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The aim of this paper is to examine the use of project management practices in Slovenian micro and small firms (MSFs) and to identify project success factors (SF) and project success criteria (SC).

A circular economy has become an innovative business model, though contentious, to replace a linear economy in achieving sustainable and efficient production. This study aims to investigate the level of awareness, adoption, and effect of factors driving the circular economy adoption on the financial performance of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Saudi Arabia. The survey was conducted among 301 MSMEs, and the method of logistic regression was utilized for its analysis. The results revealed that the level of awareness is averagely high, with an average of seven out of 10 enterprises. However, the outcome further showed that only an average of three out of 10 had implemented a circular economy during the period of the survey. In addition, logistic regression revealed the significant influence of drivers of circular economy adoption on the financial performance of MSMEs. The following drivers of circular economy adoption have a great likelihood and significant effect on the enterprise’s financial performance: training of employees, availability of financial resources, top management commitment, digital technology, product/service upgrade, material generated/buy back cheaper to use, and pressure from people. This is based on the outcome of logistic regression of the survey conducted on the factors driving circular economy adoption in the previous literature. However, the results revealed that regulatory incentives toward the environment and pressure from government and companies are not significant. Hence, this study provides policy implications for stakeholders in the circular economic system.

The positive role played by micro and small enterprises in developing the economy and providing job opportunities requires further care and support to ensure maximum benefits from them. In this vein, this research attempts to understand how networking support (NS), training programmes (TPs), and entrepreneurial intention (EI) interact on one end and how EI and growth aspirations (GAs) interact together on the other. It also investigates the direct influence of NS and TPs on GAs and assesses whether EI can mediate the connection between NS, TPs, and GAs. Data collected from micro and small entrepreneurs operating in different places in Saudi Arabia through a self-administered questionnaire are analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling and the testing of hypotheses. The findings confirm a positive and significant relationship between TPs and EI, while there is no relationship between NS and EI. Further, TPs and NS have a positive and significant direct connection with GAs. The results also reveal that EI can mediate the relationship between TPs and GAs but not the relationship between NS and GAs. The study concludes by providing the practical and theoretical implications of these findings and offering recommendations for policymakers and entrepreneurs.

Abstract Continuous technological development, digitalization, Industry 4.0, robotization, virtualization, and related investments in new types of physical assets are imposing increasing financial and intellectual demands on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). While fast technological development and rapid societal change make maintenance of a successful competitive edge ever more challenging, they also offer considerable potential for differentiation. In the area of networking and outside resources, MSMEs can utilize external resources and cooperate and collaborate with higher educational institutions (HEI) to boost their innovations pipeline and develop new technologies and processes to generate commercial products/services and improve their service offering. This research explores existing highly effective university–industry collaboration (UIC) models and seeks explanations for their success by examining the literature from the point of view of establishing successful relationships, emphasizing the importance of critical drivers for success. Our work synthesizes current knowledge of best practices based on a comparative analysis of practical collaboration. In the work, we identify eight popular and successful collaboration models: research and development partnerships, internships and co-op programs, knowledge transfer programs, entrepreneurship, and incubation programs, sponsored projects and grants, joint ventures and licensing agreements, executive education, professional and student career development. Based on analysis of globally reviewed successful models, a concept for robust, productive, and extended collaboration between companies and universities is produced suitable for the Finnish context. Several practical experiences are given for robust collaboration in the current post-COVID transition and energy crisis.

