Dissertations / Theses: 'SME (Small and Medium-Size Enterprise)'

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Buleje, Miguel. "The Impact of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems on Small and Medium Enterprises." NSUWorks, 2014. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/108.

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Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are considered the price of entry in today's business environment, and the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) retiring legacy systems in favor of ERP systems is increasing exponentially. However, there is a lack of knowledge and awareness of ERP systems and their potential benefit and effect on performance, and overall value to SMEs. While ERP adoption costs and potential benefits are high, it is not apparent whether the end result will translate into higher productivity for SMEs. The goal of this study is to evaluate the benefits that accrue to a firm on adoption of an ERP system. In the context of SME, a production function approach is used to assess benefits over short and long term. In addition to the production function approach, a variety of related methods such as those based on stock market valuation and Tobin's Q are examined. Data were collected using the well-known CRSP datasets for SMEs. Analysis of data suggests that ERP implementation has no effect on firm's performance as measured by profit margins, Tobin's Q ratio and Labor productivity. In fact, ERP investments do not yield noticeable improvements on the performance measures even four years after implementation. Weaknesses in data suggest that the conclusion may be seen as tentative. The results of this research study, added value to the academic knowledge base by helping to understand the effects ERPs have on SMEs overall performance.

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Blake, Hugh Anthony. "Strategies to Sustain Small and Medium-size Manufacturing Enterprises in Jamaica." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6172.

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Jamaica's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a high failure rate. In 2016, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) recorded Jamaica's SME start-up rate at 4.06% and the discontinuance rate at 9%. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive multiple case study was to explore the strategies some Jamaican SME owners used to achieve business sustainability in the manufacturing sector for longer than 5 years of operation. The conceptual framework used was the entrepreneurship theory, which provided insights into business sustainability. A purposive sample of 5 owners of SMEs who had achieved business sustainability in the manufacturing sector for longer than 5 years of operation were the participants in this study. Semistructured interviews of participants and review of company documents produced in-depth insights into the strategies they used to achieve business sustainability. Coding keywords, sentences, and ideas from the interviews and company documents and categorizing them was the approach taken for data analysis, using methodological triangulation. The themes from the study were entrepreneurial characteristics, competitive advantages, resource management, customer relationship management, quality management, and marketing. Implications for social change include the potential to provide strategies that support SMEs' business sustainability and lead to greater job creation and ultimately the Jamaican government's ability to fund social projects.

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Brower, Marlon. "Phases of sustainable development in small and medium enterprise (SME) retail outlets." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018506.

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SMEs play a vital role in the country. For the purpose of the study the focus was on SMEs in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Jurisdiction. Businesses which met the SME criteria (refer to Chapter 1, Section 1.7.1), (Du Plessis, 1996: 162; Marx et al., 1998: 728) were included in this study. The study is formed around the aspects of business which contribute to the growth of the business in the long term. A specific study was conducted on the ethnic entrepreneur and the aspects that influence business growth. There are many factors which influence the growth of the business; for the purpose of this study, a specific focus was placed on: (1) knowledge with regard to business; (2) entrepreneurial culture; (3) brand management; (4) location of the business; (5) business relationships; and (6) cultural influences. These variables will determine how the growth of the business is ultimately influenced. The research can also discover from respondents what they view as important in their lives. The study then goes further to analyse whether the independent variables, as reacted to by the respondents, have a significant or non-significant effect on growth.

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von, Axelson Jens. "Transfer of pruduction knowledge to small and medium-size enterprises : a suggested model." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Production Engineering, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-290.

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Nazari, Shahriar. "Small to Medium Enterprise Business Leaders Managing Change." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4393.

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Organizational change is necessary for businesses to survive and prosper. One of the main reasons organizational change is unsuccessful is the inadequate leadership style used by business leaders. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore leadership strategies business leaders used to manage change. The target population comprised a purposeful sample of 15 business leaders from various businesses located in the metropolitan area of Southern California. The conceptual framework for this study was the transformational leadership theory, which holds that leaders can use inspiration and motivation to inspire employees, especially during times of organizational change. A pilot study confirmed that all research questions were relevant to the research topic. Data were collected through face-to-face semistructured interviews and company document reviews. Data analysis included identifying relevant themes using a thematic approach to pinpoint, record, and examine patterns. Data were compared during each phase of the data collection process, revealing themes of managing employee's needs, mentoring/training programs, motivation, influence, and communication. Member checking was used to validate themes and strengthen the trustworthiness of the interpretations. The results from this study may assist business leaders in facilitating organizational change. The implications for positive social change include the potential to contribute to job growth and employee prosperity in local communities.

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Okundaye, Kessington Enaye. "Adoption of Information and Communication Technology in Nigerian Small- to Medium-Size Enterprises." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2679.

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Small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in a dynamic economy through job creation, poverty alleviation, and socioeconomic development in developed and developing countries. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore how SME leaders in Lagos, Nigeria, adopted information and communication technology (ICT) as a business strategy to increase profitability and compete globally. Organizational leaders have adopted ICT so that their organizations can become more efficient, effective, innovative, and globally competitive. This study involved 4 SMEs that had successfully implemented ICT. The participants included 5 SME leaders from each of the SMEs. The data collection method included in-person semistructured interviews of participants and review of existing company data. Data were analyzed using inductive data analysis, which included member checking to ensure trustworthiness of interpretations and occurred until theoretical saturation had occurred. The technology acceptance model (TAM), which specifies the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward computer use, and intention to use technology, was applied as a framework to explain the Nigerian SME's ICT adoption strategies. Four major themes emerged from the data analysis: ICT adoption factors, ICT roles and benefits, role of government, and SME success factors. The findings of this study may help SME leaders and government leaders address many of the factors inhibiting the adoption of ICT in SMEs. The findings of this study may positively affect social change by ensuring that SMEs are successful and able to create jobs, which in turn may help to alleviate poverty and promote socioeconomic development through adoption of ICT.

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Mitchell, Leslie. "Development of manufacturing strategy for the small-medium enterprise (SME) : theory and practice." Thesis, University of Hertfordshire, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.296543.

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Sari, Burak. "Methodology Development For Small And Medium Sized Enterpise Sme) Based Virtual Enterprises." Phd thesis, METU, 2006. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12607308/index.pdf.

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This dissertation presents the results of a Ph.D. research entitled as methodology development for SME based virtual enterprises. The research addresses the preparation and set up of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. A virtual enterprise (VE) can be perceived as a customer solution delivery system created by a temporary and re-configurable information and communications technology (ICT) enabled aggregation of competencies. The main achievements of the research include: &
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Clarification and definition of the concept for virtual enterprises and enterprise networks including preparation of these. o A fast and efficient setup of virtual enterprises can be enabled through the establishment of an enterprise network in which an appropriate type and degree of work preparation can be established prior to the set up of virtual enterprises. &
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Development of a framework and a reference architecture for virtual enterprises named as Structured Methodology and ICT Reference Architecture respectively. o Structured Methodology structures the body of knowledge related to preparation, set up and operation of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. o ICT reference architecture consists of three levels with seven layers to portray in a diagrammatic fashion how different enterprises may exchange and use information between their respective organizations&
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specific proprietary systems and a central server. &
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Development of a methodology for virtual enterprise named as Virtual Enterprise Methodology (VEM) o VEM consists of a set of guidelines, which systematically describes activities that enterprises should consider in relation to set up and preparation of own enterprise networks with the aim to set up virtual enterprises. &
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Testing and validation of the developed VEM with the realization of a virtual case study and establishment of a validation platform respectively. o Virtual case study demonstrates the application of the developed VE methodology with the illustration of the key activities related to setting up breeding environment, setting up &
operating VE and dissolution of VE. o The findings in the research can be validated through the various activities as meetings, conferences, presentations and publication of journals.

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Ozalp, Dizem. "Small And Medium-sized Enterprises And Banking Sector In Turkey." Master's thesis, METU, 2006. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/3/12607995/index.pdf.

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This study has the objective of arguing the fact that the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) lending is developing, relevant to the evolution of the business environment and banking sector, during the period between 2001 &
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2006 years. The thesis is testing this claim on two data sets. First
the financial data of CBRT during the period of 2001 - 2006 is evaluated. Then, the SME data of a Bank is evaluated. The thesis also covers the arguments on SME definition, the literature survey for SME development policies, SME lending infrastructure, the banking sector, as the main source of finance for SME, and the SME profile of Turkey. The thesis concludes on two things: The share of SMEs in the total credit volume is rising during the period between 2001 &
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2006 years. And the share of medium-term credits is rising, while the short-term credits&
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is decreasing. In addition to these, the study criticizes the recent SME definition of KOSGEB.

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Lashley, Jonathan Graham. "The internationalisation of the small-to-medium sized enterprise (SME) : a critical realist approach." Thesis, University of Northampton, 2001. http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/2790/.

