Indian Small And Medium-sized Enterprises Research Articles

A framework to assess the effectiveness index (EI) of the Indian SMEs to integrate lean and sustainability through combined fuzzy logic and systems approach

PurposeTo become a sustainable lean manufacturing (LM) system, an organization must be first distinctly cognizant of the terms “lean” and “sustainability” as they relate to the state of affairs of their particular industry and business. Next, the organization must identify and acquire the necessary qualities it needs to become sustainable in lean philosophy and its practices in the organization. The LM paradigm has been a top priority for many businesses; thus, this article is based on actual research done in Indian small and medium scale organizations to see how widely it is understood and implemented.Design/methodology/approachA framework was developed based on literature review and academic research. A preliminary analysis of a small number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that, conceptually, summarizes and demonstrates the concerted efforts that a company may undertake to increase its leanness. This conceptual model was employed to create a questionnaire that was administered to survey the SMEs of India. The information gathered through this questionnaire was analyzed using the model developed by the researchers. Then fuzzy logic and systems approach were used to find out the effectiveness index (EI) of the organization.FindingsThe EI for system leanness at different organizational levels within an organization is determined using fuzzy logic and systems approach for 48 SMEs in different clusters. The average EI of the system was found to be 0.336 on a scale of 0–1 which indicates that the current state of lean implementation and its sustainability is very low and poor in Indian SMEs. This article outlines the key model components and describes how they were applied to analyze the data gathered from an industry study.Research limitations/implicationsThe research aims to make lean continuously sustainable by surfacing and eliminating the wastes in the Indian SMEs whenever it appears rather than using it as a cleaning tool. The present study was focused on India’s southern industrial areas and it was difficult to gather the information around the country due to its diverse industrial culture and geography. Hence, more research and the comparative study of the same that takes into account the various regions of the nation’s industrial lean behavior can be conducted.Practical implicationsThe generalized sustainable lean framework analyzed using fuzzy logic and systems approach gives the current effectiveness of the leanness in SMEs of south India. This model can be effectively implemented in other areas of the nation to identify the scenario of lean and its sustainability and a final comprehensive model can be developed.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of comprehensive studies on the assessment of sustainability of the lean philosophy in Indian SMEs. With the help of combined fuzzy logic and systems approach, the model developed in this study evaluates the sustainability of the lean methodology using the EI used in SMEs by taking into account both the lean and sustainability factors as well as enablers like customer satisfaction, ethics, innovation and technology.

Blockchain technology adoption and its impact on SME performance: insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers

PurposeThis study aims to empirically examine and analyze the factors that influence the adoption of blockchain technology, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study also predicts how adopting blockchain technology may affect SMEs’ market and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of the “technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework” and the “resource-based view (RBV)” perspective. The researchers collected 407 responses from a survey conducted on SMEs in India. The statistical package for social science, followed by the “partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)” technique, was applied for the data analysis.FindingsThis paper offered a robust research framework for blockchain technology adoption in which one of the two proposed technological factors (relative advantage), one organizational factor (top management support) and two environmental factors (competitive pressure and market dynamics) significantly influence blockchain technology adoption. Similarly, there is a substantial association between blockchain technology adoption and both market and financial performance. More specifically, the complexity and perceived investment cost have been recognized as barriers to SMEs adopting blockchain technology.Research limitations/implicationsThe primary focus of this research lies in examining the adoption of blockchain technology among SMEs in India. Consequently, there exists an opportunity to broaden the scope of this study to include various other countries. Such an expansion holds the potential to yield more precise and comprehensive results, enabling a comparative analysis across diverse international contexts.Practical implicationsThe outcomes have practical significance for SMEs as they navigate their strategies for adopting blockchain technology. Moreover, policymakers and practitioners can use these findings to enact specific measures targeting barriers, fostering the adoption of blockchain in Indian SMEs and creating a more supportive environment for technological integration and growth.Originality/valueThis study introduces a novel theoretical framework focusing on the impact of blockchain adoption on SMEs. Its distinctive contribution lies in investigating the mediating role of blockchain adoption in the relationship between market and financial performance, specifically within emerging economies. By addressing this gap, the study enhances the understanding of how blockchain adoption shapes SME performance in evolving economic landscapes.

