Business Support Services Research Articles

Oportunidades e Entraves Para a Proteção por Indicação de Procedência para os Biscoitos Artesanais de Vitória da Conquista-BA

Os biscoitos artesanais produzidos na região de Vitória da Conquista, na Bahia, são produtos regionais que demonstram notoriedade e podem ser passíveis de proteção por Indicação Geográfica. O produto é fruto de tradição local, cujo saber fazer vem sendo passado de geração em geração há aproximadamente um século. Desde 2005 este produto é visto pelo sistema de governança do Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (SEBRAE) como oportunidade para criação de negócios e promoção da região. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar os principais entraves e oportunidades para o registro de proteção por Indicação de Procedência (IP) para os biscoitos de Vitória da Conquista, bem como sugerir estratégias de fomento. Para tanto, utilizou-se como metodologia a abordagem qualitativa, descritiva, de natureza exploratória, com pesquisa documental e análise de conteúdo, além de visitas técnicas aos produtores e ao SEBRAE. A metodologia utilizada para embasar este estudo foi a do círculo virtuoso de qualidade ligado à origem desenvolvido pela Organização das Nações Unidas para Alimentação e Agricultura. Os resultados demonstraram que os biscoitos de Vitória da Conquista possuem potencial para o registro de Indicação de Procedência e oferece inúmeros benefícios e oportunidades para a região. Todavia, foi detectado vários entraves para o seu fomento, com destaque para a falta de uma entidade que agrupe os produtores e comerciantes e a falta de políticas públicas voltadas específicas para IG, dentre outras. Foram sugeridas estratégias que possam contribuir para a promoção e para seu desenvolvimento local.

All‐of‐government response to the COVID‐19 pandemic: The case of Vietnam

All‐of‐government response to the COVID‐19 pandemic: The case of Vietnam

Application of the Global Concept of “Smart City” at the Local Level of the Karviná District

The article deals with the implementation of the global concept of Smart City or Smart Municipality at the local level, specifically in selected municipalities and towns of the Karviná District located in the Czech Republic. Specifically, these municipalities form a union of municipalities under the name Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Karviná District (SMOOK). The paper summarizes the results of research aimed at finding out how the representatives (mayors and city mayors) of a selected sample of municipalities and towns of various sizes approach the implementation of the global concept of Smart City at the local level, i.e., within the municipalities they manage. Within the questionnaire, representatives (mayors and city mayors) of towns and municipalities were offered several typified projects in several areas of activities that the municipality or town performs. Respondents could also mention other projects that they were implementing in the given area. The areas where the surveyed towns and municipalities use the most widespread range of smart solutions are city administration and the related use of information and communication technologies. Municipalities pay attention to these areas and plan to introduce other innovative solutions. Due to environmental problems and air pollution in the Karviná Region, they do not neglect the areas of environment, transport and power engineering. On the contrary, marginal areas in the implementation of smart projects for them are business support and social services. A significant motivation in the implementation of smart projects is the possibility of obtaining grant funds.

Dysproporcje wewnątrzregionalne w rozmieszczeniu instytucji otoczenia biznesu na przykładzie województwa dolnośląskiego

Instytucje otoczenia biznesu (IOB) odgrywają istotną rolę w rozwoju przedsiębiorczości na obszarze ich oddziaływania. Obowiązujące strategie rozwoju jednostek administracyjno -terytorialnych i regionalne programy operacyjne wspierają tworzenie tych instytucji. W praktyce jednak, wraz z powstawaniem kolejnych IOB, narastają dysproporcje przestrzenne w ich rozmieszczeniu. Celem badania była ocena dostępności przestrzennej istniejących instytucji otoczenia biznesu na obszarze województwa dolnośląskiego. Na podstawie zgromadzonych danych o istniejących IOB, rozmieszczeniu ludności i przedsiębiorstw wykonanowielowarstwowe analizy przestrzenne. Badania wykazały istotne dysproporcje przestrzenne w rozmieszczeniu IOB. Na obszarze województwa występuje kilka koncentracji przestrzennych IOB, jak i liczne obszary o niskiej i bardzo niskiej ich dostępności w stosunku do sieci osadniczej. W przypadku dalszego braku planu rozmieszczenia IOB w skali regionu istniejące dysproporcje w ich rozmieszczeniu będą się nasilać, a tym samym szanse rozwoju przedsiębiorczości na licznych obszarach o niskiej dostępności usług wspierających biznes będą coraz mniejsze. Ze względu na złożoność podjętych zagadnień ustalenia w artykule mają charakter kierunkowy i stanowią punkt wyjścia do dalszych pogłębionych badań, m.in. do wyznaczenia obszarów wskazanych do rozmieszczenia na nich nowych IOB.

