Small Players Research Articles

A ‘Hidden Champion’ in Hong Kong’s banking sector: the case of Hang Seng Bank

ABSTRACT The study advances research by Simon, examining to what extent certain ‘Hidden Champion’ characteristics could be useful for explaining how a relatively small player can compete in a crowded Hong Kong banking sector. A case is presented based on secondary data and a series of in-depth interviews. The study reveals the bank shares many of the core values of ‘hidden champions’, including active leadership and the role the founders play in the bank’s capacity as a relatively small player to compete. Its ability to carve out a niche in this market and provide added value allows the bank to succeed.

Portfolio effects in green hydrogen production under temporal matching requirements

This article investigates temporal matching requirements between electrolytic hydrogen production and dedicated renewable electricity generation for hydrogen to qualify as “green”. In contrast to previous studies which found that a more granular matching increases production costs, we study cost advantages for hourly matching through technological and spatial diversification. To this end, we develop and apply a linear cost-optimization model to quantify the resulting portfolio effects. We identify two types of portfolio effects, “technological” and “locational” ones, and quantify these for different portfolio sizes and types of power generation technologies. Portfolio effects in Germany turn out to be in the range of 3–8% when aggregating two locations, and up to 21% for a nation-wide portfolio. Finally, the implications of our findings in terms of discrimination against small players and for the modeling of temporal matching requirements are discussed.

Elite women's soccer match demand can be described using complexity-based analyses and multifractals

The present study aimed to investigate the variability of the displacements in elite women soccer players during official matches according to the position of the players and to the match progression using non-linear analyses (entropy and multifractal spectrum).Sixty-three velocity profiles from global positioning devices of elite professional women soccer players were analyzed. The mean, coefficient of variation, and maximum velocity were calculated during the match using four equal segments. Sample entropy and seven parameters derived from the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis were also calculated. The players were split into five field playing positions: forwards (FW), offensive midfielders (OM), defensive midfielders (DM), central defenders (CD), and lateral defenders (LD).No significant playing position × period interaction was found for the different parameters analyzed. However, most parameters showed a significant main effect for playing position (p < .01) and period (p < .01). Compared to the other players, FW and OM have the lowest entropy. All players showed a dominance of small velocity fluctuations but FW players showed the widest multifractal spectrum primarily. In contrast, CD had a narrow spectrum and reduced amount of small fluctuations. As the game progressed, mean velocity and entropy significantly decreased. In contrast, the multifractal peak value significantly alongside with changes in asymmetry.From the present results, velocity profiles during elite women's soccer games depicted multifractal features sensitive to player position and match segment, which can help to understand the dynamics and variability of players' responses during a match.

Correlated Equilibria in Large Anonymous Bayesian Games

We consider multipopulation Bayesian games with a large number of players. Each player aims at minimizing a cost function that depends on this player’s own action, the distribution of players’ actions in all populations, and an unknown state parameter. We study the nonatomic limit versions of these games and introduce the concept of Bayes correlated Wardrop equilibrium, which extends the concept of Bayes correlated equilibrium to nonatomic games. We prove that Bayes correlated Wardrop equilibria are limits of action flows induced by Bayes correlated equilibria of the game with a large finite set of small players. For nonatomic games with complete information admitting a convex potential, we prove that the set of correlated and of coarse correlated Wardrop equilibria coincide with the set of probability distributions over Wardrop equilibria and that all equilibrium outcomes have the same costs. We get the following consequences. First, all flow distributions of (coarse) correlated equilibria in convex potential games with finitely many players converge to mixtures of Wardrop equilibria when the weight of each player tends to zero. Second, for any sequence of flows satisfying a no-regret property, its empirical distribution converges to the set of distributions over Wardrop equilibria, and the average cost converges to the unique Wardrop cost. Funding: This work was partially supported by European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action 16228 GAMENET. F. Koessler acknowledges the support of the Agence Nationale de la Recherche [Grant StratCom ANR-19-CE26-0010-01]. M. Scarsini acknowledges the support of the Gruppo Nazionale per l’Analisi Matematica, la Probabilità e le loro Applicazioni project [Grant CUP_E53C22001930001], the Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale [Grant 2022EKNE5K], and the European Union-Next Generation EU, component M4C2, investment 1.1 (Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza) [Grant P2022XT8C8]. T. Tomala gratefully acknowledges the support of the HEC foundation and Agence Nationale de la Recherche/Investissements d’Avenir [Grant ANR-11-IDEX-0003/Labex Ecodec/ANR-11-LABX-0047].

