Case Study Of Small And Medium Enterprises Research Articles

Circular Economy a Footstep toward Net Zero Manufacturing: Critical Success Factors Analysis with Case Illustration

Increasing populations and the extravagant consumption of virgin resources are key issues in developing economies these days. The Paris Climate Accords of 2015 have also highlighted the importance of resource conservation and sustainable consumption. Developing economies, which rely on linear practices and traditional resources, require urgent attention regarding such issues. Practices of the circular economy (CE) provide an edge to achieving self-sustainability in materials and energy and lead a guiding path towards net-zero manufacturing. Net-zero manufacturing practices can significantly reduce environmental impact, conserve resources, and contribute to a more sustainable economy. In the current research paper, the authors have studied the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing the circular economy in Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The authors identified the CSFs through a literature review and expert opinions. To categorize and establish a structural model among the identified CSFs, the authors used Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques. The model’s robustness and expert bias were checked through predisposition analysis. To verify and validate the findings of the analysis, the authors conducted a case study of an Indian SME using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) methodology. The authors of the current study observed that government policies and regulations on CE, consumer awareness and demand for CE products, economic incentives available for CE products, and new global business opportunities due to CE are the leading cause groups of CSFs. A reduction in energy and waste-related costs, the availability of infrastructure for CE practices, and an improvement in information-sharing transparency among supply chain members are the leading effects of CSFs. The influence graph shows that ‘Govt. policy and regulation on CE’, ‘Consumer awareness and demand for CE products’, ‘Economic incentives available for CE products’, and ‘New global business opportunity due to CE’ have a higher out-degree influence on other factors. From the case study, the authors observed that the strategic implementation of CE practices, green policy, reverse logistics, staff training, and new technology adoption have improved the use of repaired and refurbished materials in the case organization from 1–2% in 2019 to 9–10% in 2023. The findings of the current study imply that management commitment and strategies for building a ‘Green image’, coordination with suppliers, technological upgrades, reverse supply chain practices, workforce skills and training, and customer awareness and demand for CE products are crucial factors in successfully adopting CE and transitioning towards net-zero manufacturing.

A methodology for mapping cybersecurity standards into governance guidelines for SME in Portugal

The digitalization of companies and the implantation of Industry 4.0 concepts are emerging and challenging for micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). The benefits are evident for the companies, as their business processes become simplified, and the internationalization and global market penetration turn out to be improved.However, information security and cybersecurity concerns have been raised on SME, as best practices and regulations compliance should be applied. The wide set of these regulations and their broad scope has put constraints on their overall direct mapping and adoption into SME.This paper describes an original methodology to map the Roadmap for Minimum Cybersecurity Capabilities (RMCSC) delivered by the Portuguese Cybersecurity Centre, into the well-adopted international information security ISO 27001:2013 standard. The proposed mapping is oriented toward the characteristics of SME and allows these companies to assess their cybersecurity risk to further mitigate potential identified flaws.The main deliverable of this paper is the developed methodology, which correlates the actions of the cybersecurity capabilities roadmap and the security controls enclosed in the ISO 27001:2013 standard. A questionnaire was developed to support the cybersecurity risk self-diagnosis, and the actions were justified and detailed in this paper. Further developments include the submission of the questionnaire to a case study of SME in the centre region of Portugal.

An Operational Framework Model for Geospatial Business Impact Analysis in West Coast of Sabah, Malaysia