Factors influencing the resilience of rural agricultural and retail Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Zimbabwe have received less research focus. To addresses this gap in the literature, this article analyzes factors influencing the resilience of rural agricultural and retail MSMEs. Data used in this article is drawn from a survey of 492 MSME owners/managers from Chirumanzu, Gweru, Shurugwi and Mberengwa districts of Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. Principal component analysis was used to compute the resilience index and multivariate linear regression was used for statistical data analysis. The regression results show that MSME internal resources proxied by asset value increased MSME resilience by 0.22 index points. A conducive environment improved the MSME resilience by 1.88 index points. Entrepreneurial orientation manifested through MSME support increased MSME resilience by 0.81 index points. Robustness tests using FinScope data also show that MSME internal resources, denoted by access to credit and financial capital, increased MSME resilience. Risk-taking and conflict resolution, which measure entrepreneurial, increased MSME resilience. Policymakers and business owners need to promote initiatives that improve access to MSME finance to increase their resilience. The public sector should nurture a conducive business environment with sound and predictable macroeconomic policies that foster business stability. MSME owners must constantly scan their business environment to identify opportunities to enhance their resilience capabilities. The government and private sectors should offer entrepreneurship training to MSMEs to build their resilience.

El impacto que tuvo la emergencia sanitaria COVID-19 se reflejó en diversos sectores de la actividad económica a nivel nacional e internacional. Por un lado, el consumo de bienes y servicios necesarios para realizar actividades cotidianas y segundo cierre de actividades económicas. En ese sentido, el objetivo del estudio fue diagnosticar el comportamiento empresarial en cuanto a afectaciones de ingresos por tamaño de empresa, cierres, nacimientos y sectores afectados por el covid-19, personal ocupado, remuneraciones, reducción de personal, sectores sobrevivientes y cerrados definitivamente de las MiPyMES mexicanas. Para ello, se desarrolla una metodología de tipo documental a través del análisis de la información obtenida de fuentes primarias, documentales y secundarias del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) como organismo responsable en registrar el desempeño de las instituciones del país. El resultado mostró un alza en las clausuras de las MiPyMES durante el periodo, así como la reducción de personal; sin embargo, pospandemia se registra un progresivo crecimiento empresarial y se destaca el incremento de la economía informal. Como conclusión, se puede decir que se produjo una contracción del auge y fortalecimiento de las MiPyMES durante el periodo abordado. Asimismo, se destaca que las MiPyMEs enfrentan desafíos pospandemia relacionados con la informalidad, incertidumbre económica debido a los constantes cambios y la consolidación de políticas en función al apoyo focalizado.

AbstractWhile access to finance is a key link between economic opportunity and economic outcome, it remains a major barrier for aspiring entrepreneurs. The current research aims to conduct an in-depth case study of Assadaqaat Community Finance (ACF), a unique UK-based community finance institution with the objectives of addressing the global challenges of financial exclusion and social and economic inequalities through entrepreneurship and self-employment. ACF offers free professional training using an innovative and ground-breaking financial model based on Islamic financial principles via the ACF Cycle of Shared Prosperity framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants including beneficiaries, benefactors and founders to explore the impact of ACF training, advice and mentoring and access to interest-free and debt-free finance in helping participants overcome the challenges and develop feasible business plans for their micro, small and medium enterprises. The results suggest that the beneficiaries are happy and become financially independent within 3–6 months, resulting in the transformation of beneficiaries into benefactors as they are able to contribute back to ACF. We highlight the transformational nature of this unique institutional business model and its applicability for existing Islamic MFIs, allowing them to make a clear contribution to development of sustainable communities. We also argue that the ACF financial model offers a sustainable solution to overcome global challenges and contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Objective: This research wants to test the influence of social media on strengthening management and business growth and examine the effect of strengthening management on business growth. Design/methodology/approach: This research is included in the quantitative research category with an associative /explanatory approach and hypothesis testing. The unit of analysis in this research is micro and small business actors with a population of 186. The sample size in the research is 92. While Taking sample members from the population using a purposive sampling technique, the sample members are also referred to as respondents. The distribution of questionnaires was carried out over one month (1 June 2023 - 30 June 2023); 87 questionnaires were answered and filled in completely (94.57%); therefore, the data collected through this questionnaire was representative enough to represent the total population. Findings: Testing with Path analysis shows that social media directly and significantly influences strengthening management and business growth with standardized coefficient values of 0.347 (sig. 0.039) and 0.324 (sig. 0.041), while strengthening management directly and significantly influences the growth of micro-businesses and small with a standardization coefficient value of 0.409 (sig. 0.46). The results of this test show that social media, which is used massively to explore market information and is carried out in a structured manner, will encourage optimal management development to provide an adequate contribution to strengthening management, which leads to the creation of sustainable creative behavior in managing micro and small businesses to be more effective and efficient, both in managing market access, implementing management functions, business processes, and business cycles, so as to leverage the growth of micro and small businesses for the better. Therefore, hypotheses H1, H2, and H3 can be accepted because all the antecedents are tested to have a positive and significant influence with a significance figure below 0.05