Social network analysis of a decade-long collaborative innovation network between hospitals and the biomedical industry in China.

Collaborative innovation between hospitals and biomedical enterprises is crucial for ensuring breakthroughs in their development. This study explores the structural characteristics and examines the main roles of associated key actors of collaborative innovation between hospitals and biomedical enterprises in China. Using the jointly owned patent data within the country's healthcare industry, a decade-long collaborative innovation network between hospitals and biomedical enterprises in China was established and analyzed through social network analysis. The results revealed that the overall levels of collaborative innovation network density, collaborative frequency, and network connectivity were significantly low, especially in less-developed regions. In terms of actors with higher degree centrality, hospitals accounted for the majority, whereas a biomedical enterprise in Shenzhen had the highest degree centrality. Organizations in underdeveloped and northwest regions and small players were more likely to implement collaborative innovation. In conclusion, a collaborative innovation network between hospitals and biomedical enterprises in China demonstrated high dispersion and poor development levels. Stimulating organizations' initiatives for collaborative innovation may enhance quality and quantity of such innovation. Policy support and economic investments, strategic collaborative help, and resource and partnership optimization, especially for small players and in less-developed and northwest regions, should be encouraged to enhance collaborative innovation between hospitals and the biomedical industry in China and other similar countries or regions.

Penerapan Financial Technology (Fintech) pada UMKM Binaan Bank NTT di Sabu Raijua

In today's modern era, humans have a life with all activities that can never be separated from technological developments. One of the technological developments that is currently popular in Indonesia is Financial Technology. Financial Technology (FINTECH) is the latest innovation in the financial service system which is touched by modern technology which can make it easier for Small and Medium Enterprises).to run their businesses with the help of Fintech. The aim of this research is to determine the application of Fintech to Small and Medium Enterprises assisted by Bank NTT in Sabu Raijua and to determine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing Fintech in Small and Medium Enterprises assisted by Bank NTT in Sabu Raijua. This research uses a qualitative research method, which is a research method carried out by means of in-depth interviews in the field, using a phenomenological approach. The data source in this research is primary data obtained directly from Small and Medium Enterprises actors in Sabu Raijua, while secondary data is in the form of interviews, observations and documentation. The research results show that the application of Financial Technology (Fintech) in Small and Medium Enterprises assisted by Bank NTT in Sabu Raijua is experiencing positive developments in line with technological advances and changes in user behavior, ease of access, and transaction security are getting better. However, in its implementation there are several obstacles, namely weak internet connections, elderly Small and Medium Enterprises players find it difficult to understand how to use Financial Technology.

Efektivitas Akuntansi Digital Ditinjau Dari Digital Literacy, Relative Advantage, Competitive Preasure, dan Compability

This research aims to measure the extent of the influence of digital literacy, relative advantage, competitive pressure, and compatibility on the effectiveness of digital accounting utilization for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Telaga Biru District using the Technology Organization Environment (TOE) method. The data analysis method used in this research is regression analysis with the assistance of SPSS version 24 software. The results of this research indicate that, partially, digital literacy, relative advantage, competitive pressure, and compatibility have a positive and significant influence on the effectiveness of digital accounting utilization for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) players in Telaga Biru District. Simultaneously, digital literacy, relative advantage, competitive pressure, and compatibility have an influence on the effectiveness of digital accounting utilization for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) players in Telaga Biru District.

