Dissertations / Theses: 'Performance – Management ; Small business – Nigeria'

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Akpabot, S. "A study of performance measurement practices in northern Nigerian SMEs." Thesis, Coventry University, 2016. http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/c0d324a3-758b-4498-b9c9-fe667f7bef0f/1.

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Purpose – to examine and evaluate the application of performance measurement (PM) practices and systems within manufacturing SMEs in Northern Nigeria in order to develop an original performance measurement framework that can be effectively applied to support firms in achieving their business objectives. Design/Methodology/Approach – This study first carried out a review of literature from 1994-2013. Covering a period of 19 years was selected for effective scrutiny of the current and past SMEs’ performance as a point of synthesis. It subsequently presents an empirical case study carried out in Northern Nigeria from survey and interview questionnaires with the SMEs’ owners and managers within this region. Findings – The findings indicate the importance of SMEs using PM (Performance Measurement) Systems to measure and improve business performance. Based on the analysed data from the survey and interviews conducted, the results suggest that some SMEs used PM Systems to measure business performance and set-out objectives while many do not for various reasons. The results linked with earlier findings from the reviewed literature and shed more light into why many SMEs in Nigeria failed after few years. The data also revealed many of the SMEs do not have or use any kind model or framework within their business to monitor business performance and set objectives, and some do not have the resources such as expertise and knowledge for PM System implementation management. These disclosures and the review of available performance model/framework led researcher to develop a simplistic performance framework for the SMEs to measure and improve business performance. The research finished with recommendation for SMEs managers and owners. Originality/Value –Though a lot has been written on SMEs’ performance measures and management, many of those publications and investigations are centred on developed economies such as America and UK; few studies have been conducted in Africa and the sub-Saharan region to rigorously outline some of the key factors that impact SMEs’ growth in that region. In that context, this study provides realistic evidence regarding SMEs’ performance measurement practices, systems, models management within the research location. The results provide evidence and reasons for SME failures and offer strategic direction for SMEs’ improvement and growth with the newly developed model.

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Apiri, Tonye Richard. "Loan performance and default rate of financing SME's by microfinance bank: a case study of Accoin Microfinance Bank PLC." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95646.

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Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
This study examines the default rate and performance of Microfinance bank (MFBs) loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria based on the case study of Accion Microfinance Bank Limited (AMFB), Lagos State. Responses from 150 employees of AMFB revealed that the causes of default rate and performance of SMEs reflect the risk and vulnerability of the SME sector in Nigeria. It further showed that MFBs apply stringent credit criteria in granting loans to SME borrowers, coupled with the existing high cost of funds. The attitude, lack of transparency on the part of SME owners and fund diversion were identified as major factors responsible for the high default rate among SME borrowers. These and other factors warrant the need for further study in the areas of the impact of MFB loans on SME development given the new revised microfinance policy framework in Nigeria.

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Okeke, Vincent Ikechukwu. "Leadership Style and SMEs Sustainability in Nigeria| A Multiple Case Study." Thesis, Walden University, 2019. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=13805878.

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Leadership in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has remained an under-researched area in the management literature, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. SME owner-managers in Nigeria lacked in-depth understanding of their leadership style to objectively evaluate its implication on long-term performance and growth of their enterprise. The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore the experiences of SME owner-managers in Nigeria to gain an in-depth understanding of their leadership style and its implication for long-term performance and growth of their enterprise. The conceptual framework for this study was anchored in two key concepts; leadership styles and leadership in SMEs, with the full range leadership model as the theoretical foundation. The research question sought to explore the role of SMEs owners and managers leadership styles in the long-term success of their enterprise. Interview data were collected from 6 SME owner-managers who employ less than 200 employees within the manufacturing, education, and trading sectors. The cross-case synthesis technique was used for data analysis which allowed for within-case analysis and cross-case comparisons. Findings from this study showed that Nigerian SME owner-managers do not follow any specific leadership style. They exhibited few characteristics of transformational and transactional leadership behaviors, leaning more to transactional leadership. This study has significance for positive social change by providing insights on how leadership styles can improve the performance and sustainability of Nigerian SMEs, thus increasing their capacity to create employment.

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Enobakhare, Amienyaru. "Corporate governance and bank performance in Nigeria." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/8439.

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Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between corporate governance and the profitability of banks in Nigeria. This has been done in line with previous studies in other parts of the world where it was discovered that the corporate governance culture of a firm does have an effect on its profitability. The corporate governance variable employed in this study was that of ownership. Four types of ownership were used as the independent variables, namely board ownership, institutional ownership, foreign ownership and government ownership. Whilst the dependent variables employed were return on assets (ROA) and non performing loans ratio (NPL). Information on banks’ return on assets and non performing loans was generated from year end financial statements and yearly bank reviews from a Nigerian based research firm called Agusto and Company. Also the banks’ ownership variables information was also pooled from financial reports, the Agusto report on banking industry as well as bank websites. A descriptive statistic data was generated to review the trend of banks’ return on assets and non-performing loan performance indicators, whilst a Pearson correlation table was generated to review the correlation between the ownership variable and the performance of banks. The results generated were found to be similar to what has previously been done. This study makes a significant contribution to research by exposing the importance of corporate governance, a concept which has been neglected in the Nigerian corporate world. Finally it provides further justification to do further research in this area in the Nigerian banking and corporate environment.

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Anamege, Tony Emeka. "Capital Financing Strategies of Small-Scale Contractors in Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6391.

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Small-scale contractors in Nigeria, as small business owners, face challenges accessing external sources of capital financing. Inadequate sources of working capital is one of the major reasons for poor business performance and failure. A multiple case study approach was used in this study to explore how small-scale contractors obtained capital financing to grow their businesses. The study population included small-scale contractors in the construction industry in Nigeria. Credit rationing model was chosen as the conceptual framework for the study. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 5 participants. Data analysis included thematic coding of the data using qualitative data analysis computer software. The 2 themes that emerged from data analysis were as follows: sources of small-scale contractors' financing and constraints of sourcing small-scale contractors' capital financing. This study could contribute to positive social change by stimulating the local economy through local capital formation, jobs creation, improved tax revenues for local authorities, and enhancement of the quality of life of those living in Nigeria.

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Stephens, Paul Raymond. "SMALL BUSINESS AND HIGH PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2001. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin980273551.

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Nden, Nanzing Nangil. "Strategies for Ensuring the Timeliness of Small Business Financial Reporting in Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7565.

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Small business owners in Nigeria submit financial reports to regulators and stakeholders, and they often lack strategies to ensure timeliness in the Nigeria report rendition. Lack of accounting competence and audit lag in the preparation, rendition, and submission of financial statements and reports are some of the contributors to this lack of timeliness. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that owners of small businesses used to ensure timeliness of financial reporting. The population for this study was 5 owners of small businesses in Nigeria. Management by objectives and Hoshin Kanri were the conceptual framework for this study. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of company documents. The thematic analysis led to the emergence of the following themes: (a) hiring the right employees, (b) regular training of accountants, (c) working with external accountants, (d) effective leadership and organizational structure, (e) attending accounting courses or workshops, and (f) using or abiding by formal financial reporting standards. Local small business owners may apply these results to hiring professional accountants to prepare timely financial reports to meet stakeholders' needs. Timely preparation of financial reports by owners of small businesses may contribute to positive social change by providing appropriate feedback to regulators, tax administrators, and small business owners, and encouraging and supporting local economic growth.

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Olorunshola, Yemisi Christianah. "Small Business Sustainability Strategies in the Maritime Industry in Lagos, Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6933.

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Small business enterprises (SBEs) are major contributors to national job creation and employment, but small businesses face a myriad of challenges which lead to their failure before 5 years of operation. Some small business owners lack the skills to create strategies that will lead to long term business survival. Porter's 5 forces competition was used as the conceptual framework for this multiple case study. The purpose of the study was to explore the strategies Nigerian SBEs use to sustain their first 5 years of operation. Semistructured interviews served to collect data from the chief executive officers of 2 SBEs in the maritime industry in Lagos, Nigeria. Data analysis entailed the use of qualitative analysis to capture and organize data and identify emerging themes. Some emerging themes included the securing of the necessary finances, the ability to respond to the effects of government policy, and providing excellent customer service. The implications of this study for social change include the mitigation of the negative effects of business failure on the people of the host community. Small business owners and leaders, partners of small business owners, and policymakers might benefit from this research by deploying the findings to appropriate business domains.

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Ochonogor, Hyeladzira Mshelia. "Improving Access of Small Business Owners to Microloan from Microfinance Institutions in Nigeria." Thesis, Walden University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10828571.

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Most microloan applicants in Nigeria are denied access to financial services by the commercial banks because of the high risk involved in granting loans to an individual without tangible assets to offer as collateral. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore small business owners’ understanding of suitable funding options from microfinance banks in Nigeria to sustain their businesses beyond the first 5 years. An investigation was conducted on how small business owners could obtain information on funding options most suitable to sustain their business. Guided by the ethical banking operations framework theory, the strategies business owners had used was explored to understand available funding options. A homogenous sampling strategy was used to purposefully identify and select the microfinance applicants who had similar experiences using different funding options. Fifteen customers of microfinance institutions (MFIs) participated in semistructured interviews. Additional data on MFIs was obtained from established secondary sources. Yin’s 5-step process was used to analyse the data, with member checking and triangulation used for validation. Key findings emerged on lack of appropriate entrepreneur training, inadequate financial management, skills gap, and inability to interpret the bank’s information on loan procedures. This revealed the need to develop ways for small business owners to more easily access information on loan options. MFIs may use the findings of the study to enhance access to their financial services and promote the growth of MFIs to increase sustainable economic growth for both owners and the local communities they serve. Positive social change may be promoted through financial empowerment and job creation.