Marketing using digital products is one way to do marketing through social media that uses the internet. The purpose of this study was to determine the interest of tape makers in the use of digital products and the factors that influence them. The sampling method used the survey method and obtained 45 respondents of tape makers on the scale of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Banjarsari Village, Ngajum District, Malang Regency. The descriptive analysis method is used to analyze the interest of tape makers in the use of digital products. While Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis is used to analyze the factors that influence the interest of tape makers in digital products. The results showed that tape makers have an interest in digital products in marketing tape. However, tape makers are not interested in applying or using digital information products in marketing tape. This is due to several factors that influence significantly, including advances in information technology, the ability of tape makers, environment, competition, and capital.

Abstract Purpose This study was aimed to identify the effect of tax incentive practices on the sustainability of MSMEs during an outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this objective, the researcher has employed a quantitative research approach with an explanatory research design in which six hypotheses have been tested. The primary data were collected from 300 MSMEs owners/operators using structured questionnaires. A multiple regression model was employed to study the effect of tax incentives parameters on the sustainability of MSMEs. Findings According to the regression analysis, this paper revealed that tax holiday, tax allowance, reduction in the tax rate, accelerated depreciation, loss carry forward, and tax exemption have a positive and statistically significant effect on the sustainability of the MSMEs. Research limitations The current study was geographically focused on Ethiopia by considering the MSMEs sector. The subject wise was focused on the effect of the tax incentives on the sustainability of MSMEs. The primary data were limited to the year 2020. It might be improved in the future if other researchers incorporate large firms in the country and use secondary data for the analysis of multiple years. Also, future researchers will improve the same study by considering both monetary and non-monetary incentives as study variables. Practical implications To survive during the COVID-19 pandemic, MSMEs need support from the government in the form of tax incentives. The tax incentives play a great role in enhancing the growth and the sustainability of MSMEs as well as the economy as a whole. So the owners of MSMEs have to ask the government to obtain necessary support in the form of monetary and non-monetary incentives to be sustainable in economic activity. Also, the findings and recommendations of the current study might serve as an ingredient and be informative to the policymakers on the MSMEs sector. The governments have to continue to shape tax incentives policies to support the MSMEs’ sustainability by providing tax and non-tax incentives. Originality/value This study contributes to empirical evidence about the effect of tax incentives practices on the sustainability of MSMEs during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ethiopia by considering six tax incentive practices in terms of tax holiday, tax allowance, reduction in the tax rate, accelerated depreciation, loss carried forward, and tax exemption.

The researchers looked at the link between social media driven marketing and marketing performance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria's Akwa Ibom State. The study arose from a knowledge gap in the area of social media driven platforms and marketing performance of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Akwa Ibom State. The main goal of this research was to investigate the link between social media marketing and marketing performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Akwa Ibom State. The researchers used survey design. A structured questionnaire rated on a five point Likert scale was used to gather data. A total of 366 MSMEs operators were chosen using simple random sampling. Simple Linear Regression was used to test and analyze two hypotheses. In Akwa Ibom State, it was discovered that there is a significant positive relationship between the two dimensions of social media marketing and marketing performance of MSMEs, with the Instagram page having highest regression.