THE IMPACT OF E-COMMERCE IMPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MICRO AND SMALL INDUSTRIES IN INDONESIA

The micro and small industries play an important role in the growth of the national economy, as evidenced by the increasing number of micro and small business units every year and their contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the COVID-19 pandemic has decreased revenue for micro and small industry players, forcing them to make efficiency measures in their business. To overcome this difficult situation, implementing e-commerce in micro and small industries is considered an important marketing strategy to maintain business continuity. In fact, only a few micro and small business actors apply e-commerce. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the implementation of e-commerce in micro and small industries, as well as the impact of e-commerce implementation on the performance of micro and small businesses in Indonesia. The data used in this study were secondary data from the 2019 survey of micro and small industries conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), and the respondents were categorized into two groups: micro and small industries (SMI) that implement e-commerce and those that do not. The data was analyzed using propensity score matching. The study results showed that the implementation of e-commerce has a positive and significant impact on the performance of micro and small industries, namely an increase in employees, revenue, and business profit.

Cost-Effective digital twin Design for entertainment Enterprise’s through Machine learning

The backbone of the Indian economy, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) players provide rural residents with steady income and long-term employment possibilities. Due to antiquated machinery, ineffective procedures, outdated manufacturing and business methods, and a severe lack of funds to cover their capital and operating costs, Indian MSME operators are finding it difficult to thrive in the cutthroat market of today. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) mistakenly believe that the industry 4.0 ecosystem, which encompasses numerous developing technologies, is exclusively intended for larger corporations. However, SMEs can effectively leverage these technologies to tackle their operational difficulties. This research study offers a unique, purpose-built Industry 4.0 solution to help MSME participants in the Software as a Service (SaaS) model save maintenance costs. With just monthly operating costs, this system provides a scalable and incredibly economical approach that does not require any capital expenditures. This solution includes emerging technologies such as IoT, cloud, analytics, and mobile applications. This solution has been implemented in three MSME businesses from Chennai, India and achieved 84% decrease in maintenance cost.

TRADEMARK REGISTRATION: FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF SMALL AND MEDIUM INDUSTRIES IN NORTH ACEH REGENCY

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to examine the constraints of trademark registration in North Aceh Regency and how the influence of the brand on consumer interest. Theoretical reference framework: Trademark is an identifier for a product, goods, or services that has specific value or characteristics protected by law and may not be imitated by others. Legal protection for a product's trademark is granted after the trademark registration process, as emphasized in Article 3 of Law Number 20 of 2016 concerning Trademarks and Geographical Indications, stating that the rights to a trademark are obtained after it is registered. Method: This research is an empirical legal study using primary and secondary data sources. Primary data is obtained through interview techniques, while secondary data is gathered through literature review. The data is then analyzed to draw conclusions. Result and Conclusion: The research findings indicate that the registration of trademarks for small and medium-sized industries in North Aceh Regency is still low. Consequently, small and medium-sized industries in North Aceh Regency lack legal protection and are vulnerable to product counterfeiting, leading to a lack of promotional opportunities. Research implication: This research has an impact on trademark registration services and the understanding of small and medium-sized industry players in trademark registration in North Aceh Regency. Originalitas/value: This research is a new endeavor in analyzing trademark registration models that can be utilized to strengthen small and medium-sized industries in North Aceh Regency. There has been no prior research related to trademark registration in North Aceh Regency.

Innovations in Neurostimulation.

While The Big medical device makers may have a deep-pockets advantage in the neurostimulation space, many smaller players are innovating their way to advances that offer tantalizing hope for changing patients' lives.

Adapting to change: Empowering MSMEs in Tasik Said Naum Market through digital marketing strategies

Another effect of the pandemic is a shift in people's shopping habits over time. Nowadays, people prefer to shop online due to its practicality and often lower prices. This trend has led to complaints from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) players at Tasik Tanah Abang Market, citing continuous declines in sales. Increasing sales and income requires knowledge and understanding that align with the needs and challenges faced by traders at Tasik Said Na'um Market. The goal is to equip traders to compete in the digital market post-pandemic. The implementation of these community service activities includes Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and education on basic marketing concepts. The results of the activities undertaken include an improved understanding of problems and potential solutions for traders, along with increased knowledge about digital marketing. The required digital marketing skills include sales assistance through live selling, providing traders with a better understanding of how to utilize live selling platforms effectively to market their products.