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The Small- to Medium- Sized Enterprise (SME) has attracted the attention of researchers and governments because of the increasingly important role it is playing in national and international economies. The current research is directed towards understanding the internationalisation of this important economic unit, specifically the internationalisation of SMEs in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom. The research adopts a critical realist philosophy, used by researchers to explain the decision-making process, and applies it in a different context to provide insights into the internationalisation process of the SME. A critical realist approach is used as it enables an understanding of the roles of structures and the contingent environment in facilitating differing levels of SME internationalisation. These are factors that are believed to operate at a level below that of the observable. The study adopts a mixed methodology (a questionnaire survey and two company case studies) that identifies three main issues, including, the international orientation of the industry, previous international experience of management, and the age of the firm. The survey also identified two other issues, perceptions of competition levels, and technology. All of these factors heavily influenced the differing internationalisation levels seen. The two case study companies were used to illustrate the issues at a real level, highlighting the effect of the structures of the capitalist mode of production and the supply chain. The roles of these structures were shown as not deterministic, as the affect of structure was only exhibited under particular contingent conditions in the external and internal environments

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Heang, Rasmey. "THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF ADOPTING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISE (SME)." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för ekonomi, teknik och naturvetenskap, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-33509.

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Nowadays, managing business performance is becoming a relatively difficult and complex process for managers since it is undertaking major change both in research and practice. With the growing global interest in Business intelligence (BI), it has also been identified as an important role for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to satisfy their customer’s needs by analyzing through BI system. However, the limited financial resource and lack of human capital are becoming the constraint for SMEs to invest in Business Intelligence system; as well the return of their investment in BI system is still being considerable for SMEs to invest in the system. This study proposes an innovative approach for assessing and prioritizing the use of BI, which can help SME owners to prioritize their customer’s needs and communicate with their stakeholder by using Kano model. This paper is prepared in a way to define and convey the idea of Kano Model and its application to aspiring organizations.

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Taylor, Scott. "Managing people in smaller organizations." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.340861.

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Ngwa, Macdonald, and Kabangu Kabangu. "Developing Dynamic Capabilities in Emerging Markets : Comparative Multiple Case Studies of Cameroonian and Zambian SMEs." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-123520.

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ABSTRACT Small and Medium Size Enterprise (SMEs) have long been recognised as the major drivers of economic activities due to their entrepreneurial traits of being innovative which lead to job creation, sustaining economic growth, export expansion, and efficient allocation of resources in line with their competitive goals and their respective country’s objectives. In their pursuit as major economic drivers in their respective economies, SMEs are barely exposed to hostile environments triggering fierce competition from Multinational Corporations. This has entailed that SMEs need to enhance their capabilities in such environments to sustain their competitive advantage by reconfiguring their internal and external competences and resources in response to changing environments. Surprisingly, literature on how SMEs develop dynamic capabilities in such markets is limited and inconsistent. Therefore, this thesis explores how SMEs develop dynamic capabilities in emerging markets specifically in African markets. The central purpose of the study is to explore how SMEs in emerging markets such as Africa develop dynamic capabilities to compete alongside MNCs. Building on prior researches which conceptually suggested that market orientation, learning orientation, and entrepreneurial orientation in separate cases, enables SMEs to build dynamic capabilities in dynamic environments, this study explored this viewpoint through a qualitative case study data. Comparative multiple case studies are developed in order to have a holistic understanding of how SMEs across sectors develop dynamic capabilities. The study employs empirical data collected through the use of semi-structured interviews in which samples are purposively selected from 10 firms from separate industries in Africa, in which five were drawn from Cameroon and other five drawn from Zambia. The study follows a qualitative-deductive approach. Findings indicate that SMEs develop dynamic capabilities in emerging market principally through the lenses of market orientation and learning orientation. While entrepreneurial orientation is found lacking the potential to enable SMEs build-up the required dynamic capabilities due to the fact that it places huge demand on SMEs who are short of adequate financial resources to meet up with the contingencies of being fully entrepreneurial. That is to say, market orientation and learning orientation other than entrepreneurial orientation are the enablers of dynamic capabilities in emerging market. The findings contribute to existing literature by building an empirically-grounded synthesis of the constructs of market orientation, learning orientation and entrepreneurial orientation involved in the development of dynamic capabilities which validates earlier claims on the development of dynamic capabilities in dynamic environment. Second, the results contribute to theory by advancing an original model which brings together all standalone models in the field of dynamic capabilities development into one, thereby harmonising the polarisation of facts. Furthermore, the findings bear potential for researchers and entrepreneurs intending to invest in emerging markets such as Africa. To improve on this study, we suggest undertaking a related cross-comparative case study on similar grounds which takes into account homogeneity and age parameters at industry level from two or more countries. We believe this might provide an additional explanation on how SMEs in emerging markets develop dynamic capability and may also shed more light on whether age of a firm has an effect on the build-up of dynamic capabilities.

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Montesinos-Rosales, Andrea, Sebastian Salas-Villacorta, David Mauricio-Sanchez, and Carlos Raymundo-Ibañez. "Cloud-based open-source enterprise content management model at a SME operating in the manufacturing sector." Association for Computing Machinery, Inc, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656282.

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El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.
Every year, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand their participation in the Peruvian market, while facing high internal disorganization issues that stifle their growth. This problem is rooted on the fact that the contents generated by these companies are not usually adequately recorded, managed, and exploited, and thus negatively affecting the organization and their competitiveness levels. Now, although most of this issue may be solved through enterprise content management (ECM) solutions, they are not affordable for most SMEs because of their high prices. Within this context, this study proposes the implementation of a cloud-based open-source ECM model at a manufacturing SME in Peru. Through this model, the company was able to access the benefits of an ECM to restructure the way they manage content, gaining 67% more efficiency, establishing a collaboration channel between employees, suppliers, and customers, and reporting a 93% model adaptation rate among staff members.
Revisión por pares

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Ofoegbu, C. A. "Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) adoption in a hybrid service and manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) : an action case study." Thesis, University of Salford, 2016. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/38665/.

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There is a growing need for understanding business process re-engineering within SMEs such as the service management companies and this calls for more research focusing on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and implementation. The aim of this study is to highlight the impact of an in-depth business process analysis during the pre-adoption and implementation of an ERP system in a hybrid service and manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME). Service management SMEs are identified as lacking in research focus especially in service operations, and in hybrid organisations that combine manufacturing and service provision. The study extends the existing knowledge in business process analysis and ERP adoption research by drawing upon the interpretive action case and Organisational Information Processing Theory (OIPT). The emphasis is on the impact of appropriate business process analysis during the pre-adoption decision making of an ERP system in a hybrid service and manufacturing SME. Primary data was collected using an online survey with 72 customer responses, questionnaires for in-company observations and third party meetings conducted at an SME in the North West of England, UK. OIPT specifically states that organisations are structured around information and the flow of information in order to minimise uncertainties. The theory suggests the use of information processing needs and information processing capabilities of an organisation to find an optimal performance. The theory however made no suggestion of how to find this optimal performance. Customising OIPT as the theoretical framework, the current study identified two variables a) information processing needs and b) information processing capability of the case organisation and used Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to analyse both variables in order to obtain an optimal fit during IS/IT pre-adoption decision making. The current study takes an original approach by combining and customising OIPT with VSM to the needs of the current study. It also highlights existing wastes in the business process and areas of improvement are suggested while mapping the information processing needs and information processing capabilities of the organisation. The study used action case methodology to provide a rich insight into business process analysis and ERP pre-adoption in a hybrid service and manufacturing SME. The current study was conducted over a period of two years from January 2010 to December 2011. The author was fully immersed into the study as both a participant and a researcher. The action case provided an environment where information processing needs and information processing capabilities as well as the application of VSM could be studied while analysing the resultant implications. Using action case, the current study was able to focus on pre-adoption decision making and monitored the initial impact of action on the case. The key finding is that OIPT and VSM are compatible and offer an opportunity of closing the weaknesses of not being able to identify the optimal fit when using OIPT alone during business process analysis. The contributions to knowledge are: i) Modification of OIPT in the form of OIPT2.0 to reproduce the current state as well as develop the future state value stream to suggest the optimal fit between the information needs and capability of an organisation. ii) Emphasis on extensive scoping during an IS/IT pre-adoption process aids the identification and adoption of an ERP system which best fits the business process and also suggests areas of the business process which could benefit from improvement. iii) The study also creates more awareness of action case methodology by demonstrating how it provides a rich insight into the process of ERP pre-adoption decision making in a hybrid SME. iv) Recommendation is made to the definition of hybrid service and manufacturing SME.

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Janrattana, Jirasak. "How can Small and Medium Enterprise retail business in Thailand successfully compete through Business Model Innovation?" Thesis, University of Manchester, 2017. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/how-can-small-and-medium-enterprise-retail-business-in-thailand-successfully-compete-through-business-model-innovation(4bf8547d-7a76-49ee-9776-e9ed7dbf0c39).html.