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Ekwem, Ijeoma. "Small and medium scale enterprises development in Nigeria : constraints and policy options." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21647.

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Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
This study was undertaken to find out how the SME sector in Nigeria has developed over time and to what extent it has performed its critical role of driving the country’s industrial transformation and development as it has done in other developed countries. This study has explained in detail, the development of SMEs in Nigeria and identified the economic potential of SMEs, their major problems, challenges and constraints, which have hindered them from playing the vital role in the Nigerian economic growth and development as well as made appropriate recommendations for redressing, reducing and/or eliminating them so that they could occupy their pride of place in the Nigerian economy. It also considered the various programmes implemented by various governments, to support and promote SMEs’ growth and development as well as the roles played by the government and the financial institutions towards promoting the development and growth of SMEs in Nigeria. The study employed primary date via questionnaires which were administered to the sampled financial institutions and SMEs’ operators, and the emanating data was analysed using simple percentages, charts and mean ranking. The Chi-square analytical technique was employed and the empirical analysis indicates that there has not been any significant contribution of government support towards developing SMEs, and also that there is a relationship between the sizes of SMEs and their modes of financing. The study determined, among others, that with the exclusion of lack of finance, the major constraints or challenges of SMEs ranked in descending order are inadequate managerial/board expertise, poor infrastructural facilities, inconsistencies in government policies, lack of financial records, multiple taxes and levies, etc. It also determined that lack of finance is a function of multiple problems and that the major sources of credit available for the financing SMEs in Nigeria are personal savings, family/friend support and commercial banks. The study recommended, among others, SME partnership and equity participation by financiers, loan guarantees, interest rate concession, fiscal incentives, and adequate training for SMEs as the factors that will drive the rapid transformations and development of the SME sector in Nigeria.

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Anene, Obiora Timothy. "Strategies for Improving and Sustaining Real Estate Development Business Performance in Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7586.

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Real estate development (RED) businesses are critical to closing the housing deficit gap in Nigeria. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that successful business managers used to improve and sustain their business performance in Nigeria. The 7FE business process management framework was the conceptual framework used. Primary research data were collected through semistructured interviews held with a purposive population sample of 5 business managers who successfully improved and sustained their business performance in the Nigeria real estate sector. Secondary data were collected from company and public documents and extant literature. Data were analyzed using computer-aided data analysis software and methodological triangulation. Ten emergent themes were identified: business strategy; commitment to quality and building trust; industry and market research; training and knowledge acquisition; innovation and reward systems; operational effectiveness and project portfolio management; minimizing costs and financial leverage; marketing, promotions, and strategic partnerships; measuring business performance and assessing strategic success; and change management and documenting lessons learned. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to increase the number of sustainable RED businesses in Nigeria, providing more employment, housing for more people, offering better living conditions, improving quality of life, and contributing to both local and national economies.

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Cragg, Paul B. "Information technology and small firm performance." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1990. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/6953.

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This study utilised both mail questionnaire and case study approaches to investigate propositions related to information technology (IT) in small firms. The major proposition investigated IT Sophistication as one cause of small firm success. Data was collected from 289 engineering firms by mail questionnaire, including 120 with at least one computer. Multiple regression analysis gave no support to IT as a success factor. Similarly, non-parametric statistical tests suggested that firms with more sophisticated IT performed no better than firms with no or less sophisticated IT. Furthermore, among only the firms with computers, many negative rather than positive correlations were found between IT variables and financial performance. Therefore, rather than support the major proposition that IT was a success factor for small firms, the mail questionnaire provided evidence to the contrary. An indepth analysis of six firms provided evidence that developing IT had, in some firms, increased operating costs and consumed important managerial time. Furthermore, there was evidence to suggest that some factors tended to encourage both IT growth and poorer performance simultaneously, which would explain the negative correlations found between IT and financial performance. Two further propositions were investigated, both relating to IT success. Using path analysis, the following factors were found to influence IT success: external assistance in identifying IT requirements, owner involvement in IT planning and in control, planning IT development, and the use of IT for many applications. However, the measure of IT success was not found to be correlated with financial performance, and this must put in question how MIS researchers should measure "success".

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Ojinta, Roseline Iruoma. "Barriers to Women Leadership of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6081.

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Management literature lacks a deeper understanding of barriers to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) leadership among women entrepreneurs in Nigeria focusing on women leaders' daily business experiences, their agency, and their entrepreneurial context. Women in Nigeria seeking promotion to leadership roles in SMEs continue to look for answers on how to surmount the multiple barriers hampering their leadership aspirations. To address this need, this study was designed to explore how women entrepreneurs in Nigeria describe barriers to SME leadership through narratives about their daily business experiences, their agency, and their entrepreneurial context. The women's entrepreneurial development in Nigeria, the Nigerian women's entrepreneurial leadership style, and the agentic behavior of women leaders provided the conceptual framework for this work. A qualitative narrative inquiry method was adopted, and data were gathered through face-to-face semistructured interviews. The participants were a purposeful sample of 10 Nigerian women entrepreneurial leaders over the age of 30. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five thematic categories emerged and were used to answer the research question. Study findings showed that Nigerian women entrepreneurial leaders face challenges due to family, gender, and patriarchal attitudes of the culture. The study shows the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of these courageous and resilient Nigerian women entrepreneurial leaders. Positive social change implications include providing training, mentoring programs, and information to guide, empower, and equip upcoming women entrepreneurial leaders to avert challenges in the future.

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Sellers, Letica Carla. "Leadership Strategies and Employee Performance Within Small Business." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3511.

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The survival of the small business industry is important to the United Sates workforce and economy. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore leadership strategies of 2 small business managers in a manufacturing setting who had a demonstrable record of improving employee performance to meet organizational goals. The conceptual framework for this study was Burns and Bass's transformational leadership theory. The small business managers were from 2 small manufacturing plants in the coastal plains region of South Carolina. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, archival documents, and observations of the managers during their daily activities. Data analysis included identifying relevant themes using the comparison method. Data were compared at each phase of the data collection process, revealing themes of following a vision, self-efficacy, self-determination, and need fulfillment. Findings suggest that other small business managers in similar contexts may improve employee performance using the transformational leadership approach, especially when employee encouragement, managerial experience, and adaptation are present. Small business managers and owners can benefit from the study results by using these findings to improve employee performance.

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Stauffer, Robert G. "Enhancing business performance| Case studies of small business leaders in the federal sector." Thesis, University of Phoenix, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3734431.

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Declines in federal spending from continuing resolutions and sequestration events during the 2011 – 2014 time frame reduced and delayed government purchases of products and services from small business owners operating in the federal sector. These actions affected the survivability of many federal sector small businesses, yet some leaders thrived and grew their firm’s revenues while others struggled or failed while operating under the same economic conditions. Exploring the successful actions that enabled leadership effectiveness during this time frame and under these business conditions was the dominant activity in this study. Examples of success practices included the use of rolling forecasts for financial planning because leaders must adjust monthly to unpredictable revenue streams resulting from federal budget uncertainty. Leaders must acquire and operate government-approved business management systems, follow un-optimized business processes codified throughout federal regulations, and invest in employees’ education and experience so each meets minimum eligibility requirements for working on contracts. Leaders must also manage the real risk of the federal government terminating their contracts without explanation for its own convenience, and losing competitively awarded contracts in instances in which the government decides to insource that work from the contractor for its own benefit. The successful practices of federal sector small business leaders identified in this study are nuanced from commercial sector practices. This new research may facilitate the refining of operating models applicable for both the federal and commercial business sectors, with such understanding benefiting and enabling greater business success among struggling federal sector small business owners and leaders.

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Watse, Dije Umaru. "Sources of Financing for Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4690.

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Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for 96% of businesses in Nigeria are often forced to close because they lack access to funds. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the sources of funds available for the development and growth of SMEs in Nigeria. The conceptual framework guiding this study was the pecking order theory. Data were gathered from company documents and through semistructured interviews of a target population of 3 leaders of 3 SMEs from the oil and gas industry in Abuja, Kano, and Lagos in Nigeria, with a capitalization of between N5 million to N500 million. Data were compiled and organized, disassembled into fragments, reassembled into a sequence of groups, and interpreted for meaning. Member checking and triangulation of sources between the interviews and company documents added to the trustworthiness of the findings. Two themes morphed from the study: sources of business finance for SMEs and constraints of sourcing of finance for business. The implications for positive social change include the potential to create employment opportunities for youths in the communities by enabling SMEs in Nigeria to succeed and expand through the identification of sources of funding.

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Adeola-Omole, Omowunmi Senami B. "An empirical investigation of telephony impact on business performance and regional development : evidence from small businesses in Nigeria." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/926.