Business Support Services and Performance of Small Medium Enterprises in Rwanda: Case of BDF Supported SMEs in Gicumbi District

Business Support Services and Performance of Small Medium Enterprises in Rwanda: Case of BDF Supported SMEs in Gicumbi District

The importance of Marketing for Micro and Small Enterprises

According to (Sebrae-Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service), in 2018, micro and small companies accounted for 52% of employment positions, and correspond to 99% of existing companies in Brazil. However, even with this representativeness 58% of these companies manage to exceed five years of existence. It is estimated that this high percentage of mortality of organizations is related to the lack of planning and adoption to the basic principles of administration. This article aims to conduct a reflection, using the methodology of bibliographic review, on the importance of marketing for these organizations, as well as the need for entrepreneurs to adopt a strategic posture through marketing possibilities, especially in relation to Digital Marketing, thus ensuring the sustainability of the organization.

Evaluating innovation development among Brazilian micro and small businesses in view of management level: Insights from the local innovation agents program

This research aims to analyze management and innovation patterns among micro and small businesses (MSBs) that participated during 2015–2016 in the Local Innovation Agents (LIA) Program from the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE). Complemented by factor analyses, two-step cluster analysis was applied on 6674 MSBs’ management dimensions to identify group patterns and statistical tests explored further cluster differences regarding management and innovation dimensions, besides innovation improvement throughout the program. Results were multifaceted. First, complementary factor analyses showed that management dimensions compose one factor with similar loadings, thus in accordance with their predictive importance found in the cluster analysis. Second, two main clusters were identified in terms of management level, which also presented significant differences regarding innovation levels. Third, considering a before-and-after self-comparison, by and large, innovation was significantly improved by both clusters. Fourth, the highest developed cluster presented higher improvement rates in most innovation dimensions, thus benefiting more from the program, except for two marketing-related innovations, which improved similarly by both clusters. Overall, even though the LIA Program was effective to leverage MSBs innovation, higher efficiency rates would be bounded to fewer participating MSBs, and hence policy planners should be aware of this tradeoff.

Sprinting for creative economy growth – a case study of a business planning and rapid prototyping toolkit for the Brazilian creative economy sector

This article reflects on the development of a creative economy training product and toolkit developed by Coventry University with SEBRAE (the Brasilian Micro and Small Business Support Service) and funded by British Council. It was devised following two weeks creative economy scoping visits in autumn 2017 in Brasil. The scoping visits identified the need for a fun and “disruptive” business planning experience leading to rapid prototyping which would allow new creative economy ideas to be brought to market at low development cost – “Sprint”. A one day micro Sprint was tested in four locations in Brazil to excellent feedback in late 2017. The client subsequently requested a three day version of the methodology to invest more time in the cultural change of the creative entrepreneur and the development of an associated toolkit. However, this Sprint has subsequently also been rolled out in a super condensed 3 hour version piloting in 2019 and 2020 in Ukraine through British Council Creative Spark programmes. The toolkit offers skills and techniques to train creative entrepreneurs and their mentors in enabling the growth of the creative economy in their communities. This paper predominantly focuses on the implementation of the client commissioned three day Sprint.