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Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) retail businesses in many countries, including Thailand, are facing challenges of high competition, as modern retail formats have grown rapidly in many Asian countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, China and Thailand (Howard, 2009). Thus, SME retail Businesses are facing an "innovate or die" situation, as non-adapting retail firms have always been and will continue to be driven out of the business (Evans, 2011). A new critical capability of retail business is the ability to configure and reconfigure its processes into a coherent blueprint - known in other words as a Business Model (Sorescu et al., 2011). The research question becomes "How can SME retail Business in Thailand successfully compete through Business Model Innovation?" Business Model Innovation requires system wide changes, since modifying one component always has network effects on other components (Tikkanen et al., 2005). There is no fixed method or successful formula that all companies will adopt; therefore disciplined experimentation and adaptation is recommended (Berman, 2011; Chesbrough, 2010; McGrath, 2010; Mitchell et al., 2003; Teece, 2010). However, most past studies on innovation are about large companies (Tim, 2004) and not many articles cover empirical studies on Business Model Innovation. In particular, few studies address the dynamic view (Demil and Lecocq, 2010; Svejenova et al., 2010; Sosna et al., 2010).This research focuses on the implementation of Business Model Innovation within SME retail business. The research uses a methodology called Action Research, and was conducted within the researcher's organization, which is a SME retail business in Thailand. This overcomes the practical challenges of studying SME business, which is related to limited opportunity to conduct empirical research. The study was conducted over the 4 year period from October 2010 to August 2014 by implementing Business Model Innovation in order to exploit opportunities in rural areas. Business Model concepts were employed as sources of innovation and units of analysis. Action Research consists of multiple cycles of changes and adaptation. It was found that Business Model concepts can be represented at different levels of abstraction from reality. At a high level of abstraction, the Business Model Canvas helps to understand the overview of the firm's business logic in a broad way, and provide ideas about what can be adapted. At the operational level, the Retailing Business Model provides a structural approach to the conceptualisation, planning and implementation of activities that support high level changes. In all, Business Model Innovation can be conceptualised as an ongoing learning process similar to the iterative cycles of Action research. These cycles consist of constructing actions, planning, taking actions and evaluating actions. The Business Model concepts at different levels of abstraction can be used for understanding and planning, as well as to capture learning experiences, both on the high level and on the operational level. Therefore, Business Model Innovation is a dynamic process where changes and learning happen continuously. Such a process enables SME retail businesses to improve their understanding of their Business Model and thus improve their chances of success?

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Bernroider, Edward, and Michel J. Leseure. "Enterprise resource planning (ERP) diffusion and characteristics according to the system's lifecycle. A comparative view of small-to-medium sized and large enterprises." Institut für Informationsverarbeitung und Informationswirtschaft, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, 2005. http://epub.wu.ac.at/1354/1/document.pdf.

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This report represents the next step of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)related research at the Department of Information Business at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Adminstration following previous work on the selection process. Based on 209 datasets originating from a primary, national and industry independent survey, it provides a descriptive oriented overview of main characteristics of ERP in all stages of the system's lifecycle, emphasising differences between small-to-medium sized and large enterprises (SMEs and LEs). The given research topics in particular comprise software diffusion, resources allocated, strategic project guidance, investment drivers, considered and chosen solutions, team structures, selection criteria, information gathering, methodical support, implementation approaches, acompanying business strategies, implementation problems, perceived utilisation of ERP benefits, firm level ERP impact, and the role of ERP systems as technology enabler. Future work based on the gathered data will document analytical projects undertaken in particular focusing on ERP success, enterprise integration, organisational fit of ERP, and BPR/BPI related questions.
Series: Working Papers on Information Systems, Information Business and Operations

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Fischer-Smith, Ruth. "Policy implementation in a transition economy : two decades of small and medium enterprise (SME) development in Ukraine." Thesis, University of Canterbury. National Centre for Research on Europe, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/10274.

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Current theoretical frameworks for assessing policy implementation have been developed almost exclusively in the context of market-based, pluralist democracies. The lack of applicable implementation theory outside this ‘western’ setting inspired this research to investigate policy processes in more diverse contexts. This research thus applied existing implementation theory to the post-Soviet sphere, utilising current frameworks to test conditions in a post-communist context. This policy lens approach was applied through two in-depth case study policies within the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, in order to improve practical understanding of the ongoing transitional complexities in the region. The choice of SMEs as policy targets shed particular light on the development of the middle class, which in turn contributed insights regarding post-Soviet nations’ continued transition towards more liberal democracies. This research examined implementation effectiveness through fieldwork conducted in Ukraine (2012), using an amalgamated list of criteria for ‘perfect’ policy implementation as a theoretical framework (Allison & Halperin, 1972; Gunn, 1978; Mazmanian & Sabatier, 1983). Empirical data was collected through both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews (141), surveys (178) and primary source collection. Data was analysed through a combined approach of interview coding, process-tracing and cross-tabulation. Findings confirmed that incorporating certain socio-economic features, specific to a post-Soviet environment, into existing implementation models resulted in a more accurate picture of actual policy processes. Research conclusions thus included a new theoretical model for assessing policy implementation effectiveness in the region (Fischer-Smith Policy Implementation Measurement for Post-Soviet States). For theoreticians, this research may inform structural considerations when conducting policy research outside of a pluralist democracy. For practitioners, it may allow for better identification of implementation obstacles, in order to more effectively target mitigation efforts. Ultimately, the new considerations presented in this thesis may inform the wider field of policy implementation studies, both in transition regions and developing nations, as well as in the western pluralist societies where implementation theory originated.

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Bača, Slavomír. "Comparative analysis of business environment conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises within V4 countries." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2013. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-198434.

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The main aim of the master's thesis is to clarify the problematic of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), analyse relevancy and historical development of selected ratios influencing business environment conditions for SMEs, and determine the best country within V4 region in terms of favourableness of selected business environment conditions for 2014. Theoretical part of the thesis discusses the problematic of SMEs from different points of view emphasizing on the approach of European Union. Based on literature relevant indicators are selected and presented for each V4 country individually. Analytical part of the thesis analyses external environment conditions for SMEs within V4 region in 2014 through five groups of indicators: Taxation, Labour Cost, Demand, Corruption and Law Enforcement, and Easy of Doing Business. The whole analysis is conducted based on secondary data and method of indexes. All of the five groups of indicators are analysed separately and based on these results the final ranking is created. The results of the study show relatively similar business conditions for SMEs within V4 area with Poland having the best SMEs business environment in 2014.

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Bishop, Desmond M. III. "How to Build a Climate of Quality in a Small to Medium Enterprise: An Action Research Project." Scholar Commons, 2018. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7476.

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Quality Management (QM) in one of its many forms has become an integral part of contemporary business. Most research in this field was conducted within the context of large business. This study is one of the first to examine QM for small to medium enterprises (SMEs). This article used the action research methodology to explore how a SME located in the southeastern United States implemented a climate of quality. QM implementation in this company was executed in two separate interventions. In the first intervention, the factors of top management commitment, collaboration, data-centered decision making and process focus were implemented using tactics that resulted in an 80% decrease in defects and substantial cost savings. In the second intervention a training system was developed that resulted in a 60% reduction in defects over the measured time period. The study provides an illustrative example of how small businesses can implement a QM climate, and the potential benefits of such climate for the organization.

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Steele, Laura. "Corporate social capital creation and transfer among small to medium sized enterprise (SME) owner-managers in two recreational settings." Thesis, Ulster University, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.603574.

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Corporate Social Capital theory has been used as a prism through which diverse economic issues have been explored (Leenders and Gabbay 1999). This thesis draws upon it once again, to provide a framework for understanding the attitudes to business networking held by the owner-managers of Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ireland. Using a multiple case study approach as outlined by Yin (2009), the research was conducted in Rotary clubs and golf clubs, which have traditionally fostered such exchanges but in secondary function to wider social welfare or sporting aims. Through the use of in-depth interviews the individual's opportunities to engage with others, motivation for doing so and ability to produce value from the interactions were explored (Adler and Kwon 2002). Respondents provided clear examples of when their business had benefited (or indeed suffered) as the result of their social network. The overarching themes emerging from the data are increased access to information that could be converted into competitive advantage and the accelerated development of trust among network members. This, however, was tempered by frequent mention of the ‘dark side' (Gargiulo and Benassi 1999) where an unpropitious reputation is easy to form but difficult to shed and the very idea of overt networking is still considered by some to be uncouth. The research identified five factors that impacted on an individual SME owner-managers ability to generate social capital, specifically: the location and age profile of the club and the gender/ occupation and personality of the SME owner-manager. This thesis provides a new perspective on the experiences of the SME owner-manager in a time of continued economic uncertainty.

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Skřivánek, Václav. "Kritické faktory implementace IS v SME." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2008. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-12538.

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The topic of this diploma thesis is "Critical success factors of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises" Firstly, the terms enterprise resource planning system, small and medium sized enterprise and critical factor are defined. Part of this thesis is also dedicated to the importance of those systems in small and medium sized enterprises and the supply of products on the market is described as well. The importance of enterprise resource planning systems for this segment of customers is still growing and the number of products offered is quite wide. Customers have unambiguously preferred Czech solutions. Next part of the thesis contains critical factors literature search -- analysis of two studies. Conceptual model of critical factors is made on the basis of findings and comparison of those two studies. The relevance of this model is verified by the analysis of case studies of enterprise resource planning system implementations in small and medium sized enterprises. These case studies were downloaded from websites of system vendors. On the basis of new findings, new model was designed. Each critical factor is described in each part of the thesis to help understand under which circumstances it was used. Finally, the model is assessed.

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Deprey, Brynn Darin. "The internationalisation process of small and medium-sized management consultancies in the UK." Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, 2011. http://arro.anglia.ac.uk/211610/.