Population expansion and rapid urbanisation rate coupled with extreme changes of weather conditions have triggered more frequent disaster occurrences resulting in bigger economic and commercial losses. Like many other economic sectors that contributed significantly towards local socio-economic development, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) also were not spared from being affected and/or disrupted by disaster events. In 2020, SMEs in Malaysia represented 98.5% of local business establishments and contributed approximately 41% to the country’s GDP. Although Malaysia can be considered a relatively safe and stable country from a political and socio-economic tussle, as a country with tropical climate, Malaysia, is highly vulnerable to the risk of flooding, landslide and mudslide which jeopardise the sustainability of local SMEs in the long run. Unfortunately, until today, there is no locallydriven comprehensive framework for promoting SMEs resiliency that has been developed particularly in disaster-prone areas. In this light, advanced geospatial technology that has been widely used in mapping for various purposes can be utilized or integrated into mapping of disaster risk profiles and providing significant inputs for establishing Business Continuity Planning (BCP) for disaster-prone areas. Using business impact analysis (BIA) approach, this study explains the operational framework model for business continuity and recovery. The case study of local SMEs in West Coast Sabah, Malaysia was adopted to explain the impacts of the 2015 earthquake and its cascading geohazards to local SMEs including severe disruptions to the main lifeline facilities e.g. telecommunication, electricity and transportation. The research design is based on the qualitative and quantitative methods including guided interviews with the affected local SMEs groups. The proposed operational framework is a result of integrated smart geospatial solutions for advancing business continuity and resiliency for SMEs in disasterprone areas.

Entrepreneurship Orientation, Eco-innovation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Learning Adoption Capability: A case Study of Food SME’s in Central Java, Indonesia

This study aimed to investigate the entrepreneurship orientation among the Central Java’s food small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and its impact on their marketing performance, the business method through eco-innovation. This study also employed eco-innovation and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) learning adoption capability. The respondents of this study were withdrawn purposely from food industries located in Central Java. The location of the study was in Surakarta, Salatiga, Semarang and Kudus. The time frame of the study was from January 2019 to July 2019. The software of SEM version 23 (Structural Equation Modelling) was utilized to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that all the hypotheses (entrepreneurship orientation, ecoinnovation and ICT learning adoption capability) have significant impact on marketing performance.

Stable relationality and dynamic innovation: two models of collaboration in SME-driven offsite manufacturing supply chains in housing construction

PurposeThe study analyses collaborative practice in offsite manufacturing (OSM) housing supply chains, focusing specifically on supply chains driven by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study’s analysis builds on previous work where we argued that collaboration in OSM housing construction comprises nine elements. In this study, the authors demonstrate empirically that SMEs enact these collaborative practice elements in distinct ways, foregrounding key elements over others. One core model and two sub-models of collaboration emerge from our two case studies.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyses two SME-driven supply chains using qualitative case study techniques. Data were gathered through 12 semi-structured interviews conducted in two housing construction supply chains: one in South Australia, Australia, and another in Tasmania, Australia.FindingsA comparative case study of SMEs shows that collaboration in OSM supply chains has a number of common elements, including a champion for innovation, investment in long-term relationships, resourceful use of limited assets and physical co-location. However, SMEs can also enact these elements through a range of diverging collaborative strategies that can be distilled into different models: stable relationality and dynamic innovation.Originality/valueFindings provide a compelling empirical basis for arguing that SMEs can successfully lead OSM supply chains if key collaborative practice elements are strategically mobilised in ways that are suited to their strengths and limitations. The study therefore interrogates the widely held and often limiting assumption that OSM can only be driven by large organisations with access to capital assets, capacity to invest and undisputed bargaining power.

Marketing Strategy and Capability as the Mediators in Relationship of Market Orientation and Export Performance: A Case Study of Rattan Processing SMEs

The research examined the performance of export marketing performance through the implementation of market orientation intervened by export marketing strategy and export marketing capability. Primary data were collected through questionnaires from 108 samples out of 148 rattan processing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in nine provinces in Indonesia. The respondents were marketing managers or owners of SMEs with at least two years of experience. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which was processed by using Lisrel 8.7, was employed. The results indicate that market orientation, export marketing strategy, and export marketing capability are well implemented in the business operation of SMEs. However, the export marketing performance needs to be improved. Concerning the variables studied, market orientation has a significant effect on export marketing strategy, export marketing capability, and export marketing performance. Then, export marketing strategy affects export marketing performance significantly. Moreover, export marketing capability also has a significant effect on export marketing performance. Finally, export marketing strategy and capability intervene in the relationship between market orientation and export performance.