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This thesis reports on a study conducted to investigate the nature of the relationship between increased access and use of telephony, small business performance and regional development in a developing country context. This study presents detailed evidence drawn from a sample of 198 small businesses in Nigeria. The research conceptualises and empirically tests a research model which incorporates three theories in order to connect and explain how the use of telephony by small businesses enhances business performance and contributes to regional development. This is based on the existing literature of small business development; telecommunications (increased access and use of telephony) by small business; and regional development. The research data was gathered through a questionnaire of owner-managers of small businesses. This data was supplemented by the use of photographs. The data generated was analysed using Logistic Regression techniques with the aid of SPSS V.17 statistical package. In addition, the study used Visual Data Analysis and Interviews to corroborate the outcomes of the statistical analyses. The regression results suggest that there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between the ‘impact of using telephony in business processes’ and enhanced business performance. In particular, it was identified that ‘the extent of the influence of using telephony in the acquisition of new customers’; ‘the extent of the influence of using telephony to reduce the time it takes to make important business decisions’; and ‘the extent of the influence of using telephony in acquiring better market prices’ are critical determinants that explains enhanced competitive advantage of small businesses. In addition, ‘the extent of the influence of using telephony in the acquisition of new customers’, and ‘the extent of the influence of using telephony to reduce the time it takes to make important business decisions’ are critical determinants that explains enhanced profitability of small businesses. This evidence is corroborated by the analysis of the visual data and textual description of the owner-managers interviewed who noted that the influence of using telephony have enhanced their business performance. Furthermore, the regression results suggest there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between the ‘growth outcomes of increased access and use of telephony by small businesses’ and regional development of the business location. In particular, ‘the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses to create new jobs’, ‘the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses on improved business performance’, and ‘the extent of influence of use of telephony by small businesses on significant business growth’ are critical determinants that explains regional development of the small business location. Finally, given the important role small businesses play in developing countries, such as Nigeria, this study help provides a clearer explanation on the nature of the relationship between increased access and use of telephony, small business performance and regional development that could be used to improve the growth of entrepreneurial activities of small businesses which are precursors of economic growth as well as improve infrastructural services such as telecommunications that are essential for regional development.

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Yobe, Kingsley. "The relationship between leadership and employee work performance in a Nigerian courier company." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006858.

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A number of authors have portrayed leadership as a vital factor in the success or failure of an organization. Hence Bass (1994; 1997) believes that excellent organizations begin with excellent leadership and organisations reflect their leadership (Maritz, 1995). Therefore, successful organisations reflect their leadership (Maritz, 1995). In an attempt to investigate the aim of this research, various performance and leadership concepts and theories were investigated: the trait concept, behavioural approaches and situational/contingency approaches. Every one of these theories gave a different explanation to leadership. Furthermore, transactional, and transformational leadership were also discussed. The difference between these two models according to Bass and Avolio (1994) is that the work performance of the followers of transformational leadership is usually beyond expectations, while transactional leadership, at best, leads to expected performance. In terms of performance, it is argued that employee work performance can lead to a successful organisational performance. This is because several organisations attribute their business success to the work performance of their employees. According to Collis and Montgomery (1995) employee work performance has a major positive influence on organisational performance. Nevertheless, the accomplishment of an organisation is dependent on the leader’s ability to enhance human resources; hence “effective organisations require effective leadership” (Maritz, 1995). Transformational leadership was identified as the effective leadership style that can motivate workers to improve on their performance by instilling trust and confidence in them. Transformational leadership is superior to both transactional and non-transactional leadership because it makes workers loyal to the mission and vision of their organizations. Bass (1990) states “that the leadership research over the years has proved that loyalty is more powerful than tangible inducements.” Furthermore, non- transactional leaders avoid decision making, allowing their subordinates to take charge of the work process (Bass 1990). This research focuses on the relationship between leadership and employee work performance in a Nigerian Courier Company. In addressing this aim, a Nigerian Courier company was selected as the research context because of its success in the Nigerian turbulent business environment that is plagued by the country’s economic, social, and political troubles (McKern, Meza, Osayande and Denend, 2010). The research hypothesis of this research was generated to investigate leadership and employee performance. Leadership and performance were also identified as the research independent and dependent variables. Thus the research hypotheses were as follows: Hypothesis 1. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership Alternative Hypothesis: There is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership Hypothesis 2. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transactional leadership Alternative Hypothesis: There is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transactional leadership Hypothesis 3. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and non-transactional leadership. Alternative Hypothesis: There is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and non-transactional leadership. The general methodology included the use of a valid and reliable instrument known as the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the company’s performance appraisal process. These instruments were used to collect information about employee work performance. The validity and reliability of the MLQ is not in doubt because it was formulated from the full range leadership development theory of Bass and Avolio (1997) and has been used extensively worldwide (Bass and Avolio, 1997). The research data was analysed using Statistica (StatSoft, 2011). Once the data was imported the necessary leadership factors were calculated as per the MLQ scoring key. From the eight factors a further three factors were generated namely transformational, transactional and nontransactional leadership. The data was checked and described using frequency tables and descriptive statistics, followed by correlation matrices coupled with their corresponding scatter plots. The research data was tested for consistency and reliability. Sekaran (2000) states that in order to determine the reliability of a measure one needs to test for both consistency and stability. For this research, linear correlation and regression analysis was used. The outcome of the first investigated hypothesis confirmed that there is a strong significant, positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership (ρ<0.0001). However, the findings on the null hypothesis, states that transformational leadership has no significant positive linear relationship with employee performance. The null hypothesis is REJECTED, because the model is significant at ρ<.0001. Thus, the alternative hypothesis is ACCEPTED because it concludes that there is sufficient evidence, at the 5% level of significance, that there is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership. The second hypotheses found that with 5% level of significance there is no significant positive linear relationship between transactional leadership and employee performance (ρ =0.317). It must be noted that since the correlation is not significant the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transactional leadership was NOT REJECTED. The outcome of the third hypotheses support the null hypothesis, because the negative linear relationship between employee performance and non-transactional leadership is not significant (ρ = 0.6718). This informed the conclusion that at the 5% level of significance, there is no positive linear relationship between non-transactional leadership and employee performance. The findings of this research favour the conclusion drawn by Brand, Heyl and Maritz (2000) that suggested a more significant relationship between transformational leadership and employee performance, than any other leadership style. Evidence put together in the retail and manufacturing sector of South Africa, and the armed forces of the United States of America, Germany and Canada, point in the direction of the strong, positive effects of transformational leaders (Brand, et al., 2000). Again the effectiveness of transformational leadership can be reinforced by the research directed by Ristow, Amos and Staude (1999), which resolved that the effectiveness of transformational leadership was greater in a South African cricketing environment. Hayward, Davidson, Pascoe, Tasker, Amos and Pearse (2003) conducted research in a pharmaceutical organisation and found a positive linear relationship between transformational leadership and employee work performance. These research outcomes clarify the investigation by Pruijn and Boucher (1994) which established “that transformational leadership is an extension of transactional leadership” (Bass, 1997). The difference between these two models according to Bass and Avolio (1994) is that the work performance of supporters of transformational leadership is usually beyond expectation, while the behaviour of the supporters of transactional leadership, at best, leads to anticipated work performance. This research will be used to improve the relationship between the leaders and employees of the courier company under investigation. It will be useful for the placement of individuals to leadership positions in the company. It will also impact on how future leadership training will be conducted by the company, and of course add to the body of knowledge. This is supported by research conducted in the service sector which states that “transformational leadership affects performance over and above transactional leadership” (Geyery and Steyrer, 1998).

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Thomas-Ogboja, Olayinka. "Using eCommerce to Improve Product Marketing and Profitability in Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5137.

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Small and medium enterprises in Nigeria rarely use eCommerce, which has led to lagging market shares and profitability compared to firms in other countries that use eCommerce. Approximately 90% of boutique fashion businesses shut down their businesses due to the inability to operate outside their business location. The social exchange theory was used in this multiple case study to explore how some small business owners in the boutique fashion industry use eCommerce to improve product marketing and profitability in Nigeria. The target population for this study was 5 fashion boutique owners based in Lagos State, Nigeria with a significant record of profitability by using eCommerce in product marketing. The data collection was through semistructured face-to-face interviews with 5 business leaders; each from different fashion boutiques in Lagos. Data collected was first coded to maintain confidentiality of participants, the digital recordings was transcribed into a Microsoft word document, and Nvivo 10 software was used to analyze and generate emerging themes. The data analysis was supported by methodological triangulation and member checking to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the interpretations. Two of the themes that emerged from the study were generating sales to improve profitability and strategic store locations. Use of eCommerce may contribute to social change through an increase in successful startups, increased employment, and the positive impact such companies have in the societies and communities they operate. Leveraging eCommerce may enable small- and medium-sized enterprise leaders to operate sustainable businesses.

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Olowu, Akinseye Uwem. "Agricultural financing and performance in Nigeria : a case study of the agricultural credit guarantee scheme." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/8532.

