Majority Of Small And Medium-sized Enterprises Research Articles

Digital Transformation of Chinese Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Under the context of the rapid development of the digital economy in the global world, Digital Transformation (DT) for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is becoming increasingly significant for various countries that are seeking sustainable development. In China, DT has been considered as a key project for future strategic development recently, as well. Therefore, the majority of SMEs have embarked on DT due to the motivation of either the market environment or governmental policies. However, as DT is a complicated and new proposition for SMEs, many of them have faced a series of challenges and issues. Hence, after considering the opinions of other scholars, detailed data, and reviews, this study hopes to give a brief introduction to the current circumstances and solutions to diverse issues that SMEs have met in order to assist SMEs in gaining a better understanding of DT. This paper may provide helpful insights for both the policy makers and financial investors.

Effect of Strategic Leadership on Performance of SMEs During Covid-19 Pandemic in Nairobi County, Kenya

The global economy and enterprises have faced significant impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating leadership styles capable of navigating change and uncertainty effectively. Strategic leadership has emerged as a promising approach for establishing agile strategies amidst rapid transformations in business environments. This study aimed to assess the impact of strategic leadership on the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) during the pandemic in Nairobi County, Kenya. Employing a descriptive and correlational research design, the study targeted 584 respondents from various SME industries in Kenya, with 237 respondents obtained using a stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and regression analyses, were conducted using SPSS version 23. The findings revealed that SMEs in Nairobi County recognized the importance of strategic leadership for their prosperity, with a significant positive correlation between strategic leadership and performance (r (183) = 0.430, p < 0.05). Strategic leadership accounted for 18.5% of performance variance, indicating a substantial impact (F (1,181) = 41.174, p < 0.05). Moreover, the intercept between strategic leadership and performance showed a notable improvement (β = 0.230, p < 0.01), suggesting a 23% performance enhancement with effective strategic leadership implementation. In conclusion, the majority of SMEs in Nairobi County demonstrated strong strategic leadership, fostering absorptive and adaptive capacities crucial for navigating turbulent business environments. The study underscores the importance of institutionalizing strategic leadership within SMEs to enhance their ability to formulate and execute strategies effectively amidst rapid changes.

The role of executive characteristics in their evaluation of financial conditions of European SMEs

The majority of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) have a lower amount of financial assets and earnings compared to their larger counterparts. Therefore, their probability of encountering financial troubles is greater. However, the obstacles they face and perceive might differ depending on their executives’ characteristics. In this regard, this research targets to indicate similarities or differences in the perception of financial conditions by companies’ executives who are of various gender, age, and educational status. Moreover, this paper analyzes SMEs from different countries. By doing so, this research also aims to examine international differences in executives’ characteristics and their perceptions of financial conditions. In line with those targets, the researchers create an internet-mediated questionnaire and direct it to the randomly selected respondents who are owners or executives of 1,156 Czech, Slovakian and Hungarian firms. The researchers also use independent samples T-test and ANOVA tests for analysis purposes. According to the results, while the educational status of executives does not play a determining role in the perceptions of financial issues in all research samples, the perceptions of financial conditions differ depending on Hungarian executives’ gender. Moreover, there are significant differences in the perceptions of older and younger Czech executives regarding the financial performance of their companies. Although some studies investigate firms’ or executives’ resource-based view characteristics, they are limited in investigating a single relationship and a research sample (firm characteristics and bankruptcy of a country’s SMEs, etc.). Since this paper sets and investigates differences in various executive-level characteristics and financial issues of different countries’ SMEs, it might draw prospective readers’ attentions, who might be firm executives, policymakers, financing institutions, and academicians. Moreover, comparing various samples from different countries’ SMEs in analyzed relationships is another crucial value addition that this research creates when filling the literature gap.