Nowadays, Branding or marketing share has evolved from creating images to video. The appropriate videos promotions can increase consumer interest in buying products. The suitable video can provide an positive image to consumers of a product or service. However, there are many obstacles in making interesting branding with video, such as the technique of taking pictures and creating an interesting storyline, the ability to package interesting videos such as editing sound and images, dubbing and then adding text. Solution for the problem, a community service program was carried out by the Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Samarinda to owners of micro, small and medium businesses (UMKM) in Samarinda. Implementation of this activity is carried out for a one-day workshop and then online mentoring for one week. The method of implementation is with lectures, practices, discussions and then questions and answers. This activity was attended by 30 participants. From 30 participants there were 28 participants who succeeded in making a video branding with a duration of 1 to 2 minutes.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to identify the role of market dynamism in the relationship between market orientation and the performance of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in technology parks (TPs) in Poland. Methodology: The two methods used for performing the quantitative empirical research are CAWI and PAPI. The research sample included MSMEs operating in technology parks in Poland. The article is the answer to the needs for systematic research of models between market orientation and firm performance. Findings: The research findings provide an insight into the level of market orientation and performance of the analyzed MSMEs operating in technology parks in Poland. It was found that MSMEs in the research sample were not a homogeneous group in this respect. It has been proven that market orientation is a significant stimulant of firm performance, while market dynamism has not been classified as a moderator of the market orientation–firm performance relationship. Implications for theory and practice: This study contributes to strategic management by identifying the key role of market orientation for enterprises wishing to benefit from this type of strategic orientation. The important role of the predictor – market orientation in shaping the results of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating at TPs in Poland has been proven. In practice, this means that increasing the level of market orientation is conducive to increasing positively assessed financial performance. Originality and value: Our research carried out at MSMEs operating in technology parks in Poland enriches and supplements knowledge about market orientation as a phenomenon of universal character because it also applies to smaller sized business organizations

This study aims to find the best model with a combination of macroeconomic variables and micro or internal variables of the bank itself to predict bankruptcy in Indonesian banks, especially state-owned banks represented by BRI Bank as the object of research. This research is a quantitative study using time series data using a regression analysis method where the selected macro and micro variables will be formed as models and tested for later analysis. There are two models used in this study, namely the Grover model and the Zmijewski model. The result of this research is to find an appropriate model to predict bankruptcy using macro and micro variables, and the best after the flow test is Grover's model. The groover model can produce a combination of macro and micro variables in accordance to investigate bankruptcy by proving that the macro variable that affects is the exchange rate, while from the micro side built by LDR, ROA, and company size.

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze the evolution of financial structure in Technology-Based Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) throughout their business cycle. The papers analyzing financial structure in Technology-Based MSMEs focus on developed countries, with strong institutional environments, economic stability, and developed financial markets. This study contributes to bridging the literature gap in knowledge regarding financial structure in Technology-Based MSMEs in economies with small and underdeveloped financial markets and those with recurring economic crises. These issues intensify the limitations of access to financing for these companies and their potential growth. The importance of Technology-Based companies not only lies on their contribution to economic growth, but they are regarded as channels through which scientific knowledge is applied to products, processes, and services, improving the quality of life of society as a whole. The results evidenced in this study indicate the need to devise policies focused on encouraging access to funding in the various stages of the business cycle of Technology-Based MSMEs. A database with 89 Argentine Technology-Based MSMEs is used, applying an Ordered Logit model to analyze the variables affecting financial diversification in these companies. The results confirm the predictions of the financial growth cycle of small business theory, which argues that company size and age affect the probability of diversifying the financial structure. At the same time, this work found that these variables have a different effect depending on the stage in life cycle that a company is going through.

