Small Scale Enterprises Research Articles

The factors that influence the growth and performance of micro and small-scale enterprises in Dessie Town administration

IntroductionThe growth or performance of Micro and Small-Scale Enterprises (MSSEs) is widely recognized for their important contributions to economic developments in developing countries. Small and Medium-sized businesses (MMEs) in most developing nations encounter obstacles throughout and after the start-up process. This research aims to explore the determinants of the growth of MSSEs with a special emphasis on five work sectors: manufacturing, trade, construction, service, and urban agriculture in Dessie Town, Ethiopia.MethodsThe primary data was collected using a self-questionnaire from a sample of 218 managers/owners of MSE operators. Both descriptive and inferential analysis were used to analyze the collected data. Descriptive narrations were used to analyze qualitative data as a concurrent triangulation strategy. The sample respondents were selected using a stratified random sampling method based on the type of business sector. This practical study provoked nine major issues affecting the growth of MSSEs in town: political & legal factors, including bureaucratic bottlenecks system, the COVID-19 pandemic, working premises, market-related issues, road infrastructures, management system, technology-related factors, and entrepreneurial-related factors. The results show that linear and positive substantial to strong significant relationships or associations exist between some independent variables and the growth of MSSEs. Among the expected nine determinants of MSSEs' growth and performance, only political & legal-related, management-related, market-related, technology-related, infrastructure-related, entrepreneur-related factors, and COVID-19 pandemic were statistically significant. Besides, the nominated factors explained the total variations in the MSSEs' growth and performance at a 5% significance level. Realizing this conclusion, the government and non-government bodies and operators of MSSEs should give attention to management, marketing, technology infrastructure, and entrepreneur-related factors.

Bookkeeping practices and SME performance: The intervening role of owners’ accounting skills

Aside from statutory requirements, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) hardly take into consideration reliable accounting systems. Therefore, poor and ineffective bookkeeping has contributed to the collapse of some SMEs. This paper examines the intervening role of owners' accounting skills in the relationship between bookkeeping practices and the performance of SMEs in the Ho Municipal Assembly of Ghana using a sample of 296 SMEs. In a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework, the Smart Partial Least Squares (Smart-PLS) software is employed to analyse the relationships between owners' accounting skills, bookkeeping practices, and the performance of SMEs. We find that bookkeeping practices and owners' accounting skills have significant positive effects on the performance of SMEs. Most importantly, we show the existence of a significant indirect relationship between bookkeeping practices and SME performance such that owners' accounting skills positively intervenes the relationship between bookkeeping practices and SME performance. Thus, in the presence of higher owners’ accounting skills, the relationship between bookkeeping and the performance of SMEs is strengthened further. In a typical emerging economy context, while appropriate regulatory bodies, such as the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), in the Ghanaian context, and local revenue collection authorities could put forth measures like periodic compliance audits to ensure that registered SMEs are managed by skilled personnel, fostering them to meet basic requirements for keeping records and managing their accounts to improve their performance, it is worth acknowledging that the onus lies on SME managers to recognise the relevance of good recordkeeping and account management practices to ensure sustained business performance.

A Heterogeneous Factors Influencing Adopting Online Transaction in Small Scale Industries in Bangalore

The proliferation of digital technologies and the internet has brought about a significant transformation in the way businesses operate worldwide. This study explores the heterogeneous factors influencing the adoption of online transactions in small-scale industries in Bangalore, India. Small-scale industries play a vital role in the local economy, and understanding their transition to online transactions is critical for their sustainability and growth. This research employs a mixed-method approach, combining surveys and interviews, to collect data from a diverse sample of small-scale industry owners and managers across Bangalore. The study aims to identify and categorize the various factors that affect the adoption of online transactions in this context. The findings suggest a complex interplay of factors, reflecting the diverse nature of small-scale industries. Economic, technological, social, and organizational factors emerged as primary determinants influencing the adoption of online transactions. Economic factors include cost-effectiveness, financial incentives, and profitability, while technological factors encompass infrastructure, digital literacy, and the availability of user-friendly platforms. Social factors revolve around customer demand, peer influence, and the local market dynamics, while organizational factors pertain to the firm’s size, structure, and adaptability. Additionally, the study reveals that government policies, regulations, and industry-specific associations have a significant impact on the decision to adopt online transactions in small-scale industries. External factors, such as competition, industry trends, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have also played a role in accelerating this transition. Understanding these heterogeneous factors and their interactions is crucial for policymakers, industry associations, and businesses in creating tailored strategies to promote online transaction adoption. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of these factors, small-scale industries can overcome barriers and leverage opportunities to transition into a digitally empowered future. In conclusion, this research sheds light on the complex landscape of online transaction adoption among small-scale industries in Bangalore, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities these businesses face. It underscores the need for a holistic approach to support their journey towards a digital future, enhancing their competitiveness and contributing to the growth of the local economy.