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Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agricultural financing has a wide and deep history in Nigeria, owing to the fact that the Nigerian economy has huge potentials for growth especially from its agriculture sector which is the second largest contributor to GDP. Since the establishment of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme over 30 years ago, the total sum of 647,351 loans amounting to over N34 billion have been disbursed to farmers as at 2009. The result from this study shows that the guarantee scheme has been effective in providing agricultural financing as well as stimulating agricultural production in Nigeria. More specifically, the study found that, out of the five variables used in the models to determine agricultural performance, the credit finance provided under the ACGS and foreign exchange rates was found to be statistically significant to agricultural output. The credit provided under the ACGS has a significant effect on aggregate output; it was also found that the crop and the fishery subsectors are significantly affected by the credit finance provided under the ACGS, due to their short gestation period. However, the livestock and forestry subsectors do not have an immediate significant relationship with the credit finance due to their long gestation period; rather, they have a significant relationship with the depreciation of foreign exchange rates. A major policy implication from the study is that the government should continue to promote and support the operations of the ACGS to encourage farmers to invest their best efforts in agricultural production in Nigeria for food production and for enhanced agricultural export.

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Foster, Tracy A. "Budget Planning, Budget Control, Business Age, and Financial Performance in Small Businesses." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3605.

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Over 390,000 businesses failed in the United States in 2014. The primary cause for most business failures is poor planning, and budgets are a primary means of planning. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine to what extent, if any, budget planning, budget control, and the age of the business significantly predict financial performance in small businesses. The target population consisted of small business leaders in the Midwest. Churchill and Lewis's theory on the relative importance of selected management factors of small businesses through 5 stages of development formed the theoretical framework for this study. Data were collected through a self-developed online survey using existing Likert-scale measures for each variable based on prior research about those variables. A convenience sample of 86 Midwest U.S. small business leaders identified through SurveyMonkey's crowdsourcing pool resulted in 77 participants with useable responses. Standard multiple linear regression determined the extent to which budget planning, budget control, and age of the business predicted the value of financial performance. The model as a whole was able to significantly predict financial performance. The linear combination of predictor variables (budget planning, budget control, and business age) accounted for approximately 12% of the variation in financial performance. Budget planning significantly predicted financial performance, even when budget control and business age were held constant. Better planning using budgets may help leaders improve the financial health of their small businesses, potentially reducing business failures and job losses. Financially strong and healthy small businesses can create jobs and improve the economic health of local communities.

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Wang, Yong. "Succession issues and business performance : evidence from UK small and medium family sized businesses." Thesis, Southampton Solent University, 2002. http://ssudl.solent.ac.uk/627/.

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Family business is the most prevalent form of business organisation and accounts for about 70% of all companies in European countries. Studies of this sector attract an unusually diverse group of researchers and practicioners. A review of the growing literature reveals that most of the recent family business studies generally discuss succession issues which may be of particular concern to family businesses, and they often lack a firm empirical basis. furthermore, there exists a shortage of studies that establish linkages between family business succession issues and business performance. The importance of this study is acknowledged by the fact that it gives empirical evidence that links the succession issues and the state of performance in small and medium sized family businesses in the UK. Specifically, this thesis tries to develop a multifaceted concept of succession and investigates its relationship with multiple dimensions of financial performance, such as return on capital employed (ROCE), return on shareholder equity (ROSE), profit margin, return on total assets (ROTA), sales growth, progit growth, employment growth and employee productivity. In the research, propositions were generated based on Morris el's (1997) model of perspectives on the relationships between succession issues, characteristics of the transfer and post-transition performance. Morris et al's model classifies succession issues into three dimensions, namely preparation of heirs, nature of family and business relationships and planning and control activities. In this study, apart from these three dimensions, an additional dimension, focusing on compensation issues, was incorporated based on the literature. One primary hypothesis is to investigate whether business performance is associated with the four latent dimensions of underlying succession issues. In addition, this study focuses on the influence of business objectives on business performance. The literature suggests that family considerations and business performance can be competing goals in the family businesses (eg Dunn, 1995). Therefore it is very important to investigate whether business objectives have any impact on business performance. A stratified sample of 924 small and medium sized family controlled businesses was selected from the FAME (Financial Analysis Made Easy) database. 169 Usable responses were received, making the response rate 18.3%. With the sample, a variety of statistical techniques were used to analyse the data. Factor analysis and reliability analysis were employed to build up a succession issue scale. Hierarchical cluster analysis was involved for grouping family businesses, according to their commonalities on succession issue views, plus the subsidiary factors of business age and business size. Finally one way ANOVA and correlation analysis were conducted to determine the relationships between family business succession issues and business performance. Further development of the research was undertaken in two steps. First the assumed influence of subjective variables, such as business objectives on the business performance was investigated. A second postal survey was sent to the 169 companies which replied in the first survey and seventy usable responses were received (the response rate was 41.4%). Secondly, in depth interviews (six case studies) were conducted with incumbent managers and potential successors, which reveal that succession issues and business objectives both have significant relationships with various dimensions of performance, ie profitability ratios, growth ratios and efficiency ratios. It is therefore suggested that business owner-managers use multidimensional conceptualisation to consider succession issues and business objectives to better balance requirements for both family and business to achieve competitive advantage in running their business. Avenues for future research are also addressed at the end of the thesis.

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Gorton, Matthew John. "The growth and performance of small and medium sized enterprises in rural peripheral locations." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/398.

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Since the 1970s the number of small firms in the UK has risen, but at temporally and spatially uneven rates. These trends have heightened interest in the role of local economies in shaping small firm growth and performance. This thesis considers the growth and performance of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in rural peripheral locations in the UK. In measuring this, quantitative survey work was undertaken in rural core as well as rural peripheral localities, with the former acting as a benchmark for comparison. lJtilising returns from standardised postal questiormaires both the performance of the agricultural and non-agricultural business sectors can be compared. By contrasting the performance of both sectors the distribution of existing public sector funds aimed at rural local economic development (LED) is called into question. There is little support for the notion that farm diversification will contribute in any meaningful way to LED. When non-agricultural SMEs in rural peripheral localities are compared with enterprises of a similar age and standard industrial classification (SIC) code in core localities, few significant spatial variations are apparent in business strategy and structure. The main problem for rural peripheral locations would appear to lie not with the firms they already have, but rather the ones which are not present, and in particular their relative structural weakness of fewer medium sized manufacturing companies. When government SME policy is examined, the institutional proliferation and increased government spending which occurred during the 1980s did little to solve this structural weakness. It is contended that a key need for SMEs based in rural peripheral localities is to transcend restricted local markets and the main barriers, and possible solutions to, this process is drawn out in the concluding sections.

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Skelton, Orlando. "Exploring Knowledge Management Practices in Service-Based Small Business Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/272.

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Small business enterprises (SBEs) are significant contributors to business growth and employment in the United States, but despite governmental support, the failure rate of SBEs is high. Some small business leaders lack the critical management skills to detect or discover when underperformance in revenue-generation is due to gaps in organizational knowledge or business practices associated with managing knowledge assets. Guided by the knowledge-based view of the firm, the purpose of this multiple case study was to address that gap by exploring the skills needed by leaders to understand how deficiencies in their knowledge management practices contribute to underperformance. Semistructured interview data were collected from a sample of 10 small business leaders in the northeast and west. Data from publicly available documentation consisting of sales brochures, press releases, and participant company websites were also collected. Data analysis entailed using keyword frequency comparisons, coding techniques, and cluster analysis. The key themes indicate that the participants' document management practices and misaligned core business practices impeded value creation. The recommended change in business practices for small business leaders is to formalize social engagement with customers, use document management tools, and adopt process management techniques. The implications for social change include mitigating the harmful effects of business failure on society associated with job loss, stress-related disabilities, and reduced charitable donations to groups serving disadvantaged citizens. The beneficiaries of this research include small business leaders, business practitioners, and policy makers.

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Carmichael, Shenique. "Small Farm Management of Information Communication Technology, E-Commerce, and Organization Performance." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4719.

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Many small farm farmers in the United States are reluctant to use information communication technology (ICT) and e-commerce, yet little is known about their decision-making rationale. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore U.S. small farm farmers' decision making, specifically, regarding use or non-use of e-commerce, in managing farm operations by using the Miles and Snow's typology of strategic management. The purposive sample consisted of 30 small farm farming operations in Kansas and Missouri with revenue less than $250,000 per annum. Data analysis was 3-tiered and involved use of horizontalization, thematic clustering, and synthesis. Using the Van Kaam method of data analysis, 4 themes emerged: (a) small farm farmers have a family-oriented farming experience with complex factors that lead to the reliance on fellow farmers for information and support; (b) small farm farmers rely on fellow farmers for advice and support as well as the use of established procedures in their farming operations; (c) while small farm farmers see the value in ICT in farming, many view it as either impractical or non-applicable for their own operations; and (d) small farm farmers recognized that ICT has a positive impact on farms productivity, income, and growth. However, some small farm farmers were reluctant to adopt ICT due to expenditure, location, and farm size concerns. Study findings also highlighted a few business models such as community-supported agriculture investment that small farm farmers use to enhance their daily farm operations. With insights from the study, small farm farmers in the United States may be able to improve their understanding of e-commerce applications, which could potentially lead to increased annual profits for these farmers, new customers and consistent product pricing for consumers.

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Zeelie, Eben Johannes. "The determination of critical success factors that impact on the performance of SMEs in e-commerce." Thesis, Port Elizabeth Technikon, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/118.