O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi identificar as práticas de gestão do conhecimento em micro, pequenas e médias empresas de comércio eletrônico do setor do vestuário e acessórios na cidade de Maringá-PR. O estudo é de natureza exploratória e de caráter descritivo, a ocorrência das práticas de gestão do conhecimento foi analisada através da utilização de questionário traduzido e adaptado da tese da vietnamita Nguyen (2011). Dentro do universo pesquisado houve uma participação de vinte e nove pessoas jurídicas tendo o perfil de micro, pequenas e médias empresas, de um total de trinta e uma organizações do setor do vestuário e acessórios em atividade no município pesquisado. Como principais resultados, identificaram-se práticas da gestão do conhecimento que, mesmo sendo utilizada em um estágio inicial, foram consideradas como essenciais para a sustentabilidade das empresas frente ao mercado competitivo global no qual estão inseridas. Os dados coletados também permitiram observar que as seguintes etapas do ciclo da GC de Bukowitz e Williams se fazem presente nas empresas participantes da pesquisa: a primeira etapa (de obter e utilizar o conhecimento); a segunda etapa (aprenda); a terceira etapa (contribua); a quinta etapa (construa e mantenha). Todas essas etapas apresentaram um nível de presença forte.

Existing studies could not estimate the technical efficiency (TE) of firms and it’s affecting factors in the Indian manufacturing sector. So, the present study examines the TE of firms using a stochastic frontier production function approach. Thereupon, it examines the impact of S&T and IPRs related factors on estimated TE of firms using a linear regression model. Estimated values of TE of firms show that most firms have a TE of 94%; thus, firms are efficient in producing surplus production in the manufacturing sector. It is acclaimed that firms can improve production scale using more technological upgradation and advancement. Furthermore, empirical results indicate that process innovations of firms, quality certification of firm, firm acquired process/product patents, in-house R&D expertise of firms, public-technology support institutions of firms, proficiency to improve processes of firms, new or improved products of firms, waste management capabilities of firms, and skilled workforce of firms are appeared effective activities to increase the TE of firms. It is proposed that there is a requirement to increase R&D expenditure, a collaboration of industries with research academia, incentive to researchers and scientists to do extensive research in emerging sectors of technologies and appropriate financial support to firms to boost the growth of Indian manufacturing sector.

Los estudios han señalado la calidad como impulsor de la competitividad en las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYME), por esta razón el objetivo de este trabajo consiste en determinar la relación que existe entre estos dos factores en las PYME de la Ciudad de México. Se utilizan los resultados de un estudio antecedente realizado por Saavedra (2014), en el que se recolectaron datos a través de un trabajo de campo a una muestra de 400 PYME en la Ciudad de México. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y correlacional, utilizando el método de chi cuadrado. Los principales hallazgos muestran que la implementación de sistemas de calidad es incipiente, sin embargo, existe relación significativa entre la calidad y la competitividad, en cuanto al tamaño muestran mayor dependencia las PYME de tamaño micro y pequeño, mientras que en lo que se refiere al sector la relación de dependencia es más fuerte en los sectores comercio y servicios, corroborando estos hallazgos con lo encontrado en la literatura previa.

The tourism industry and in particular the accommodation sector is fast growing and competitive. To survive, accommodation businesses need to engage in sustainable innovation. However, literature is fragmented on the drivers of innovation in the accommodation sector specifically on small accommodation businesses (SABs). Such limited empirical information exposes small businesses to intense competition from their large business counterparts. The study sought to establish whether firm size influences innovation in SABs in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The study examined and compared the influence of different sizes of SABs (micro, small and medium (SMMEs) on different dimensions of innovation (Product/service, process, marketing and organisational (PPMO) in Zimbabwe and South Africa where owner/managers of small accommodation businesses were participants. A cross sectional comparative research design was used. Using stratified random sampling, two samples each of 139 were drawn from target populations of 257 and 331 SABs from Manicaland and Free State provinces in Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using ANOVA F tests. The results of the study showed that regardless of nationality, there is strong evidence of no association between firm size (SMMEs) and innovation. Specifically, SMMEs have no influence on the different dimensions (PPMO) of innovation. Hence firm size does not matter on innovation among SABs in Zimbabwe and South Africa. It is recommended that owner/managers of SABs in Zimbabwe and South Africa should not use firm size as a driver of innovation but instead explore, embrace and invest in those drivers that stimulate sustainable innovation. Furthermore, future studies should consider including qualitative information from owner/managers of small accommodation businesses in order to retrieve and add more depth to the study.