Contract Labor

ABSTRACT:- Contract labor means an employment in which a person is hired by a contractor to perform particular work for a particular period of time. Contract laborer is a person who works for the main employer through a contractor while the business is in operation rather than being employed directly by the principal employer. Contract workers are among the economically less fortunate in society. Contract labor has its origin in small scale industries which couldn't undertake the production process by themselves. Thus, small scale industries started to hire contract laborers. In India contract laborers are mainly indulged in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction etc. Contract laborers face more difficulties in the workplace than regular laborers as they have minimal bargaining power and social Security. Contract laborers are usually engaged in hazardous industries where they are provided with lesser facilities and securities. Though they perform skilled jobs the same as the regular workers, they do not enjoy equal wages. During the pandemic, a large number of contract workers experienced job loss, extreme poverty, and food insecurity. This article focuses on the hardships faced by these laborers and The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition)Act,1970, is the legislation enacted for the regulation and welfare of contract laborers.

Prevalence of Work-Related Injuries and Associated Factors among Small-Scale Industry Workers in Woodworking Enterprises in the Kirkos Sub-City of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023

Prevalence of Work-Related Injuries and Associated Factors among Small-Scale Industry Workers in Woodworking Enterprises in the Kirkos Sub-City of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023

Experimental and numerical characterization of hydrogen combustion in a reverse-flow micro gas turbine combustor

This study conducts experimental and numerical investigations on a stagnation-point, reverse-flow combustor to examine the effect of its design features on the combustion behavior and emission characteristics of non-premixed, turbulent hydrogen/air flames. The study covers a wide range of equivalence ratios, from ultra-lean to stoichiometric, and thermal power inputs varying between 5 kW and 20 kW. The main motivation behind this design is to achieve passive recirculation of flue gas within the combustor to enhance dilution of the incoming charge, thus potentially leading to relatively uniform thermal fields, lower temperatures, and suppressed NOx emissions. This design concept is implemented in a micro gas turbine – a practical energy conversion device tapped to play a major role in decarbonizing CHP systems suitable for small-scale industries. Optical chemiluminescence measurements, in addition to thermocouple-based temperature and Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) spectroscopy-based exhaust emissions measurements, were conducted for all the test cases. Spatial OH* signal intensity is used as heat release signature to identify distinct features of the test flames, allowing for useful information on the nature and dynamics of the combustion process within the combustor. The results show stable hydrogen/air flames for all the operating conditions; however, a more distributed combustion is observed at higher powers for all the given equivalence ratios. Relatively higher NOx emissions at φ >0.2 suggest the lower achieved mixing between burnt and fresh gases, particularly in the non-preheated case, prevent a thorough dilution of the fresh mixture. The latter is necessary to achieve low-temperature, uniform thermal fields – an essential for low thermal NOx emissions in gas turbine combustors. Further, CFD results show that preheating considerably changes flow field dynamics and recirculation pattern for better mixing; however, this also dramatically increases thermal NOx emission, with the lowest levels observed at φ = 0.2, while the peak occurs at φ = 0.4. Finally, a ‘brute-force’ sensitivity analysis shows that thermal NO and NNH pathways contribute the most to NO formation in hydrogen/air flames.

