Small Service Companies Research Articles

Effects of Marketing Communication of a Small Service Company on Instagram

A social media platform such as Instagram plays an important role in online marketing, enabling businesses to reach a wide audience. Academics and practitioners have long acknowledged the importance of proper marketing communication in creating long-term bonds between existing and new customers. However, the importance of promotional techniques used in the beauty industry on the Instagram platform as a tool to increase customer engagement remains under-explored, as addressed in this study. The aim of the research was to identify the promotional techniques that most increased customer engagement rates on the social media platform Instagram. The research used a case study method for a small service company operating in the beauty industry. In the analytical process, the data source was statistics describing the effects of the beauty salon’s marketing activities on the social media platform Instagram. The results of the study showed that the key element of marketing communication is sharing posts presenting the result of the work, i.e. the results of beauty treatments presented in the photos of clients, and organising competition posts that engage both existing observers and arouse the interest of new users. Sponsored posts, on the other hand, are particularly important for reaching new potential customers.

Improving the delivery performance: a case study applying statistical approaches for brasilian fast food

Purpose - Brazilian demand for a faster way of food feeding is growing and delays in delivery time impair customer satisfaction. Although food delivery apps are popular, the work aims to find the root causes of delays at a popular pizzeria in the Brazilian State of São Paulo, highlighting that the pizza manufacturing processes are the same as in past years. Design/methodology/approach - An anonymous survey conducted with the customers showed the key points of improvement for pizzerias in the city where the pizzeria was located. Data was collected from the pizzeria in question, so its non-compliances could be identified and further investigated using statistical analysis. Findings - The results showed a strong correlation between delivery time and the hour of order. Deliveries were faster on Monday compared to the other days of the week, possibly due to a reduced number of orders on this day, but it doesn’t explain the fact that Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, which also had low numbers of orders, had high delivery times. This research work intends also to show that the process of the coming order is standard by apps, but the pizza manufacturing process is not. It means the concept of service quality is not reached during a period. Originality/value - This work has shown that applying quality tools and statistical analysis can bring advantages even for small food service companies. Other establishments that suffer from similar problems could also use the strategies for solving the delays.

Structural characteristics and sustainable organizations and their perspectives

The objective was to analyze the dimensions, components of technological capacity and management technologies, as innovative perspectives of organizational sustainability. It investigated in micro, small and medium-sized companies “which technical and managerial characteristics are suitable for innovation and sustainability?" Specifically, what is the relationship between technological capabilities and management technologies allied to entrepreneurship, with organizational sustainability and sustainable development?" In the method, research in the literature and field in the universe of 1,758 micro, small and medium industrial, and 15,112 micro and small industrial and service companies, with a stratified random sample and accessibility. The analysis presented here suggests that predictable dimensions, competencies and technological capabilities, combined with appropriate management technologies, are prominent factors in evaluating innovative and sustainable organizational structures that lead to economic and social development.

Sustainable organizations: conceptions and attributes

The article has as its object of study micro, small and medium-sized industrial and service companies. The objective was to analyze the dimensions, components of technological capacity and management technologies, as innovative attributes of organizational sustainability. It investigated in micro, small and medium-sized companies “which technical and managerial attributes are suitable for innovation and organizational sustainability?”. Specifically, what is the relationship between technological capabilities and management technologies allied to entrepreneurship, with organizational sustainability and sustainable development?" In the method, research in the literature and field in the universe of 1,758 micro, small and medium industrial, and 15,112 micro and small industrial and service companies, with a stratified random sample and accessibility. In theoretical and methodological contributions, the study points to an advance for the academic community in the areas of innovation, technologies and empirical research for organizations. In social and managerial contributions, the application of technological capacity and management technologies in micro, small and medium-sized companies generate perspectives for sustainable managerial and social development. Among the main results, the literature and empirical, the analysis presented here suggests that predictable dimensions, competencies and technological capabilities, combined with appropriate management technologies, are prominent attributes in evaluating innovative and sustainable organizational structures that lead to economic and social development.

Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers

Background: In the current knowledge age, the performance of logistics firms increasingly depends on knowledge and capabilities they can leverage in value-creation processes. The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between knowledge-based human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational performance mediated by logistics capability. Methods: Data from 93 small Finnish logistics service providers was collected by a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling and partial least squares analysis were used to test the hypothesized relationships between HRM practices and the organizational performance of logistics companies, as well as the mediating impact of logistics capability. Results: The results demonstrate that logistics capability fully mediates the relationship between HRM practices and the organizational performance of small logistics companies. Each of the three knowledge-based HRM practices—knowledge-based recruitment, training and development, and motivation—significantly influences logistics capability, which is, in turn, associated with the organizational performance of companies. Conclusions: This paper is one of the few among discussing knowledge-based HRM practices in logistics service research. The paper contributes to the literature on logistics by demonstrating the value of knowledge-based HRM practices in acquiring, developing, and leveraging knowledge to create organizational capabilities and ensure organizational performance. This study provides an improved understanding of the role of HRM and the resulting logistics capability in the performance of small logistics service companies.