Las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas costarricenses cumplen un papel significativo en el crecimiento económico del país. Proveer productos y servicios de calidad de manera sostenida resulta ineludible; sin embargo, la práctica de algún sistema que ayude a controlar su calidad suele ser una tarea difícil. La Universidad Fidélitas y la Cámara de Exportadores de Costa Rica realizaron una encuesta de auto-calificación entre julio y octubre de 2018 a un grupo de empresas de este tipo para conocer cómo gestionan su calidad (con referencia a la Norma ISO 9001:2015) considerando variables como: tamaño de la empresa, sector y condición de exportación. Los resultados demuestran que la principal variable es el tamaño de la empresa; ya que, conforme aumenta el número de empleados, se aplican más robustamente los principios de la Norma. Las secciones de la Norma que implican actividades de ejecución y seguimiento fueron evaluadas con un nivel más bajo.

Microcredit has been seen as a way of helping low-income people, primarily women, to survive, by giving them independence and the resources to create their own businesses. Low-income people have the support of social networks that allow their members to assist each other morally, economically and by sharing information. They also share experiences that make it easier to obtain the income needed for survival. Through their social networks and social capital the poor can use the tools provided by microcredits to improve their living conditions. This document compares the ways in which women in three countries associate, and use microcredits. The countries involved are India, Bangladesh and the South of Mexico.

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar si es positiva o negativa la relación entre la innovación- competitividad en el funcionamiento de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas. Se realizó una revisión del campo del arte de la relación innovación-competitividad. En el modelo de investigación se investiga de qué manera la innovación-competitividad incide en el desempeño de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas en el análisis del control de las variables lugar y estudios de los empresarios. Cuando se controla la variable lugar, las correlaciones aumentan reforzando los resultados obtenidos y sugiriendo los resultados obtenidos pueden ser obtenidos en lugares diferentes. Cuando se controla la variable grado de estudios del empresario, las correlaciones tienden a disminuir; en cambio, cuando se controlan las variables de maneraconjunta los coeficientes tienden a aumentar,lo cual refuerza la argumentación en torno a la variable lugar.

The paper is based on an analysis of companies and entrepreneurs who have made business (performed their activity) in the period of 2010-2014. We also analyzed the number of entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises, number of employees, gross social value, exports, imports, number of importers and exporters. The aim of the paper is the projection of macroeconomic indicators by 2025 in the Republic of Serbia, with emphasis put onto improvement of business conditions with the aim of Serbian economy growth. The result of the research should show that the macroeconomic projections in the SME sector are on the path of recovery and growth, but they are conditional on the quality of fiscal policy, reforms implementation pace, financial incentives, and creating an environment whose ultimate goal would be strengthening of the private sector and creating even favorable business conditions.

This study focuses on investigating factors which influence successful espousal of Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) in India from a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise’s (MSME’s) viewpoint. MSME sector in India contributes about 7.5% of India’s GDP accounting for about 38% of the manufacturing output and 40% of the exports of the country. The study reviews MSME sector in India, literature pertaining to emergent Knowledge Management Systems and proposes a conceptual model having qualities of Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Reasoned Action and Social Cognitive Theory. The prelude findings of the study based on literature aids us in laying out factors influencing successful espousal of KMS in a developing country like India from a MSME’s viewpoint. Empirical inquiry of the developed model in future would have practical implication and will facilitate MSMEs (which are major contributors to improvement of the economy) in successful espousal of Knowledge Management Systems and garner the latent benefits.

