Small Medium-sized Enterprises Research Articles

The Fractional CIO in SMEs: conceptualization and research agenda

We conceptualize the new phenomenon of the Fractional Chief Information Officer (CIO) as a part-time executive who usually works for more than one primarily small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) and develop promising avenues for future research on Fractional CIOs. We conduct an empirical study by drawing on semi-structured interviews with 40 individuals from 10 different countries who occupy a Fractional CIO role. We derive a definition for the Fractional CIO, distinguish it from other forms of employment, and compare it with existing research on CIO roles. Further, we find four salient engagement types of Fractional CIOs offering value for SMEs in various situations: Strategic IT management, Restructuring, Rapid scaling, and Hands-on support. The results reveal similarities with existing CIO roles as well as novel insights concerning the different engagement types. Lastly, we propose a research agenda for the Fractional CIO field, based on four research themes derived from existing CIO research and insights from the interviews.

Uncovering Barriers for Industrial Symbiosis: Assessing Prospects for Eco-Industrialization through Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Developing Regions

Industrialization is indispensable for socio-economic development but poses far-reaching implications for resources and the environment. Consequently, industrial symbiosis-based collaborations are gaining recognition as a viable strategy to manage resource consumption for mitigating environmental distress. However, these types of synergistic collaborations are more prevalent in developed regions and are linked to larger-sized industries. Admittedly, such collaborative partnerships are less focused in developing regions and small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs). This calls for discovering the potentials for synergistic partnerships among the small and medium scaled industrial entities in developing economies. Therefore, the study was designed to identify, assess and explore the prospects of symbiotic collaborations among SMEs in Pakistan. Moreover, the inputs are equally relevant for developing and expanding such productive associations in developing regions. Data regarding inputs and outputs was collected from sixty-one (61) SMEs through field survey during the year 2019. It was processed and analyzed to uncover existing and potential synergies among SMEs. The significant findings transpired that the majority of collaborative linkages are bilateral and are driven to maximize economic gains. However, informal networks of recyclers and absence of a stringent regulatory regime are the ground realities in developing/transforming economies. These factors symptomatically interfere with the process of formal/informal exchanges between and among firms. Furthermore, it was observed that the lack of awareness and impulsiveness of SMEs, as well as the inconsistent supply of by-products, act as barriers for such partnerships in developing countries. It calls for proactive engagements and facilitations from the state institutions through policy instruments. The study addresses a broad audience including industrialists, investors, policy makers and researchers engaged in IS studies. Moreover, the inputs will provide impetus for stimulating eco-industrial progress in developing regions such as Pakistan.

Pricing strategy and coordination of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises based on bank‐insurance cooperative financing

With the increasingly serious environmental problems, the concept of environmental protection has been deeply rooted in people's minds. The development of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) is also highly concerned, but such technology‐led enterprises are still subject to more constraints in financing. This paper introduces the loan guarantee insurance, establishes the income model of each participant under the two financing modes of traditional accounts receivable financing and accounts receivable financing under the cooperation of bank and insurer, and explores the role of loan guarantee insurance in financing of SMEs based on the Stackelberg game model. If the manufacturer's default risk premium is high, at the same time, when the loan interest rate announced by the bank under bank‐insurance cooperation is lower than the traditional model, the manufacturer under the loan guarantee insurance model produces and sells more products. However, while guaranteeing their own profits, the bank and insurer can lower the loan interest rate and insurance premium rate as far as possible, which can stimulate the market. By analyzing the complexity of the system, it is found that the decision‐maker's choice of adjusting speed and initial value affects the development state of the system.

Interfirm cooperatives enabling organizational ambidexterity, a case study of the printing industry in Colombia

AbstractResearch into organizational ambidexterity at the interorganizational level is limited, but it is even more scarce when considering emerging markets and alternative organizational forms such as the cooperative enterprise. We will attempt to fill these research gaps by offering in‐depth case studies of three interfirm cooperatives within the printing industry in Colombia. We analyze how interfirm cooperatives enable organizational ambidexterity in its small‐to‐medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and explore which factors are hindering ambidexterity. Our findings indicate that lower socioemotional wealth in SMEs undermines the need to invest in exploration. Additionally, cooperation within an interfirm cooperative appears to be entirely reliant on its component SMEs agreeing on the right balance of social and economic values. We conclude that, although the interfirm cooperative may play an important role in facilitating ambidexterity in emerging markets, transitioning from a primarily transactional role to a higher role as intermediator of ambidexterity poses significant challenges.