Fostering growth patterns of SMEs through business model innovation. A tailored dynamic business modelling approach

In the contemporary complex and fast-changing markets, there is persistent pressure for Small-and-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to engage in business model innovation to promptly meet customer expectations and successfully compete for survival. In the last decade, multiple approaches to business model development and innovation have been explored. However, they have been primarily designed for large-sized companies, while SMEs display distinctive organizational attributes. Thus, SMEs require a tailored approach to design, experiment and innovate their business models, in order to frame the specific complexity of their value creation processes. This paper aims to explore how a Dynamic Business Modelling approach complies with inherent SME characteristics and serves as a lean strategy design tool for innovating associated business models. A case-study of a real SME currently involved in innovating its business model illustrates and discusses the empirical evidence emerging from the use of this approach.

CSR, From Perception to Role in Performance: A Case Study of SMEs in Industrial Estate Peshawar, Pakistan

This paper explores the perception and role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Industrial Estate Peshawar, Pakistan. Philosophically the study had a subjective ontology; and therefore, a subjective epistemological stance leading to interpretivism as its core theoretical position. To inquire into the perception and role of CSR in SME’s, the study utilized Yin’s case study model thus collecting data through qualitative semi-structured interviews and observations. Further, the study used Miles and Huberman (1994) approach of thematic modelling for the analysis of the data. The findings reveal that SMEs are somehow practising CSR in an informal manner. Surprisingly, CSR at strategic Level is missing. CSR practices towards employees are missing except health and safety measures. Most of the firms contribute in an irregular manner to the local community - training the locals, hiring them as internees, giving charity and donations, and purchasing of local supplies when available and feasible. While, except for one firm, the production or manufacturing firms have no environmental implications. The firms are ethical in dealing with customers and suppliers, they offer customers a quality product which is the reason behind their performance in terms of sales or reputation. The only ethical factor of CSR has a role in SMEs performance.

The Application of SNQ Questionnaires for SME workers: A case study of a tofu SME in Medan

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are potential economic sources in the community that are able to move the economy to the lower levels of society. From the various advancements in SME, there are also things that need to be improved, one of which is the operator’s working method. The Standard Nordic Questionnaire, or abbreviated as SNQ, is a tool that can determine the parts of the muscles that have complaints with the level of complaints ranging from No Pain (TS), mild pain (AS), and Pain (S). The improvement begins with identifying the complaints of operators through the distribution of the Standard Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) questionnaire. The results of this identification are known to operators experiencing complaints of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) at the waist, back, arms and shoulders.

The Impact of Employee Participation in Accounting Services Outsourcing Decision: Case Study of Nigerian SMEs

This paper titled the Impact of Employee Participation in Accounting Services Outsourcing (ASO) by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The study seeks to identify what factors affect outsourcing decision and the relationship between employee participation and outsourcing decision by SMEs. Therefore the study is mainly guided by the theory of Transaction Cost Economics (TCE). The key arguments of this paper were developed in line with TCE Theory. Thematic analysis of 1,300 SMEs using 10 case study based on in-depth interviews with Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) representing 10 industrial sectors. The study area is North Central Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria comprising mainly profit based manufacturing SMEs excluding public not for profit and service oriented enterprises. The study found that ASO decision is affected by cost-driven, strategy-driven, environment-driven and function-driven factors which all are linked with employee attitude and behavior to work. Therefore the study concludes that employee participation has positive influence over sourcing decision by Nigeria’s SMEs. It also confirmed that communication, vendor expertise and trustworthiness are drivers of sourcing decision by these enterprises.

ICTs for Improving National Competitiveness, Case Study of Iranian SMEs

There is fierce competition among firms to gain a larger customer-base. Countries, like firms, are in competition to stand out in global competitiveness and world market. Effective competition and achieving advantage over competitors are closely associated with the concept of competitive advantage. Various sources of competitive advantage are found in the literature. However, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are increasingly becoming the center of attention for creating competitive advantage both at firm and country level. A large group of firms in every country are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are widely known as enablers of business and economic growth; nevertheless, they constantly face challenges in competition. In this study, ICTs are introduced as a strategy for SMEs to improve their competitiveness. It is suggested that promoting competition among SMEs could lead to a higher performance in competitiveness at country level. This is investigated by focusing on Iran as a country case study. The present research concludes by the strong potentiality of ICTs to improve Iran’s national competitiveness through making the home market more competitive for its SMEs.