Continuity of operations over repeated crises. Case study of the biggest Ukrainian CRO

Pharmaxi (hereinafter CRO) is a Ukrainian group of companies providing full service in clinical trials. At the beginning of the massive military Russian invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022, it was the biggest CRO in Ukraine with 17 full-time employees and 8 contractors.Founded in 2013, it has grown up increasingly while building resilience to repeated crises in Ukraine, sustaining continuity of operations. The company evolved through political instability during the Revolution of Dignity, the subsequent beginning of the Russian occupation of Crimea, the beginning of hybrid armed conflict in the Eastern part of Ukraine in 2014, and the COVID-2019 crisis. In the sixth month of the active Russian-Ukrainian war, the company continues business operations and is ready for further development.This case study investigates the strategy and best practices for ensuring business stability through contingency, resilience, and recovery actions analysis, expert interviews with management, and the SWOT analysis of the study findings. In particular, the organisational continuity framework features financial policy, human resources management, organisational behaviour practices, internal communication, and diversification.While investigating the case of company's continuity of operations, it appeared that the company had a crosscutting orientation on stability. The core domains ensuring resilient company's activity over repeated crises were the diversification, utilization tools for financial stability, distinct human capital management and design of operations.Study's results might be relevant to small and middle-sized service companies.

Turning crises into opportunities in the service sector: how to build antifragility in small and medium service enterprises

PurposeThis work aims at investigating the variables that foster antifragility in the context of small and medium-sized service companies (service SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis work adopts an exploratory approach in order to deepen five examples of service SMEs that were able to change their own business models and to reinforce their strategic position while facing the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThe ingredients of antifragility ability include: entrepreneurial orientation, context insightfulness and operational dexterity. This article singles out the resources and capacities backing the blossoming of antifragility abilities in service SMEs. Slack financial resources, many and diverse research-and-innovation partners, operational dexterity, fastness and creativity are included among such resources and capabilities.Practical implicationsCrises may occur frequently in many ways; thus, this work provides some guidance geared to services SMEs in order to increase their level of preparedness for future crises and to nurture their ability to transform them into opportunities.Originality/valueDespite many concepts associated with antifragility have been dealt with in literature such as resilience or agility, antifragility is hitherto underexplored. This article is among the first ones to explore factors fostering antifragility in service SMEs.

Small non-essential service companies in Brazil in times of pandemic

This study aimed to investigate the consequences of the (in)existence of emergency reserve for small non-essential service business in the city of Paranaguá, PR./Brazil. The survey was submitted to the managers of companies with more than 03 (three) years in the market, taking into account 02 (two) categories of analysis: emergency financial reserve and impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic. For data analysis, Bardin content analysis technique was used. The study revealed that during the pandemic period, companies had to adapt their way of working because of the crisis. In addition, the importance of using controls and financial indicators to better manage the business and the use of the emergency financial reserve as a survival strategy was highlighted.

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.

Cost classification and decision-making: Practical approach

The application of concepts in a real-life situation is the fundamental requirement for experiential learning. The case provokes simple learning through a real-world learning activity and allow students to apply their knowledge of various cost concepts while taking decisions. The case is designed in such a way so that high level student engagement can be obtained from the initial stage of the course and can be used at an undergraduate or graduate level without calling for strong accounting background. The case could be used for classroom discussion or for individual or group assignment as well. The case contests students to think outside the business environment and apply cost concepts in a daily life for a small service company. Students’ responses indicates that the case was comprehensively designed to cover all the relevant concepts of Cost Classification and Decision Making and helped them to learn their practical daily life usage.

SELECTED FACTORS IN THE LOCATION OF SERVICE ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY SMALL ENTERPRISES

Abstract The optimal location of a company is an asset in the market game, it is particularly important in activities where direct contact with the customer is essential. A well-used location of an entity increases the chance of achieving future profits, it is an important source of competitive advantage in service activities such as tourism, gastronomy or cosmetics. This study aimed to assess the most important factors that affect the location of small service enterprises operating in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship. The survey was conducted by the standardised interview method with a survey questionnaire and an in-depth interview. The research findings have shown that the ranking of location factors changes due to their importance for the development of business activity. The optimal location of small service companies offering services in a traditional and/or mixed manner was determined by the following factors: Internet access, the potential for the company spatial expansion, the costs of maintaining the premises, the number of future customers and customers’ demographic characteristics, the closeness of competitors, the cost of building purchase/rental, local taxes and fees and availability of parking space.

