Medium-sized Companies Research Articles

The effect of organisational factors on adopting big data analytics in supply chain operation among companies in Saudi Arabia: The moderating role of resistance to change

Background: Big data analytics (BDA) is vital for modern supply chain operations. However, implementing BDA requires significant administrative effort to ensure success, as managers and employees may resist change. A study was conducted on large and medium-sized companies in Saudi Arabia to investigate the impact of organisational factors on BDA adoption and identify potential resistance. (hereafter Saudi Arabia).Objectives: This study investigate how organisational factors influence the adoption of BDA in medium and large supply chain companies in Saudi Arabia. It also explores the moderating role of resistance to change (RTC) in this relationship.Method: A survey questionnaire was given to 402 supply chain practitioners working in medium and large enterprises (MLEs) in Saudi Arabia as part of a quantitative study. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS29.0) and SMART PLS (version 4.0).Results: The findings indicated that organisational factors (top management support, IT expertise, and organisational resources) insignificantly influenced BDA adoption (p 0.05). Furthermore, RTC did not moderate the relationship between organisational factors and technology adoption (p 0.05).Conclusion: The successful use of BDA is crucial for improving Saudi supply chain operations, with a positive impact on customers, companies, and the country.Contribution: This study is important for medium and large companies in the Saudi Arabian supply chain. It provides scope for developing innovations in adopting BDA by understanding organisational factors that influence adoption. The results will help push Saudi companies forward in trusting BDA in supply chain operations.

Analisis Implementasi Pembiayaan Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) Syariah dalam Meningkatkan Pendapatan UMKM: Studi Kasus pada Pegadaian Cabang Mandala

This study employs a descriptive qualitative methodology, using field research. The objective of this research is to determine the impact of Pegadaian's involvement in enhancing the revenue of micro, small, and medium companies (UMKM) through the utilization of Shariah People's Enterprise Credit (KUR). This study employs interviews, observations, and documentation as methods for data collection. This research demonstrates the significant role of Kur Shariah Pegadaian in facilitating small and medium-sized companies (UMKM) in acquiring the necessary finance for company expansion and development. In addition, the Kur shariah pegadaian significantly boosts the profits or revenue of small and medium-sized firms (UMKM) to a far greater extent than previously.

“Emerging Occupational Risks in a Pharmaceutical Company Under Industry 4.0: An Assessment Using TICHNER and HIRAC Tools”

Abstract: The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector aligns with broader industrial objectives, aiming to enhance productivity and adaptability while meeting challenging standards for product quality and diversity while maximizing efficiency. However, this shift is not risk-free. This particularly concerns the well-being of workers which is one of the top concerns shared by manufacturers. As the industry navigates this transition, it is imperative to prioritize the safety of personnel. The rapid pace of technological innovation within pharmaceutical manufacturing carries significant implications, introducing new and emerging risks. Consequently, proactive identification and assessment of these potential threats are essential to effectively mitigate their impact and ensure preparedness for forthcoming changes. To address this gap, this study provides an approach for identifying potential sources and significant factors contributing to its increasing risks in implementing Industry 4.0 in manufacturing industries. This set of sources and factors was evaluated in a medium-sized pharmaceutical manufacturing company aided by TICHNER and HIRAC Tools through a mixed-method approach. The combination of these tools facilitates the identification, characterization, and analysis of new and emerging risks associated with Industry 4.0 implementation. The findings of the study showed that Psychosocial Hazards and Work Experience/ Knowledge are the most common potential sources of Psychological Risks, Unemployment, and Need for Qualified Workers. The approach will allow manufacturers to proactively manage the new and emerging challenges brought by Industry 4.0 and safeguard the well-being of the workforce.

Integrating energy simulations and analytical hierarchy process procedure in multi-criteria evaluation of heating systems for industrial buildings

Industrial buildings in Italy are generally aged and widely outdated from an architectural, technological, and environmental perspective. Despite the current limitations affecting both envelope and system installations, enhancement strategies are not frequently debated in the literature or addressed recurring to not adequately comprehensive approaches. This research examines space heating options for integrated retrofit interventions of manufacturing facilities using a novel methodology that combines multi-criteria decision analysis based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with building energy simulations. Interviews with representatives from medium-sized companies in Tuscany provide insights into the exigencies of industrial buildings, while on-site surveys identify common features of industrial buildings in the region leading to the identification of a representative case study building. This facility is examined producing several energy models to account for the different heating system alternatives to be evaluated according to criteria including economic, environmental, comfort, space, and reliability. Both qualitative judgments and quantitative outputs from energy simulations are considered to rank the technological alternatives encompassed in the analysis. In addition, sensitivity analyses are carried out to highlight the impact of boundary conditions on optimal configuration selection. Economic considerations weigh heavily for industrial owners, often outweighing environmental concerns due to higher initial investment requirements for low-impact solutions. Consequently, gas boiler generators and hot-water fan heaters emerge as preferred options for their flexibility, low initial cost, and ease of installation.