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This thesis focuses on how small to medium-sized management consultancies internationalise, as this is an under-researched area. Investigation focuses on identifying the factors that facilitate international market success for these small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the challenges they encounter, and how those challenges have been overcome. The relevance of SME internationalisation theories is explored for SME management consultancies in the UK. The study is exploratory, phenomenological and framed within an interpretive research paradigm. Primary data was gathered qualitatively using multiple (9) case studies, collected principally through semi-structured interviews. This empirical research, one of the first to focus solely on SME management consultancies, finds the owner/founders as the key driver of internationalisation. Their past experience enables an international outlook and brings established networks to firm formation. The findings highlight the relevance of intangible resources: the firms’ skills, competencies and networking capabilities, as integral to successful internationalisation. Additional key critical success factors are niche market specialisation, firm reputation, firm location, ability for service provision modification and the role of technology. There are observed firm size-related differences in the challenges these firms face, with smaller-sized firms being more vulnerable to challenges from the external environment, including the 2008 financial crisis. Firms are able to overcome these challenges with the help of their networks. Other challenges stem from the firm’s service provision: difficulty in finding skilled staff and communication with clients. The findings suggest applicability for other knowledge-intensive firms. The research contributes to closing the gap in literature on how firms successfully provide services internationally and in so doing advances theoretical understanding of SME service internationalisation. This theory-building research demonstrates partial relevance of Stage Theory, Networking Theory, and Born Global Theory, but overall the resource-based view was found as the most relevant to understanding the internationalisation process of SME management consultancies. This sets a foundation for further research on the internationalisation process of other knowledge-intensive firms.

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Engman, Pierre, and Andreas Carlsson. "Who Decides What? : IT Governance - Prioritization & Outcome." Thesis, Jönköping University, JIBS, Business Informatics, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-12485.

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Introduction. This bachelor thesis concerns the subject of IT Governance, how organizations prioritize and decides IT-related issues. The thesis will approach how Swedish Small-to-Medium sized Enterprises, which are considered successful, governs IT-related issues.

Theoretical Framework. In order to conduct this research, the Governance Arrangement Matrix, created by MIT Sloan 2003, is applied which was also incorporated in a global study by Weill in 2003. The matrix involves five different decisions domains within IT and different corporate archetypes divided by stakeholder involvement. The compiled data will thus be analyzed and mapped against Weill's study to derive the contemporary decision structure in Swedish SME's and create a comparison to map any alterations that might have occurred.

Method. Through utilizing an online-survey and conducting telephone interviews, 108 responses from Swedish SME's provided the necessary data to map the contemporary decision-structure within IT in a deductive manner to both utilize quantitative and qualitative data, creating an understanding of the derived outcome. The analysis will provide an understanding for organizations to see the fit between business objectives and IT-usage, creating future possibilities for organizations to further optimizes their alignment between the business and IT. The main conclusions from this thesis could be summarized as follow:

Results. The involvement of the board-of-directors has become more frequent, and with the inclusion of a Chief Information Officer, the collaboration throughout the corporate hierarchy enables a broader understanding of the impact of IT. Although that this approach was the most frequent selected archetype, the decisions relating to IT acquisitions and architecture, the majority of responses showed indications relating these areas to be decided by CIO/IT-department thus in conclusion: the knowledge that CIO/IT-departments has are sufficient to support the everyday business need.

Furthermore, the differences found between this research and the underlying study by Weill, indicates that IT is considered a multi-dimensional problem that needs constant supervision and that the view upon prioritizations and governance has been altered.

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Bekir, Levent, Nicolas Numhauser, and Rawa Abbas. ""The Jungle Telegraph" : A qualitative case study about the challenges for Swedish B2B Small and Medium-size Enterprises when entering the Sub-Saharan market." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för marknadsföring (MF), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-104922.

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As developed markets have become saturated to a greater extent, companies have instead targeted emerging economies. In recent years, a substantial number of companies have recognized the opportunities in the Sub-Saharan market, which has led to an increasing number of foreign firms entering this market. Nevertheless, companies are still experiencing numerous challenges in relatively unexplored markets like the Sub-Saharan region. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate challenges for Swedish manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) when entering the Sub-Saharan African market. Additionally, the thesis will examine how these challenges affect the entry modes as well as further market commitments. The aim is to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that influence the choice of entry mode of SMEs in volatile environments. This study has adopted a qualitative research method with an abductive approach to allow for an elaborate and flexible research process. The empirical data have been collected from multiple cases, by conducting five semi-structured interviews. The outcome of this thesis demonstrates that the major challenges in the Sub-Saharan market are related to underdeveloped institutional frameworks. Although, by cooperating with institutional actors and providing valuable resources to the local environment, firms are able to relieve institutional pressures. Finally, innovation, adaptability, and flexibility are vital factors that influence the extent to which companies are able to commit to the Sub-Saharan market.

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Setia, Diarta. "Small and Medium Sized Enterprise(SME) in Social and Political Context： A Case of Metal-working Industry in Indonesia 1980s-2015." Kyoto University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/235976.

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Meza, De los Cobos Benjamin, and Monroy Ricardo Ortigoza. "The effectiveness of MRP II to integrate enterprise systems : Effektiviteten av MRP II för att integrera företagssystem." Thesis, Växjö University, School of Technology and Design, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:vxu:diva-936.

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The Small and Medium-size Enterprises are the key bone of the economy of many nations. The usual definition of SME’s, make up 99.8% of the approximately 19 million enterprises of the European Union (ISO, 2002) and Sweden is not an exception. That is why SME’s faces the strategic challenge of achieving sustained profitable growth. To meet this challenge, SME’s must develop capabilities to integrate their systems. Since ICT gives so many advantages to support the Supply Chain, and MRPII software’s have become a very popular tool in the last thirty years; Our purpose is to answer the following research question:

How can MRP II-type computer systems be used effectively to support the manufacturing and organizational integration?

The research started with on-site observations and interviews but the development of a model and a survey was needed. After, we linked the research with an already accepted model. The results show how important the human aspect and the accuracy are in the effective usage of an MRP II. It also demonstrates that the MRP II philosophy must be accepted to use the MRP II software profitably. Nevertheless, we modeled the vicious cycle that our case company might deal with, tried to find the root cause and give recommendations to break it.

Små och Mellan- stora företag är många nationers byggstenar. Den vanligaste definitionen av SME´s utgör 99,8% av de uppskattningsvis 19 miljoner företag inom Europeiska Unionen (ISO, 2002) och Sverige är inget undantag. Det är anledningen till att SME´s möter den strategiska utmaningen att uppnå ihållande och vinstgivande tillväxt. För att ta sig an denna utmaningen måste SME´s utveckla förmågor att integrera sina system. Eftersom ICT ger så många fördelar att stödja utbudskedjan, och eftersom MRP II mjukvaror har kommit att bli ett populärt verktyg de senaste trettio åren, kommer vårt syfte bli att svara på följande fråga:

Hur kan datasystem av typen MRP II användas för att på ett effektivt sätt underlätta integrering av tillverkning och organisation?

Undersökningen startade med observationer samt intervjuer på plats, men utförandet av en statistisk undersökning och en modell var nödvändig efter det att vi redan hade kopplat ihop arbetet med en redan accepterad modell. Reasultaten visar hur viktig den mänskliga faktorn samt exaktheten är i användandet av en MRP II. Den visar också att MRP II filosofin måste vara accepterad innan man kan använda MRP II mjukvaran på ett fördelaktigt sätt. Likväl har vi illustrerat den onda cirkeln som vårt företag måste försöka ta sig ur, försökt hitta den underliggande orsaken och slutligen att ge rekommendationer för att bryta den.

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Puumala, Kevin. "En undersökning om marknadsföringsvanor med fokus på innehållsmarknadsföring hos små till medelstora företag i Sverige." Thesis, Södertörns högskola, Institutionen för samhällsvetenskaper, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-29126.

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Syfte: Syftet med studien är att belysa faktorer som påverkar SMF:s marknadsföring samtidigt som studien söker att kartlägga innehållsmarknadsföringens tillämpningsgrad hos studieobjekten. Metod: I studien används den kvalitativa forskningsmetoden. Tio telefonintervjuer ut fördes på hälsokostbutiker i Stockholm, Göteborg och Malmö. Urvalsgruppen valdes utifrån ett bekvämlighetsurval. Slutsatser: Innehållsmarknadsföring tillämpas av tre av dem tio SMF inom urvalsgruppen. Metoden anses ha en låg tillämpningsgrad. Studien har framgångsrikt belyst faktorer som påverkar urvalsgruppens marknadsföring med hjälp av den teoretiska referensramen. Dessa faktorer är närverkande som marknadsföringsverktyg, empirisk omvärldskontakt som inlärningsprocess för marknadsföring, slumpmässighet i marknadsföringsplanering och resursknapphet som påverkande kraft i marknadsföringsplanering.

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Meza, De los Cobos Benjamín, and Monroy Ricardo Ortigoza. "The effectiveness of MRP II to integrate enterprise systems : Effektiviteten av MRP II för att integrera företagssystem." Thesis, Växjö University, School of Technology and Design, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:vxu:diva-959.

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The Small and Medium-size Enterprises are the key bone of the economy of many nations. The usual definition of SME’s, make up 99.8% of the approximately 19 million enterprises of the European Union (ISO, 2002) and Sweden is not an exception. That is why SME’s faces the strategic challenge of achieving sustained profitable growth. To meet this challenge, SME’s must develop capabilities to integrate their systems. Since ICT gives so many advantages to support the Supply Chain, and MRPII software’s have become a very popular tool in the last thirty years; Our purpose is to answer the following research question:

How can MRP II-type computer systems be used effectively to support the manufacturing and organizational integration?

The research started with on-site observations and interviews but the development of a model and a survey was needed. After, we linked the research with an already accepted model. The results show how important the human aspect and the accuracy are in the effective usage of an MRP II. It also demonstrates that the MRP II philosophy must be accepted to use the MRP II software profitably. Nevertheless, we modeled the vicious cycle that our case company might deal with, tried to find the root cause and give recommendations to break it.