Rethinking Quatrro’s execution strategy: capturing the small and medium-sized enterprise market

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes of this paper are to understand the supply side of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) model and how a firm can develop and capture a new market using Blue Ocean Strategy principles; understand how to use the four actions framework and eliminate/reduce/raise/create (ERRC) grid to develop a Blue Ocean market; evaluate three strategic alternatives available to a firm along with the benefits and challenges of each; map out the current strategy to inform possible future strategies and envision how one can use the BMC to re-invent the execution strategies of a disruptor; and discuss the opportunities for growth and the challenges therein in a dynamic global business environment. Case overview/synopsis Sri Rao, President of Market Development and Strategy of Quatrro Business Support Services (Quatrro), a BPO firm, weaved through the bustling streets of Gurgaon, India, to get to work early on a blistering summer day. It was the beginning of the new 2017 fiscal year and there was a sense of anticipation and uncertainty in the office to which he was headed. Quatrro offered outsourced finance, accounting and payroll solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises across the world, but mainly the USA. Arriving at his desk, Rao gazed out the window and reflected on Quatrro’s journey so far, the ups and the downs and the strategy for moving forward. Growth had been moderate with small deals. Local and regional Certified Public Accountant firms continued to provide stiff competition and the cost of acquiring new clients was high. There was a need to rethink Quatrro target markets and business development strategy. Quatrro’s annual board meeting was coming up in three weeks and Rao wanted to present a credible plan to accelerate Quatrro’s growth. He was worried that if the plan was not accepted by the board, any further investments in the business would be challenging and could even lead to the board directing Quatrro to divest. He believed they had run out of patience with a business that had a lot of potential but was not growing. He had one last opportunity to get Quatrro’s strategy right before his planned departure from the company in just a year’s time. Rao waited for his team to discuss their recommendations based on a presentation he had made to them two days ago. Complexity academic level Undergrad/MBAs. While most growth strategy cases focus on firms seeking to outsource services for efficiency and concentrate on value added to the core functions and competences, this case centers on the supply side and examines the BPO firm itself. It focuses on the technology service industry (as opposed to product/manufacturing), which while growing and significant is not often written about in cases, and finally, the case integrates an understanding of the Blue Ocean Strategy along with the Business Model Canvas allowing students to envision how one can use the BMC to re-invent a business strategy. It does so with a traditional Ansoff Matrix as the backdrop. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

BUSINESS TOURISM CONSULTING: a study of SEBRAE -AM

Consultancy services in tourist companies provide knowledge about management and organization of companies, quality of services, and specialization of offer, among other aspects. Through this process, they help make the tourist market more attractive and competitive. The Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) operates throughout Brazil, with the aim of promoting competitiveness and sustainable development and fostering entrepreneurship, thereby facilitating the access of small entrepreneurs to business management knowledge, through its Business consulting service. In view of the potential of business consulting, and identifying a facilitator that is accessible in the use of services offered by the institution, this study aimed to understand the system and process used by SEBRAE-AM, in the State of Amazonas, in its consulting services, and to investigate the motivations and expectations of the demand for tourism entrepreneurs, and the consultants’ view of this market. We opted for a basic methodology using a qualitative approach, with semi-structured interviews in which three subjects formed part of the intentional sample: manager of the consulting department of SEBRAE-AM, and two consultants working within the area of business activities in tourism. Among other results, the research found that despite the notoriety and the full consultancy work performed by the institution, the demand is still low compared to other business segments, and there are some limitations on the consulting services offered by the institution. This relevance of this research is its potential as a reference model for consulting companies, and it can be used by companies in the consulting area, as well as for the development of new research on this topic.