Purpose: The paper investigates whether employees’ strategic awareness influences the shape of management control systems (MCSs) in Polish micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs). Methodology: The study is based on data obtained from 223 companies between November 2010 and January 2012. The quantitative analysis used a set of variables which depicted MCSs: ‘goalsetting process’, ‘control framework’ and ‘organisation of control’. Strategic awareness was considered an independent variable. Findings: The results showed positive correlations between strategic awareness and considered variables. Regression models developed by the authors proved statistically valid. The study evidences, that increasing employees’ strategic awareness stimulates their participation in goal-setting, contributes to the development of more comprehensive MCSs, or may even imply formalisation of management control. Research limitations: The study does not include an analysis of the extent to which employees find MCSs useful in their work. This will be considered in future research. Another possible extension of the project is to identify factors which enable the capturing of the dynamic character of MCSs and their changes over time. Practical implications: The knowledge of MCSs does not explain whether or not the strategic orientation of a company stimulates a need for MCS. Such knowledge may be important to managers who have to face Polish employees’ general aversion to control. Originality: The study contributes to the limited body of knowledge in a scope of relations between employees’ strategic awareness and control mechanisms in Polish mSMEs.

Com o aumento da competição das empresas por novos mercados e a manutenção das posições conquistadas nos nichos em que atuam, os executivos têm buscado formas de atuar em mercados ainda pouco explorados, bem como refinar modelos de gestão já utilizados, de modo a superar os desafios impostos. Em âmbito mundial, esse aceleramento da competição estimula a adoção de novas ferramentas de gestão, ações de exploitation e exploration, a flexibilização de barreiras para produtos e serviços, a customização de bens e a melhor interface com os novos mercados consumidores. Com o acesso viabilizado aos mercados internacionais, determinados tipos de empresas optam pela estratégia de expandirem suas operações a outros países, o que pode ocorrer em várias formas diferentes, podendo se constituir como a maior dimensão do processo contínuo de estratégia. Embora a internacionalização seja historicamente associada a empresas multinacionais, tendências mais recentes sugerem que o mercado internacional está cada vez mais povoado por micro, pequenas e médias empresas. A questão proeminente para este trabalho é a compreensão sobre quais razões motivam ou desmotivam os empresários de pequenos negócios a expandirem suas operações a outros países e, sobretudo, como ocorre o processo desta decisão na ação de internacionalizar seus negócios.

El objetivo de este artículo es comprender el comportamiento de los emprendedores de empresas micro y pequeñas, relacionado con la adquisición de información externa. A través de una investigación cuantitativa, se exploran las actitudes de los emprendedores de estas empresas con relación a la adquisición de este tipo de información Los resultados muestran una alta valoración de la información, pero también una falta de programas para la adquisición de la misma. Las organizaciones llamadas a apoyar estas empresas, tales como universidades, el gobierno local y las cámaras de comercio, pueden dar apoyo al construir herramientas de investigación sobre el ambiente externo de las empresas que, a bajo costo, les ayude a tener una mejor visión de sus negocios.