Quality of service and digital engagement on Facebook pages

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are recognizing the importance of social networks as loyalty strategies, engaging customers, and reinforcing their commercial brand. Based on the concepts of quality, the study examines the elements of the SERVQUAL model: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, security and empathy. Goals: This research analyzes how small and medium-sized women's clothing companies (SMEs) strategically use Facebook to engage customers and disseminate the quality of their services.Metodology: Information was obtained from 104 women's clothing SMEs from the cities of Colima and Villa de Álvarez, in Mexico. Regarding the method of multinominal logistic regression analysis. Contributios: The suggest that the quality of the service is positively influenced by the publication of visual content (specifically, photographs) and by the publication during the weekends. The publication frequency did not have a statistically significant effect on the quality of the service. The study also shows that the majority of SMEs in this market segment do not use Facebook with a social media strategy. Only 25% of the SMEs in the sample used Facebook with a digital marketing strategy.

Voluntary coercion? Conditions for sustainable reporting by small and medium-sized enterprises

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the determinants and possibilities of dis-seminating sustainability reporting among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the basis of the accounting theory, legal regulations, and the opinions of SME representa-tives. Methodology/approach: A review of the literature and other sources. Cluster analysis, the k-means method, and the one-way ANOVA test were used to prepare the results of the survey conducted through AAP. Findings: Only stakeholder theory provides explanations that are useful for identifying the determinants of the dissemination of sustainability reporting among SMEs. The major-ity of SMEs are indirectly obliged to report, as a result of maintaining relationships with entities that are required to report non-financial information on the entire value chain. In our survey, we identified two groups. The first represents skeptics. They do not report non-financial information and do not support the introduction of a single, simplified, EU sus-tainability reporting standard for SMEs. The second group believes that SMEs should report non-financial data. They are usually entities that already report such information. Research limitations/implications: The limitations of the study are due to sample se-lection and size. In the implications, we emphasized the advantages of indirectly obliging SMEs to report non-financial information by requiring that their key stakeholders collect such information. Originality/value: The article fills a gap in the literature by providing empirical research on non-financial reporting in SMEs. Keywords: non-financial reporting, corporate sustainability reporting, small and medium enterprises.

Küçük ve Orta Büyüklükteki İşletmelerin Karşılaştığı Sorunlar ve Devir Planlaması: Avrupa Birliği Projesi Kapsamında Bir Alan Araştırması - The Challenges that Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Face and Succession Planning: A Field Research in the Scope of an EU Project

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have a very significant importance in terms of sustainable development and economic growth. In most countries’, SMEs cover a field more than %99 percent in all enterprises and they also make a great contribution to the employment but most cannot transfer the business to the next generation as their survival depends on many factors. At this point, succession planning is one of the most important factor that supports making business transfer to next generation and for SMEs’ survival. This paper aims to share the Turkey results of the field research findings which was implemented through Turkey, Germany, Spain, Greece and Bulgaria. The field research in different countries aims to identify the internal and external challenges that SMEs face and to evaluate the current status and views of SMEs about succession planning. In order to achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire form that includes 22 items was developed by reviewing literature, considering the views of academicians, and making focus group meetings by the Project partners. The questionnaires were implemented in Ankara province by using online channels and face to face reviews. In total, 387 responses were collected but 110 of them were not considered as they have not been correctly filled. Totally, 277 questionnaire forms were considered for the analysis. The collected data was coded by the researcher, and frequency and percentage distribution were calculated. Pearson Chi-Square was implemented for the comparison of categorical data. According to research findings, it is found that the most frequent challenges that SMEs face are the price competition and the need for qualified employee. In addition, it was observed that the majority of SMEs did not make any succession plan and they did not have any preparations for transferring business to the next generation. It is recommended to organize activities to increase awareness about succession planning and to give a broader scope to this subject in training programs.