Planejamento estratégico: percepções sobre a importância dessa ferramenta de gestão

Purpose – Strategic planning is a management tool that allows you to establish the strategies that an organization will adopt to achieve its vision of the future and fulfill its proposed mission. In this way, it defines the objectives, means and resources needed to achieve them. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the elements of strategic planning in a group of micro and small service companies located in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul.Design/methodology/approach – To perform the research was carried out a field research, which had data collection. This was done by applying a questionnaire to a group of 25 companies in the service segment, assisted by an extension project.Findings – Results showed that the vast majority of these companies use some elements of strategic planning in their management practice, such as: insurance contracting, the use of outsourced labor, the existence of established operating procedures, the presence and exposure of general organization chart, employees' knowledge of the general organization chart, the presence of documented standards, the existence of a flowchart and its disclosure to employees, even if in an unstructured manner. This finding demonstrates the need for greater specialization of micro and small entrepreneurs to manage their organizations.Originality/value – This study opens the way to highlight the importance of studying the highlighted theme, favoring decision making, in addition to contributing to the literature, deepening the debate on strategic planning in micro and small companies.

Adopting social media as an information system – a case study of an internet service company in Abuja, Nigeria

Purpose In considering the ubiquity of information systems (ISs) and the increasingly important role served in modern business and service delivery, social media if properly leveraged gives potential competitive advantage to a company in its respective industry. With Paramount Web Nigeria Ltd. as a case study, this paper aims to focus on the important aspects of adopting social media as an IS such as data privacy principles and the role of social media in the context of a small internet service company. Design/methodology/approach Relevant research information was relied upon to highlight the various factors involved with adopting social media as an IS. Findings Data handling and privacy policies must also be considered and properly devised if the concerned company is to effectively adopt social media as an IS. Decision-making tools such as SWOT analysis and the quality triangle are vital during the planning stages of deploying an IS. Research limitations/implications Research papers on aspects of social media as an IS especially in West African academia has been lacking. The challenge is in contextual information related to similar topics. Practical implications Findings detailed in this paper will serve to provide a better understanding of the important factors to be considered when adapting a new IS to an existing business. Originality/value This paper serves to highlight the potential factors to be considered when dealing with business ISs with a strong focus on social media and internet related services.

Financing Mode of Energy Performance Contract Based on Network Joint Guarantee and Carbon Emission Option for Coastal Areas

Feng, L.Y.; Guo, J.J., and Li, Y., 2020. Financing mode of energy performance contract based on network joint guarantee and carbon emission option for coastal areas. In: Qiu, Y.; Zhu, H., and Fang, X. (eds.), Current Advancements in Marine and Coastal Research for Technological and Sociological Applications. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 107, pp. 317-322. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.The difficulty in financing small and medium-sized energy service companies is one of the obstacles to the smooth development of energy performance contract. Based on the characteristics of energy performance contract in coastal areas, this paper introduces the concept of network joint guarantee and carbon emission option and demonstrates their advantages in the field of energy performance contract. A case study of a coastal area was conducted, where the Shapley value algorithm is used to analyze the impact of the application of this financing mode on the efficiency of energy service companies, which corroborates the reduction of both the pressure of energy service companies and the financing risk posed to them. Therefore, the conclusion can be drawn that “network joint guarantee and carbon emission option” mode can help address financing problems.

MADUREZ DE LOS PROCESOS EN PYMES: VALIDACIÓN DE ESCALAS AL IMPLEMENTAR APRENDIZAJE BASADO EN PROYECTOS

This paper presents the design and validation of scales that can be used in project-based learning (PBL) when a small service company is studied, particularly the maturity of their business processes. The scales were designed based on an organization model with a systems approach. To validate the scales, data were collected by students through rubrics, after participating in a semester-long PBL process developed for a university course. The reliability was determined and the factorial structure examined by an Exploratory Factor Analysis. Nine instruments were obtained as a final result of the project, in scoring rubric format that expresses four levels of maturity, from 16 attributes that comprehensively evaluate a process’ maturity. The analysis revealed that the greatest scope for improvement in small businesses is in managing infrastructure and environment. The value of the proposed scales is because they offer a holistic manner to analyze the organizational processes, with a maturity approach. This is because organizations, as well as living beings, mature in different stages, and therefore must be treated accordingly. This study also laid out a methodology to organize a project-based pedagogy. This methodology can be incorporated into a class plan and complement the theoretical and empirical knowledge necessary for the student to move from theory to practice naturally, while developing skills and attitudes required by a consultant or business analyst with teacher orientation.

