Small And Medium Scale Enterprises Research Articles

Structural Investigation of Export Assistance and Performance of Handloom Exporters

The previous literature highlighted the importance of export assistance to uplift export activities of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). However, those studies could not test the feasibility of introduced export assistance for the targeted population. This study focuses on export assistance provided by the government institutions to the handloom exporters and its relationship with their perceived quantitative export performance. A detailed literature review of the existing export assistance programmes led to the categorization in four aspects, that is, financial support, informational support, facilitating support, and education/training support. A model is proposed based on identified variables depicting the relationship between export assistance and handloom exporters’ perceived quantitative export performance. In order to develop the model, first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was initially applied for validity measures. Subsequently, second-order CFA was applied due to the presence of multicollinearity among the variables due to the undistinguishable response of the chosen sample units towards export assistance. Thus, the study investigated the relationship of each of the four identified export assistance elements with the quantitative performance of Handloom exporters.

SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMEs), A DYNAMIC CAPABILITY APPROACH

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the southeast of Nigeria face great sustainability challenges, making most of them die within the first-fifth year of establishment. Therefore, this study examined how dynamic capability can help them sustain their performance. Specifically, the study looked at the nexus between sensing capability and performance sustainability of SMEs in Southeast Nigeria. The study employed the use of survey research design with a population of 200 owners of SMEs. Primary source (questionnaire) of data collection was used, which was subjected to both validity and reliability test. The data were analyzed through the use of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and hypothesis tested at a 5% level of significance. The result indicated that Sensing Capability has a statistically significant relationship with the Performance Sustainability of small businesses in Southeast Nigeria (r = .909; p-value < 0.05). The study, therefore, concluded that the more firms are alert to the changes in their environment, the more they can sustain their performance and last longer in the environment. Among others, the study recommended that SMEs need to give equal attention to what is happening in their environment as they give to what is happening within their firms, as this will enable them to react swiftly to changes in the environment. Keywords: Dynamic Capability, Sustainability, Performance, Sensing Capability, SMEs and South-East Nigeria.

Impact of Human Capital Development on Small and Medium Scale Enterprise in Some Selected Firms in Ananmbra State

This study examine the effects of human capital development in Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship performance and improvement in some selected SME firms in Anambra State. Descriptive survey design was used in the study. The total population of the study was 270. Findings revealed that human capital development helps in improving the performance of firms through training of employees fro greater performance of SMEs; developing efficiency of the SMEs; influencing the proactiveness of the employees; enhancing the flexibility of the employees; and improving service delivery of the employees. This study recommended that firms should develop human capital development so as to avoid stagnation of the skills of the employee. The study further recommended that firms should utilize human capital development so that it would not affect the quality of service delivery of SMEs.

Evaluation of the effects of electrical power outages on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs)

This study evaluated the effects of electrical power outages on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). The study was guided by two specific objectives of determining the cost of alternative sources of power supply and its impact on the profitability of businesses of selected SMEs in Elelenwo community in Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State and to suggest possible ways of reducing the power outages in Elelenwo Community. The costs of power supply using private power generation and that of public power generation from Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) were collected from selected SMEs in the study area. Findings established the fact that electrical power outages have significant negative effects on the businesses of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) which in turns affect their profitability and sustainability. This was established by finding the correlations of the costs of running businesses with private power generation and that of using public power generation for selected SMEs and the results yielded negative correlation coefficients. The study also suggested possible ways of reducing the power outages.

Design and fabrication of low-cost micromachining system for prototyping printed circuit boards

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) have a portentous position in constructing modern electronic equipment. Currently, chemical etching is the process used to produce PCBs at huge volumes, which is not suitable for preparing prototypes. The working environment is also not an encouraging one. There is no economical way to manufacture PCBs in low volumes, which is the basic requirement for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). Prototyping the desired circuit boards, prior to the mass production, is essential to avoid major losses by producing faulty designs. Developing a low-cost machine for prototyping PCBs may overcome these drawbacks. Hence, in this work, a machine capable of performing PCB mechanical milling operation on wide range of materials like copper/epoxy boards and flexible substrates has been developed. The machine developed is capable of milling lines that are 0.3 mm in width and 0.46 mm in depth. The performance of the machine reveals that it can mill any complex shapes and designs with expected accuracy. Selection of hardware components according to the needs would reduce the cost and programming snag further, which makes it affordable to SMEs.