Do Enterprises That Publish Sustainability Reports Have a Better Developed Environmental Responsibility and Are They More Transparent?

Enterprises increasingly publish sustainability reports to address concerns about their environmental and social impact. However, the voluntary nature of these reports and the lack of independent auditing often lead to skepticism regarding their authenticity, with some perceiving them as mere marketing or greenwashing tools. This study aims to investigate whether the publishing of sustainability reports truly reflects transparency and responsible behavior. The relationship between the publishing of sustainability reports, environmental responsibility policies, and transparency policies is analyzed. The research was conducted in Uruguay. A quantitative methodology was used. The sample was made up of a group of companies that evaluate their social and environmental responsibility practices. This is a non-probabilistic sample, which includes companies that publish sustainability reports and companies that do not publish them. The environmental responsibility and transparency of both groups were compared. Thirteen indicators were used to measure environmental responsibility, and eight indicators were used to measure transparency. To evaluate the relationship between the variables, different statistical techniques were used: chi-square, difference of means test, and simple correlations. Our findings reveal that: (1) enterprises publishing sustainability reports tend to have more developed environmental responsibility policies and greater transparency compared to those that do not publish, and (2) interestingly, the choice of reporting standards, particularly the Global Reporting Initiative, does not significantly impact the observed outcomes. Furthermore, the relationship among report publication, environmental responsibility, and transparency is influenced by enterprise size but remains unaffected by public trading status or capital origin (local or international). Despite its methodological limitations, this work contributes to the debate on the sincerity of companies that publish sustainability reports. Its results contribute to reducing the skepticism and distrust that exists about these reports. Also, the work contributes to the study of the relationship between environmental responsibility and the publishing of reports because it included segments of companies that are not considered in most research: medium-sized companies and private companies that are not listed on the stock market.

비상장 중소·중견기업 주식의 양도소득세에 관한 문제점과 개선방안

To revitalize the capital market, the government provides tax-free benefits for minority shareholders such as KOSPI (1% or less than 5 billion won), KOSDAQ (2% or less than 5 billion won), and KONEX (4% or less than 5 billion won) if stocks are transferred through the stock market. The taxation of capital gains tax on the over-the-counter market limits the expansion of the unlisted capital market. Since 2018, in order to help small and medium-sized companies belonging to the over-the-counter market and revitalize investment smoothly, K-OTC's over-the-counter market has provided the benefit of exempting minority shareholders from the taxation of capital gains tax when they transfer the stocks of small and medium-sized companies. As for the size of the K-OTC market, the transaction value has increased by more than 10 times so far, starting with the provision of non-taxable benefits in 2018, and the increase of the size of all transactions by more than 2.5 times. In other words, the exemption from the capital gains tax of small and medium-sized companies by minority shareholders in the K-OTC market has led to the expansion of the K-OTC market. However, due to the expansion of the K-OTC market, other over-the-counter markets, as K-OTCBB, are shrinking over time. Considering that companies listed on K-OTCBB are mainly small or have not met the listing requirements of the K-OTC market, the non-taxation of capital gains tax on stocks of small and medium-sized companies provided only to K-OTC is expected to adversely affect securing investment funds for companies listed on K-OTCBB. This is expected to hinder the growth of many small and medium-sized companies and reduce the options of new investments that are attractive to investors. To solve this problem, this paper proposes the following improvement measures. Markets that comply with the standards of Article 178 (1) 1 of the Capital Markets and Financial Investment Business Act, Article 286 (1) 11 of the Capital Markets and Financial Investment Business Act, and the K-OTCBB operation enforcement regulations conducted by the Korea Financial Investment Association should be added to expand the exemption from the stock transfer income tax by adding the content of “stocks in which a single seller and buyer trade over-the-counter stock certificates of small and medium-sized enterprises through mutual consultation on the terms of transaction”. If the K-OTCBB's transfer tax exemption for small and medium-sized enterprises is expanded through the revision of Article 94 of the Income Tax Act, it is expected that the expansion of the K-OTCBB market will lead to the expansion as in the previous case in 2018. In addition, the introduction of an expansion of the capital gains tax exemption will help small and medium-sized enterprises smoothly secure funds. Through this, the size of the K-OTCBB market will grow, and it can provide attractive new investment destinations for investors. As a result, it is expected that it will have the effect of introducing investors' funds into the capital market, and it will lead to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and the development of the capital market.