산업네트워크 분석에 의한 중국 산업의 서비스화 분석

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the industrial ecosystems become more closely linked each other as the linkages between manufacturing and service industries are gradually extended and intensified. This study analyzes the core changes in the entire industrial structure of China from 2002 to 2015. First, utilizing the input-output model (or inter-industry relation model), we evaluate the production-inducing effects across the various manufacturing and service sectors.Employing standard centrality measures that are often used in network analysis, we identify the status of various industry sectors together with their structural roles on the input-output network. We also track the evolutionary paths as they change over time. Furthermore, the clustering analysis of industrial sectors examines the critical changes in the overall industrial structure. With our findings, we discuss the policy implications of these evolutionary paths and explore the trends and sources of Chinese economic development regarding manufacturing and service productions. As a result, it can be seen that the production-inducing effects in the manufacturing sectors—particularly, chemical, electric power, and primary metal products—play the core role in driving the economy. On the other hand, the distribution sector like the traditional wholesale and retail services still shows unstable connections with other industries. However, the sectors like finance and transportation, which constitute another axis of the service industry, have strengthened their connection with the manufacturing sectors since 2012. Moreover, the real estate & lease and the other business support services continue to absorb production resources, deepening their linkages with the key service industries (e.g., transportation) and the various manufacturing sectors. In conclusion, China still has manufacturing as a central driving force for economic development, but with the increasing integration with the service sectors, both manufacturing and service industries show an apparent convergence in their production activities.

Business Support Services and Growth of Youth Owned Enterprises Benefiting From Uwezo Fund in Kitui County, Kenya

The study sought to examine the influence of business support services on growth of youth owned enterprises benefiting from Uwezo Fund in the larger Kitui County. Business growth through business support services like entrepreneurial skills and financial services has been lauded by many studies as an engine which can tap well the practical and creative business approaches affecting the youth and other disadvantaged groups. In an effort to reduce the ever-increasing high levels of unemployment and poverty amongst the youth, the Government of Kenya has since independence established many affirmative action funds like the Youth Enterprise Development Fund in order to accelerate the growth of youth owned enterprises. However, a large number of youth is still languishing in poverty and unemployment. Youth who venture into their own businesses mostly face the challenge of inadequate skills like the skill of identifying an appropriate business line of investment, poor access to credit and market access. This has become the main reason for high enterprise failure rates with up to 80 percent of new businesses collapsing within their first three years of operation. Uwezo Fund was established in the year 2013 to offer various business support services amongst the vulnerable groups and encourage enterprise growth through the provision of effective business support services like; interest free lending services, business development services, business mentorship services, market and marketing skills and Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO). The study sought to examine the influence of Uwezo Fund business support services particularly its lending services, business development services and market access on the growth of youth owned enterprises. The study was anchored on the theory of stages of development by Churchill & Lewis. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A sample of beneficiaries’ enterprises at the County level formed a study’s sample size of 100 groups, a 20% of the total 501 funded youth groups by 2016/2017 financial year, from which one enterprise in each group was selected for study. Stratified random sampling method was used in selecting the respondents. Primary data was collected using questionnaires that were self-administered. The content validity of the research instruments was checked using opinions from the experts while construct validity through consistency in both the conceptual and theoretical reviews during the questionnaire preparation. Reliability of collected data was achieved through a pilot study and a Cronbach’s Alpha, with 0.7 ranges. Descriptive and quantitative methods of study were used in data collection, data presentation and data analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequency tables and percentages while qualitative data interpreted through the use of linear regressions. From the findings, all independent variables except market access through AGPO had a significant linear relationship with the dependent variable. Based on the study’s findings, the study recommends that Uwezo Fund should strengthen its business support services especially market access through AGPO and scope of business in order to positively influence the growth of youth owned enterprises. The study also recommends for a further research on the causes of ineffectiveness in market access amongst the youth enterprises. The study finally recommends for a further research on Uwezo Fund business support services which are not offered by the fund like infrastructural services, transaction processing, merging the fund with other existing business support service providers and similar studies in other counties since findings from one County is not wide enough to generalize on the influence of Uwezo Fund support services on the growth of youth owned enterprises in the whole Country.
 This is an open-access article published and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License of United States unless otherwise stated. Access, citation and distribution of this article is allowed with full recognition of the authors and the source.