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The research problem addressed in this study is the determination of the critical success factors for SMEs in e-commerce. To achieve the objective, an integrated list of critical success factors, gathered from practitioner- and academic literature, had to be identified. The integrated list was developed through the following sub-processes: · The first consisted of a literature survey of the sources and the identification of critical success factors, which lead to insights into the role of critical success factors in strategic management and the objectivity of the CSF identification process. The second comprised surveying the literature dealing specifically with the unique characteristics of SMEs, to identify factors that are critical to the survival and growth of SMEs. · The third consisted of a survey of the academic and practitioner literature dealing with critical success factors in e-commerce, in order to develop an integrated list of critical success factors for SMEs in ecommerce. The integrated list that emerged from the literature study consisted of the following seventeen critical success factors: 1. Target the right customers 2. Involve all stakeholders 3. Provide access to all customer information 4. User-friendly web design 5. Let customers help themselves 6. Offer online and offline assistance to customer enquiries 7. Deliver personalized service 8. Foster online community 9. Top management support 10. Technical infrastructure 11. Security and control of the e-commerce system 12. Promotion of site 13. Financial planning and control of project 14. Loyalty 15. Development of a business plan 16. Branding of the site 17. Shipping and fulfilment The integrated list was used as the basis for the compilation of a survey questionnaire to identify the eight most critical success factors for SMEs in ecommerce. The survey questionnaire was sent to SMEs that are members of the Port Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have a website and comply with the criteria for SMEs. The empirical study identified the eight most critical success factors for SMEs in e-commerce and indicated strong concurrence with the unique characteristics of SMEs.

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Rabie, Jaco. "Electronic performance assessment : applying microsoft business scorecards accelerator in a small public sector serving organisation." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/1171.

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Fluker, Tareion M. "Performance Factors that Influence Marketing Measurement in Successful Small Businesses." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2483.

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During the 2009 economic recession, United States business leaders cut marketing expenditures between 33% and 50% more than they did for any other business expenditure to mitigate financial loss because business leaders often regard marketing as an expense and not an investment. Since there is not a widely applied marketing measurement standard, this multiple-case study focused on finding key performance indicators that healthcare and sales small business leaders in eastern United States with less than 500 employees, and marketing evaluation practices in place, used to evaluate the effectiveness of their marketing. Institutional theory was used as the conceptual framework to explore the key drivers behind marketing measurement practices. The focus of this study was on the experiences of 4 small business leaders in Atlanta, Georgia, and Baltimore, Maryland, who have developed financial and nonfinancial strategies to measure their marketing performance. Data collected for this study included 20-minute interviews with each participant, strategic plans, and field notes. A modified van Kaam and triangulation approach was used for data analysis to identify themes, which included the need to tie marketing measurement to the product or service offering and drive revenue or traffic to their business. The results of the study may benefit practitioners who work on social change strategies because the conclusions clarify effective marketing practices and increase well-being of customers. Further, this study provides recommendations for successful marketing measurement strategies that may help businesses meet the needs of community members.

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McMullen, Mac Jackson. "Contingency Theory| United States Small Business Predictive Performance with Project Management Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling." Thesis, Northcentral University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10042193.

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Small business entrepreneurs (SBEs) within the United States in 2014 produced 47% of the national $17.5 trillion GDP and employed 48.5% of the national labor force. Detailed business planning was a theorized predictor of SBE performance and project, program, and portfolio management (P3M) as detailed managerial planning processes influenced by organizational theories. The specific problem was the failure of SBEs due to a lack of business management planning and the unknown generalizable U.S. SBE use of P3M as detailed managerial planning processes to enhance SBE performance. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to statistically model U.S. SBE predictive P3M application to SBE Performance within a contingency theory framework using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), hierarchical component modeling (HCM), and multi-group analysis (MGA-PLS) of subpopulations (growth orientation, number of employees, business age, business location, industry sector, legal form of organization, and P3M maturity). Random anonymous sampling among small business owners and chief managers was used to attain a representative sample by U.S. state using a web-based survey instrument. A sample of 179 was planned (R² sensitivity of 0.1) and n =150 was attained (R² sensitivity of 0.107). Sample size was representative of 93.1% of 28.9 million small business enterprises by U.S. state and the District of Columbia. Findings included an average performance efficiency of 59% among U.S. SMEs with room for improvement of 41%. P3M was identified as detailed planning and management processes with a 0.308 total effect on national SBE performance. A 1% improved adaptation of P3M managerial knowledge area processes predicted 18.17% SBE performance improvement. Limitations of the study included data collection barriers from internet service providers (ISPs) and email service providers (ESPs) in censoring and filtering emailed survey invitations contributing to a decreased response rate. Future research recommendations include expanding population ecology theory to identify predictive environmental factors that effect the 59% performance mean resulting in a population of SBEs failing or improving at various S-curve lifecycle stages.

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Jänkälä, S. (Sinikka). "Management control systems (MCS) in the small business context:linking effects of contextual factors with MCS and financial performance of small firms." Doctoral thesis, University of Oulu, 2007. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789514285288.

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Abstract Small businesses are numerous in any country. However, we have very limited knowledge regarding their management accounting (MA) and management control systems (MCS). Traditionally, it has been stated that small firms do not need and use MCS due to their simple structures and poor resources. On the other hand, a few studies on high technology firms have shown that these firms have developed their MCS and are also utilizing sophisticated management accounting practices and information. The aim of this study is to analyse small firms' use of MCS practices as well as to examine the role of MCS practices and information of small firms in a contingency theoretical framework. Furthermore, the study is not only focusing on small, rapidly growing firms but also on traditional, more stable small firms, all employing from 10 to 49 persons. Based on the survey responses of 183 managing directors of small Finnish firms, the study describes the diffusion and penetration of MCS practices and information among small firms. Two theoretical models are constructed linking the use of MCS with strategy, perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU), use of diversified management team and financial performance of small firms. Tests are made by using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results suggest that small firms do use a wide range of MCS practices and information. The main results also indicate that the use of a more diversified management team seems to increase the use of MCS practices and information. The use of more advanced practices is related to small firms which have been more profitable or which have had lower growth rates in sales. In addition, the use of MCS seems to be associated with small firms' strategies, both realized and intended. The pursued strategy seems to drive small firms' profitability and growth in net sales. However, such an association was not found between the intended strategy and financial performance after two years. The use of MCS seems to have only a few positive effects on small firm's financial performance. Nevertheless, more use of advanced dimensions of MCS seems to predict significant improvements for longer-term growth in net sales.

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Blackman, Alan John, and n/a. "Entrepreneurs: Interrelationships Between Their Characteristics, Values, Expectations, Management Practices and SME Performance." Griffith University. School of Marketing and Management, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20040615.154732.

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This original research seeks to identify unique predictive relationships between the characteristics, values and expectations of entrepreneurs in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the management practices they choose; and then, the relationships between those practices and business performance. It adds to the current understanding of the impact of entrepreneurs on the performance of their businesses and has also led to the development of two new tools for assessing the performance of SMEs. Growth of the SME sector is important to the public policy agendas of governments, like those in Australia, that are seeking to optimise the employment opportunities associated with an SME sector in which "success" is the norm because SME failure, or underperformance, is associated with many social costs; costs that include reduced earnings for proprietors, potential job loss for staff and financial hardship for suppliers, as well as a reduction in the average per capita spending power of the community in which the failed or under performing business is based. For the SME, business strategy development and implementation is often the role of the entrepreneur owner-manager. The characteristics, values and expectations of entrepreneurs in SMEs may thus influence their choice of management practices and thereby the performance of their businesses. As Cooper (1998) argued: "the primary motivations of the entrepreneur bear upon not only the decision to start but also upon the decisions about how to manage, including whether or not to grow the firm aggressively" (p. 247). Johnson (1990) suggested that there is a strong need to focus future research on the motivation mechanisms of entrepreneurs as drivers of the entrepreneurial process. Johnson's view supports the entrepreneurial trait school of thought that development of an understanding of the individual entrepreneur's characteristics, values and expectations might provide worthwhile insight into her or his behaviour and its relationship to SME success and failure. The purposes of this research, therefore, were, first, to determine the importance of the attributed and attained characteristics of the entrepreneur on the formation of his or her values and expectations; second, to determine the influence of those values and expectations on the choice of management practices; third, to determine the degree to which those management practices influence business performance; and last, to develop a scale of measurement for entrepreneur characteristics, values and expectations that can be used to predict business performance. To enable limited comparison with Kotey's and Meredith's (1997) findings and to control for between industry and between state influences, the chosen context for the research was the furniture industry in Queensland. To add to current knowledge in SME management practices and performance, two new measurement tools were developed for this research. The first quantifies the positiveness of the business intentions of the entrepreneur. The second is a scaled index of perceived performance that takes account of the importance given by an entrepreneur to eight common business objectives and the degree to which he or she is satisfied with the performance of the business for each objective. Both tools are important additions to the limited existing armoury of tools available to researchers seeking to understand and predict SME performance. For the first time, the findings of this research indicate negative relationships between parent occupation skill levels and the importance given by entrepreneurs to the values of responsibility, honesty and competence and the negative role of the entrepreneur's achieved highest qualification on the importance given to values of affection, compassion, religion and national security. The findings thereby highlight the important role played by an entrepreneur's attained characteristics on the formation of his or her values. As well, the results show the important role played by values such as power and responsibility, as well as by high internal locus of control, on an entrepreneur's selection of planning, marketing and future management practices. In turn, the impact of those practices on business performance, as measured by the overall satisfaction of the entrepreneur and the newly created Scaled Index of Perceived Performance, is demonstrated. In so doing, the results shed more light on the complex relationships between entrepreneurs, the management practices they choose, and business performance. For the furniture industry in Queensland, the findings confirm Cooper's (1998) view that there is an empirical relationship between business founding processes and the performance of the business. Also supported is Kotey's and Meredith's (1997) broad finding for the furniture industry in New South Wales that "personal values of owner/managers, the strategies they adopt in operating their firms, and the performance outcomes of their businesses are empirically related" (1997, p. 59). Future research is needed to develop a causal model for those relationships in a variety of SME and other contexts.