Perspective of the Aquaculture in Chile and Mexico, Productive Articulation Approach and Business Networks for International Development

World food production is a permanent challenge for humanity, particularly in reference to capture and the reproduction of marine species for human consumption such as fish, mollusks and algae, which they have diminished their wild population, affecting the production volumes for their commercialization. According to FAO for the year 2025, These organisms will have to be produced in controlled environments in the sea, bodies of water, lakes, lagoons, rivers and artificial ponds to satisfy the demand of the population nuclei and to lessen the effects of the food shortage. Chile and Mexico, are committed to this need to promote food sustainability, distribution and marketing of these products, both countries have been concerned over the last two decades for the permanent growth of aquaculture companies, leading to the creation of direct, indirect jobs, small complementary service companies, but above all, the improvement of human development of the population through the consumption of proteins.

Relevance of Strategic Planning in the Decision-Making Process of Accounting Service Companies: A Fuzzy Analysis

Purpose: To identify the strategic actions that should be prioritized by the small accounting service companies of Porto Alegre/RS in the decision making process to maximize the possibility of achieving the strategic objectives. Method: Exploratory and descriptive qualitative research consisting of two steps. Initially, semi-structured interviews were conducted with managing partners of four accounting service companies in order to identify predominant elements of strategic planning, through content analysis operationalized with the aid of QSR NVivo 11 software. Later, the results provided subsidies for the second one. This stage sought to analyze the degree of relevance of its strategic actions in relation to the objectives through the Fuzzy Analysis made possible by the Matlab R2012 software. Originality/Relevance: Use of a methodology not usually employed in the area of applied social sciences to understand a phenomenon with consolidated theoretical support. Results: Six latent strategic objectives were identified: improving internal controls and improving processes; restructure the company; promote the brand; be a reference in quality and sustainability; increase revenues, and; maintain or improve the technical level of employees. It was found that there are a greater number of variables concerning the external environment than the internal one, and not all the actions that the accountig service companies take are sufficiently pertinent to achieve the strategic objectives satisfactorily. Theoretical/methodological contributions: Use of complementary research methods to understand a phenomenon that, although contributing to the decision making process of organizations, is generally not implemented by accounting service companies, especially small ones.

We do get terribly enthusiastic about everything! Performing emotion rules through parody

This paper adopts a performational approach to critical sensemaking to explore how organisational members enact innovation-related emotion rules through the performance of parody. The approach was motivated more by induction than deduction. During an action-research study in a small service company, humour, teasing, and laughter occurred in a workshop organised for the company. On close examination of the videotaped workshop data, it was noticed that parodic performances were used to make critical sense of the innovation-related emotion rules and power relationships within the company. Analysis of this study shows in detail how, through parodic and imitative performances, the leader and employees constructed three emotion rules - show your emotions, show your enthusiasm, and show your criticism in a nice way - that are set by the leader to promote innovation practice within the company.

Robotics in petroleum and safety requirements forcing Open Innovation to be embraced

Abstract Oil industry heavily invests into new technological developments. In this research the purpose will be to investigate the opportunities and challenges of automation and robotics in the oil and gas industry. Operations to obtain gas and oil from hostile environments is likely to increase the operations costs of the oil and gas companies. Therefore, the company must embark on looking on solutions that will lower their costs so that they are more competitive as well as improve their profitability. One of the methods which has been suggested is implements robots to increase efficiency of the pipelines as well as increase the safety of the pipelines. National Oil Companies rule most of the industry but playing a minor role in the research and development. Most of the patents and innovations belong to the small service companies, rather than market giants. One of the challenges to apply technological advancements is Pipeline Inspections, where almost none of the NOC owns an advanced inspection robotics technology, and they outsource from the small service companies. This paper will show the importance of Innovations in oil sector, summarize the safety requirements and standards and give an overview about the robotics in use. Open Innovation approach to be implemented in the industry is the outcome and importance of changing the closed innovation environments has been concluded.

Impact of TQM on organisational performance: The case of Indian manufacturing and service industry

This study is principally focused on the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in Indian industries and to study its influence on the organizational performance. The study has been conducted in five manufacturing and three service companies in north India. The selected companies are listed in Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The data used for this study was the combination of primary and secondary data and the focus was on examining the extent of TQM implementation in Indian industries. The hypotheses and conceptual framework were designed in accordance with Indian context. The completely useful 236 samples were collected from eight small and medium-sized Indian (SME) manufacturing and service companies. The data was classified into two categories i.e. Managers and Workers. The data collected then analyzed using SPSS-AMOS 24. All the hypotheses were positively fit with the conceptual model and hence showed the positive impact of TQM on organizational performance (OP). All the values were significant and consistent with previous studies. It was found that there is no such difference of literacy about TQM among the two groups and TQM elements are positively related to the performance factors of the Indian organizations. Finally, the findings of this study provides a valuable knowledge regarding TQM practices from Indian manufacturing and service sector perspective.