REFLEKSIVITAS PELAKU INDUSTRI KECIL PEMPEK PADA MASA PANDEMI DI KECAMATAN SEBERANG ULU SATU KOTA PALEMBANG

This research examines small pempek industry players who are increasingly reflexive in anticipating risks during a pandemic, to be precise in the location of Seberang Ulu Satu District, Palembang City. The method used is descriptive qualitative using a case study strategy. There were seven informants in this study, consisting of key, main and supporting informants. Based on the results of this study, it can be shown that the pandemic has caused social anxiety and brought risks of economic loss to small pempek industry players. Various risk threats such as reduced buyers, decreased income, reduced workforce, increased raw material prices and marketing delays. This risk vulnerability phase requires the awareness of small pempek industry players to be more reflexive, to make changes in adaptive behavior to anticipate risk threats, namely through diversification. Diversification is an action or behavior effort to minimize risks due to a pandemic. This reflexivity is carried out based on the capabilities and experience of each industry player, so that pandemic events or situations that are out of control, which can disrupt the economy of small pempek industry players can be anticipated by reducing the amount of production, selling prices adjusted to the market, looking for materials cheaper raw materials, looking for additional income, online promotion, and even closing a business. All of these changes in behavior are a form of reflexivity for small pempek industry players to survive to be able to adapt and be individually responsible for anticipating risk threats during a pandemic so that financial prosperity is achieved in meeting the needs of daily life

Persistence in a dynamic moral hazard game

This paper explores how the persistence of past choices creates incentives in a continuous time stochastic game involving a large player (e.g., a firm) and a sequence of small players (e.g., customers). The large player faces moral hazard and her actions are distorted by a Brownian motion. Persistence refers to how actions impact a payoff‐relevant state variable (e.g., product quality depends on past investment). I characterize actions and payoffs in Markov perfect equilibria (MPE) for a fixed discount rate, show that the perfect public equilibrium (PPE) payoff set is the convex hull of the MPE payoff set, and derive sufficient conditions for a MPE to be the unique PPE. Persistence can serve as an effective channel for intertemporal incentives in a setting where traditional channels fail. Applications to persistent product quality and policy targeting demonstrate the impact of persistence on equilibrium behavior.

Law and the political economy of AI production

Abstract The governance of artificial intelligence (AI) is at a historical juncture. Legislative acts, global treaties, export controls, and technical standards are now dominating the discourse over what used to be a predominantly market-driven space. Amidst all this frenzy, this paper explains why none of these projects will achieve ‘alignment’ of AI with the prospect of a sustainable model of production authentically committed to the rights and freedoms of people and communities. By reflecting on the role of law in consolidating the visions and logics of few multinationals in the global value chains of AI, it warns against the peril of regulating AI without looking at the methods and logistics of its material production. Following a detailed overview of the various (techno-)legal ways through which law enables the flow of materials, capital, and power from Global South to Global North, and from small players to lead firms, the paper concludes with some preliminary thoughts on a transformative agenda for the transnational regulation of infocomputational production.

Pentahelix Synergy in Halal Certification of Micro and Small Business Products at the Purwosari MSME Center (SEKAR)

This research aims to determine and analyze Pentahelix's synergy in implementing halal product certification for Micro, Small Enterprises (UMK) at the Purwosari UMKM Center (SEKAR). The increasingly urgent need for halal products in the global market makes halal certification an important aspect for the competitiveness of MSEs. Through a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, this research will investigate the interactions and roles of each Pentahelix pillar—government, micro and small industry players, academics, the SME community, and mass media—in supporting the implementation of halal certification for MSE products in the SEKAR community. The results of this research can provide in-depth insight into the contribution of each pillar and develop policy recommendations to strengthen the halal certification ecosystem for MSE products in the Purwosari MSME center. This research contributes to the literature on Pentahelix synergy and the implementation of halal certification at the Micro and Small Business level in Indonesia.

Genetic characterization of domestic pigs in the core zone of swine production of Argentina.