Små och Mellan- stora företag är många nationers byggstenar. Den vanligaste definitionen av SME´s utgör 99,8% av de uppskattningsvis 19 miljoner företag inom Europeiska Unionen (ISO, 2002) och Sverige är inget undantag. Det är anledningen till att SME´s möter den strategiska utmaningen att uppnå ihållande och vinstgivande tillväxt. För att ta sig an denna utmaningen måste SME´s utveckla förmågor att integrera sina system. Eftersom ICT ger så många fördelar att stödja utbudskedjan, och eftersom MRP II mjukvaror har kommit att bli ett populärt verktyg de senaste trettio åren, kommer vårt syfte bli att svara på följande fråga:

Hur kan datasystem av typen MRP II användas för att på ett effektivt sätt underlätta integrering av tillverkning och organisation?

Undersökningen startade med observationer samt intervjuer på plats, men utförandet av en statistisk undersökning och en modell var nödvändig efter det att vi redan hade kopplat ihop arbetet med en redan accepterad modell. Reasultaten visar hur viktig den mänskliga faktorn samt exaktheten är i användandet av en MRP II. Den visar också att MRP II filosofin måste vara accepterad innan man kan använda MRP II mjukvaran på ett fördelaktigt sätt. Likväl har vi illustrerat den onda cirkeln som vårt företag måste försöka ta sig ur, försökt hitta den underliggande orsaken och slutligen att ge rekommendationer för att bryta den.

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Magnusson, Johan, and Andreas Nilsson. "Interorganizational Collaboration among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises : A Pan-European Study of the Influence of Type of Collaboration on SME Practice." Licentiate thesis, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-94888.

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Mueller, Anne, and Berit Janssen. "Production Planning Solutions for Mass Customised Fashion." Thesis, Högskolan i Borås, Institutionen Textilhögskolan, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-16810.

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This thesis concentrates on different production planning solutions for mass customised fashion with regard to machine setups. The purpose of this research is to reveal the significant aspects and challenges for SMEs that have to be considered when production steps need to be aligned to the mass customisation principle. Therefore a theoretical framework will approach the subject of production planning, as well as mass customisation. In addition, a case study will assure scientific support by developing and examining production planning solutions. The different levels of production set-ups induce the technological facilities that are indispensable for an integration of mass customisation. Finally it will be analysed and discussed whether it is feasible for an SME to invest in such a business strategy. Especially in a SME the boundaries between pure tailor- made customisation and pure mass customisation are often blurred, wherefore the findings should contribute to a clarification. Since mass customisation is a future- oriented concept, this paper is of definite interest to small companies, which intend to successfully achieve mass customisation.
Program: Master programme in Applied Textile Management

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Salehi, Yazdi Fatemeh. "Commercializing emerging technologies through networks : case of nanotech SMEs in the UK." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.684809.

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This research aims at understanding how business networks influence the commercialization of emerging technologies. It focuses on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of nanotechnology in the UK and aims to identify what types of networks they use for commercialization. It also examines how different types of networks can explain success or otherwise in commercialization with respect to the position of the SME in the value chain and the type of resulting innovation. Various streams of literature including debates on SMEs and innovation, open innovation, the innovation systems literature, and the industrial networks approach are used to develop a conceptual framework that guides this research. Using a case study approach, 23 Nanotech SMEs in the UK are investigated. Secondary data on firms are gathered from various sources including company websites and the FAME database. Primary data are collected through 40 semi-structured interviews with SMEs’ senior managers and key informants. Data analysis is based upon thematic analysis. The findings present a typology of networks based on a combination of network structure and actor roles, including six network types: incumbent-oriented network with reactive SME, incumbent-oriented network with proactive SME, SME-oriented network, broker-oriented networks, hybrid networks and interrupted networks. The findings indicate that a reactive approach towards networking is less conducive to commercialization, regardless of the innovation type or value chain position. SMEs can proactively create incumbent-oriented, SME-oriented or broker-oriented networks to facilitate commercialization. Incumbent-oriented networks with proactive SMEs are conducive to commercialization of both nanomaterials and nano-intermediate products and can facilitate commercialization of moderately and highly radical nanotechnology. SME-oriented networks are also conducive to commercialization of moderately and highly radical nanotechnology, but have been used for commercialization of nano-enabled products. Broker-oriented networks can facilitate commercialization of technologies or products developed in the upstream part of the value chain and are more influential in the commercialization of moderately or highly radical nanotechnology. Some Nanotech SMEs are simultaneously involved in more than one network type, i.e. have hybrid networks, pursuing multiple strategies for commercialization. All SMEs with hybrid networks have broker-oriented networks in common and in some cases the broker-oriented network has caused formation of other network types. Finally, the findings show how interrupted networks pose the biggest challenge for commercialization. The thesis contributes to the debates on SMEs and innovation and the gap on how open innovation is implemented within the context of SMEs and emerging technologies. This research also informs SME managers' strategies and choices related to participation in business networks. It provides further insights for policy makers regarding the networking behaviour of SMEs and contribution of various network actors to commercialization and in this way assists with devising policies for encouraging and facilitating collaboration for commercialization.

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Wecker, Florian. "Finding your niche in a global wine market - Establishment of the new wine brand #QSTG with focus on product development and entrepeneurial marketing." Master's thesis, ISA, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/19581.

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Vinifera Euromaster European Master in Viticulture and Oenology - Instituto Superior de Agronomia / EMaVE
The author intends to establish a new wine brand named #QSTG, which is a diminutive of the German term Quereinsteiger (in English: career changer). The name refers to the completely different professional background of the author, who has been a lawyer and entrepreneur for many years, before studying viticulture and enology. The idea is to create a brand for wines, produced by the author and other winemakers who also have other professional backgrounds, bringing in new ideas based on their different perspective, approach and style of winemaking. Within this project thesis the author first describes the scenario in which the new wine brand should be established, before defining the term entrepreneurial marketing by reviewing the existing literature and analyzing the current wine market. In the next step the author develops the wine brand #QSTG in accordance with the targeted niche market. This includes key aspects, such as positioning, brand name, logo, wine style and quality. Finally the marketing mix of #QSTG is developed, considering the findings about entrepreneurial marketing. Besides designing the product in collaboration with different graphic designers, this thesis also includes detailed elaborations about pricing, placement and promotion of the #QSTG products. Due to the concluded feasibility, the author will implement the project following the graduation. Therefore the master thesis ends with an outlook on the next steps of the implementation of the #QSTG wine project
N/A

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Severin, Mats, Stefan Knutsson, and John Söderberg. "Business in the Cloud : Internationalization of a small enterprise in the age of cloud services." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-176088.

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During the past decade, advances in information technology have facilitated the rapid international expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Cloud computing has enabled a new wave of firms to offer services on the web regardless of geographic distances. The aim of this study is to explore how cloud computing affect the external variables network and culture in the internationalization process of an SME. In order to explore the impact on these external variables, a qualitative case study is carried out on a business-to-business SME offering cloud services within small and open economies. The findings explain why closeness was important and why the cloud service firm was limited to a gradual internationalization process although the technology has the potential to break this pattern or accelerate it. The results from this study are valuable for scholars since the internationalization process of cloud service firms is an under-researched area. It is also useful for cloud service SMEs when making strategic decisions in the internationalization process.

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Klug, Lisa. "Barriers in the Pre-Decision Stage of Blockchain Adoption for Supply Chain : A Single Case Study in a Swedish Small Enterprise." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för företagande, innovation och hållbarhet, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-45449.

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Background: Blockchain is a technological innovation, and its benefits such as decentralized transactions without a trusted third party, improvements in traceability and efficiency can potentially facilitate complex challenges faced by supply chains (Hughes et al., 2019; Saberi et al., 2019). However, solutions are rather in a demonstration stage, which raises the question of what barriers prevent organizations from adopting blockchain (Kouhizadeh et al., 2021). Especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) have been neglected in blockchain adoption studies (Wong et al., 2020). However, research recognizes that they should be considered separately because of their specific needs (Chouki et al., 2020). Moreover, the pre-decision stage of the adoption is of interest, as blockchain applications for the supply chain are still in a pilot phase (Y. Wang, Singgih, et al., 2019). Research Question: What barriers do SMEs face during the pre-decision stage of blockchain adoption for supply chain? Theoretical Framework: A framework developed by Kouhizadeh et al. (2021) containing barriers that impede blockchain adoption for supply chains is contextualized in the pre-decision phase and focused on SMEs. Methodology and Data Collection: This thesis follows a qualitative, deductive approach. An exploratory single case study was conducted to collect data through semi-structured interviews. This sheds light on the blockchain adoption from the perspective of a Swedish SME in the pre-decision stage that intends to use blockchain for sustainable water management in an agricultural supply chain. Complementary to this, blockchain experts are interviewed to enrich companies' responses that cannot fully illuminate the barriers due to their limited knowledge. Findings: Supply chain barriers emerged as the most important, especially 'SC2- Problems in collaboration, communication, and coordination in the supply chain', and 'SC1- Lack of customers' awareness and tendency about sustainability and blockchain technology'. Furthermore, four characteristics were identified that significantly influence the perception of the barriers in the setting studied: The proactive commitment to adopting blockchain, the affinity and attitude toward information technology (IT), trust, and financial support. Conclusions: Several managerial and theoretical implications result from the study, as well as suggestions for further research. These include that SMEs and consultants should consider the characteristics that influence perceptions of barriers in order to prioritize the barriers, and also in research they should be more emphasized to enhance transferability of blockchain adoption research. Limitations include that the case study was conducted on a single SME in Sweden, therefore a validation of the results in other SMEs would be beneficial. In addition, a longitudinal study could shed light on how the barriers change during the adoption process, and further research could reveal the strategies that SMEs use to overcome the barriers.