Open innovation and SME performance: The roles of reverse knowledge sharing and stakeholder relationships

Although Small-to-Medium-sized-Enterprises (SMEs) frequently make vital contributions to both national and global economics and innovations, the relative influences of Open Innovation (OI) on SME performance is inconsistently argued in the literature. This study is set to fill this gap through an investigation of the details and dynamics of SMEs’ engagement in OI. Further, its impact on performance, through the perspective of knowledge networking, is examined. Specifically, this study investigates the relationships between OI activities, reverse-knowledge sharing, stakeholder relationship and SMEs performance in a context of numerous Vietnamese industries. Results revealed that OI activities are statistically insignificant when related to SMEs’ overall performance. However, it should be noted that OI indirectly affects SME performance through the mediation effect of reverse-knowledge sharing and the moderation effect of stakeholder relations. Practical implications and theoretical potential for future research are discussed.

The Mediating Effect of Innovation in Between Strategic Orientation and Enterprise Performance: Evidence From Malaysian Manufacturing Small-to-Medium-Sized Enterprises.

Strategic orientation and innovation are vital determinants for accelerating the performance of small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, there is a lack of empirical evidence confirming the innovation at the product and process levels that instigated the SMEs’ performance. Moreover, the mediating effect of process and product innovation can play a significant role in strategic orientation and manufacturing SMEs’ performance. In this respect, this study aims to examine the mediating effect of product and process innovation between strategic orientation (i.e., market, entrepreneurial, and customer orientation) and the performance of Malaysian manufacturing SMEs. The questionnaire survey gathered data from 360 manufacturing SMEs and was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to achieve these research objectives. The study analysis established that customer and entrepreneurial orientation significantly influence product and service innovation. However, the market orientation is significant for process innovation but insignificant for product-level innovation among SMEs. The study’s consequences exposed that process innovation has significantly mediated between the strategic (market, customer, and entrepreneurial) orientation and SMEs performance. It implies that market, entrepreneurial, and customer-related strategies would substantially improve SMEs’ performance by harnessing innovation at product and process levels. The core insights provided by the current work are to strengthen the strategic orientation that can promote product and process innovation, thereby harnessing the SMEs’ performance. Additionally, the study’s significance and limitations were reported at the end.

Small/medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Competitiveness: A Global Perspective Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

As the level of competition rises across industries, many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) find it difficult to adapt to the rapidly transforming marketplace, develop new products, and, if required, distinguish themselves in the eyes of consumers. Market-driven strategies for competitive development are made more manageable by the amount of competition that SMEs confront and overcome. In that regard, this is contribution provides a critical assessment of the concept of competitiveness in SMEs, which is a concept used to define the firm’s odds of succeeding against competitors in a particular market or industry. This paper centralizes the ideology of globalization as a major driver that stimulates competition in SMEs across the world. This ideology is confirmed by the fact that the nature of exporting is increasing dramatically as the world continues to evolve. In conclusion, this paper agrees that globalization and exporting have a significant effect on the capacity of SMEs to compete both locally and internationally.

Exploring the Relationship Between Family Involvement and Innovative Capability in Chinese Family SMEs: The Role of HR Redundancy

The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between family involvement and innovative capability in Chinese family small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Although previous studies based on the behavior agency model have investigated how financial factors could influence the relationship between family involvement and innovative capability, there is a dearth of studies with an emphasis on the impact of non-financial factors. Notably, the moderating role played by family firms’ human resource (HR) redundancy in this relationship has not been sufficiently explored in the literature. Our research analyzed secondary data of Chinese family SMEs listed in the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database. Standard multiple regression and moderated multiple regressions were conducted to test the main and moderating effects, respectively. According to the results of our study, the three dimensions of family involvement (ownership, management, and governance) have a negative influence on Chinese SMEs innovative capability, but this influence can be partially moderated by HR redundancy. Based on the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) perspective, this research contributes to family business literature by addressing previously noted research gaps in related studies.