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Kiewiets, Winifred Margaret. "Perceptions relating to students performance in small business management at further education and training colleges." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/463.

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The perceptions of both students and teachers are vital to improve performance and to ensure a positive teaching and learning climate at a college. This study examines the perceptions of staff at three recently merged campuses and students regarding student performance. The research focuses specifically on the performance of students registered for the Small Business Management N3 and NSC (National Senior Certificate) curriculum. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods was employed to investigate the desired result. Staff teaching the subject (Small Business Management) were given semi-structured interviews, while students who are currently studying the subject were given questionnaires to complete. Data was collected and analysed. This study reveals amongst other findings that management in FET institutions needs to take cognisance of the perceptions of staff and students regarding the improvement of student performance. Opinions, attitudes, insights and recommendations expressed concerning student performance can help institutions improve their culture of teaching and learning.

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Chishimba, Wesley Chikwanda. "Strategies for Motivating Sales Employees' Performance within Small Businesses in the United States." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5546.

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The loss of revenue, profits, brand, and corporate sustainability are possible for companies whose managers do not use strategies to motivate employee sales performance. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies managers use to motivate sales employees' performance. A purposeful sample of 3 managers from U.S. companies with sales employees shared their strategies to motivate sales employees' performance. Methodological triangulation was used to review and analyze information from semistructured interviews, journal notes, member checking data, and review and analysis of relevant company documents. Additionally, coding indicated 4 main themes supporting the benefits of strategies to motivate sales employees' performance: sales personnel with self-motivation exhibit enhanced sales results earlier than nonself-motivated personnel; setting mandatory guidelines, and continuous checking to observe results motivates performance; financial rewards enhance performance; and sales employees receive motivation from recognition of their peer sales group and the organization. The study findings may contribute to social change by increasing the awareness of sales managers to motivate their sales employees, who will add revenue and profits to the organization thereby maintaining jobs, creating more jobs, and providing additional disposable income for health and well-being.

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Karambakuwa, Tapuwa Roseline. "Determinants of export performance among small to medium enterprises in Zimbabwe." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17647.

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There is consensus that Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) exports play a critical role in the development of economies. It has been widely acknowledged in empirical research done around the world that small businesses make a significant contribution to economic development, employment, competitiveness and the reduction of regional disparities. However, empirical literature gives conflicting evidence on the determinants of export performance among SMEs. The study contributes towards the debate on SME exports by: (i) investigating the variables that determine export performance among SMEs in Zimbabwe (ii) establishing the competi-tiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports and (iii) ascertaining the major constraints faced by SME ex-porters in Zimbabwe The researcher gathered data from 120 SMEs and 10 institutions in Zimbabwe for the period 2009 to 2015. SME samples were chosen from Harare, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East provinces while all 10 of the institutions were chosen from Harare province. Convenient non-probability sampling method was used to select SMEs while stratified sampling technique was applied in the selection of institutions. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. For the quantitative approach, panel data ordinary least squares method was used in the form of the gravity model of trade. Export intensity (used as a measure of exports) was regressed against support institutions, business ownership, research & development, educational years, use of export processing zones, product type, export years, firm size, firm age, gender, distance from trading partner, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of trading partner, and GDP of Zimbabwe. The random effects estimation method was used, basing on results from the Durbin-Wu-Hausman test. The null hypothesis was based on the premise that the variables under study do not determine export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe. Other null hypothesis were that the major constraint faced by SME exporters in Zimbabwe is not access to finance and that Zimbabwe’s exports are not competitive in the mining, agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The revealed comparative advantage index was computed to measure the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports.For the qualitative approach, the study used the triangulation method which involved combining and utilising the questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. The results from the study indicated that following variables increased export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs; business ownership, use of export processing zones, export years, firm size, and GDP of trading partner. The following variables have an inverse relationship with the export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs: gender, distance from trading partner and research & development. The results also indicated that these further variables do not determine the export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe: support institutions, years of education, product type, firm age and GDP of Zimbabwe. The major constraint faced by exporting SMEs in Zimbabwe is limited access to finance. Zimbabwe is competitive in the agricultural and mining sector exports, but not in manufacturing sector exports The policy implication of the findings is that SME support needs to go beyond support institutions when it comes to SME export promotion. Further SMEs in the agriculture and mining sectors need to be promoted for export growth since Zimbabwe is competitive in these sectors. However the manufacturing sector cannot be ignored, since many economies have developed due to exports of manufactured products and a country needs to have balanced export growth in both primary and manufacturing sectors. In order to have motivated, career SME exporters, entrepreneurship education should begin from primary school right up to university so as to improve entrepreneurial aspirations, attitudes and behaviour in the long run.

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Guy, Tywon. "Strategies to Improve Small Business Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7386.

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Small businesses are considered the backbone of the U.S. economy with significant contributions in the areas of job creation and economic development. However, 79% of small businesses fail within the first 5 years. This multiple case study aimed to explore strategies and knowledge of resources that owners of small businesses used to sustain business operations for longer than the first 5 years. The population included 5 minority owners of small businesses in Texas. Chaos theory formed the conceptual framework. The data collection process included semistructured interviews, member checks, field notes, company artifacts, and archival documents. Data were analyzed using Yin's data analysis steps of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding. Three themes emerged from the analysis: effective management of the business environment, effective planning, and business owners' skills and knowledge. The U.S. Small Business Administration, local chambers of commerce, and owners of small businesses may benefit from the findings of this study by gaining an understanding of successful minority owners of small businesses' implemented strategies that enable business success and profitability. The implications of this study for positive social change include identifying sustainable strategies minority owners of small businesses can use to advance business growth, increase financial security, achieve employee job sustainability, and potentially stimulate the local community with job creation.

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Ojodu, Hameed Omotola. "The effect of corporate social responsibility and stakeholder management on corporate social performance of multinational oil companies in Nigeria." Thesis, Kingston University, 2017. http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/41934/.

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The discovery of oil has been identified as both a blessing and a curse for Nigeria. While oil revenue has been a blessing to the country, the failure of oil companies to be socially responsible to their host communities has been a source of numerous crises in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria. Earlier studies have enriched our knowledge on how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be used to benefit host communities, but how corporate social responsibility and the stakeholder approach can be used to prevent these crises have received little attention in the literature. Thus, this study contributes to knowledge by investigating the effect of corporate social responsibility and stakeholder management on corporate social performance. This research adopted a quantitative approach method, and survey was developed based on the existing scales of corporate social responsibility measurement. Two different sets of questionnaires were administered to 160 employees of the big four multinational oil companies in Nigeria and 225 members of the host communities in the Niger-Delta area. A hundred and forty-six questionnaires were returned from each of the two sets of respondents. These questionnaires were analysed using Partial Least Square and descriptive statistics. The results of the analyses revealed that a strong relationship exists between compliance to industry standards and environmental performance evidence from employees of multinational oil companies. While the results showed that a weak relationship exists between compliance to industry standards and environmental performance based on the response from the host communities. The results also showed that a strong relationship exists between corporate legitimacy and community relations from both the employees of multinational oil companies and host communities. Furthermore, the results revealed that a strong relationship exists between corporate legitimacy and community perception from both stakeholders. In addition, there is also a strong relationship between regulatory infractions and environmental performance from the results of the two main stakeholders. The results also indicated that a strong relationship exists between CSR initiatives and community relations for the two main stakeholders. However, the results revealed that a weak relationship exists between CSR initiatives and community perception from both groups of stakeholders. Another contribution of this stufy to knowledge is the corporate social responsibility and corporate social performance measures used in this research. While existing measurements of corporate social responsibility in the literature have combined all the variables, this study separated them into various dimensions, to ensure easier adaptability for other studies. This study is a set of possible ideals, practicable and feasible concerns corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures. In addition, this study is a response to a prolonged and contested problem of appropriate measurement of corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, this gap in the literature led to development of a more robust conceptual model of a reflective construct of corporate social responsibility and corporate social performance that in some respects differ from existing conceptual model of corporate social responsibility. Therefore, this research recognised the attempt by previous studies on development of corporate social responsibility measurement model. Still, this study proposed agenda and scope of corporate social responsibility, as well as the measures used to implement corporate social responsibility via the reflective construct for the oil companies' operationalisation in Nigeria.