Assessing trade supply chain vulnerability and trade participation of SMEs in India: insights from a comprehensive analysis

PurposeThis study presents the impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU)-induced Trade Supply Chain Vulnerability (TSCV) on the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in India by leveraging the World Bank Enterprise Survey data for 2014 and 2022. Applying econometric techniques, it examines firm size’ influence on productivity and trade participation, providing insights for enhancing SME resilience and trade participation amid uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe econometric techniques focus on export participation, along with variables such as total exports, firm size, productivity, and capital intensity. It addresses crucial factors such as the direct import of intermediate goods and foreign ownership. Utilizing the Cobb-Douglas production function, the study estimates Total Factor Productivity, mitigating endogeneity and multicollinearity through a two-stage process. Besides, the study uses a case study of North Indian SMEs engaged in manufacturing activities and their adoption of mitigation strategies to combat unprecedented EPU.FindingsResults reveal that EPU-induced TSCV reduces exports, impacting employment and firm size. Increased productivity, driven by technological adoption, correlates with improved export performance. The study highlights the negative impact of TSCV on trade participation, particularly for smaller Indian firms. Moreover, SMEs implement cost-based, supplier-based, and inventory-based strategies more than technology-based and risk-based strategies.Practical implicationsPolicy recommendations include promoting increased imports and inward foreign direct investment to enhance small firms’ trade integration during economic uncertainty. Tailored support for smaller firms, considering their limited capacity, is crucial. Encouraging small firms to engage in international trade and adopting diverse SC mitigation strategies associated with policy uncertainty are vital considerations.Originality/valueThis study explores the impact of EPU-induced TSCV on Indian SMEs’ trade dynamics, offering nuanced insights for policymakers to enhance SME resilience amid uncertainty. The econometric analysis unveils patterns in export behavior, productivity, and factors influencing trade participation during economic uncertainty.

Tourism's circular economy: Opportunities and challenges from an integrated theoretical perspective

AbstractThis study explored circular economy (CE) performance in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector. The study's theoretical framework comprised value–belief–norm theory, institutional theory, upper echelon theory (UET), and the dynamic capabilities (DCs) approach. Empirical data from 286 Indian SMEs were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results indicated that personal norms, coercive pressures (CP), mimetic pressures (MP), and top management commitment toward the environment influenced CE performance through DCs. However, normative pressures (NP) did not significantly influence CE performance. DCs were a catalyst enabling individual beliefs, organizational factors, and external pressures to push SMEs toward a CE. Nevertheless, possibly due to insufficient resources, SMEs were reluctant in improving their CE performance. Policymakers and SME owners should therefore develop DCs in their organizations to achieve CE performance through appropriate resource assessment and design.

Supply chain collaboration, agility and firm performance: a case of manufacturing SMEs in India

PurposeThe dynamic business environment and intense competition have mandated agility in operations for manufacturing firms. Effective inter-organizational collaboration can make operations more agile. This paper develops an interpretive model to explore the effect of supply chain collaboration (SCC) on supply chain agility (SCA) and, subsequently, on business performance.Design/methodology/approachA hierarchical model that illustrates the relationship between SCC, SCA and firm performance components is developed using total interpretative structural modeling (TISM). Also, statistical validation of the model has been performed.FindingsThe results indicate that the vision and alertness of the firm on the strategic front promote collaboration between supply chain partners. This creates operational agility, helping the firm to absorb fluctuations in demand, thereby enhancing business performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe opinion of most respondents was considered to develop the TISM framework over the fuzzy one, which necessitates a significantly more extensive data set. However, multiple discussions with participants can eliminate the prejudice of the majority approach. Also, the paper's development and validation were restricted to Indian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The model can potentially be evaluated in large organizations to provide further insights.Originality/valueThe study blends the factors of SCC and SCA in a novel way to explain their combined impact on business performance. The TISM model addresses the “why” of theory development in addition to the “what” and “how” of it. Using triangulation in combination with the interpretative tool, this study additionally offers methodological value.

The effects of CEO duality, board size, and informal social networks on sustainable innovation and firm performance.