Textile management enabled by lean thinking: a case study of textile SMEs

The textile industry in Europe consists mainly of small and medium enterprises (SME), which are a vital part of the European Union economy. The SMEs are pressured by a challenging financial situation and must become more efficient to stay competitive. Many textile SMEs have, however, not adopted new quality management concepts for efficiency; this represents an interesting research gap. Hence, the purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of a lean approach in the management area of textile SMEs. The findings suggest overall positive effects as a result of applying lean principles in the textile management area. Several areas, characterised as waste in a lean service context, were improved. This suggests possible cost reduction with a lean approach. From a team perspective, improvements of team collaboration, information and communication as well as team performance were identified. A conflicting finding was that work-related stress increased in one case, while it was reduced in the other case.

The Impact of Institutional Support in SMEs Marketing, and Growth—A Case Study of Retail SMEs in Ghana

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are still hailed as the panacea of economic development of many countries, since they play a fundamental part of the economic fabric in developing a crucial role in furthering growth, innovation and prosperity. In the quest to achieve growth, SMEs unfortunately face severe challenges including the marketing of their products, which stem from unqualified employees in the marketing department, inadequate finance to undertake marketing research, go international, and to participate in trade fairs among other factors. Leaving most SMEs to face these challenges alone usually leads to high rate of demise and low growth rate, hence government and other multi donor organizations provide support to these SMEs in the area of finance, market, managerial capacity building among others. This research assesses the impact of the government support in the form of marketing assistance (training of marketing staffs, access to foreign marketing, trade fairs and exhibitions) to some selected retail SMEs in the ten Regional Capitals of Ghana on their growth. Using firm data report, the results indicated that the provision of support for SMEs to participate in trade shows and exhibitions highly impact positively on SMEs growth, followed by the provision of support in access to international market, and support in the training of marketing staffs of SMEs.

Alignment of new product development and product innovation strategies: a case study of Thai food and beverage SMEs

This paper investigates the state of practice of product innovation management in the new product development (NPD) process in Thai food and beverage small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs play a major role in the Thai economy and yet little is known about their innovation management for NPD. Inspired by a relevant existing theoretical model, the current exploratory research collects data from 20 case organisations. Results reveal that: (1) top executives are mainly responsible for NPD projects; (2) barriers to developing products include lack of technology, financial resources, workforce's skills, and restrictive local laws; (3) to overcome these barriers and also to enhance their competitiveness, SMEs mainly adopt networking, resource-based, knowledge-based, open innovation, and technology buy/make strategies. We discuss these findings, provide implications for theory and practice, and suggest future research directions.

Informal Financial Services, a Panacea for SMEs Financing? A Case Study of SMEs in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

It has been established that Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) play significant roles in the economic development of most countries in terms of job creation, innovation of new ideas, contribution to Gross Domestic Product and welfare, but the ability of SMEs to implement growth and developmental programs highly depend on access to external finance among other factors. Against this backdrop, the persistence citing of limited access to finance by SMEs in the Sub-Saharan African countries which places impediments on their business activities is worrisome to both the entrepreneurs and the State. In spite of several efforts by various governments and relevant institutions in rolling out support policies and initiatives in making access to external finance by SMEs more accessible, the problem still persist and SMEs maybe are yet to reap the full benefits from such initiatives. This research work does not rule out the fact that there exist alternative ways of financing SMEs outside the formal financial system, but this research focuses on the accessibility of the informal financial systems, with much emphasis on family and friends, their effectiveness, and how to meet the criteria for accessing the finance. The results show that SMEs that meet the requirements (trust, reputation, relation (family affiliation), religious affiliation,) of the lenders have easy access to alternative external finance, but the major challenges SMEs face when accessing the funds are the limited size of the loan and how to meet the demands of the lenders. On the lenders side, high defaulting rate is their major challenge. With careful modification without compromising the traditions involving the system, informal financial system will play significant role in providing the financial needs of SMEs.