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Mulhern, Alan. "Theory of competitive advantage : small and medium size enterprise performance and inter-regional migration." Thesis, Kingston University, 2015. http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/34709/.

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Liu, Yuan. "Commitment-based human resource management and organisational performance an empirical study of small businesses in New Zealand : a thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Business, 2005." Full thesis. Abstract, 2005.

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Ibáñez, de Opacua Amaia. "The relationship between knowledge management, information and communication technologies and performance from the resource-based view in small and medium manufacturing firms." Connect to e-thesis, 2006. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/977/.

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Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2006.
Ph.D. thesis submitted to the School of Business and Management, University of Glasgow, 2006. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

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Bodley, David Cyril. "The relationship between opportunity-related aspects and the performance of primary co-operatives in South Africa." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14653.

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South Africa is a country facing divisive social and economic challenges. It has a history that generated imbalances within the economy and requires urgent solutions to one of the most significant issues the country faces, having too few South Africans in work. Globally, a key solution to creating work has been to make small business the engine-room of economies. Consequently, the South African Government has identified the establishment of small businesses as a priority, which incorporates the development of collaborative forms of businesses in marginalised communities. The co-operative form of business and a strong co-operative movement is, therefore, a critical element of government’s initiative to create work and economic independence for South Africans. Governed by the seven International Labour Organization (ILO) principles, this form of business is often more complex than a typical firm, making the task of establishing and growing these entities particularly challenging. This study analyses the literature to gain an understanding of co-operative movements across the globe. It then looks at the specific challenges the movement faces in South Africa, followed by an analysis of best practice that a business should engage in its establishment and growth. Specifically, the literature examines whether there is a relationship between opportunity-related industry, market and entrepreneurial team aspects and improved business performance of business entities such as co-operatives. The study collates data from co-operatives in the South African economy using two separate methodologies. Firstly, a structured interview was used to acquire information on the opportunity-related aspects. Secondly, business transactions were recorded and basic financial statements were produced for each co-operative, enabling a rating on business performance. The primary data was then analysed within Chapter 6, to investigate the strength of the relationship between opportunity-related aspects and business performance. The findings extracted from the primary data reinforced certain facts within the body of knowledge as it relates to the relationship between opportunity-related aspects and business performance, but there were also some interesting new insights that were extracted from the data. The South African co-operative movement has achieved certain success and momentum as well as experiencing certain failures, and the study clearly highlights both, and makes recommendations to improve the movements and government’s efforts to establish a vibrant and meaningful co-operative sector.

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Megchun, Beatriz Itzel Cruz. "The strategic role of design management to enhance performance within small Mexican technology-based enterprises in new technological industries." Thesis, Staffordshire University, 2010. http://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/2035/.

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This thesis discusses how design management can play a relevant role to improve the performance of small Mexican technology-based enterprises (TBEs) in new technological industries. The research began exploring the general role of design in Mexican business context and a gap in the literature was revealed about the role of design management and its relevance on the development of technological innovations in Mexican TBEs. A multi-method design research was adopted to identify and further detail data about the benefits and effects of design management in small Mexican TBEs. Therefore, a QUALquan design approach was utilised to apply sequentially qualitative and quantitative methods to develop a model (theory) that later was subjected to testing. The first action was to explore the context of the study through qualitative methods in order to develop an instrument (diagnostic toolkit) that enabled the researcher to evaluate the condition of the case studies within their current business practices. Then, the researcher implemented the second strategy to know the condition of the principal case studies to provide an intervention treatment. This allowed the researcher to introduce and implement design management practices within the case studies for a period of seven months to later assess once again the case studies to prove whether the intervention had provoked a change. Findings suggested that the implementation of design management can help small Mexican TBEs in new technological industries to improve their performance. The primary contribution of this research was to produce a detailed account of the conditions in which small Mexican TBEs in new technological industries operate and how they were affected by the implementation of design management. This helped to provide a holistic perspective on the use of design management, design thinking and design leadership. Similarly, it assisted in the development of an empirically confirmed design toolkit to assess the condition and design abilities and capabilities of small Mexican TBEs. The design toolkit offered users the opportunity to obtain results and suggestions about their condition and to identify and apply a series of methods, tools and techniques that can be implemented in their three levels of business activities: strategic, tactical and operational engagement.

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Bosse, Douglas A. "The organization and performance implications of vertical interfirm exchanges at small and entrepreneurial firms." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1145639994.

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De, Lange Juanré Anton. "The influence of selected marketing mix strategies on business performance of small family and non-family businesses in the Eastern Cape." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15016.

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Despite the fact that small family and non-family businesses in South Africa are important contributors to economic and social development, their failure rates are still high globally. Major contributing factors to this high failure rate are the lack of marketing skills and ineffective marketing practices. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to establish what marketing mix strategies are used by small family and non-family businesses in the Eastern Cape and the influence of these strategies on Perceived business performance. The literature review dealt with the nature and importance of marketing, and the traditional marketing mix strategies were elaborated on from a small family and non-family business perspective. The traditional marketing mix strategies (4Ps) identified as influencing the Perceived business performance of small family and non-family businesses, were classified as Product-, Pricing-, Place-, and Promotion strategies. From the literature review, it was evident that the traditional marketing mix strategies have been criticised by a number of studies as not reflecting the holistic marketing concept within the 21st century. Yet, despite its simplicity various studies still find the traditional 4P framework to be a strong staple of the marketing mix. In this study, a quantitative research design was adopted and an exploratory and descriptive research approach of a cross-sectional nature were undertaken. A convenience sampling technique was used owing to the inaccessibility of a small family and non-family business database. The sample size in this study consisted of 195 small family-owned businesses and 145 small non-family businesses operating within the borders of the Eastern Cape. The primary data in this study was gathered by means of a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The measuring instrument was developed by sourcing items from several existing studies. Small family and non-family businesses were approached by fieldworkers and asked to participate in this study. In total 400 questionnaires were distributed, of which 340 were usable for further statistical analyses. Therefore, an effective response rate of 85% was achieved in this study. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were confirmed by means of an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and by the calculation of Cronbach„s alpha (CA) coefficients. The five usable factors that were extracted from the EFA were identified as Pricing strategies, Competitive distribution strategies, Communication process strategies, Low cost promotion strategies and Perceived business performance. The CA coefficient for Pricing strategies indicated that the scale measuring this factor was not reliable due to it falling below the accepted norm of 0.6 and, therefore it was disregarded from further analysis. The CA coefficients returned for the remaining usable factors extracted from the EFA were greater than 0.6, thus indicating the scales measuring these variables provided satisfactory evidence of validity and reliability. The findings of the descriptive statistics showed that the highest mean score reported was for the independent variable Competitive distribution strategies, followed by Communication process strategies and Low cost promotion strategies. Based on the mean, respondents indicated that they often utilise Competitive distribution strategies and Communication process strategies, and seldom utilise Low cost promotion strategies. Pearson‟s product moment correlations revealed that all the marketing mix strategies, for both small family and non-family businesses, investigated were found to be significantly and positively correlated with the dependent variable Perceived business performance, and amongst themselves. The findings of the MRA showed that utilising Competitive distribution strategies have a significant positive influence on the Perceived business performance of small family businesses. The finding implies that the more small family businesses in this study provide high-quality and competitive products through distributions process methods by setting timing objectives, using distributions selection criteria and changing the distribution channel when needed to continuously satisfy customers‟ needs, the more likely the business is to experience growth in profit and sales and having loyal customers who make regular purchases and recommend the business to others. This study found no relationship between Competitive distribution strategies and the Perceived business performance of small non-family businesses, as well as between Communication Process strategies and Low cost promotion strategies and Perceived business performance of small family and non-family businesses. The results of the t-tests revealed that no statistically significant relationship was found between the Type of small business ownership and any of the three independent variables, Competitive distribution-, Communication Process-, and Low cost promotion strategies. Furthermore, the results of the Chi-square test for independence reported no statistically significant difference between using the family name as a marketing or branding tool and the size of the small business in this study. The results, however, indicated that as the business size increases, the more small businesses use their family name as a marketing- or branding tool. From the 18 sets of null hypotheses that were formulated, to explore whether the demographical variables had an influence on the marketing mix strategies utilised by the small family and non-family businesses, only 11 multivariant analysis of variance (MANOVA) relationships could be established as being statistically significant. These include the Gender of the business owner/manager, Age of the business owner/manager, Management qualifications of the business owner/manager, Ethnicity of the business owner/manager, Position in the small business, Years small business is in existence, Working experience of the business owner/manager, Management working experience of the business owner/manager, Form of business ownership, Area of business premises and Target market of the small business. This study has addressed a gap in the current literature regarding the influence of marketing mix strategies on business performance among small family and non-family businesses in a developing economy such as South Africa. This study has furthermore attempted to enlarge the body of knowledge available on marketing, especially concerning Communication Process, Competitive distribution strategies and Low cost promotion strategies. The results of the study differ somewhat from existing literature, and therefore add to the body of knowledge on marketing. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that small family businesses utilising Competitive distribution strategies have a significant positive influence on their Perceived business performance, and in doing so makes a small contribution towards increasing the success rate of these small family businesses and in return positively contribute to the economic growth and development of South Africa.