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Muhammad, Ziaullah Sahibzada, and Ander aorcasitas. "The role of Emotional factors in Outsourcing of SMEs : An explanatory study of the factors that affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs." Thesis, Umeå University, Umeå School of Business, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-34882.

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The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.

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37

Muhammad, Ziaullah Sahibzada, and Ander Orcasitas. "The role of Emotional factors in Outsourcing of SMEs : An explanatory study of the factors that affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Handelshögskolan vid Umeå universitet, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-34882.

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The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.

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Gusberti, Tomoe Daniela Hamanaka. "Modelo de intervenção para processo de desenvolvimento de produto farmaceutico [sic] para pequenas e médias empresas." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/8703.

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Os administradores de pequenas e médias empresas (PME) buscam práticas de desenvolvimento de produtos e conhecimento que auxilie a permanência delas e o crescimento no mercado. Uma forma de incorporar práticas consagradas é através da sistematização do Processo de Desenvolvimento de Produto (PDP). A representação desse processo pode ser realizada por meio de modelos referenciais os quais incluem atividades, ferramentas, conceitos e melhores práticas. Apesar disso, no que se refere à estruturação do PDP, de um modo geral, as empresas não incorporaram facilmente essas práticas à sua realidade. Em decorrência desse fato, há a necessidade de um modelo de transição entre a prática atual e aquelas propostas pelos modelos de referência disponíveis na literatura. No caso das empresas do setor farmacêutico, essa realidade não é diferente. A maioria das empresas, principalmente pequenas e médias, não considera fácil a tarefa de entendimento e implantação de um modelo referencial para o PDP. Contribuindo com a resolução dessa problemática, esse trabalho objetiva a elaboração de uma proposta de intervenção em empresas farmacêuticas de pequeno e médio porte. Essa proposta apresenta etapas para guiar a implantação de um modelo referencial adaptado ao setor e à empresa. Para tal, a proposta desse trabalho incorporou as melhores práticas de intervenção encontradas na literatura, como aspectos concernentes à engenharia do método e ao PDP. Foram analisados o ambiente de aplicação dos mesmos, o contexto do setor farmacêutico brasileiro e a estrutura organizacional das empresas de pequeno e médio porte, através de revisão bibliográfica e estudos de caso. Um modelo preliminar de intervenção foi elaborado considerando esses aspectos e guiado pelas teorias de gestão da mudança e engenharia do método. O modelo foi aprimorado através da sua aplicação em uma empresa, através de pesquisa-ação. O modelo de intervenção resultante desse trabalho contempla as características de PME do setor para auxiliar como guia para a melhoria dos processos de desenvolvimento de produtos e apresenta os princípios norteadores do processo de intervenção contemplando ferramentas que podem ser utilizadas para a realização do mesmo, além dos passos e etapas a serem seguidas.
The small and medium enterprises (SME) managers search for best practices and knowledges that help growing on the competitive world. The product development process (PDP), systematization and organization importance are largely diffused. The reference models are the PDP representation and include activities, tools, concepts and best practices. Nevertheless, the corporations do not easily incorporate those practices on their routine to improve their PDP. Then, a transition model from the real practice to the proposed literature reference model is needed. The pharmaceutical companies’ reality is not different. The enterprise’s managers, especially small and medium ones, do not consider easy to understand and implement the reference models. This research considered the theory of Method Engineering dominium applied to the Organizational Engineering dominium to compose an Intervention Model for the Pharmaceutical SME’s PDP. The model incorporated the intervention’s best practices found in the literature. The method and PDP dominium was discussed. The review of Brazilian Small and Medium Pharmaceutical Industry and their enterprise’s organizational structure characterizes the environment of intervention. Case studies performed at a company with typical characteristics of the studied group complemented the information of literature review. Useful tools and practices for the Pharmaceutical PDP and Intervention were identified from literature. The consideration of Change Management and Method Engineering theory led to the elaboration of the Preliminary Intervention Model. This model was evaluated by its application in a medium-sized pharmaceutical organization by action-research. The researcher’s observation supported the model improvement. This improvement generated the Intervention Model. The Intervention Model considers the pharmaceutical small and medium enterprises characteristics and can guide to the Pharmaceutical PDP improvement. The Model presents the processes, practices, principles and tools for the intervention process.

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GALVÃO, Marcella Brito. "Relacionamento de clientes: proposição de um modelo para empresas de serviços com base no CRM." Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 2012. https://repositorio.ufpe.br/handle/123456789/18965.

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As práticas de CRM- Customer Relationship Management têm sido cada vez mais recomendadas como forma de gerir e de manter os negócios, e têm se mostrado uma tendência também nas pequenas e médias empresas. Este trabalho tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um modelo de fidelização para clientes em pequenas e médias empresas no setor de serviços utilizando-se esse tipo de gerência. Após analisar vários modelos de CRM presentes na literatura específica, propõe-se um modelo específico que pode ser aplicado em pequenas e médias empresas do setor de serviços. Este estudo caracteriza-se como sendo uma pesquisa exploratória de abordagem qualitativa, utilizando a investigação bibliográfica como procedimento para alcance do objetivo geral. Por meio da análise comparativa entre os modelos estudados, estruturou-se um método de fidelização que integra os elementos de estratégia e de implementação de CRM em pequenas e médias empresas. Neste trabalho também foi realizado um estudo de caso para verificar a aplicabilidade e a eficiência do novo modelo proposto. Os resultados obtidos com a sua aplicação em uma média empresa de Call Center, a qual presta serviços em Aconselhamento de Saúde, foram positivos, visto que o modelo proposto atingiu o objetivo a que se propõe, que é disponibilizar mecanismos para que as pequenas e médias empresas de serviços conheçam seus clientes e interajam melhor com eles.
CRM practices have increasingly been recommended as a way to manage and maintain the business, and have shown a tendency also in small and medium enterprises. This paper aims at developing a model for customer loyalty in the service sector in small and medium size enterprises. The research analyzes several models of CRM in the literature and proposes a specific model applied to small and medium enterprises in the services sector. It is characterized as an exploratory qualitative approach, using literature as procedure to reach the overall goal. Through comparative analysis of the models studied, was structured a method of loyalty that integrates the elements of strategy and implementation of CRM in SMEs. A case study was done to verify the applicability and efficiency of the proposed model, the results obtained with its implementation in a medium enterprise Call Center for Counseling Health were satisfactory, since the proposed model achieved the goals that they propose, which is to provide mechanisms for small and medium sized service companies know their customers better and interact with them.

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Järbur, Martin, and Christopher Nyström. "Towards Increased Strategy Involvement of Boards in SMEs : A qualitative study mapping obstacles and exploring solutions for boards' involvement in strategy." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-109984.

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Strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses has not been given adequate focus in contemporary research. The main concern has been on exploring the phenomenon in large corporations, which means that the field remains fairly unexplored. The purpose of this study is two folded. Firstly we want to understand what obstacles boards of small and medium-sized businesses face for strategy involvement. Secondly we want to generate new insights and knowledge about how these obstacles can be tackled. In order to accomplish these goals we assume the following two research questions: Research Question 1: Are there any obstacles in the way for strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses? Research Question 2: What solutions are there to overcome these obstacles for strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses? The first question aims to explore and map potential obstacles for strategy involvement, whereas the second question addresses potential solutions. By utilizing a qualitative approach and interviews we want to better understand the context. Our goal of using this method was to reveal motives and opinions to get a better understanding of how small and medium-sized businesses deal with strategy issues. The participants held various positions within small and medium-sized businesses in Sweden. CEOs, directors and busy directors participated in semi-structured interviews. This study is based upon two frameworks. Firstly we constructed an obstacle framework consisting of five obstacles derived from existing literature. Secondly we made a solution framework, which includes potential solutions connected to the obstacles, also derived from contemporary research. These two frameworks were then used to see what opinions our participants held about them. The data were analyzed by performing a thematic analysis. The idea of using this technique was to identify themes participants held in common. We found some patterns among the respondents which led us to revise both of the frameworks. The main finding of this study is that the presence of a board role conflict seems to be very limited in the context of small and medium-sized businesses. We furthermore found that there are differences in how to solve obstacles in regards to firm size. Two of the suggested solution in existing literature was found to be irrelevant for small and medium-sized businesses. Namely that it is not necessary to get CEOs to embrace strategy involvement, and stopping CEOs from handing over deceiving information is not solved by changing incentives. We also found patterns of two new solutions which were added in the revised solution framework. The first solution involves having regular strategy sessions and meetings. The second solution suggests that it can be advantageous to replace directors uncommitted to strategizing.

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Nalin, Sanna, and Mimmie Berglund. "Beyond Legal Borders : Why SMEs in Sweden communicate on its Sustianbility performance, through a lens of stakeholder engagement." Thesis, Jönköping University, Internationella Handelshögskolan, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-49045.