Smart Gram Panchayat Make Employment Opportunities in Rural Areas

In this article, we have focused on giving employment opportunities to the people of rural areas. Villages are slowly becoming empty and youth are migrating to the city for better jobs. By providing employment opportunities to the people through a Smart Gram Panchayat, we can provide them with all facilities along with jobs in their village by increasing Entrepreneurs in farming, manufacturing devices, and small-scale industry. Because Panchayat has the biggest role in the village. Due to this, the economy of the village will also increase and there will be a change in the living standard.

Identifying the Customer Complaints for Heavy Duty Transformers Made by Small Scale Industries and Resolve the Problems Using Six Sigma DMAIC Method

Identifying the Customer Complaints for Heavy Duty Transformers Made by Small Scale Industries and Resolve the Problems Using Six Sigma DMAIC Method

Overview of Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Generator for Small-Scale Industry

A magnetic generator is not like a conventional generator that is produced by the coil. Consequently, this generator used the permanent magnetic field to produce magnetic flux energy. Although, most of the permanent magnet designs produce less aggressive copper winding. This paper provides an overview of axial flux permanent magnet generators for small-scale industries. First of all, the classification and a detailed overview of permanent magnet generators are presented first. The main characteristics of the generators together with their benefits and drawbacks are highlighted. Additionally, an overview of the most recent machine developments is also presented. The design of convenient permanent magnet generators that have been used to create small-scale generator varieties is then reviewed to conclude the most suitable design among axial flux which is the sandwiched construction.

Innovation as a Mediator on the Relationship Between Competitor Orientation and SME’s Performance

The perspective of literature concerning the relationship existing between the concept of competitor orientation and performance as it relates to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) is indirect; though supported by limited empiricism, despite the literature's mention of the potential for an indirect association. This has caused a notable knowledge gap in the literature and would be addressed by this study, seeking its significance in mediating the relationship. In order to do this, the study developed two assumptions, in which SMEs in Kaduna state were sampled for the study. Respondents to the data questionnaire are owners and managers of SMEs sampled with proportionate stratified and systematic selection technique. For the final analysis, 424 questionnaires were analysed using the statistical program SmartPls. Competition orientation was identified as a significant and positive predictor of SMEs' performance based on empirical data. Additionally, innovation is important in mediating between firm performance and competitor orientation. Thus; based on the findings of this study; managers and SMEs' owners should make sure that their staff members constantly exchange competition information with one another. Employees that receive competition information are better able to stay informed about developments and trends in the sector, which helps with strategic decision-making.

MODELLING AND FABRICATION OF POWER HAMMER MACHINE

In the industrial and metallurgical sectors, there is a significant amount of activity, with numerous tasks requiring timely completion to optimize company profits. Technological advancements have led to increased market demands for various product components. To address this need, there is been a development of a cost-effective, compact, and user-friendly power hammer machine aimed at easing the forging operations of blacksmiths. This innovative machine targets small-scale industries or workshops seeking more efficient forging solutions that demand less force compared to existing hammer machines. It specifically aids in producing intricate small-scale components. The current project revolves around the modelling, design, and fabrication of this power hammer machine. AutoCAD was utilized for modelling, and design calculations harnessed kinetic principles to determine critical parameters such as motor capacity, hammer impact velocity, torque, kinetic energy, and sudden impact strokes. KEYWORDS: Bearings, Motor, Pullies, Hammer, Anvil, Disc, Spring and Transvers switch.

A Study on Challenges of Small-Scale Industries in India

A form of art that demonstrates skills of artisans in the form of metal and pottery can be termed as ‘craftwork’. Also referred to as crafts, it could also include work that can be done on flower, paper, leather, fiber to name a few. In a developing country like India, this finds its presence as a Small Sector Industry (SSI herewith). In the last seven and a half decades of independence, this sector has seen its share of ups and downs and managed to weather many challenges. Two most challenging areas has always been the rise in population and consequently unemployment. The purpose of this article is to provide readers with a better understanding of the SSI industry by outlining its features, difficulties, and possibilities for development and improvement. We believe that stakeholders, legislators, and entrepreneurs will find our work useful in their pursuit of launching and growing successful businesses in the modern day.