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O'Mara, Charles Edward. "Evaluating new product development performance in small to medium sized manufacturing firms." View thesis, 2009. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/38926.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2009.
A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Centre for Industry and Innovation Studies, College of Business. Includes bibliographies.

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Tetteh-Odonkor, Osaka Kugblenu. "Managerial Strategies to Sustain Small Auto Repair Businesses." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6380.

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Small auto repair business owners need strong operational skills; however, some lack expertise in managerial strategy. The purpose of this multiple case study was to identify managerial strategies small auto repair business owners use to sustain businesses in Columbus, Ohio with respect to strategy, time management, and alteration of value chain services. Based on the Vroom expectancy theory of motivation, small auto repair business owners may use effectiveness and efficiency of business performance with particular emphasis on managerial strategic development and execution to enhance financial results and rewards. Data collection involved face-to-face, semistructured interviews with 5 small auto repair business owners. Analysis of the interview transcripts involved coding data to identify key themes. Themes that emerged from the study included effective managerial strategies for small auto repair business owners, business plans, initial challenges and addressing subsequent changes, education and certification, customer satisfaction and business knowledge, and financial analysis and reporting. Recommendations for enhanced small auto repair business ownership focus included adequate access to resources to achieve operational competence and achieve managerial success. Findings from this study might engender positive social change by providing owners of small auto repair businesses ways to improve planning processes and make prudent investments to ensure long-term, viable, and sustainable businesses.

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Loury-Okoumba, W. V. "Supply chain management best practices, agility, risk management and performance in small and medium enterprises in South Africa." Thesis, Vaal University of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10352/378.

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D. Tech. (Logistics, Faculty of Management Science), Vaal University of Technology
The strategic importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their role in stimulating economic growth and competitiveness in many countries are well documented in literature. The same applies to South Africa, where the SME sector has grown tremendously to become an important contributor to social and economic development through employment creation and constant input to the gross domestic product. However, in spite of these contributions, South African SMEs face numerous challenges, which negatively impact their prospects for growth and success. Some of these challenges include the limited access to financial capital, the lack of infrastructure and the lack of skills, which play a significant role in the high mortality rate of SMEs. One of the proposed solutions to address these operational challenges is the adoption of supply chain management strategies to strengthen the operational and long-term capabilities of SMEs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between supply chain management best practices, supply chain agility, risk management and supply chain performance in South African SMEs. The study applied a quantitative approach in which a cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data to test direct and indirect relationships between different constructs (buyer-supplier collaboration, supply chain integration, total quality management, IT adoption, supply chain agility, supply chain risk management and supply chain performance). A structured survey questionnaire was developed using adapted measurement scales and administered to 407 randomly selected SME owners, managers and professional employees who had some knowledge about supply chain management. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0) and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS version 24.0) statistical software. The actual data analyses techniques applied included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using structural equation modelling. The latter included a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the psychometric properties of measurement scales and the testing of the six hypotheses using the path analyses technique. The results of the study showed positive and significant relationships between all supply chain management practices and supply chain agility. Specifically, buyer-supplier collaboration and total quality management exerted a moderate and significant influence on supply chain agility. Moreover, IT adoption had a strong positive and significant relationship with supply chain agility iv while supply chain integration had a weak but significant relationship with the same factor. More results provided from the analysis confirmed the existence of a very strong and significant relationship between supply chain agility and supply chain risk management. In turn, supply chain risk management had a strong positive relationship with supply chain performance. The study also takes note of its contributions to highlight its merits. From a theoretical perspective, it provides an in-depth examination of some driving factors to supply chain agility, supply chain risk management and supply chain performance within SMEs. Given that a study of this nature has not been performed before amongst South African SMEs, the results are an essential addition to the existing body of literature within the area of supply chain management within SMEs in developing countries such as South Africa. From a management perspective, the study suggests that specific attention should be directed to all of the four supply chain management practices (buyer-supplier collaboration, supply chain integration, IT adoption and total quality management) considered as possible avenues to address operational challenges in SMEs.

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Amaechi, Ezenwayi. "Exploring Barriers to Women Entrepreneurs in Enugu State, Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2780.

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Women play an important role in the development of their families and communities economically; however, in comparison to men, they disproportionately experience barriers such as low income households, poverty, unemployment, lack of training, and discrimination. The purpose of this mini-ethnographic case study was to explore the perceptions of women entrepreneurs in Enugu State, Nigeria on what information they need to overcome possible barriers in their business and economic development. The 5M (market, money, management, motherhood, meso, and microenvironment) framework provided the theoretical lens for this investigation. The data gathering process involved face-to-face semistructured interviews with 15 women entrepreneurs in 3 local markets in Enugu State, in addition to direct observation, field notes, and reflective journal entries. Data were inductively analyzed and then triangulated to ensure trustworthiness of findings. The major themes revealed that these women needed information in the areas of marketing, customer relations, accounting procedures, financing strategies, and formal business training to grow their businesses. Embracing the results of this research may contribute to positive social change by providing information on how small scale women entrepreneurs could reduce their dependence on their husbands, partners, and relatives.

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Namwandi, Helmut. "Financial statement analysis as a tool in evaluating the performance on Namibian small and medium-sized enterprises." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12480.

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Literature on financial statement analysis has been documented by various authors on how the performances of organisations can be measured using financial statement analysis as a tool. Most of the literature focused on what has been written in relating to organisations which are listed on the stock exchange. However, the same principles which are applied in evaluating the performance of large organisations can equally be applied to any organisation; this includes small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Namibia. Despite the fact that financial statement analysis is an important tool for evaluating the performance of organisations, no previous literature was found pertaining to the evaluation of the performance of Namibian small and medium-sized enterprises using this tool. This research will attempt to identify how management of Namibian small and medium-sized enterprises can effectively make use of financial statement analysis as a tool in evaluating the performance of the organisations in order to make correct strategic decisions that will benefit the SMEs.

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Newby, Rick. "Examining the goals of small and medium enterprise owner-operations." University of Western Australia. School of Economics and Commerce, 2006. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2007.0021.

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[Truncated abstract] The focus of this thesis is to investigate the meaning and measurement of business success for owner-operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Taking a first step towards a greater understanding of SME performance, the study develops an instrument specifically designed to measure the business goals and objectives of SME owners. This development is based on a combination of a: literature search; quantitative analysis of a secondary data set of the goals and expectations of Australian retailers; qualitative (focus group) study of West Australian SME principals; and quantitative (mail survey) study of West Australian SME principals. Both these primary data studies used SME principals from a wide variety of industries . . . Tests of the power of the SOS to account for differences in economic performance revealed that the SOS significantly increased understanding of variations in owner returns and profitability and had a limited capacity to explain differences in revenue growth and staff revenue productivity. SOS satisfaction was found to describe differences in owner-operators’ perceptions of business success significantly better than objective measures of economic return. It is expected that such knowledge will help subsequent research develop an understanding of how SME onwer-operators modify their expectations of economic return for the utility they gain from their working life.

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Grufman, Niklas, and Cornelia Larker. "Assessing the value of advice : Evaluation approaches of small management consulting firms." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-173387.

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Whilst utilization of management consulting services has become an integral part of the contemporary economy and functioning of many organizations, intangibility leaves clients unable to predict or objectively assess the values created in consulting engagements. According to scholars, attempts to counteract the principal-agent related risks of opportunism and divergent incentives are expected to increase following higher competition, consumer awareness and anticipated increased demand for performance-based pricing. Improved comprehension of means to evaluate consulting services should become increasingly significant not only for the management consulting firms with increasing needs to tangibilize value and prove “success” to a greater extent, but also for the purchasing organizations in both private and public sectors. The academic attention to the industry has been described as surprisingly low, and previous scholars urge for increased empirical data on evaluation practices in general, and for additional contexts and sizes of consulting firms, in particular. Accordingly, this study aims to contribute with empirical data and understanding of consultants’ reasoning and approaches through asking; How do small Swedish management consulting firms approach evaluation of their engagements in terms of client satisfaction and value generated within the client organization, and; what is the rationale behind the eventual evaluation approach(es) used? Based on a literature review on primarily the fields of; the management consulting industry, intangibility of knowledge-intensive services, and scholarly suggested evaluation methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers, partners and CEOs representing ten small-sized management consulting firms in Sweden. The purposively sampled respondents were categorized based on relative size and relative service offering, enabling comparison between size and type of business. Thematic analysis of the interviews showed great similarities between firms, and that valuation approaches are commonly unstructured, situational and goal-oriented, focused on aggregated satisfaction, rarely including objective measurements, initiated by the consultant, conducted through dialogue and sometimes supported by questionnaires. It was concluded that the evaluation approaches are generally highly subjective and focused on capturing client perceptions. Discrepancies between respondents’ practices and scholarly suggested methods were identified, and analysis of variations concluded that smaller firms seem to have less developed evaluation approaches. The respondents’ rationales were described and categorized into; drivers, deterrents and obstacles. Potential catalysts for change, including price sensitivity, client demand and performance-based pricing were identified. Whilst the study does provide requested empirical data and may facilitate improved comprehension of means to counteract intangibility to benefit clients and consultants - and hopefully increase public interest for these issues - further research is needed to nuance the findings, especially through capturing clients’ perspectives.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Performance – Management ; Small business – Nigeria'

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