Indian Small And Medium-sized Enterprises Research Articles

Information system architecture: a framework for a cluster of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Although Indian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are competent enough to produce and supply internationally acceptable quality goods and services, they are yet to get sufficient economic returns. According to the survey results presented in this study, one of the reasons for this is the absence of proper information systems (IS) architectures that can provide the required information at the right time to help them become more competitive in today's era of globalisation. In the absence of a proper IS, Indian SMEs are unable to reap the benefits for which they are the deserving candidates. This issue has been addressed in this paper by investigating the SMEs' IS-related practices by conducting a survey of 210 select SMEs of the western part of India. The survey results observed an increasing trend in using information technology (IT) in the SME sector, but SMEs lack the capabilities to exploit it optimally for their development in the present competitive market. Further, this research effort contributes an IS architecture for a cluster of SMEs, which includes information modules to support the business operations of SMEs from strategic to operation level. The proposed IS architecture can help SMEs not only operate internally but also provide information externally, to compete in the global market.

Internationalization of SMEs in India

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on the determinants influencing the internationalization of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. The objective is to investigate and evaluate the business environment and, then, examine the importance of developing and promoting entrepreneurship to allow SMEs in India to develop a competitive position in the international marketplace. It is proposed that the primary method for fostering or promoting the growth of entrepreneurship is through the utilization of technology.Design/methodology/approach – An overview is provided of the current economic situation facing SMEs in India. Then factors necessary for the expansion of the business are discussed, along with the challenges of overcoming the resource gaps identified. The importance of fostering entrepreneurship is presented. The current state of technology is then evaluated. The paper concludes with an assessment of challenges and implications for future expansion.Findings – Information is provided concern...

Performance measurements in the implementation of information systems in small and medium‐sized enterprises: a framework and empirical analysis

PurposePerformance measurement in the implementation of information systems is under‐developed for, under‐researched in, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). This article aims to develop a framework for IS that measures and evaluates IS performance from the following six perspectives: operational efficiency of the IS function, down time of IS, responsiveness of IS, timeliness of information, accuracy of information, overall competitive position.Design/methodology/approachThis research is exploratory in nature, a survey methodology is used for study and the focus of study is cross‐sectional. The objective of the study was to become more familiar through survey and information collected at one point in time. The methodology was based on a questionnaire survey and personal interviews.FindingsEmpirical analysis from 147 Indian SMEs suggests that IS performance measurement framework can be the foundation for SMEs' strategic growth in the era of globalization. These findings provide SMEs the opportunity to compare their IS performance against other firms of similar size.Research limitations/implicationsThe target of the study is the SMEs operational in the western part of India and hence it has the limitation in terms of the scope. However, the overall results are encouraging with 70 percent response rate in the survey and underline the need for more such studies. The results have implications for all managers responsible for IS, in any SME in the era of globalization.Originality/valueThe paper presents a framework for IS performance measurement for SMEs. Findings reported in the paper provide SMEs the utility of IS‐related practices and its performance measurement in day‐to‐day business operations.

Gardening the Culture to Innovation

Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have created a special space within all national economies. Their very nature of autonomy and high level of professionalism has aided them to be very innovative. Their founder managers, few equipped with professional experience(s) and few exposed to family owned (professional) business have shaped a niche in themselves. But it still needs to be researched as to how these small enterprises are paving their route to success and if it could be replicated. The objective of this study was to explore the entrepreneur's background in the innovative enterprise and its characteristics along with the nature of innovation that is predominant in Indian SME's and to investigate various factors including entrepreneurial recognition & Orientation that act as endowments to innovation(s). The identified Innovative enterprises have been classified as Chimp type (Start-ups = 5 and =15 years) enterprise. Such characteristics an enterprise would possess during its cycle, hunting for existence (survival) and business (hunting), similar to a Chimp, Hyena and a Lion. With this research, it became very important to appreciate as to how the different innovative enterprises were able to discover their position in the market place and what description truly displayed their performance. Most of these Innovative firms had some universal factors to their success, irrespective of their years of existence and that has been apparently conceivable by 'gardening the culture to innovation'.

Management of Information System in Indian SMEs: an exploratory study

To improve overall business performance and the more and more use of Information Technology (IT) have forced Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to design and deploy effective strategy for management of Information system (IS) function and follow proper IS-related practices. SMEs with limited resources may be able to deploy IS for their normal operations, but may not be able to manage the IS functions or follow IS practices properly. This study aims to identify critical issues that would contribute to effective performance of the IS management in Indian SMEs sector. On the basis of the four case studies from diverse SMEs from three different states of western India, this paper presents the four important issues in IS management – IS strategy, competitive priorities, benefits observed/perceived by effective management of IS function and barriers observed in implementing IS management practices. On the basis of the analysis of the case studies, several propositions as recommendations such as the role of top management, use of IT tools, investment in IT, supply chain linkages and work culture for an effective IS management in Indian SMEs have been discussed.