Argentina is a small player in the global pork market, contributing only 0.7% of the total production. With increasing global demand for meat, there is an opportunity for countries with an agricultural profile to grow their pork production. However, there is a need to understand the current state of the pork production sector in all aspects to inform decision-making. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize pig herds from different production strata in the primary region for pork production in the country. For this purpose, phylogenetic and genetic variability analyses were performed using the mitochondrial control region marker (n=95 pig samples). Moreover, genotyping of ryr1 and PRKAG3 genes (n=108 pig samples) were performed to evaluate the frequency of deleterious alleles for meat quality traits in the region. The results showed high levels of genetic variability in the pig herds (Hd= 0.840 ± 0.031 and π= 0.010 ± 0.001), with a creole sow and Iberian lineage standing out in the phylogeny. The genotyping of the ryr1 marker revealed the presence of the deleterious t allele in all analyzed strata. However, the RN-allele of the PRKAG3 gene was detected only in the two lower strata. This study represents the first analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among domestic pigs from Argentina and provides an initial assessment of genetic variability in the region. Additionally, the results present, for the first time, the frequency of deleterious alleles for pig production in the productive core area, demonstrating their prevalence.

Elevating Empowerment: A Holistic Digital Learning Strategy for Women in Aceh Tamiang After the Pandemic

Digital learning is an educational strategy that utilises technology to facilitate learning. In the realm of entrepreneurship, proficiency in digital skills is crucial for enhancing sales performance. Women's involvement in entrepreneurship, aiming to bolster the family's financial situation, has a positive influence on enhancing education. A family's economic well-being significantly impacts the educational opportunities available to the children within that family. This study sought to examine the empowerment method required by female-dominated small business players in Aceh Tamiang, both during and after the pandemic. The study used convenience sampling, gathering data through interviews, observations, and documentation. The acquired data underwent analysis through credibility testing, member checks, dependability assessment, conformability evaluation, and transferability examination. The findings indicated that achieving the empowerment of housewives/women as small business participants in Aceh Tamiang necessitates optimal collaboration among the government, private sector, and the community. This empowerment initiative specifically addresses the challenges faced by individuals during the epidemic, including the transition to digital methods of production and marketing.

What you see is what you get? Building confidence in ESG disclosures for sustainable finance through external assurance

AbstractThe main objective of this study is to understand the value of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure assurance in the context of the development of sustainable finance standards and laws. This study is based on an analysis of 188 comment letters submitted by such actors in the context of public consultations on the development of three new sustainable finance initiatives (the CFA Institute, the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, and the New Zealand parliament). The study shows these actors' nuanced and often quite critical perceptions of the effectiveness of external assurance in preventing greenwashing and their reservations about its mandatory nature. These actors have raised various criticisms, including concerns about the vagueness surrounding verification practices; the lack of expertise available to conduct assurance in a new, specialized, and complex field; the costs of the assurance process, particularly for small players; and the lack of control over the reliability of the ESG data used. This article contributes to several emerging trends in the literature—in particular, research on governance practices to prevent greenwashing, on the institutionalization of sustainable finance standards and laws, and on the role of rational myths in the assurance process for ESG disclosures.

MicroRNAs: Small but Key Players in Viral Infections and Immune Responses to Viral Pathogens.

Since the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) in C. elegans in 1993, the field of miRNA research has grown steeply. These single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules canonically work at the post-transcriptional phase to regulate protein expression. miRNAs are known to regulate viral infection and the ensuing host immune response. Evolving research suggests miRNAs are assets in the discovery and investigation of therapeutics and diagnostics. In this review, we succinctly summarize the latest findings in (i) mechanisms underpinning miRNA regulation of viral infection, (ii) miRNA regulation of host immune response to viral pathogens, (iii) miRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics targeting viral pathogens and challenges, and (iv) miRNA patents and the market landscape. Our findings show the differential expression of miRNA may serve as a prognostic biomarker for viral infections in regard to predicting the severity or adverse health effects associated with viral diseases. While there is huge market potential for miRNA technology, the novel approach of using miRNA mimics to enhance antiviral activity or antagonists to inhibit pro-viral miRNAs has been an ongoing research endeavor. Significant hurdles remain in terms of miRNA delivery, stability, efficacy, safety/tolerability, and specificity. Addressing these challenges may pave a path for harnessing the full potential of miRNAs in modern medicine.