Corporate governance affects the ownership and control of a firm. Conflicts between agents, managers and shareholders caused the crises of WorldCom, Enron, Tyco and Lehman Brothers. Therefore, the impact of chief executive officer (CEO) duality or board size on sustainable innovation and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is relevant for research and evaluation. This may reflect the CEO style that supports long-term business growth with limited resources to enhance accountability, fast decision-making, and minimise hindrances to governance, particularly in emerging markets like India. The finding will help SMEs in maintaining their long-term viability. The current study examines the impact of CEO duality, board size, and informal social networks on sustainable innovation, governance, and performance of Indian SMEs to enable management to assess the significance of factors that contribute to firms’ sustainable performance

Examining the role of digital leadership and organisational resilience on the performance of SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic adversely affected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. Amongst the challenges faced were the adjustments required in leadership skills to address pandemic-induced technological changes and the necessity for employee skill upgrading. This study examined the factors that influenced organisational performance in Indian SMEs, particularly in the context of the digital transformations that were brought about by the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a cross-sectional design to investigate a set of hypotheses that were formulated to understand the relationships amongst digital leadership, digital training, empowerment and organisational performance. The data were collected during the pandemic from 487 employees who were working in various SMEs in India. Questionnaires were distributed through email and social media platforms, and electronic consent was obtained from each participant.FindingsThe study's findings indicated positive associations amongst digital leadership, digital training, empowerment and organisational performance. They also highlighted the mediating role of empowerment in these relationships. Furthermore, organisational resilience was found to positively moderate the relationship between empowerment and performance.Originality/valueThe study stands amongst the pioneers in exploring the role of digital leadership and digital training during the pandemic and their impact on employee empowerment amongst SMEs in a developing country.

Industry 4.0 and circular economy for emerging markets: evidence from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Indian food sector

AbstractThe linear economic business model was deemed unsustainable, necessitating the emergence of the circular economy (CE) business model. Due to resource scarcity, increasing population, and high food waste levels, the food sector has been facing significant sustainability challenges. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those in the food sector, are making efforts to become more sustainable and to adopt new business models such as the CE, but adoption rates remain low. Industry 4.0 and its associated technological applications have the potential to enable CE implementation and boost business competitiveness. In the context of emerging economies facing significant resource scarcity constraints and limited technology availability, CE principles need to be adapted. CE could create a new job economy in emerging economies, bringing scale and a competitive advantage. This study explores the enablers of and barriers to Industry 4.0 adoption for CE implementation in fruit and vegetable SMEs in India from a resource-based perspective. The purpose is to develop an evidence-based framework to help inform theory and practice about CE implementation by SMEs in emerging economies. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts in food SMEs. The interview transcripts were first subjected to thematic analysis. The analysis was then complemented with sentiment and emotion analyses. Subsequently, hierarchical cluster analysis, k-means analysis, and linear projection analysis were performed. Among others, the findings suggest that Industry 4.0 plays a key role in implementing CE in SMEs in emerging economies such as India. However, there are specific enablers and barriers that need to be considered by SMEs to develop the resources and capabilities needed for CE competitive advantage.

Overcoming barriers in automotive SMEs to attain international competitiveness: an ISM approach modelling

PurposeThis paper aims to identify and model barriers to internationalising automotive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from emerging market perspectives using the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, 13 critical barriers are identified through an exhaustive literature review and the Delphi method. The ISM tool is then used to establish interrelationships among the identified barriers to expose and discuss the key barriers having high-driving power.FindingsIt was found that barriers such as trade agreements and export documentation, exchange rates and material inadequacies were relatively less challenging than the other barriers. At the next level, there are barriers such as supply chain, high international quality standards, legal barriers, skilled labour marketing capacity and information and logistics and infrastructure. Finally, barriers such as government policies, entrepreneurial orientation and technology and finance availability posed the most significant challenge for the internationalisation of Indian SMEs. These barriers warrants immediate and considerable attention.Research limitations/implicationsThis study developed a model based on experts’ opinions, which may be biased and influence the final model as proposed in this study. This research will help the owners/managers of the SMEs and policymakers identify and understand the significance and relevance of automotive sector barriers while strategizing.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time an attempt has been made to apply ISM methodology to explore the interdependencies among the critical barriers of internationalisation for SMEs of Indian automotive industries. This study will guide the owner–managers management practices to overcome ineffective practices and move towards successful internationalisation.