Access of Technology as a Mediator on Access to Finance to Drive Business Innovation in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises

Abstract This study assesses the role played by access to finance as an indirect stimulant of business development and economic growth. The ‘access to technology is considered as a mediator in analyzing growth. A dataset that spans five years was gathered from small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in different sectors, was analyzed as panel data through fixed and random effect regression estimation models. The results showed that access to technology playing marked role in mediating the relationship between access to finance and the adopted process sophistication. The results further showed that while access to finance is crucial driver for development in emerging economies, the access to technology seem to play more active role through stimulated growth owing to incremental improvements in business process sophistication. This study finds that multiple factors stemming from a firm’s access and use of newer forms of technology can play an essential role in generating these results, in particular the more straightforward access to finance. These findings were analyzed and interpreted under conditions that control for standard macroeconomic economic growth factors. The conclusions support policy decisions of governmental agencies that aim to improve financial support services and facilitate ease of access to cutting edge technologies.

Marketing Strategy, Competitive Advantage and Marketing Performance : Study of Small Medium- Size Enterprises At Ancol

This study aims empirical evidence regarding the performance of the marketing effect by the management strategy of the market through the competitive advantages that the statement is sourced from the marketing performance of small medium-size enterprises in the Ancol area as the dependent variable which is influenced by the competitive advantage as an intervening variable and market strategy, as well as research that are new this is the topic under study has never been done by previous researchers. Thus the intent of this research can be called a novelty. The population of this study amounted to 235 of small medium-size enterprises in the region Ancol on the pandemic of Covid-19 by using the formula sample slovin to 70 small medium-size enterprises with a scale of 1 to 10, the Information of the questionnaire to know the interpretation of the market strategies, competitive Advantage and marketing performance. Analysis techniques for data use regression linear with testing intervening.This research is the implementation of the strategy management market mehasilkan a greater influence on competitive advantage. Strategy management market affect the marketing performance through competitive advantage effective in his work as an intervening variable between the management strategies of the market and marketing performance.

Strategies for Maintaining Tax Compliance of SMEs During Covid-19 Pandemic by Using Supply Chain Management Integration Approach

The new normal life of Covid-19 pandemic has brought a new life pattern which is more strict health protocols in the interaction among each other. In the normal time, although the level of tax revenue shows a rising trend, the tax ratio hasn’t shown any significant increase. Also, it is still left behind other developing countries. Related to the pandemic effect, the world economy is decreasing and resulting to the decline of the Indonesian tax revenue. The concerns of this study are on how to optimize the compliance level of tax payment from Small-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the efforts of optimization needed to be done including in helping SMEs for being able to survive and or to be improved in terms of its business performance. Thus, they can contribute to maintaining their tax compliance at the same time from getting worse. This study employed a descriptive research method using a qualitative approach. The data sources were primary and secondary data. In this study, an operational management tool which is the approach of Supply Chain Management (SCM) integration will be implemented as the solution. It is found that the gradual application of the concept of SCM integration will give several significant impacts on the SMEs’ performance including their compliance with the existed tax regulations. Also, this will encourage the optimal taxation authority in managing the tax participation of the SMEs sector.

Incorporating the sustainable development goals in small- to medium-sized enterprises