The Role of Knowledge Management Orientation in Driving the Performance of MSMEs

The evaluation of a company's performance is a critical aspect when assessing the alignment of business activities with established plans. Regular performance measurement is vital for small-scale enterprises like Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Internal challenges encountered by MSMEs, such as ineffective knowledge and information management, along with misunderstandings about the market, impede these businesses from enhancing their performance. In this context, possessing an orientation towards knowledge management and market awareness is crucial for propelling company performance. This study aims to investigate the impact of knowledge management orientation and market awareness on improving the performance of MSMEs, addressing existing research gaps and the challenges faced by these enterprises. Both knowledge management orientation and market awareness are considered influential factors for boosting MSME performance. Employing a quantitative approach with purposive sampling for data collection, the research successfully compiled data from 112 MSME practitioners in Malang, utilizing 100 datasets for analysis. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via the SmartPLS 3.0 software was employed for data analysis. The study's findings support previous research, affirming the significance of both knowledge management orientation and market orientation in driving improvements in MSME performance. Effectively managing and processing knowledge can serve as a long-term intangible asset for attaining competitiveness in the business landscape.

Analyst coverage and corporate financing

This paper selects the data of listed companies from 2012 to 2021 as the research sample to explore the relationship between analyst coverage and corporate financing decisions. It is found that the higher the analyst coverage, the more enterprises tend to engage in debt financing. The role of analyst coverage on corporate financing methods is more evident in non-state-owned and small-scale enterprises.

Investigation on thermochemical co-gasification of rice husk and groundnut shell in open core gasifier for the generation of producer gas: An optimization by central composite design

Several energy-related strategies and scenarios have been suggested to address concerns about rising global temperatures. In addition to using renewable energy, the improvement in energy efficiency of conventional systems is also in focus. Policies are already in place in many countries, including India, to address the energy needs of rural and small-scale enterprises by gasifying locally available, diverse agricultural leftovers. Although rice husk and groundnut shell are two commonly used agricultural leftovers in the southern part of India, their appropriate blending must be studied to improve their conversion efficiency in co-gasification. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to construct a statistical model utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) to analyze the thermochemical co-gasification of the aforementioned biomass materials. Since RSM can predict optimum performance with limited experimental data, this could contribute to the identification of the performance and operating parameters of an open-core gasifier. The model predicts that the mixture containing 20% rice husk and working at an ER of 0.25 and a reduction zone inlet temperature of 879.9 °C will be CO-23.53%, H2-13.97%, and CH4-3.56%. In addition, the lower heating value and gas yield can be as high as 6.17 MJ/Nm3 and 2.369 m3/kg, respectively. This outcome can contribute to the effective utilization of biomass for energy supply in rural areas. However, the economic parameters must be analyzed to implement the same in any region.

Financial Management Capabilities and Demographic Characteristics on Sustainable Sales Growth of Selected Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria

This study measured the relationship between of financial management capabilities and sustainable sales growth of selected small and medium enterprises using demographic characteristics as a mediating variable. Explanatory survey was used as a research design. The population of the study was 2465 registered Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Small and Medium Development Agency of Nigeria (Ogun State Chapter). The determined sample size of study was 288 copies of questionnaire validly retrieved from owners and managers of MSMEs and used for the analysis. Both descriptive and correlation analyses were employed for the test of the hypothesis through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software 22. The study revealed that MSMEs that are supposed to contribute to Gross Domestic Products of the state are collapsing due to lack of useful financial management capabilities (financial planning, financial forecasting, financial budgeting, & financial auditing and controlling) because of their business size and nature. The study concluded that MSMEs in food, agro-allied and services need to establish strong financial management capabilities to enhance their relevance, survival and growth in Ogun State. The study recommended that policy makers in Nigeria should embark on policy implementation that provides better and easier financial succour and empower MSME owners and managers to reduce the collapse of MSMEs in Ogun State.