Barriers and strategies for sustainable manufacturing implementation in SMEs: A hybrid fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS framework

Due to growing sustainability challenges, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are under tremendous pressure to implement sustainable practices in their operations. Studies in this regard show that in almost all cases, transition from a traditional approach to sustainable manufacturing is not at all a smooth experience as it is fraught with pitfalls on several counts at the implementation stage. Therefore, analyzing probable barriers and implementing right set of strategies duly addressing them becomes utmost crucial to successfully implementing the sustainable manufacturing practices. The study particularly aims at identifying and prioritizing such strategies to overcome the very barriers in the implementation phase. The study identified some twenty one odd barriers through an extensive literature review and expert opinions and classified them into four categories. In the same way, nine specific strategies were identified to address the barriers through a comprehensive literature review. An Integrated Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process-Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FAHP-FTOPSIS) approach has been used to further prioritize the barriers and strategies for sustainable manufacturing implementation in Indian manufacturing SMEs. The result depicts that, “Ineffective enforcement of the law (B22)”, “Complexity in implementing 6Rs (B17)”, “Ineffective controlling and monitoring system (B24)”, “Need for a standardized approach to carbon auditing (B15)” and “Heavy dependence on fossil fuels (B14)” are the top five barriers that hamper smooth implementation of sustainable manufacturing whereas, out of the nine proposed strategies “Implementation of lean and green manufacturing techniques (S2)” and “Establishment of benchmark and performance measuring systems (S6)” were found to be the two most important strategies that should be employed to eliminate the identified barriers. The findings provide strategic insights into guiding decision-makers and practitioners of Indian manufacturing SMEs in regards to sustainable manufacturing implementation. Besides, this study also assists managers by way of providing them with a hierarchical list of strategies ranked in order of their effectiveness to potentially eliminate the implementation barriers.

Fostering Corporate Entrepreneurship in SMEs: Evidence from India

There is fair consensus regarding the importance of creating a supportive internal environment within organizations to encourage entrepreneurial mindsets and behavior. The majority of extant studies have involved large-sized organizations in the Western context. This study aims to extend the understanding of well-established antecedents of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the Indian context, propose a new variable, and test its influence on CE. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to a sample of 185 respondents belonging to various managerial levels across different Indian SMEs. The results show a positive and significant relationship between management support, rewards and recognition and organizational values for fostering CE in Indian SMEs. SMEs play a significant role in socio-economic development, and this study can help understand how the benefits of CE can be leveraged to increase SMEs’ innovativeness and competitive advantage.

Operational performance entitling the knowledge of inventory management practices on business performance: a mediational study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of knowledge of inventory management practices (KIMP) on operational performance (OP) and business performance (BP). This study emphasized understanding the mediational effect of OPs among KIMP and BP in manufacturing firms of Indian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis study analysed the above relationship from the data collected from 351 key officials of 170 Indian SMEs. The detailed analysis, including reliability, validity and testing hypothesis, was done in advanced SmartPLS-SEM 3.3.3 software.FindingsThe findings show that KIMP directly influences OP; thus, a company's OP significantly impacts the overall BP. The KIMP has no significant effect on BP. In line with this, the study findings demonstrate a significant, high mediation effect of OPs between KIMP and BP.Originality/valueThe KIMP on OP has been sparsely studied earlier, and neither have they conceptualized in understanding its impact on BP. In such tumultuous times, key manufacturing executives should stress the importance of KIMP as a comprehensive perspective.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? Indian manufacturing SMEs’ quest for strategic flexibility

Research suggests that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India are hesitant to adopt the leading management practices. This exacerbates their competitive disadvantage against larger firms in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving marketplace. Indian SMEs’ reluctance to embrace advanced management practices may be explained by their satisficing business behaviors. In other words, Indian SMEs are highly likely to continue with business as usual - a customary of deficient modus of operandi, and refuse to search for optimal solutions and practices. We argue that overcoming satisficing biases may require Indian SMEs to strive for strategic flexibility that allow for prompt adjustments in value creation activities. A higher strategic flexibility allows SMEs in the manufacturing sector to rapidly adjust product range, variety, innovativeness, and speed of development to capitalize on new opportunities and minimize the negative impact of changing market conditions. This may allow SMEs to overcome competitive disadvantages and compete effectively against larger firms in the market. We argue that SMEs seeking to obtain strategic flexibility must focus on information quality and supply chain integration. We assess the proposed model using a sample of 100 top SME managers operating in India.