Access to Finance for Women-Owned SMEs in Palestine

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of collateral requirement, Business support services, High interest on loans, and lack of Information services on access to finance by Women-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in Palestine , A structured questionnaire was administered on a random sample population of Women-Owned SMEs Enterprises in Hebron and Bethlehem , Out of the 60 questionnaires administered, 54 were filled and returned. This represented a response rate of 90%. Data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS). Questionnaires were administered on the owners of these SMEs and/ or representatives. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish the effects of the market constraints on access to finance by Women-Owned SMEs Enterprises in Palestine. The study indicated that there is a negative correlation between collateral requirements, , High interest on loans, lack of Information services and access to finance by SMEs in Palestine, while there is a positive correlation between Business support services and access to finance SMEs in Palestine. Regression analysis showed that variation in access to finance by SMEs can be explained by collateral requirement, Business support services, High interest on loans, and lack of Information services. The study recommended that, financial institutions should simplify their lending criteria and pay attention to opportunities for financing the promising SME sector rather than requiring high collateral ,Government should increase the little support it offers to SMEs, government should launch interest rate-supported programs to enable SMEs access to funds from banks and other financial institutions at low interest rates, increasing the number of intermediaries between the SMEs and the banks to reduce information asymmetry. Keywords: Women-Owned SMEs ,Palestine , Access to Finance. DOI : 10.7176/RJFA/10-8-12 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

Utilité de l’accompagnement entrepreneurial dans le cadre du microcrédit en France : une analyse du point de vue des bénéficiaires

Dans ce papier, nous évaluons l’utilité perçue de l’accompagnement entrepreneurial sur les bases des résultats d’une enquête qualitative approfondie réalisée auprès de créateurs financés, accompagnés par une IMF française de type insertion sociale. Dans l’ensemble, les services d’accompagnement apparaissent fort utiles, tant au démarrage de l’activité qu’au cours de son développement. Cependant, derrière des taux de satisfaction affichés élevés, se cache une différence de perception parmi les bénéficiaires. Alors que certains jugent cet accompagnement nécessaire, voire indispensable, d’autres lui trouvent une utilité plus limitée, estiment qu’il n’a pas d’incidences majeures sur leur activité, ou encore apprécient ou perçoivent mal la pertinence de cette aide. Ainsi, nous identifions cinq parcours d’accompagnement : un parcours « utilité forte », un parcours « utilité significative localisée », un parcours « utilité marginale localisée », un parcours « sympathique-social » et un parcours « mal vécu ». Pour affiner nos résultats, nous recourons à une analyse des correspondances multiples pour montrer que la perception de l’utilité de l’accompagnement dépend, entre autres, des caractéristiques sociales des bénéficiaires.

The Impact of Women Entrepreneurship Development: Case Study of VIDATHA Programme, Sri Lanka

Every aspect of the world is changing rapidly; political and economic transformations seem to arise every nock and corner in the world. Countries tend to demand their economies; dictatorships convert into democracy while creating new institutions and agencies. Due to the changes in economic pathways for women, those who intend to start and operate their own businesses. When women gradually start their own businesses with a view to contribute a large portion in the national economy, the unique skills of women entrepreneurs are yet to recognize. In this context, this research examined women's entrepreneurial characteristics in Sri Lanka mainly based on environmental factors. The case study focused on the VIDATHA program which initiated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research in mid-2000. This study aimed to investigate the effect of environmental factors on women entrepreneurial characteristics in Western Province, Sri Lanka. The result of this analytical study indicated that there are similarities and differences in experiences of women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and women entrepreneurs were able to run their businesses and reached successes, despite the work-family conflicts. The outcome of the women’s engagement in business proved that the support for service of the companies and competitiveness is significantly correlated with the environmental factor which the main source for the availability of funding for development of women entrepreneurship. The factors influence women to be at risks of businesses could easily be improved through the activities of business support services, followed by independence, self-confidence and internal locus of control. The business support service is the main factor influenced the development of female entrepreneurship. Competitiveness and government policies were given a negative impact on developments of women entrepreneurship. KEYWORDS: Women Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurial traits, Entrepreneurial Environmental Factors