The role that small and medium‐sized enterprises play in sustainable development and the green economy in the waste sector, South Africa

AbstractThe South African government is actively promoting small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the waste sector, where it is envisaged that the waste sector will contribute to the green economy through SMEs participation in waste management activities. Collectively, SMEs have the potential to exert significant pressure on the environment through the use of finite resources and generation of pollution and waste. Case studies, where interviews and documentations were used as data collection methods, on waste management supply chains are provided. Many SMEs are responding to supply chain pressure in terms of the Broad‐Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and participating in social responsibility activities. However, the majority of SMEs are not environmentally responsible and larger corporations should consider managing environmental responsibility in the supply chain as part of an effective risk management strategy. Findings support the government's vision of the creation of employment, the promotion of small business within the waste sector, and the role that SMEs play in environmental responsibility. The later through extended producer responsibility in waste management and recycling of larger business and thus, sustainable development in South Africa.

Implementation of e-Logistics Systems for Developing EC Capability in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: A Conceptual Model

In the 21st century, contemporary small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have come to realize the implementation of e-business systems for developing sound e-commerce (EC) capability is critical to maintain this competitiveness. Given that EC capability can proffer a variety of benefits to modern firms, the majority of SMEs are still slow to adopt e-commerce technologies in Asia-Pacific countries. In Taiwan, SMEs play an important role in the economy than they do in other developed nations. The development of EC capability is not only a novel way of doing business, but also an important solution confronting for the sustainable competitiveness of SMEs. In this paper, we propose a conceptual model to explain the processes of implementing e-logistics systems to develop an integrated B2B2C EC capability for SMEs. This conceptual model can provide instrumental guidelines to help SMEs build their e-business models and EC capabilities by identifying the potential of adopting e-logistics systems to greatly improve their competitiveness in today's business environment.

Primary Discussion on Data Security Management under SaaS Model

With the fast development of internet, especially the emergence of SaaS, the majority of SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) customers found that the costs of Software application are reduced and its maintenance is easier. These are definitely new challenges which the SaaS model brings to the management of data security. So we need to find out the corresponding strategies to guarantee the high quality of software service. This paper presents a solution that store the data encrypted by the client’s public Key on Server which protected the data is abused by server administrator.

SMEs Stakeholders’ Needs on Valuation and Financial Reporting

Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) form as muchas 99% of business entities around the world. Therefore, it is necessary for policy makers to stress their attention to the needs of these enterprises. The identification of the stakeholders and their needs is based on stakeholder theory, adapted to SMEs. The theory includes both the regulatory and instrumental approaches of stakeholder analysis. The first approach leads to outlining some normative assumptions regarding the variables that define the stakeholder’s domain (Mitchell et al. Academy of Management Review 22:853–886, 1997). The second one reflects the manner in which the company takes into account the impact of the stakeholder to which it links its performance-aimed actions (e.g. Donaldson and Preston 1995; Polonsky and Scott European Journal of Marketing 39:1199–1215 2005). We also have to refer to property rights theory and to classical theory of the shareholder-manager, endorsed by Jensen and Meckling, quoted by Alchian (1991). This last group of theories helps us to distinguish between the shareholder-manager, present in the majority of SMEs, and the other stakeholders of SMEs. In the context of the international drive to simplify the SMEs’ financial reporting, one may identify a stringent call for the identification and serious analysis of the SMEs’ specific use of information. Through market research and accounting literature, it appears that this is not sufficiently developed at present. The needs of the users of information must be developed so that they can play a useful part in accounting regulation. The main objective of this study is to identify and rank the users and their needs within the European area and for emergent economies, taking into consideration that,

Broadband technology

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review recent government policy to provide a context for an exploratory study of broadband take up and use by small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Thames Valley region of the UK. In recent years, the business environment has been fundamentally altered by the information and communication revolution that has changed the way in which businesses are created, operated and managed. However, the take up of broadband amongst SMEs remains low. Recent government policy has focussed on stimulating both supply and demand sides of the market for broadband technology as an entry point for SMEs. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the impact of government policy upon the use of broadband by SMEs and considers how occupiers are using and benefiting from the use of broadband. Findings – The research undertaken indicates that government policy promoting broadband take up amongst SMEs has been effective in terms of the achievement of targets. The majority of SMEs in the case study are now equipped with broadband. However, their use of broadband appears to be limited to the more rudimentary uses for communication and searching for information as opposed to advanced applications such as e‐business and marketing. Originality/value – Current government policy is aimed at promoting ICT for SMEs, but their effectiveness and success is yet to be measured. There is a need for more research in respect of the impact of broadband upon the working practices of SMEs, their business performance and relative competitiveness.