Comparing and Identifying Influential Factors of Technological Innovation Efficiency in Manufacturing and Service Industries Using DEA: A Study of SMEs in South Korea

Although technological innovation is critical for growth and future survival, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) are at a disadvantage compared to larger organizations given the resources available. It is important to examine the possible methods for making research and development more efficient. This study analyzes the technological innovation efficiency of SMEs in the manufacturing and service industries in South Korea and determines the factors affecting efficiency. The models of data envelopment analysis and Tobit regression analysis were used. According to the analysis results, the technical and pure technical efficiencies were higher in the service industry than in the manufacturing industry. The factors affecting efficiency were also different between the two industries. This study is significant because it evaluates the innovation activity efficiency of small and medium manufacturing and service companies in South Korea and provides specific criteria and a rationale to improve the efficiency.

THE PLACE OF INTELLIGENCE IN THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMEs): A SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE PARADIGM

For so long, intelligence quotient and to a greater extent, social intelligence has dominated organizational discussions on intelligence and its implication on performance. This study, however examined the place of spiritual intelligence on the productivity of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Nigeria. The study was anchored on the Theory of Rational Intelligence. A survey research design was adopted for the study, with a population of 400 SME owners. A census method was deployed for the work. The source of data was primary, and the analysis was done using simple regression, and hypothesis tested at a 5% level of significance. The result revealed that a 74% change in the innovative capabilities of SMEs is influenced by changes in ethical behaviour. The study, therefore, concluded that spiritual intelligence affects the productivity of SMEs in Southeast Nigeria. Hence, it was recommended among others that the owners of SMEs need to give their ethical conduct and behaviour an important place in their operations, as people will tend to trust and appreciate their innovativeness more, if they are seen to be spiritually intelligent. Keywords: Spiritual Intelligence, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Productivity, Innovative Capabilities and Ethical Behaviour.

Business incubation initiatives and innovation capabilities of micro-sized enterprises: Exploring the software ICT value chain

Promoting innovative capabilities in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) is crucial if African countries are to progress in terms of being active in the Global Value Chain (GVC) and achieve inclusive development. Enhancing innovative capabilities in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector has been identified as strategic to Nigeria tapping into the GVC and deepening industrial sustainable development. Despite increasing awareness that enhanced innovative capabilities can foster the integration of SMEs into the GVC, there still exists scanty evidence of SMEs’ innovative capabilities, especially in the ICT sector and software sub-sector in Nigeria. This paper broadly explores SMEs’ innovative capabilities in the ICT–Software Incubator sub-sector in Lagos metropolis. Specifically, the paper seeks to understand what limits SMEs’ innovative capabilities and the kinds of government support required to mitigate the effects of these factors. The study used 200 SMEs and 10 key incubator hubs operating in the sub-sector as a case study as well as in-depth interviews with the owners/managers. Our findings show that there is improvement in the software sector’s knowledge and development and its value chain in the country; most businesses copy innovative concepts from abroad, adopting about 30% local innovation content due to the high demand for foreign software innovations by clients; overall most incubation hubs are underperforming in their core services to incubating firms; and poor educational infrastructure, brain drain and poor support from the government are key challenges facing the sector. We recommend a strong peer review among the innovation hubs and a check on the brain drain in the sector.

Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) in India

Abstract: Purpose: Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) face problems with a lack of funds and liquidity for remuneration to their employees, usage of technology, etc. Hence, the research study aims to identify the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Small and Medium-scale Enterprises across the Nation. Research methodology: The data extraction procedure uses exploratory study with systematic review technique from the different directories of journals. A thorough qualitative and quantitative analysis based on peer-reviewed journals worldwide is conducted to recognize, ascribe, and explore the upcoming trends and to establish suggestions and recommendations for future research in this particular domain. Results: The study identified the significant social impact connected to the provision of limited capability regarding medical literacy and awareness and various social stigma, an obstacle in attaining the purpose of timely disease treatments in Small and Medium-scale Enterprises. The study further explored that gender biases and residential discrimination led to unfair treatment regarding healthcare facilities. Limitations: The study considers the COVID-19 Pandemic, whereas, in the future, there may be a possibility of other kinds of artificial or natural disasters. Novelty: The research mainly deals with the national effect of social factors during the crisis in addition to the economic impact on Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME). Keywords: 1. Small and Medium-scale Enterprises 2. COVID-19 Pandemic 3. Systematic Literature Review 4. Exploratory Study 5. Socioeconomic factors

Assessment of Global COVID-19 on SMEs

The purpose of study is the assessment of global Covid-19 on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) with the case of Technological Incubation Centre (TIC), Ibadan. Three research objectives were raised. A descriptive survey research design was used. The population of the study is 29 (twenty-nine). Total Census survey was adopted as the sampling technique. SPSS software 20 analysis was used to analyze the data. The study concluded that, there has been increase in all the inputs needed for the production processes at the Centre. Therefore, sales of goods at the period of the Covid-19 have been negatively affected, which has similarly impacted on employment generation. It’s recommended that the management of the TIC should assist the businesses to mitigate the adverse effect of the Covid-19; while the Nigerian government should consider the SMEs as an important sub-sector that could restore the economy to the period of better economic growth.

Management Principles for the Appraisal and Diffusion of Information Systems

In this paper, we bring to light the issue of appraising and diffusing information systems by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The empirical data was gathered through an online questionnaire-based survey from 312 SMEs in Ghana. All these enterprises are registered members of the association of Ghanaian industries (AGI) and are confirmed users of information system. The framework of the study is developed based on the approaches found in technology management literature: management principles for disruptive technology, information system strategy, technological decision making and the technology acceptance models. The aim of the paper is to unearth management principles which allow SMEs in Ghana to appraise and diffuse information system successfully. We defined these principles through the comparison of known principles with the practiced principles of management of the small enterprises in Ghana and distilling the best management practices in information system appraisal and diffusion.

Disentangling the individual entrepreneurial orientation and SMEs success nexus: an action-based interplay of exploration activities and entrepreneurial alertness

PurposeThis study aims to extend the much-held strategic entrepreneurial orientation stance and conceptualized it as a psychological disposition of small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) owners. Based on this notion, the authors theorized that individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) is a precursor of success in manufacturing sector SMEs. Building on the credo of action regulation, the authors clarified the IEO and SMEs’ success association by introducing exploration activities as a conduit. Further, the authors posited that entrepreneurial alertness augments the nexus of IEO, exploration activities and SMEs success.Design/methodology/approachA three-wave survey was done by drawing a cluster-based sample of 389 SME owners in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The mediation and moderation analysis were done by PROCESS macro that uses bootstrapping with 5,000 draws to calculate the indirect (Model 4), conditional and conditional indirect effects (Model 7) at a 95% confidence interval.FindingsThe results offered empirical support to the conjectured association among IEO and SMEs’ success mediated by exploration activities. Moreover, the conditional direct (between IEO and exploration activities) and indirect impact (among IEO and SMEs’ success mediated by exploration activities) of entrepreneurial alertness was substantiated.Originality/valueThe authors added to the sprouting body of knowledge in the field of entrepreneurial orientation by focusing on its individual-level psychological conception. The authors have unlocked the interplay between IEO and SMEs’ success via the role of action characteristics of exploration activities and entrepreneurial alertness based on the action regulation tenet. Thus, the authors made a novel contribution by linking the micro-level entrepreneurial orientation and actions with macro-level SMEs' success.

