lohlelo lokubalwa kwabantu/lwesensasi lwenziwa phakathi kwabanikazi kanye nabaphathi bamabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa esifundazweni saseGauteng, amabhizinisi encike kubuchwepheshe beqophelo eliphezulu. Uhlelo lokuhlaziya oluhlolayo lwasetshenziswa ngesizathu sokuthola izihibhe ezidala izinga eliphansi lokulandelwa kwezemvelo ku-ICT. Lezi zihibhe zatholakala ukuthi ukuswela uxhaso lwezimali, ukwexwayiswa, umthetho, izakhono zomsebenzi kanye nolwazi olwencike phezu kwesimo esixubene kanye nokungabi nesiqinisekiso. Ukuswela ukuxhaswa ngezimali kwabonakala njengesikhinyabezo esikhulu mayelana nokwamukelwa kwezinga eliphansi lwe-ICT yezemvelo. Yize kuye kwaxoxwa ngezakhiwo ezinhlanu kumbhalo wobuciko, yonke imiphumela iveze izigaba eziyisithupha, ngesakhiwo solwazi esahlukene izingcezu ezimbili – isimo esixubene kanye kanye nokungabi nasiqinisekiso. Ucwaningo luncoma ukuthi amabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa (SMEs) ahambisana nemizamo yohlelo lwe-ICT olulandela ezemvelo kanye nezimpokophelo zamasu kanye nokuthi uhulumeni ubhekelele ukuthi kube nezakhiwo eziningi nezanele zokuxhasa amabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa (SMEs). Ucwaningo luqinisekisile ukuthi kunezinga eliphansi lokubhekelelwa amabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa mayelana nezemvelo kwi-ICT eNingizimu Afrika, kanti kudingeka ucwaningo oluningi ukuhlola umthintela wazo zonke izinto ezingenhla mayelana nezemvelo.
Business Management
M. Com. (Business Management)

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Yavwa, Yakomba. "The influence of indigenous African culture on SME adoption of digital government services in Zambia." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26834.

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Many low-income countries desire to implement and adopt digital government as a springboard for economic and social development but face many challenges. The United Nations identifies that Africa has especially lagged consistently in digital government development and adoption. Most scholars largely attribute the challenges to infrastructure and skills, and often rhetorically cite culture as playing a strong role. This study specifically examined the role of indigenous African culture (‘spirituality’, ‘communalism’ and ‘respect for authority and elders’) and internet access on the adoption of digital government services (e-filing and e-payment of taxes) by Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) in Zambia, with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technologies (UTAUT) as the underpinning theoretical lens. Data analysis was done using Structural Equation Modelling with principal attention given to the moderating and mediating influence of indigenous African culture. The influence of internet access on the intention to adopt digital government was also examined. The findings from the cross sectional study of 401 tax registered SMEs suggests that ‘spirituality’, ‘African communalism’ and ‘respect for authority and elders’ have significant negative moderating effects on the adoption of e-filing but not on e-payment; and ‘spirituality’, ‘African communalism’ and ‘respect for authority and elders’ are all significant mediators of the intention to adopt both e-filing and e-payment. This means that indigenous African culture plays a significant role in explaining Africa’s position in digital government development and adoption. The findings also showed a negative influence of internet access on the intention to adopt digital government services despite the measures that government has put in place. These results make a novel contribution to Information Systems (IS) theory in identifying a critical yet often overlooked indigenous cultural influence on the adoption of digital innovations in low-income countries. The findings also calls for finding new or adapted IS theories that take into account such unique cultural constructs. The thesis recommends that the research is extended to other low-income countries as well as other contexts that exhibit strong indigenous cultural values.
School of Computing
Ph. D. (Information Systems)

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Manala, Maseribe Maureen. "Adoption of e-banking amongst small, micro and medium enterprises in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality." Diss., 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/24402.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the level of adoption, usage and factors that influence the adoption of electronic banking (e-banking) by small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) listed in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM). Despite efforts by commercial banks to promote e-banking (internet and cell phone banking) to its customers, the adoption rate for internet and cell phone banking appears to be low. Based on the literature reviewed, the SMME sector has been widely excluded from the formal banking services. It is also observed that e-banking can enable SMMEs to grow and enter international markets. Technology acceptance model (TAM) integrated with perceived risk theory (PRT) was used to investigate factors that influence adoption and usage of e-banking. The study followed a quantitative research approach. Respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. A structured survey questionnaire was used to collect the data. The survey was conducted on 160 SMMEs in the CTMM with the assistance of fieldworkers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Pearson’s bivariate correlation, and multiple regression. The results revealed that perceived ease of use had a significant positive influence on the attitude towards e-banking. Perceived usefulness had a positive but insignificant influence on the attitude towards e-banking. Security risk was the only perceived risk dimension that had a significant negative influence on attitude towards e-banking. However, financial risk, privacy risk, performance risk and social risk had a positive and insignificant influence on attitude towards e-banking. It was envisaged that this study will enable banks to develop strategies that are aimed at increasing their SMME market share.
Finance, Risk management and Banking
M. Com. (Finance)

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