Prevalence and determinants of occupational injuries among small-scale industry workers in sub-saharan Africa. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Occupational injuries are manifestations of diseases because of different exposure in the workplace like Small-Scale cement factories, tanneries, textile and/or street sweeping, and woodworkers all of which affect the health condition and productivity. In sub-Saharan Africa, several primary studies were conducted regarding the magnitude of occupational injuries with a prevalence of 68.89% in street sweepers and determinant factors with inconsistent results. This meta-analysis aimed to the pooled prevalence of occupational injuries and their associated factors in Sub-Saharan Africa among workers working in small-Scale industries. PubMed, African Journals Online, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Direct Google were systematically searched to identify primary studies. Three authors performed data abstraction and quality assessment for each included study independently. Cochran’s Q-statistic and I-squared statistics were used to check heterogeneity. The random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of occupational injuries. Publication bias was checked by funnel plot and Egger’s test, and also sensitivity analyses were performed. 20 primary studies with 7,235 study participants were included in the Systematic review and meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of occupational injuries among Small-Scale industry workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The pooled prevalence of overall occupational injuries among Small-scale industry workers in Sub-Saharan Africa was 53.23% (95% CI= 44.71, 61.74). Training, Sleeping disturbance, and Educational level were significantly associated with occupational injuries. In this review, the pooled prevalence of occupational injuries was high. The findings of this study dictate the need for the implementation of workplace safety measures. Special attention is required for employees with lower educational levels and training.

Determinants of Capital Structure Decision of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Entreprises (MSMES) in Selected South Western States, Nigeria

This research investigated the firm characteristics and owner-manager characteristics that affect capital structure decisions of Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria using a sample size of 120, drawn from MSMEs in Ondo and Osun states, combining the simple random sampling technique with the cluster sampling technique. This study employed primary data by administering questionnaires to MSME owners and managers. The descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis was used to analyse data. The results showed that size of firms using capital investments had a significant positive impact on capital structure decisions, while size of firms using number of employees had a positive but insignificant effect on capital structure decisions. In the same vein, firm age showed an insignificant positive effect on capital structure choices of MSMEs in Nigeria. Owner-Manager gender, age and education revealed an insignificant negative effect on capital structure decisions of MSMEs in Nigeria. Consider. This study therefore recommends that MSMEs should from time to time expand the scope of their activities as they grow in order to easily access external finance when the need arises. In the same vein, external finance such as debt can be explored by both the male and female gender when there is a need for it, after carefully considering the risks and benefits.

Pockmark reservoir, a new carbonate reservoir type from the Madura Sub-Basin, Indonesia

The Mid-Pliocene grainstones (MPG) constitute the first type of reservoir to produce oil in Indonesia. So far, most of the MPG wells have been abandoned due to the small scale reservoiring but industry still has expectations for this today. However, its formation mechanism and distribution are still debated. Using seismic data interpretation, the J110 Sequence of the Early Pliocene is widely developed throughout the East Java Island, the Madura Sub-Basin, the Madura Island and the southern volcanic arc area in a bathyal environment as a highly condensed layer during the “biogenic bloom” period, from ∼ 7.8–3.5 Ma. There was a big environment change due to the ∼ 3.5 Ma tectonic compression event. Diapirism caused by the compression event eventually led to formation of pockmarks (or mud volcano craters) developed along the crest of anticlines from onshore East Java east-ward to the offshore Mudura Sub-Basin. Globigerina tests accumulated in the pockmark by cold seepage winnowing mechanism finally as high-quality petroleum reservoirs.

Web-Based Coffee Inventory Application

This study aims to gain insights into the inventory requirements of a coffee shop, develop and deploy a web-based application to enhance inventory management efficiency and assess the effects of this implementation on the coffee shop's operational processes. The methodology employed encompasses a blend of qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collecting, encompassing interviews, observations, and system testing. These methods are utilized to develop a comprehensive comprehension of the current inventory system and evaluate the efficacy of the recently built web application. The findings indicate that implementing the application resulted in a substantial enhancement in inventory management. This condition was achieved through the provision of real-time inventory tracking, a reduction in errors associated with manual recording, and an overall improvement in operational efficiency. The coffee shop workers responded positively to the product, highlighting its user-friendly nature and time-saving capabilities. Nevertheless, the study posits that forthcoming research should contemplate integrating elements such as predictive analytics to enhance stock management capabilities and develop a mobile iteration to augment flexibility and user-friendliness. This study provides additional evidence to reinforce the importance of implementing digital transformations in small-scale enterprises to address prevalent operational obstacles.