The Role of Intellectual Property in Innovation and Economic Growth of Indian MSMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are backbone of India’s manufacturing industry and play an important role in India’s stable money supply growth. There are more than billions of SMEs in India, with an investment of more than 1 billion rupees. The sector has recorded strong growth during past fiscal years and contributes approx. 6.11 per cent to country’s manufacturing GDP and 24.63 per cent of the GDP from service activities as well as 33.4 per cent of India’s manufacturing output. Approximately 70 per cent of employment growth comes from Asian MSMEs, which account for 90 per cent of Indian industrial companies and 40 per cent of manufacturing value added. India is estimated to have more than 13 million SMEs with 42 million employees. For these reasons, it is very important for these companies to invest in their intellectual property (IP). By introducing unique brand and product names, each retailer can ensure the high replacement cost and market position of its products and/or services. IP and its worth are usually neglected. IP is a major aspect in daily business practices in an increasingly knowledge-based sector. New technologies, brands and innovative designs are introduced to the market nearly every single day, as a result of human continual innovation and creativity. As a result, the necessity of intellectual property rights to MSMEs in product development as well as some success stories is reviewed in this manuscript. This article also showed how IP has evolved into a business tool to counter the challenge that MSMEs confront in applying the IP system.

Determinants of e-Commerce Adoption: Evidence from Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in India

Information technology (IT) is driving the business world in contemporary times. Large, medium, and small organisations in developed and developing countries are trying to adopt electronic commerce (e-commerce). Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are abundant in India, which is a rapidly developing country. Despite enormous efforts to adopt e-commerce, SMEs must address many hurdles. The major objective of this paper is to investigate the determinant factors that influence the adoption of e-commerce in SMEs. In this study, three categories and a three-stage model were used to demonstrate the various factors and stages that are involved in the adoption of e-commerce. A structured survey was conducted and data was collected from 148 firms in Coimbatore, a major industrial city in India. The data was analysed using binomial logistic regression to determine a significant relationship between a set of independent variables and the dependent variable. The results indicated that Top Management Support, Learning Orientation, Receptivity towards Change, Strategic Orientation, IT Readiness, Cost, and Relative Advantage as statistically significant determinants of e-commerce adoption. This study provides insight to the managers of organisations who are responsible for implementing e-commerce, and it will help to spread e-commerce use across SMEs in India.

Financial Preferences of Listed SMEs in India: An Empirical Study

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a very significant role in boosting sustainable economic growth and development of any country. The present study examines various firm-specific determinants that have an impact on the financing choice of the listed Indian SMEs. It also studied the financing practices of the listed SMEs in India and tried to find out if their financing pattern follows the established theories of Corporate Finance. The study selected 113 SMEs listed on the NSE Emerge Exchange for the period between 2014 and 2018. To examine the problem, empirical analysis is done with the help of panel data regression. The study finds that for meeting financial requirements of listed SMEs, they prefer current liabilities first, then total reserves, thereafter short-term borrowings and lastly the long-term borrowings. Among the independent variables chosen based on an extensive literature survey, most of them are statistically significant but are depicting lower explanatory power. Hence, it leads to the possibility of some other firm-specific factors or macroeconomic factors being more relevant in deciding the listed firm’s financing choices. The study concludes that no single theory like Pecking Order Theory (POT) or Trade-Off Theory (TOT) can explain the financing behaviour of listed SMEs completely. It contributes to the extant literature on listed SMEs by attempting to examine the impact of listing on the financing patterns of the SMEs.