Abstract Multiple international stakeholders emphasise the important role of small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG). SMEs make up more than 99% of companies in Europe, and holds a potential to promote social and environmental responsibility. However, there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to the incorporation of the SDGs. In this study; we identify five main approaches based on a literature review including (i) rainbow washing, (ii) supporting ‘business as usual’, (iii) adding new initiatives/strategies, (iv) philanthropy and (v) strategic use in core businesses. These approaches are categorised based on their contribution to achieving the SDGs as well as the benefits for the company in question. We performed a case study of six SMEs in Northern Jutland, Denmark, which revealed, that most SMEs work with the SDGs in less proactive and ambitious ways, leaving a gap between the role they have been assigned and their current practices. To investigate this gap further, our case study combined with the literature review has helped identify factors influencing the SMEs choice of approach. These include both negative (uncertainty about the SDGs prospective role, lack of resources and low demand for SDG compliance) and positive (taking responsibility, social license to operate, communication and inspiration) factors. The negative influencing factors are particularly interlinked which is caused by inadequacy in resources, knowledge and qualifications. This indicates that SMEs cannot single-handedly implement the SDGs in a way that enables achievement of the 2030 Agenda, thus external guidance is needed.

Does Entrepreneur Moral Reflectiveness Matter? Pursing Low-Carbon Emission Behavior among SMEs through the Relationship between Environmental Factors, Entrepreneur Personal Concept, and Outcome Expectations

The intensity and severe impact of carbon emissions on the environment has been witnessed globally. This study aims to unravel how environmental factors, personal factors, and entrepreneur outcome expectations affect entrepreneur low-carbon emission behavior (LCB) through the lens of social cognitive theory (SCT). To achieve the aims of this study, we gathered data from 1015 entrepreneurs and small, medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Jiangsu province of China to analyze the predictors of entrepreneur low-carbon behavior. The proposed relationships were tested using the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The findings from the study indicate that environmental factors (i.e., climate change (CC), public media (PM), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have a significant and positive relationship with entrepreneur LCB. Moreover, entrepreneur green production self-efficacy (GPS) is positively associated with entrepreneur LCB. The findings further revealed that entrepreneur personal concepts such as entrepreneur self-monitoring (SM), entrepreneur self-esteem (SE), and entrepreneur self-Preference (SP) significantly and completely affect entrepreneur GPS. Likewise, entrepreneur moral reflectiveness (EMR) substantially moderates the relationship between entrepreneur green production outcome expectation and LCB. This study concludes with recommendations for researchers interested in enhancing knowledge in this field. In summation, this study shows that a behavioral science viewpoint is critical for improving knowledge of low-carbon environment, CC drivers, mitigation strategies, and sustainable transition to our complex environment.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Research on the Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity on the Relationship between Business Analytics Capability and Small-to-Medium-Sized Enterprise Performance

This initial study's key purpose was to investigate whether absorptive capacity performed a mediating role on the relationship between business analytics capability and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) performance in the United States. The study's findings are more relevant now as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) businesses in the United States. The study derived from the resource-based view approach, the dynamic capabilities dimension perspective, through the theoretical lens of the reconceptualization of absorptive capacity by Zahra and George (2002). The study empirically tested mediation through a series of regressions based on Baron and Kenny (1996). As recent extensions of the resource-based view theory, absorptive capacity and business analytics embody the dynamic capabilities, business intelligence, and knowledge management for modern business firms to align, modify, and reconfigure during a dynamic and volatile global business environment. Throughout the pandemic, it appears businesses have had to continually regain economic ground. This paper is an effort to apply the findings of research on the importance of absorptive capacity and business analytics capability as it pertains to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMEs. The study contributed to the theoretical body of knowledge on dynamic capabilities by empirically demonstrating how SMEs may manifest improvement in performance in the twenty-first century by utilizing data in collaboration with business analytics at the realized absorptive capacity dimension. In wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the research study's findings may provide insight to help SMEs survive during these difficult times, and even thrive, by increasing their absorptive capacity to utilize data analytics effectively.
 Keywords: Resource-Based View, Absorptive Capacity, Business Analytics, Dynamic Capabilities, Information Technology, Small-To-Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME), COVID-19

The regulation of equity crowdfunding in the US: remaining concerns and lessons from the UK

ABSTRACT Equity crowdfunding (ECF) provides small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with affordable access to funds, but it may expose investors to various risks. To promote capital formation for SMEs while maintaining adequate investor protection, the US has adopted a special ECF regime under the JOBS Act of 2012 and more recently made some amendments to it. However, two key problems of this regime remain to be addressed. One lies in the mandated issuer disclosures under the crowdfunding exemption. The other relates to the unduly burdensome funding portal regime. This article turns to the regulation of ECF in the UK to explore whether it has anything for the US to learn from. The comparative analysis demonstrates that, despite some high-level similarities, the two regimes have notable differences that determine the different impacts on ECF market actors. Drawing insights from the UK experience, the article makes recommendations for improving the US regime.