Investors’ characteristics and the business climate as drivers of backward linkages in Vietnam

This paper analyses the factors determining the establishment of backward linkages and their key features once established. To carry out our analysis, we exploit an original survey conducted in 2011 on roughly 1500 investors based in Vietnam. We show that some characteristics of the investor firm, including size, productivity, experience and autonomy in decision-making, affect the capacity of linkages to create a larger network of local suppliers. In addition, we show that it is the provision of a good investment climate, and more importantly of key business support services, that mainly influences the capacity of investors to trigger knowledge and other key resources’ transfer to their local suppliers.

The Impact of Organizational Innovativeness on Product-oriented innovativeness in Agro-industrial micro and small businesses

By means of the Local Innovation Agents (LIA) Program, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) has conveyed innovation to Brazilian micro and small businesses (MSBs). Within this setting, this paper aims to analyze the impact of organizational innovativeness on product-oriented innovativeness in agroindustry small businesses. Regarding methodology, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was employed in order to validate constructs and to analyze causal effects. The sample comprises secondary data from 249 agroindustry MSBs that participated in the LIA program between 2012 and 2014. Regarding results, the final models fulfills all constructs validation criteria and structural analysis indicated that both loading factors and path coefficients were statistically significant, besides presenting predictive relevance and explained variance (R²) of 57,9%. In sum, the results show that organizational innovativeness impacts positively product-oriented innovativeness, corroborating other studies that show the importance of organizational innovations.

Assessing a Micro and Small Businesses Innovation Support Programme in Brazil: The Local Innovation Agents Programme

AbstractCreated by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) and developed in partnership with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the local innovation agents (LIA) programme aims to convey innovation to Brazilian micro and small businesses (MSBs) and has covered around 150 000 MSBs since 2008. Notwithstanding, assessments of the LIA programme are still limited. Therefore, this paper aims to assess the impact of the LIA programme based on a sample of over 6000 MSBs. Results show that all dimensions improved to some extent, but marketing and organizational‐related innovations improved more than product and process‐related ones. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Factors Affecting Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Startup and Growth in Tanzania

This study analyzes factors that are affecting the start-up and growth of SMEs in Tanzania. The interviews involved the institutions providing business support services to SMEs and a total of 150 randomly selected SMEs from the country’s commercial city of Dar es Salaam. The study examined seven factors, which were categorized into three broad groups: business environment (political, legal and regulatory environment & socio-economic environment); institutional support (resources and finance; management and know-how & appropriate infrastructure & technology) and individual attributes and knowledge (entrepreneurial tendencies & innovation, vision and exposure to external knowledge). The context description for qualitative data and the multiple linear regressions show that factors range from inborn individual attributes to complex relationships between often changing business environments. The competitive activities and location, inadequate finance, human and social resources, and technical and management skills play a crucial role in the start-up. Also the regulatory framework leads to excessively complex registration and licensing requirements. Inadequate technology and physical infrastructure have resulted in a shortage of premises and even the few premises available are well beyond the financial ability of most SMEs. Unreliable electricity negatively affects their growth. The study provides managerial and policy implications.

Entrepreneurial Orientation and Usage of External Business Support for SMEs

The objective of this study is to examine the level of entrepreneurial orientation of users and non-users of external suppoert services, this study adopted a cross sectional design and quantitative data was collected from various sectors of SMEs. Findings of this study revealed that users of external business support services have higher level of entrepreneurial orientation compared to the non-users. The results statistically support the eentrepreneurial orientation roles in stimulate the usage of the services. In other words, the performance of the firm may have influenced by direct contact between eentrepreneurial orientation and the use of external support services. Entrepreneurial Orientation is one of the valuable firm resources that may potentially influence the usage of the external support services which may influenced firms’ performance.