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Background: Existing literature implies research about Sustainability reporting and SMEs to be limited. SMEs are more vulnerable to economic pressure which may result in enhanced challenges in integrating sustainability practice. Because of SMEs’ vulnerability to financial pressures, and the law’s burden, the Swedish government, has excluded them from the law of sustainability reporting. Despite being excluded from the law, some SMEs are communicating on sustainability anyway, and the literature suggests that indirect forces could influence the strategies of sustainability performance. Purpose: This thesis aims to explore the underlying rationale of why SMEs in Sweden communicate on their sustainability performance, through a lens of stakeholder engagement. Method: The study is built upon enterprise occurrence, where four SMEs based in the Jönköping region has been interviewed with open- and semi-structured questions. The study follows an interpretivism approach with an exploratory nature of discovering the topic of SME and sustainability communication. Conclusion: This study has shown that the answer to why SMEs communicate on their sustainability performance is rather complex as it is hidden behind enterprise’s unique institutional structures with internal and external influences that shape decisions and attitudes. Throughout this study, it has been recognised that SMEs’ sustainability communication is performed beyond legal borders due to various reasons, and in particular the following; pressure from surrounding institutional structures; stakeholder relationships; and visions based on personal values and strong organisational core beliefs.

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Joos, Filip Alexius. "Implementace DMS v malých a středních firmách formou cloudového řešení." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2012. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-162522.

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This thesis analyzes the field of Document Management Systems (DMS) in Small and medium enterprises (SME). To be more specific, it analyzes ways and opportunities of a transition of the actual company situation to a cloud solution realized by the means of outsourcing. Due to the fact that this transition consists of many steps, some of them are critical for a successful realization, those steps have to be precisely analyzed and afterwards a corresponding solution has to be proposed. This analysis describes in a detail all the connections, which may interfere with each other and which may also interfere with the whole transition. The goals of this thesis are mainly to provide a specialized analysis of the transition to the cloud DMS, analysis of available cloud solutions, their categorization and assessment, description of connections emerging from the use of the cloud DMS in Small and medium enterprises, description of impacts of realized solutions and finally a summary of the analysis into a compact unit designated to be used as a manual for cloud DMS implementation in the Small and medium enterprise.

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Magad, Ahmad Mohamed. "Strategic planning in SMEs in Singapore : SME multi-agency alliance, environmental impact and SME performance." Thesis, Henley Business School, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.274792.

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Ganta, Sathvik. "A Framework to Incorporate Industry 4.0 into SME to Enhance Resource Planning." Thesis, Mälardalens högskola, Innovation och produktrealisering, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-47421.

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Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have grown steadily in recent years. SMEs generate 59.7 % of value-added and 65.5 % of employment in the ‘non-financial business economy’ in Sweden. It's important for the success of SMEs to be ready to provide high product availability to customers at minimal operation costs. The challenges faced by SMEs are tougher in global competition. There is a rapid growth in the industrial revolution to deal with the challenges as well as competition. This work mainly focuses on implementing resource planning (RP) and adapting to the latest technologies of Industry 4.0 into SMEs to face the challenges. But incorporating Industry 4.0 in a major struggle in the SMEs. The thesis provides a view of Resource Planning implementation. The authors describe the resource planning implementation techniques and define the requirements for its successful implementation. Resource Planning (RP) adoption factors have been studied quite extensively over the years. However, this master thesis tries to investigate the less explored area of resource planning. Relatively a smaller amount of research has been conducted, when it comes to implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies especially in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Industry 4.0 provides new paradigms for the industrial management of SMEs. Supported by a growing number of new technologies, this concept appears more ﬂexible and less expensive than traditional enterprise information systems. This paper presents a literature review of existing applied research covering different Industry 4.0 issues about SMEs. Furthermore, the analysis is done to understand the correlation between the identified factors of Industry 4.0 technologies. The research findings indicate that the use of IoT and Cloud computing are major advantages for resource planning in an SME. The results from the analysis are presented in a framework designed for the future adaptation of these technologies. Despite the research limitations, the findings show a high advantage. Finally, the author suggests a future scope of research.

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Abraham, Martin, and Christian Seyde. "Das Zahlungsverhalten von Auftraggebern." Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, 2016. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:15-qucosa-207784.

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Diese Auswertung einer Creditreform-Erhebung thematisiert das Zahlungsverhalten der Kunden mittelständischer Unternehmen und basiert auf der Mittelstandsbefragung der Creditreform e.V. vom Frühjahr 1999. In dieser Umfrage wurden die Unternehmen zum einen gebeten, das Zahlungsverhalten der Kunden einzuschätzen, zum anderen wurden die tatsächlichen Forderungsverluste und Zahlungsziele erhoben. Im ersten Teil werden ausgewählte deskriptive Ergebnisse der Mittelstandsbefragung (Creditreform) mit der Leipziger Studie zur Zahlungsmoral (Universität Leipzig) unter Handwerkern verglichen. Im zweiten Teil der Auswertung wird der Effekt unterschiedlicher Faktoren auf die verschiedenen Aspekte des Zahlungsverhaltens dargestellt.

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Maldonado, Beltrán Miguel Ángel. "Factors Impacting the Success of ERP Implementations in Small and Medium Enterprises: An Empirical Assessment from Latin America." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Ramon Llull, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/9204.

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Les implementacions dels sistemes de programació de gestió integrada (ERP, en la sigla en anglès) s'estan consolidant com una de les principals tendències avantguardistes en l'àmbit de la tecnologia de la informació en el segment de les petites i mitjanes empreses (pimes). Malgrat que existeixen recerques relacionades amb l'estudi de l'adopció i de l'èxit de les implementacions d'ERP, hi ha una bretxa evident en la literatura a l'hora d'analitzar aquestes implementacions en el context de les pimes. Aquest article té l'objectiu d'examinar els factors que determinen l'èxit de les implementacions d'ERP, centrant-se específicament en la veta de mercat de les pimes que operen en zones en via de desenvolupament, com ara l'Amèrica Llatina. Es proposa un model que és corroborat empíricament amb dades obtingudes de 49 pimes llatinoamericanes. Una anàlisi de regressió múltiple permet corroborar 7 de les 8 hipòtesis presentades en el model, i evidencia alguns resultats que són consistents amb algunes recerques prèvies, però en ressalta d'altres que són únics en el context particular de l'Amèrica Llatina. Els resultats indiquen que les capacitats de facilitat d'ús proveïdes per l'ERP, com també l'èxit d'implementació del projecte de l'ERP i la satisfacció de l'usuari, són factors claus que impacten en l'èxit posterior a la implementació de l'ERP. D'altra banda, les iniciatives de gestió del canvi no van esdevenir tan determinants com s'evidenciava en recerques anteriors. El rol crític de la satisfacció de l'usuari com a mediador de la resta dels factors també va ser comprovat. Una aportació fonamental de la recerca és que l'èxit de la implementació de l'ERP va ser mesurat en termes dels beneficis incrementals de negoci obtinguts posteriorment a la implementació de l'ERP. S'analitzen les implicacions dels resultats en el context pràctic i de recerca, i se'n presenten línies de recerca prominents.
Las implementaciones de los Sistemas de Administración de Recursos Empresariales (ERP por sus siglas en inglés) se están consolidando como una de las tendencias vanguardistas críticas en el área de tecnología de la información para el segmento de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (SMEs). Aún cuando existen investigaciones relacionadas con el estudio de la adopción y éxito de las implementaciones de los ERP, es evidente la brecha existente en la literatura a la hora de analizar tales implementaciones en el contexto de las SMEs. Esta disertación pretende investigar factores que determinan el éxito de las implementaciones de los ERP, con foco específico en el contexto de las SMEs operando en regiones en vías de desarrollo, tales como América Latina. Se propone un modelo el cual es corroborado empíricamente con datos obtenidos de 49 pequeñas y medianas empresas latinoamericanas. Un análisis de regresión múltiple permite corroborar 7 de las 8 hipótesis presentadas en el modelo, exhibiéndose algunos resultados que son consistentes con investigaciones previas pero resaltándose otros que lucen originales al contexto particular de América Latina. Los resultados indican que las capacidades de Facilidad de Uso provistas por el ERP, así como el Éxito del Proyecto de Implementación del ERP y la Satisfacción del Usuario son factores claves que impactan en el éxito posterior a la implementación. Por otra parte, las iniciativas de Gerencia del Cambio no lucieron tan determinantes como se evidencia en investigaciones anteriores. El rol crítico de la Satisfacción del Usuario como mediador del resto de los factores también fue comprobado. Un aporte fundamental de la investigación es que el éxito de la implementación del ERP fue medido en términos de los beneficios incrementales de negocio obtenidos posterior a la implementación del ERP. Se analizan las implicaciones de los hallazgos en el contexto de investigación y práctico y prominentes líneas de investigación son presentadas.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems implementations are consolidating as a critical information technology initiative among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Even though research exists aimed at analyzing the adoption and success of ERP implementations, there is a significant gap in the literature studying the SME niche. This article examines the causes determining the success of ERP implementations, specifically considering the niche of SMEs acting in developing regions such as Latin America. The proposed model is corroborated empirically with data from 49 Latin American SMEs. The regression analysis technique allows corroborating 7 of the 8 hypotheses. Some results are consistent with previous research but others appear to be unique to the Latin American context. These results suggest that Ease to Use capacities provided by ERP, as well as Project Implementation Success and User Satisfaction of an ERP initiative are key factors influencing the overall success of an ERP implementation. However, Change Management seems to be not as critical as the other factors. The decisive role of User Satisfaction as a mediating variable is also corroborated. An innovative contribution of this dissertation is the success of an ERP implementation is measured by improvements in business performance. The implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed, and another promising research streams are outlined.