Effective utilisation of ICT is the key to Business success: Case Study of SMEs in Zimbabwe

The focus of this paper is to analyse the utilisation of information communication technology (ICT) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe, as one of the major factors contributing to their limited growth. The data was collected using interviews, questionnaires and observations. The findings revealed that most SMEs have and are still increasingly acquiring state of the art information communication technologies but are not fully utilising the technology which has a negative impact on profit margins, market share and overall business effectiveness. The research paper recommends intensive training programs and workshops for SME owners on effective utilisation of ICT for them to experience business growth and success. The findings avail valuable information to both the Zimbabwean SME community and the entire business community in the country in terms of development of economy and creation of employment opportunities.

Analyzing network effects of Corporate Social Responsibility implementation in food small and medium enterprises

Building on a literature review and an illustration with a concrete example, the goal of this article is to propose an analytical framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementation in food small and medium enterprises (SMEs) putting forward the issue of network effects. Indeed innovation networks and networking activities, as in any innovation process, are major means to enhance and foster CSR in SMEs, but the interests and concrete consequences of the network perspective for innovation capacity enhancement are rarely addressed. To do so we suggest considering CSR implementation as a type of managerial innovation and define by analogical reasoning the main categories of network effects found in the literature. From these, three critical dimensions of network effects are identified: structural, interactive and cognitive, each of them affecting specific dimensions of the innovation process. This analytical framework is synthesized and adapted for CSR implementation and then applied to a case study of a food SME involved in a collective initiative in France, putting in evidence these effects. Finally some managerial implications and concluding comments are drawn.

Education as a determining factor in ICT adoption: a case study of ICT SMEs

Whilst owner–managers of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a major influence on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption in other sectors, in the ICT industry adoption and diversification are necessary at an alarming speed. The implications of this influence are not only on the SME itself but are far wider-reaching. Consequently, this research has identified specific educational concerns with regard to owner–managers and technology adoption. The West Midlands (WM) ICT Cluster provides the case study for research examining the adoption of ICT by ICT focused SMEs. This study involved 200 ICT SMEs in the West Midlands (WM) UK. This paper demonstrates that common misconceptions are as endemic in ICT companies as in any other sector. This research is unique in that it targets one sector only which has often been assumed not to need support in ICT adoption. This paper concentrates specifically on the micro-company and the education levels and skills employed for company success.

The management of knowledge resources in SMEs: an Australian case study

PurposeThe paper's aim is to examine processes used to control the management of knowledge resources in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to compare the findings with the underlying assumptions and prescriptions of intellectual capital guidelines designed for SMEs.Design/methodology/approachAn in‐depth case study of a successful Australian SME is conducted to identify the means used to control strategizing and the management of knowledge resources.FindingsIt was found that informal, intensive dialogue based processes, structured by an overriding management philosophy, governed strategization and the management of knowledge resources. These governance processes were affected by a combination of formal and informal controls and serendipitous outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper examines only one organization and the study can be extended to other SMEs to develop more detailed specific policy recommendations.Practical implicationsIntellectual capital management guidelines developed for SMEs may have little benefit due to assumptions of resource availability and the fundamental importance of formalization of strategy and control, ignoring possible scarcity of resources and the benefits of flexibility and responsiveness afforded by informal controls in SMEs. The research shows that knowledge harvesting is affected through the way knowledge is used rather than what is developed.Originality/valueThe paper empirically examines the management of knowledge resources in an Australian SME and outlines the way formal and informal controls were interwoven in organizational practices to manage knowledge harvesting. It provides a critique of intellectual capital guidelines in SMEs, highlighting a potential mis‐match between practice and key assumptions underlying the guidelines.

An Analysis of Knowledge Management Process for SMEs in Developing Countries: A Case Study of SMEs in India and Thailand

Abstract. OVER the past two decades there have been significant strides in the area of knowledge management, so much so that today it is considered a discipline on its own. Even though there has been much work done in the area, there is a significant bias towards large companies. Because of this bias, there is a shortage of studies which have covered Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and more specifically SMEs in developing countries. It provides a framework for objectively obtaining an estimate of the knowledge management process of companies, by investigating attributes which are related to the knowledge management process. The results of the study provides insights into SME’s understanding of the knowledge management process and it is based on these insights that recommendations are made on how SMEs in developing countries can deploy a robust knowledge management system using primarily free and open source software and enhance their knowledge management process.