RESUMOA importância das micro, pequenas e médias empresas brasileiras (MPME) para o desenvolvimento econômico e geração de empregos não tem encontrado paralelo no que tange à produção de teorias no campo da estratégia, consideradas as limitações da capacidade de ação das MPMEs e das idiossincrasias de seus líderes. Este artigo busca contribuir para a compreensão dos processos de formação das estratégias nessas empresas segundo a natureza do pensamento estratégico dos líderes-estrategistas e com base no comportamento declarado, adotando como referência a taxonomia das estratégias genéricas e dos processos cognitivos de tomada de decisão e pensamento estratégico. Tem como objetivo propor uma tipologia que permita compreender a natureza do pensamento estratégico desses gestores, identificando suas principais dimensões características e propondo instrumento que permita sua categorização e comparação. A aplicação de survey com amostra intencional formada por 70 estrategistas permitiu o uso de análise fatorial para construção das categorias e escala, e a observação que, no universo de estrategistas pesquisados no que tange a sua forma de pensar, a intuição é perspectiva complementar, não predominante, o caráter coletivo é acentuado na formação das estratégias, bem como a valorização do formalismo e a crença na importância de planejar e registrar as intenções.ABSTRACTThe importance of micro, small and medium size companies (MSMC) to the economical development and job creation in the country hasn’t found parallel with respect to the production of theories in the strategy field, even considering the limited capacity of action of the MSMCs and the idiosyncrasies of their leaders. This article seeks to contribute to the understanding of the strategy formation processes in these companies by the nature of the strategic thinking of their strategists, having as reference the taxonomy of generic strategies and the cognitive processes of decision making and strategic thinking. It aims at proposing a typology to comprehend the nature of strategic thinking of these managers, identifying their main characteristics dimensions and proposing an instrument that allows its categorization and comparison. The application of a survey with an intentional sample composed by 70 strategists allowed the use of factor analysis for the construction of categories and scale, and the observation that, in the universe of the surveyed strategists in regard to their way of thinking, intuition is complementary, not dominant, the collective character is intense in the strategy formation process as well as the appreciation of formalism and belief of the importance of planning and registering their intentions.RESUMENLa importancia de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas (MPME) para el desarrollo económico y la creación de empleo no ha encontrado paralelo en lo que se refiere a la producción de teorías en el campo de la estrategia, teniendo en cuenta las limitaciones de la capacidad de acción de las MPMEs y las idiosincrasias de sus líderes. Este artículo busca contribuir a la comprensión de los procesos de formación de las estrategias en estas empresas, según la naturaleza del pensamiento estratégico de los líderes estrategas con base en el comportamiento declarado, adoptando como referencia la taxonomía de las estrategias genéricas y de los procesos cognitivos de toma de decisión y pensamiento estratégico. Tiene como objetivo proponer una tipología que permita comprender la naturaleza del pensamiento estratégico de estos gestores, identificar sus principales dimensiones características y proponer instrumentos que permitan su categorización y comparación. La aplicación de survey con muestreo intencional formado por 70 estrategas permitió el uso del análisis factorial para construir las categorías y la escala y para observar que, en el universo de los estrategas investigados en lo referente a su forma de pensar, la intuición es perspectiva complementaria, no predominante, el carácter colectivo se acentúa en la formación de las estrategias, así como la valorización del formalismo y la convicción de la importancia de planificar y registrar las intenciones.

Purpose -- Given the uprising interest in the environmental responsibility issues among small businesses, the purpose of this paper is to design to probe into the relationship between stakeholders' influence and environmental responsibility of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), and its consequent outcomes in an emerging economy. Design/methodology/approach -- A sample of 110 MSME owners participated in this study. Data were collected by means of questionnaire designed to measure the 12 constructs of focus. In order to test the hypotheses and examine the relationships proposed in the research framework, structural equation modelling was performed using SmartPLS. Findings -- This study revealed that among the primary stakeholders, only employees and customers significantly influenced environmental responsibility practices of MSMEs. Besides, it was found that environmental responsibility results in financial improvements and better relations with employees and customers. Research limitations/implications -- This study is limited to MSMEs in Malaysia. Despite the relatively low response rate, which is common in MSME research, the geographic and sector distribution of samples provides a basis for generalizability of the results. Practical implications -- Since many MSME owners/managers are sceptical about the benefits of environmental practices, the findings of this study provided empirical support from an emerging economy about the positive outcomes of environmental practices. Social implications -- By examining the key determinants that foster environmental practices in MSMEs, the current study provides important insights for policy makers to encourage MSMEs to initiate such responsible practices, which can lead to environmental preservation. Originality/value -- Other than enriching a systems-based view of firms' environmental behaviour, this study empirically tests a research framework on role of stakeholders in determining environmental responsibility of small firms and their outcomes on firms' performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]