Growth perceptions of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SME's) — The case of South Tyrol

Globalization and internationalization tendencies imply new challenges for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), which are either facing the pressure to achieve short‐term profits, or have to attract new market segments by means of long‐term strategies. This trend raises the question of growth perspectives of SMEs and their future development. The paper gives an insight into selected growth theories, entrepreneurship and SMEs, firm competencies, core competencies and the wellbeing of entrepreneurs as a growth indicator. The majority of SMEs are run by the family and characterized by low growth rates or even stagnation, and relatively low market entry and qualification barriers. An exploratory study was carried out among 3‐ and 4‐star hotels in South Tyrol (Italy) in 2004 for a better understanding of the driving forces, growth barriers, entrepreneur's satisfaction, and prerequisites and incentives of growth.

Enterprise Competencies for Effective Information Systems and Information Management

A study of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wales was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and competence of users of information technology (IT) and information systems (IS). A questionnaire survey, followed by selected follow-up interviews, was conducted: to determine levels of information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) use by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Wales; to identify key factors influencing SMEs’ ability to exploit opportunities that technology offers; to investigate whether IT/IS is managed in an active and strategic fashion; to assess the use and management of data within these enterprises; and to consider whether SMEs have opportunities to create strategic advantage from IT/IS. The results indicated that the utilization of IT is increasing but the majority of SMEs are under-exploiting the potential benefits due to a lack of management direction. Nevertheless, although few SMEs are being seen to achieve competitive advantage, those enterprises that are doing so tend to be focusing on acquiring knowledge, using their flexibility and ability to react speedily and generating innovative solutions. Th study identified areas where further research was needed to support the findings, particularly in terms of the regularly review of the level and exploitation of IT/ IS within the SME sector within Wales and the rest of the UK via quantitative surveys providing a base for a longitudinal comparison of data; the investigation of the factors that deter IT/IS development within SMEs; and the review of IS/IT within individual SME industries and sectors, utilizing case study methodology and allowing for the qualitative analysis of key factors underpinning usage. (Part 1 of this article was published in the previous issue of Business Information Review).

A Study of the Implementation of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems in Hong Kong

The ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) standard has been adopted in many parts of the world. In order to evaluate current implementation in Hong Kong, a questionnaire survey was conducted of more than 200 local companies. ISO 14001 EMS adoption is still slow in Hong Kong, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The majority of SMEs do not have plans to implement the standard in the near future. However, the EMS standard has brought many advantages to the local ISO 14001 EMS certified companies, including the reduction of operating costs and the improvement of working efficiency. Recommendations are made for EMS standard implementation in local organizations, particularly SMEs.

The Regulator — Regulated Relationship and Environmental Protection: Perceptions in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

An emerging point of agreement is that environmental policy efficacy and implementation efficiency are most likely to be achieved by an appropriate balance between command-and-control and self-regulation methods. The author uses data from a unique survey of individuals, both management and nonmanagement, in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in England and Wales to ascertain whether the corporate perspective is equally supportive of such an empathetic balance. Multiple research methods including interviews, a questionnaire, and focus groups with individuals were used to explore management and nonmanagement attitudes to the importance of compliance with, and the effectiveness of, regulation. Compliance with regulation is viewed as morally right both by management and by nonmanagement; however, the effectiveness of regulation is questioned. Nonmanagement in particular demand strong enforcement and penalties; management demand consistent regulation to ensure a ‘level playing field’. Both question whether all regulation is relevant to environmental protection. Although self-regulation is supported in theory, this is because of the perceived weakness of reactive regulation. Individuals suggest that the majority of SMEs are not taking any, or only minimal, steps to self-regulate. The potential for a balance between command-and-control and self-regulation approaches receives only cautious support from management and nonmanagement.