Triggering disruptive technology absorptive capacity by CIOs. Explorative research on a micro-foundation lens

• Insights on CIOs’ involvement at the micro and meso firms’ level are offered. • The paper emphasizes the openness to disruptive technologies within SMEs. • An empirical analysis on a large-scale sample of 754 CIOs was performed. • Individual TAC is triggering the use of disruptive technologies. • Solutions for leveraging of disruptive technologies in SMEs The pervasive dissemination of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligences (AI) is rapidly changing the way small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are evolving and becoming more innovative. Individual technology absorptive capacity (TAC) is triggering the use of such technologies in a more effective, efficient, and easy mode by Chief Information Officers (CIOs). The CIO, albeit involved in the firm's micro level, encourages firms’ TAC at meso level. Although the CIO encourages the use of disruptive technologies, studies on this field are still scarce. This research bridges the gap in the literature, offering an empirical analysis of a large-scale sample of 754 CIOs from knowledge-intensive SMEs to evaluate TAC under a micro-foundation lens. The analysis provides detailed stimuli in rethinking the enhancement of CIOs, emphasizing the effect of the micro level in intercepting disruptive technologies, and optimizing investments in research and development in SMEs. The paper is part of a research line that highlights the relevant role of CIOs and the ability of firms’ TAC in Industry 4.0 at micro and meso levels. The study contributes to expanding solutions in the leveraging of disruptive technologies in the digital transformation era.

Social sustainability practices by small to medium-sized enterprises in developing countries: a systematic review

This paper consolidates the works of the latest most prominent studies on social sustainability practice and its relationship to performance for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was conducted, supported by the 'preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses' (PRISMA) methodology. As a result, 79 relevant eligible publications were selected and critically evaluated. The review revealed a focused emphasis on five main themes, namely practices, drivers, barriers, competitive advantage and outcomes. Accordingly, a thematic classification of the extracted data was conducted, which is one of the main contributions of this paper. The comprehensive classification of the selected studies allowed for deriving important conclusions regarding the relationships among the main themes and identifying possible gaps in the literature. Specifically, it was found that there are contradicting results about the relationship between social sustainability practice and business performance. These findings calls for the creation of new comprehensive theoretical models to more accurately describe how social sustainability practice affects performance.

Innovative cooperation among small medium-sized enterprises: from the perspective of multi-department symbiosis

Innovative cooperation among small medium-sized enterprises: from the perspective of multi-department symbiosis

Innovative cooperation among small medium-sized enterprises: from the perspective of multi-department symbiosis

Synergetic innovation has become an important way of technological innovation for small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To this end, this study constructs several research models with synergetic innovation mechanism and synergetic innovation network as moderating variables according to different forms of synergetic innovation networks, so as to verify the stability of the structural equation model to a certain extent. At the same time, for synergetic innovation mechanism and different forms of synergetic innovation network composed of two regulating variables in synergetic innovation model and synergies between possible adjustment effects are discussed in this paper. The results help small and medium-sized enterprises in synergetic innovation, cooperative innovation mechanism and partner selection decisions, which in turn eventually make the enterprise innovation ability get promoted, and achieve long-term high quality development.

Redesign of Supply Chain in Fashion Industry based on Strategic Engineering

This paper proposes the innovative approach of Strategic Engineering to Fashion Industry in order to redesign the Supply Chain of Medium Size Enterprises active in high quality Made in Italian women’s footwear and how this innovative approach could support enhancements and improvements over multiple target functions. The paper introduces the approach and proposes the framework as example of how combining Modeling and Simulation, Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in closed loop with real data it could be possible to support Decision Makers in re-engineering processes and redesigning business models even in Small Medium Size Enterprises devoted to high quality production.