Profit enhancement for small, medium scale enterprises using Lean Six Sigma

This paper presents outcomes of a project that was carried out with an aim to enhance profit in a small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). Lean six sigma - a methodology that relies on a collaborative team effort to systematically improve performance by reducing/removing waste or reducing variation, is used to achieve the study objective. A fruit juice manufacturing company that had been suffering from colossal wastage was selected as a case study. Define-Measure-analysis-Improve-Control (DMAIC), value stream mapping (VSM) and cause and effect diagram have been applied. The study results suggested that waste can be reduced up to 50%. Consequently, the profit increased by 7% if the firm acts on recommendations. This study opens doors for many such projects; therefore, it can be considered as the first step towards significant changes in the fruits and vegetable industries.

Malaysian Apprenticeship Implementation: Issues and Challenges Towards Effective Employers Engagement

While the jobs recovery is underway in many countries, persistently high rates of youth unemployment remain a significant labour market challenge. In response, there has been increasing interest in apprenticeships both as a route into employment and also in raising the skill levels of the workforce. Apprenticeship is one of the methods to promote young people's employment. It is historically prevalent and successful in Europe and is emulated in other countries around the world to promote employment especially amongst youth. Apprenticeships and other work-based training opportunities are valuable training pathways for improving the transition from school-to-work. At the local level, apprenticeship programmes can contribute to regional development objectives and provide local employers with the skilled workforce they require to remain competitive and create jobs. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the currents issues and challenges faced by Malaysian industrial employers in employer engagement of apprenticeship programmes through action research and descriptive studies. This action-based research as a methodology is to gather the responses of Malaysian local companies’ experiences in the manufacturing sector, across Multinational Companies (MNC), Government-Linked Corporations (GLC) and Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME) and identify the key issues and solutions that could create a beneficial prospect for TVET graduates and participating companies. Both descriptive quantitative and qualitative data from the survey questionnaires and interviews, respectively, were employed. 71 companies involved in the online survey and 6 manufacturing companies participated in the interviews and discussions as well as brainstorming. From the perspective ofindustries, this study found that the main key issues and challenges are: scarcity of competent industries instructors and coaches; provision of CPD; availability of apprenticeship bridging programs; teaching capacity; skills to deliver high quality employer focused apprenticeship; and industries and training providers collaboration. These six main issues are fundamentally systemic and highly intertwined in nature and will have to be resolved by all the stakeholders based on an agreeable working framework of apprenticeship in Malaysia. The findings of this study could provide policy makers and social partners with specific learnings to remove barriers to engaging employers in apprenticeship programmes, broaden access to training opportunities and improve the economic development and labour market performance of local areas.

Relevance of Entrepreneurial Orientation and its Effect on the Performance of Smes in Asaba, Delta State

The study investigated the relevance of entrepreneurial orientation on the performance of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Delta State. Other specific objectives are to determine the relationship between proactiveness and SMEs performance; to assess the connection between competitive aggressiveness and SMEs performance; to ascertain the connection between risk-taking and SMEs performance. A cross sectional research design was adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire was developed to elicit data from respondents for the study. This study specifically focused on relationship between proactiveness, competitive aggressiveness, innovativeness and the relationship between risk-taking and SMEs performance. All the staff of selected SMEs were sampled. The analytical technique used for hypotheses testing was the chi-square, using Stata version 13. Findings revealed that, all variables used in this study had a significant and positive relationship with performance of SMEs. Thus, the study concludes that entrepreneurial orientation has a significant relationship with performance of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs). This study therefore recommends amongst others that more intensive entrepreneurial training and practice be done by students in tertiary institutions as there seems to be no job waiting for graduates among the teeming youths we have in Nigeria today.

Effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Development Training Programmes on Business Growth of SMEs

This paper aims to investigate the impact of the Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme (EDTP) on the business growth of Small and Mediumscale Enterprises (SMEs) in the Nuwara Eliya district in Sri Lanka. The data were collected over purposively administering structured questionnaires from 100 respondents who completed EDTP in Nuwara Eliya district, Sri Lanka. The Partial Least Square Path Modelling (PLS) was performed to explore the impact of three EDTP dimensions, business knowledge and practice, business performance, and psychological indicators, on business growth through two mediating variables, increase in investment and formalization. The regression analysis results indicated that all hypotheses have a positive impact on business growth except two hypotheses. Findings indicate a positive but not significant impact of business knowledge and practices on formalization. There is a negative and not significant impact of psychological indicators on increases in investment. The findings provided new ways to develop EDTP strategies for SMEs by considering increases in investment and formalization.

The Mediating Role of Knowledge Creation on the Market Sensing- Innovation Nexus

This study examined the influential role of knowledge creation in facilitating the effect of market-sensing on innovation. It specifically examines this phenomenon among small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The study hypothesized that market sensing will exogenously have a significant and positive effect on knowledge creation, which will in turn have a positive effect on innovation. Data was collected from strategic managers from the top management teams of 310 small and medium scale enterprises randomly selected from the country’s six geopolitical zones. Using covariance based structural equation modeling (SEM) carried out via version 23 of IBM’s AMOS software. Findings confirmed all four hypotheses specifically demonstrating that market sensing positively impacted knowledge creation and innovation, while knowledge creation was both found to have a positive effect on innovation and to also significantly mediate the effect of market-sensing on innovation. The study then discusses the implication of the findings for both literature and practice, while recommending areas for future research.

The Impact of Remuneration toward Salary Satisfaction: A Case Study on Job Evaluation Method in SME Employees in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of remuneration with job evaluation point method and to discover its impact toward salary satisfaction of employees in Small and Medium scale Enterprise (SME). This research is a case study involving SME level employees in the field of food and beverage preparation who received remuneration with job evaluation point method. The methods for data collection used in this research were observation, interview, and questionnaires. The measurement scale used was the Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire. This research was an experimental action research with the randomized pretest–posttest control group design. The Mann–Whitney and Friedman tests were applied for conducting data analysis. The study argues that the application of remuneration by using job evaluation point method can increase the satisfaction of SME employees, reduce the level of turnover, and increase work commitment of employees. The results of the data analysis showed that the hypothesis was accepted; there was an improvement in salary satisfaction of experimental group who received remuneration with a significance value of p<0.005.

E-Security and Management Performance Among Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria

E-Security and Management Performance Among Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria

EFFECT OF SUCCESSION MANAGEMENT ON SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Many prominent and even internationally acclaimed business organizations have gone into extinction due to succession management challenges, notwithstanding their richly endowed financial and material resources. Succession management ensures seamless transition of managerial decision making of a firm to the next generation when the owner is no longer part of the business. The study investigated the effect of succession management on sustainability of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in South East, Nigeria. However, the specific objectives were to ascertain the effect of competitive intelligence on the growth of SMEs; and to determine the effect of technological advancements on competitive advantage of SMEs in South East Nigeria. The study is anchored on Elgar’s Performance Theory of organization and the Resource Based Firm theory which emphasizes that the physical, organizational strategies, financial and human resources have the potential to provide firms with sustainable competitive advantage. The study adopted the survey research method, making use of structured questionnaire as instruments for data collection. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and the simple linear regression. It was found that succession management through well-conceived competitive intelligence positively affected the growth of SMEs; technological advancements positively affected competitive advantage of SMEs. It was, therefore, concluded that succession management through competitive intelligence and technological advancement positively affected the sustainability of SMEs through firm growth and competitive advantage. The study recommended that for SMEs to be sustained and enhance its operational life span, effective succession management should be adopted growth and competitive advantage. The study recommended that for SMEs to be sustained and enhance its operational life span, effective succession management should be adopted.&#x0D; &#x0D; JEL: B10; A02; C06&#x0D; &#x0D; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0851/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;