DX프로세스 환경에서의 중소제조기업 보안영역 수립과 보안 가이드라인에 대한 연구

As digital transformation (DX) develops, various security threats occur, mainly in the manufacturing industry. This study considers the characteristics of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in the DX environment. Moreover, the security threats to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies are derived, security areas are established from technical and management perspectives, and minimal guidelines for each area are proposed. Based on these results, small and medium-sized manufacturing companies can establish security policies that are tailored to the size of the company, assets, importance of work, and business areas that require digital transformation.

Study on Overseas Expansion Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Korean Construction Companies Using PEST Analysis

The purpose of this study is to research overseas expansion strategies for small and medium-sized construction companies(SMCCs) in South Korea. The research methodology employs PEST (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological) analysis within the construction industry. Findings suggest increased investment in research and development, adoption of eco-friendly technologies, and localization strategies. By enhancing competitiveness through advanced technology adoption and strengthening sustainable practices aligned with global standards, firms can mitigate political and economic risks. Policy implications include collaboration with government and relevant agencies to support Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, provide financial assistance, manage risks, and establish integrated information platforms. Moreover, enhancing capabilities through education and consulting programs in technology, law, finance, and risk management prepares firms for international expansion. This study offers specific solutions to Korean small and medium-sized construction companies, emphasizing enhanced policy support to successfully pursue expansion and growth opportunities in the global market.

Accounting a strategic benefit for MSMEs

Today there are micro and medium-sized companies that are in the commercial, industrial and service sectors, but not all of them manage to function in the economic sector. Starting a business is a challenge for anyone, because it involves a process, making it grow and positioning it in a national and global status. The behavior and growth of small and medium-sized businesses is due to various factors, one of them is the method of recording the activities carried out by MSMEs derived from their operations. Many companies lack knowledge and as a result of this, the weaknesses in their organization prevent the business from growing on a larger scale. The investigation will serve to identify the improvement purposes that would be achieved if they kept their accounting records properly. The MSMEs of Villahermosa, Tabasco, specifically in the Tierra Colorada Colony, will be evaluated.

재건축사업의 ESG 경영활동을 위한 중요도 및 우선순위 분석

This study attempted to discuss ESG activities for reconstruction projects as an effort for sustainable development of the construction industry. In particular, the purpose of this study is to analyze the importance and priorities of determinants affecting reconstruction ESG management activities in order to enhance the participation of the construction industry in ESG and its effectiveness in the domestic construction industry structure, which is composed mainly of small and medium-sized construction companies. The survey was conducted online with a quantitative survey of a group of experts working at construction companies, and the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) for the analysis of determinants of reconstruction ESG management activities was conducted using the DRESS 1.7 program. As a result of the analysis, social factors were the highest in the relative importance between AHP tier 1 factors, environmental factors, society, and governance, and environmental and governance were sequentially the highest. In addition, as a result of analyzing the relative importance of the determinants of reconstruction ESG, the importance of waste treatment, which is an environmental factor, was the highest, followed by job preparation and safety, which are social factors. On the other hand, ethical management, resident participation, and management strategies were shown to be lower in order among governance factors.

Analysis of Domestic and International Policy Research for the Establishment of the Separate Contracting System in Fire Facility Constructions: Domestic Construction Performance and International Guarantee Systems

This study aims to help establish the separate contracting system in fire facility construction by analyzing the status of existing construction projects and empirical research cases implemented by other public institutions. Through this analysis, we seek to derive performance analysis areas for the separate contracting system in fire facility construction. In addition, we intend to analyze domestic and international guarantee systems and propose improvement directions to address issues related to construction performance guarantees for small to medium-sized fire facility construction companies. Using data from the National Statistical Portal, an analysis of public and private fire facility construction projects over the past five years shows an increasing trend in the gross amount of primary contracts, indicating the success of the separate contracting system. Empirical studies on the separate contracting system by public institutions in other construction projects primarily focused on analyzing construction cost, project scale, and construction duration. These studies generally demonstrated the benefit of reduced construction costs. However, it was also observed that if the project owner is not an expert, an additional cost of 4.4% might be incurred to hire a construction safety manager. An analysis of construction performance guarantee systems for fire facility construction companies, both domestically and internationally, revealed that pre-assessment measures, such as those under the Miller Act, should be implemented to evaluate capabilities appropriate to the construction scale. Furthermore, in cases of non-performance due to the fault of the existing contractor, administrative procedures should be streamlined and regulations relaxed to support the participation of capable fire facility construction companies.

ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЕ ВЫРУЧКИ БЫСТРОРАСТУЩЕЙ КОМПАНИИ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОЙ КРИВОЙ

The aim of the study is to assess the advancement potential of fast-growing companies, to create prerequisites for predicting the gain of such companies. The objective is to identify and forecast the growth points of the country’s economy, which is generally based on the advancement of individual economic entities, namely organizations. The research method for forecasting revenue as the main indicator of fast-growing companies (FGC) is considered. As an approximation, a logistic curve (the Ferhulst curve) is examined, the parameters of which are identified by the least squares method. Open data from financial statements of organizations are applied as a source. This work uses the criterion for distinguishing fast-growing companies; the average annual growth is of at least 50% at current prices. The novelty of the work lies in studying fast-growing organizations using a logistic curve (sigmoid). Approximation parameters are identified. A growth assessment (forecast) for organizations for 2040 is made. The statistical reliability of the selected approximation is established for 714 large and medium-sized fast-growing companies from the sample. The research results state, that a sample of about 900 fast-growing Russian companies is identified using the methods for processing large data sets from 2.5 million organizations. The illustrative calculations are based on actual sample data, highlighting the example of Wildberries in more detail. An assessment of the growth opportunities of the organizations under consideration is made. Studying the applicability of the proposed method using statistical criteria is carried out. The findings show that studying fast-growing organizations’ advancement for a medium or longer period using a logistic curve looks more preferable than applying an exponential one. For the vast majority of such organizations, the approximation of the logistic curve is statistically significant.

The Impact of Human Capital and Knowledge Creation on Sustaining Competitive Advantage and Innovation in Medium-Sized Companies in Bali

The Impact of Human Capital and Knowledge Creation on Sustaining Competitive Advantage and Innovation in Medium-Sized Companies in Bali

The Impact of Using Technologies and Digital Transformation Tools in Supporting Strategic Decision Making in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (A Field Study on a Group of Small and Medium-sized Companies in the Logistics Sector in the City of Riyadh)

The Impact of Using Technologies and Digital Transformation Tools in Supporting Strategic Decision Making in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (A Field Study on a Group of Small and Medium-sized Companies in the Logistics Sector in the City of Riyadh)

Reducing Obstacles for Small and Medium Enterprises Via Digitalisation: Albania’s Case

Within the framework of modern economic science, scientists are increasingly focusing on the role of small and medium-sized enterprises. This is determined by the many benefits they provide for the country’s development. Digitalisation is one of the opportunities that can make these structures function more efficiently. Therefore, an assessment of its possibilities for different countries is still relevant. The assessment was made for Albania in the research. The research aims to show the level of digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the country, as well as to provide recommendations for future policy development in this area. The main research methods used in the study were analysis, forecasting, abstraction. The study describes the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in Albania’s economic development and the importance of digitalisation in facilitating their growth. The study also surveyed more than 100 enterprises and based on selected statistics, described the relationship between marketing budget, years of existence and use of social media. The study also focused on the benefits of digital technologies for organisations, such as the automation of internal processes, and improved communication between the company and potential buyers (target audience). The study provides recommendations for further policymaking in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development based on the identified weaknesses of SME development in Albania. This study contributes new knowledge to the field of entrepreneurship development in countries, small and medium-sized companies. In addition, it provides a better understanding of the peculiarities of the Albanian economy.

SELECTION OF MARKETING COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN AGRIBUSINESS

The aim of this study was to select the best marketing communication channel for a medium-sized agricultural company in the area of the city of Bijeljina by applying multi-criteria decision-making methods. Eight criteria were used for the research, and five communication channels were selected. The research on the importance of individual criteria was influenced by the commercial management of the company in question with their common attitude, i.e. assessment. The Entropy - MABAC method of multi-criteria decision-making was used for the methodology. The results show that the criterion of diversity of new information is the most significant. The best-rated communication channel is the company’s good image. The second-best rated alternative is the use of the internet, specifically social media. The results provide a good basis for further research in this area with the aim of determining the factors that influence the choice of future promotion methods and obtaining useful information.

ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF BANKRUPTCY IN MEDIUM-SIZED AGRIBUSINESS COMPANIES IN AP VOJVODINA

In the context of a volatile economy marked by diverse global crises, it becomes imperative to proactively assess the potential insolvency among economic entities. This study focuses on medium-sized companies involved in agricultural and food production within the AP Vojvodina, spanning the time frame from 2018 to 2022. The primary objective is to assess the likelihood of bankruptcy within the observed companies, applying Altman’s modified Z score (Z’), Kralicek Quick test and the Springate model. The data utilized for this research are sourced from the financial reports of the observed companies. Based on the performed analysis, it can be concluded that the modified Altman’s Z’ score and the Springate model in most cases gave identical results on the occurrence of bankruptcy. Using the Kralicek Quick test, the solvency ratings are quite divergent. In the observed period, the possibility of bankruptcy was higher for agricultural companies compared to ones from the food industry.

Pediatric Device Innovation: An Analysis of Food and Drug Administration Authorizations Over Time.

Despite a tremendous increase in the number of orthopaedic devices authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), novel devices designed specifically for the pediatric population remain sparse. Surgeons frequently repurpose adult implants for "off-label" use in pediatric patients, with both legal and technical ramifications. This study seeks to objectively quantify and characterize the nature of pediatric device innovation over time. The FDA employs 4 pathways for assessing safety and effectiveness of novel devices prior to authorization. Perceived device risk and novelty determine the pathway. Orthopaedic devices were identified from the FDA's online database. All devices approved since inception via the Humanitarian Device Exemption, Pre-Market Approval, and De Novo regulatory pathways were included and grouped as "highly innovative." Because of their number and the rapidity of their development, the evaluation of 510(k) devices was limited to those cleared from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. Such 510(k) devices make up ∼97% of devices and by definition are less risky and less novel. Approval statements were assessed for pediatric indications within the approved labeling. As a secondary analysis, the impact of company size on developing a product with a pediatric indication was analyzed. Of the 1,925 devices cleared via the 510(k) pathway, 9 (0.5%) were designed exclusively for pediatrics and 160 (8.3%) included pediatric indications. Five of the 9 pediatrics-only devices were for spine and 4 were for trauma indications. Of the 97 highly innovative devices, only 2 (2%) were exclusively pediatric and another 2 (2%) included pediatric indications. The 2 pediatrics-only devices were for the spine. Large and medium-sized companies were 1.9 times and 1.6 times more likely to bring to market a device with pediatric indications than a small company, respectively. Innovation for pediatric orthopaedic devices lags substantially behind that for adult orthopaedic devices. These findings are consistent with clinical experience and the common practice of modifying adult implants for "off-label" use in pediatric patients. Despite long-standing efforts to stimulate innovation for this vulnerable population, our results suggest little progress.

The Impact of Marketing in Increasing the Level of Competitiveness for Agro-Food Products in Albania

The climate that prevails in Albania and the type of agricultural land are favorable for new cultures and agricultural products that have higher benefits than other products that have been cultivated so far. Developing and increasing the capacities of existing products is one of the main components in a small or medium-sized company. A progressive company should preemptively address the planning and expansion of its product range and diversity of culture where it operates in order to remain competitive in the market. To achieve this, companies nowadays need to implement the most effective marketing strategies. Marketing is increasingly emerging as the most significant aspect for companies in the agro-food sector, serving as the primary means of customer orientation, with arguments as to why they should choose a company's products or services over other competitors. With the advancement of technology, the utilization of marketing and its elements is increasing more and more, as the best way to achieve the desired profit, target performance and competitiveness in the market. The purpose of this paper is the analysis of the existing situation in the development of the competitiveness of agro-food products as a result of the application of marketing, through which the market will be studied and make the agricultural producer aware of the increase of their performance in the market, through the production of quality and cost-effective products. The results reveal that agro-food production companies and farms have started to apply marketing in various forms, both in social and traditional media, creating better competitive positions in the market and increased production capacities allowing for the substitution of imported products with local products. Consequently, it has influenced the increase in consumer confidence in Albanian products and brands.

Validation of an instrument to measure the improvement of individual performance in small and medium-sized companies in Mexico

The present paper analyzes psychometric properties of a self-made instrument to measure individual performance based on Gilbert’s BEM. This research is quantitative, descriptive, correlational, causal; cross-sectional, using exploratory factor analysis and principal component analysis with Varimax orthogonal rotation. Empirical support was obtained by using a randomly stratified sample of 297 Mexican companies of Sonora State. The questionnaire – named DOPT- proved adequate to assess relevant organizational factors of human performance that could guide organizational performance policies accordingly. Its 40 items assess organizational level achieved in the following areas: Aims and objectives, Feedback, Task support, Incentives, Knowledge/Competences, Context, Sanctions, and Work processes. Psychometric properties results are commented in the light of commented literature about current overall organizational assessment and corporate longevity. In addition, organizational performance areas are discussed under a timing perspective defining mapping and tracing loops of organizational performance management.