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Poláková, Martina. "Podpora MSP po vstupu do EU." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2007. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-3877.

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The goal of this thesis is to define the SMEs' position in the Czech Republic and to underline their essential significance as well es to draw attention to their vulnerability. It includes integrated general overview of MSEs' support opportunities in the Czech Republic, but also critical valuation of the effectivity of each form of support. At the end the thesis recommends the most effective forms of SMEs' support in each stage of their life cycle.

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Anderson, Catrine, Francesca Schüldt, and Therese Åstrand. "Organisational culture’s influence on the integration of sustainability in SMEs : A multiple case study of the Jönköping region." Thesis, Internationella Handelshögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, IHH, Företagsekonomi, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-39757.

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Background: Existing literature suggests research about sustainability and Small- and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to be limited. SMEs tend to have less resources than large companies and as a result of this sustainability integration may be challenging. Despite these resource restrictions, some SMEs still succeed in integrating sustainability. Some literature suggests that organisational culture could influence the integration of sustainability. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how organisational culture attributes influence the integration of sustainability in Swedish SMEs. Method: To fulfil the purpose of this thesis, a multiple case study consisting of six SMEs in the Jönköping region is performed. Qualitative semi-structured interviews are conducted with the manager and/or head of sustainability. Furthermore, structured interviews are conducted with managers and employees, in an attempt to gain insights into the values and cultural attributes of the organisational culture of the SME. Main Findings: The results reveal that an organisational culture which emphasises internal relationships, stability and goal-setting and planning seem to facilitate the integration of sustainability. SMEs with the attribute of valuing internal relationships are aided in the integration of sustainability through the existence of tightly knit groups that work together toward the long-term goal of integrating sustainability. The positive influence of stability stems from the fact that the attribute provides structure, economic stability, and a stable employee base. A high focus on goal-setting and planning may enable the integration of sustainability through providing clear missions and objectives which the company strives toward. Managerial Implications: This study urges three implications for managers of SMEs; 1. It provide managers with some understanding of how their organisational culture may affect sustainability integration. 2. It provide insight into the challenges companies may face as the result of lacking certain cultural attributes. 3. It provide indications of which attributes that could be beneficial to develop or incorporate into the organisational culture in order to aid the integration of sustainability.

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Maaruf, Prosha, and Abdi Anab Mohamed. "Pay per screen: developing Result-oriented PSS in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises : A case study at a mercury recycling equipment manufacturer." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för maskinteknik, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-14887.

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Today’s companies are struggling with the competitive environment driven by resource scarcity, technical progress and market demand for increased value and flexibility. For these reasons companies are shifting their focus from selling products to selling need fulfillment. The result-oriented product-service (PSS) is a PSS type that provides value mainly through delivery of services with the premise of the producer taking responsibility over the entire product life cycle. It is highlighted in the literature as a business strategy to generate a high profit and stable the revenue. Despite the new market opportunities related to the provision of PSS, it inherently comes with complexity linked to the extended responsibility. More importantly, very little is mentioned in the PSS literature regarding real case PSS development and how service-oriented PSS contracting impacts Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The objective of this thesis is to examine how result-oriented PSS can create new opportunities for SMEs. It is targeting to explore this topic from a cost and value creation perspective for both the company and customer. To achieve the objective a main research question is stated which answer is given by answering the two sub questions as below. How can a result-oriented product-service system be implemented in small and medium-sized enterprises? 1. What result-oriented PSS solution can be designed for the recycling equipment industry to increase the value for both the manufacturer and the customer? 2. What are the financial implications of a result-oriented PSS? To explore answers for the research questions, a case study inquiry is carried out on MRT (Mercury Recovery Technology) System International AB. It is a small international recycling equipment manufacturer in Karlskrona. A PSS development process resulting in a new concept referred to as “Pay per screen” is developed. The development and analysis of the result-oriented PSS shows that it is more profitable for the company to offer the proposed Pay per screen concept compared to the current product- oriented business. Even the customer has proven to be profitable while providing several advantages such as avoid being responsible for initial investment and maintenance costs.
Dagens företag kämpar med att hantera den konkurrenskraftiga miljön som drivs av resursbrist, teknisk utveckling och efterfrågan av ökat värde och flexibilitet. Av dessa skäl byter företagen fokus från att sälja produkter till att uppfylla behov. Det resultatorienterade produkttjänstesystemet (PSS) är en sorts PSS som ger värde huvudsakligen genom att leverera tjänster med förutsättningen att producenten tar ansvar över hela produktens livscykel. Den framträder i litteraturen som en ny strategisk affärsstrategi som genererar en hög vinst och stabiliserar inkomstflödet. Trots de nya marknadsmöjligheterna i samband med tillhandahållandet av PSS följer komplexitet med det utökade ansvaret. Dessutom nämns mycket lite i PSS-litteraturen om PSS-utveckling i ett verklighetsbaserat fall och hur tjänsteorienterad PSS-koncept påverkar små och medelstora företag. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka hur resultatorienterade produkttjänstesystem kan skapa nya möjligheter för små och medelstora företag. Det riktar sig till att utforska detta ämne ur ett kostnads- och värdeskapande perspektiv för både företaget och kunden. För att uppnå målet anges en huvudforskningsfråga vilket delvis svaras genom att svara på de två delfrågorna nedan. Hur kan ett resultatorienterat produktservice system genomföras i små och medelstora företag? 1. Vilken resultatorienterad PSS-lösning kan utformas för återvinningsindustrin för att öka värdet för både tillverkaren och kunden? 2. Vilka är de ekonomiska konsekvenserna av ett resultatorienterat PSS? För att utforska svaren på forskningsfrågorna utförs en fallstudie på MRT (Mercury Recovery Technology) System International AB. Det är en liten internationell tillverkare av återvinningsutrustning i Karlskrona. En PSS-utvecklingsprocess som resulterar i ett nytt koncept som kallas "Pay per screen" är utvecklat. Utvecklingen och analysen av resultatorienterad PSS visar att det är mer lönsamt för företaget att erbjuda det föreslagna Pay per screen konceptet. För även kunden har det visat sig vara lönsamt samtidigt som ger en rad fördelar så som att slippa ansvara för investerings- och underhållskostnader.

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50

Poole, Nicole Lesley. "Organisational change in Queensland small and medium size enterprises (SMEs)." University of Southern Queensland, Faculty of Business, 2009. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/archive/00006242/.

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Abstract:

[Abstract]A substantial amount of change management research exists internationally and in Australia in relation to the causes, processes and outcomes of organisational change in large organisations. However this does not reflect the change scenarios in SMEs. Furthermore, the academic and professional discipline of organisational change in Australia, while well-researched in some areas, remains embryonic when translatedto SMEs in a dynamic environment. Very few large scale state-wide and national surveys have been conducted in Australia. This study is filling the theoretical gap inrelation to the theory and practice relating to the nature, extent and characteristics of organisational change in Queensland Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs).The objective of this study was to examine the nature and extent of organisational change in Queensland SMEs. Five research questions were developed to inform thisresearch objective, including: What are the forces of change in Queensland SMEs?; To what extent does the main change driver (change agent) in SMEs possess effectivechange management skills?; What mental models do Queensland SME managers espouse in relation to the management of organisational change?; What is the natureand prevalence of change interventions for achieving organisational change in Queensland SMEs? ; and What is the impact of organisational size on the nature andprevalence of organisational change in Queensland SMEs? Eleven hypotheses in relation to the last research question were developed and tested.To answer the research questions, the study employed the use of quantitative data which was collected through a state-wide mail survey of 1000 Queensland SMEs. A34 percent response rate was achieved. The survey was adapted from a previous validated questionnaire measuring employee management and organisational change practices in Australian SMEs.The results indicate that by far the most important factor in the decision to introduce change in Queensland SMEs was customer expectations for quality. The survey results also show that, overall, the SMEs were able to achieve the objectives they pursued when implementing significant changes. The findings indicate that the main change drivers in Queensland SMEs possess a moderate profile in relation to change management skills. Furthermore, the findings reflect the view that managers tend tosupport forms of limited employee participation and consultation.Change practices are only moderately represented in Australian SMEs. Taken together with low participation of employees in the decision to employ these changes; low levels of union membership; a low presence of specialist HR managers in SMEs; and the fact that the majority of SMEs that do have written strategic plans do not use it to develop operational plans and drive day to day operations; a ‘transforming’ scenario in Queensland SMEs is unlikely. However, one very positive trend is the achievement by the majority of SMEs of change objectives pursued. Nevertheless, the fact that the mental models of Queensland SMEs favoured managerial prerogative is of more significance for the effectiveness of both the management of employees and the performance of SMEs.The findings show that organisational size is significant for the factors important in the introduction of organisational change, however size is not particularly significant in relation to the objectives pursued and achieved in the introduction of organisational change. Furthermore, size is also not significant in relation to the extent to which the main change driver (change agent) in SMEs possesses effective change management skills, and the mental models that Queensland SME managers espouse in relation to the management of organisational change. In contrast with these findings, the analysis suggests that organisational size is significant for the prevalence of change interventions/practices, with medium organisations employing change interventions to a significant greater extent. The thesis concludes with commentary on the practical implications for SME managers and policy and several directions for future research.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'SME (Small and Medium-Size Enterprise)'

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