Do Board Quality and Promoters’ Holdings Affect Firm Performance? Evidence from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Unlike large businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), being a key growth driver in accomplishing immeasurable socio-economic objectives, possess different governance structures and face unique governance issues. Through the agency perspective, this research endeavours to pore over how the quality of their board affects the performance of SMEs in India. A regression model was run applying heteroscedasticity robust standard errors (RSE) on a sample of 68 BSE-listed SMEs for the period from 2013–2014 to 2017–2018. The results of the regression of the performance of the SMEs against their board attributes showed the prominent contribution of high promoters’ shareholding, signifying that SMEs with a highly concentrated ownership structure demonstrate better performance. Firm leverage and firm performance were shown to have a positive and significant relationship with each other, suggesting that levered firms display substantially better performance. On the other hand, it was found that increasing the number of independent directors and female directors does not necessarily result in improved firm performance. This finding suggests that tokenism, that is, appointing independent directors and female directors merely to comply with norms but not in true spirit, can reduce a firm’s performance. This research effort contributes to the literature constructively through explaining the linkage between board quality and the performance of SMEs, particularly in the Indian context, and has implications for the escalation of governance standards through bringing more clarity to and streamline policy and disclosure.

Determinants of E- Commerce in Indian MSME Sector

The use of electronic commerce (e-commerce) in business transactions, now a priority for many firms, is attracting increasing attention. As the world economy integrates and reduces its trade barriers, some of the greatest opportunities for small businesses will derive from their ability to participate in regional and international markets. Adopting information and communications technology (ICT) is considered a means of enabling small businesses to compete globally through improved efficiency and closer customer and supplier relationships. Information and communications technology may also help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) enhance their competitiveness. Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is widening the concept of business from a simple transactional approach to a broader and more complex concept of inter-firm co-operation. Amidst market globalization, growing interpenetration of national economies and the increased interdependence of national economies, e-commerce adoption remains a vital yet complex and elusive phenomenon, with very little known about its determinants. This study identifies the major determining factors in Indian small and medium sized enterprises’ (SMEs) e-commerce adoption, offers practical implications, and indicates the actions required. This research integrates technological, organizational, and environmental determinisms with social constructivism to build a practical framework for understanding e-commerce adoption among SMEs in India . Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis.

Design of an intelligent decision-making system for maintenance practices using fuzzy inference system in northern Indian SMEs

PurposeThe paper aims to analyze the significance of key maintenance practices in effective implementation of the performance parameters in Northern Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe present study deploys a fuzzy inference approach (fuzzy logic toolbox) to test the effective implementation of maintenance practices in SMEs. The significant maintenance factors are defined from applicable literature for this reason and validated by industry experts.FindingsA model built into a fuzzy rule viewer and a surface view tool built into a fuzzy toolbox in MATLAB has highlighted the successful implementation of maintenance practices in Indian SMEs. The study highlights that corrective maintenance, general maintenance, preventive maintenance and breakdown maintenance problems have emerged as important indicator variables for effective synergistic implementation of maintenance practices in northern Indian SMEs.Originality/valueAn output assessment model is developed using a fuzzy set theory for maintenance practices, where performance evaluation is significant to the overall performance of SMEs.

Do big data-driven HR practices improve HR service quality and innovation competency of SMEs

PurposeToday, big data (BD) is considered as a crucial investment for firms to stay competitive. However, the human resource (HR) function within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been slow to adopt this innovation. Drawing on the organizational learning theory (OLT), this study aims to propose that BD can improve HR functions, especially of SMEs, thereby yielding them a competitive edge.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzed unstructured data from 41 journal papers, based on which, a conceptual framework was developed. Further, this framework was validated with responses collected from 148 SMEs in India.FindingsBibliometric analysis and results of partial least squares techniques revealed that better BD quality is needed to improve HR practices, human resource service quality (HRSQ) and innovation competency of SMEs.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper contributes to the extant literature by considering strategic management theories such as resource-based view and OLT to evaluate BDA’s effect on organizational functional practices such as HR and HRSQ.Practical implicationsIn Indian SMEs, BD quality has a substantial effect on BD HR practices and HRSQ. However, these factors influence can constructively impact SMEs, if SMEs are open to organizational change, whereby they need to develop technical skills and competencies of the HR professionals.Originality/valueThough BD research works have shown exponential growth in recent times, scholarly empirical research investigating BD’s impact upon human resource management (HRM) is scarce. The present study appraises extant literature on BD in HRM.