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Even today, industrial companies are struggling on new product development and market launch. This article reviews the theoretical aspects of new product development and commercialization processes and the factors determining their success. Overviewed Baltic States cosmetics industry market and trends. The study focused on the success factors of new product development and market launch processes in the cosmetics industry. The aim was to identify and analyze the success factors of cosmetic product development and market launch processes and to provide a solution model. Identified factors prevailing in the development and launch of new products in the cosmetics industry sector and the connections between them. Investigated the influence of these factors on the success of new products in the market. The paper presents the results of a survey of companies in the Baltic cosmetics industry. Based on the results of the research, a model for the development and launch of new products for the cosmetics industry is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building a business venture is a challenge for entrepreneurs. This study explains the understanding of social capital that individuals must have to develop their potential in the form of entrepreneurial competencies that will affect their business performance. This study aims to determine the impact of Social Capital, Entrepreneurship Competence on Business Performance (Empirical Study of SMEs in Bekasi City, West Java). This research is a survey study conducted on UKM players in Bekasi City, West Java. The unit of analysis is an individual who carries out business activities in the micro sector, namely selling food by opening a street food stall along Bekasi City streets. The data were collected using a questionnaire directly from 315 respondents who were selected according to the location that had been determined. The results of the study were described descriptively with analysis tools using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach using the SmartPLS software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of studies on innovations and competitiveness in Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia; to fell this gap, this paper will study change as the competitive advantage for Small and Medium Enterprises: the case for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study aims to explore different practices of SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to examine the impact of innovation strategies (Organizational, Product, Process, and Market) on the competitive advantage of SMEs. The study was conducted on one hundred and forty-seven (147) SMEs that are practising different activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study's analysis indicates that most of the enterprises were young (operation years were less than ten years), which shows the strong need to apply innovative strategies to maintain their position and competitiveness in the market. Competitive advantage enables the firm to utilise its resources efficiently and maintain high levels of quality performance. The results show that the correlation between Innovation strategies such as product innovation strategy, market innovation strategy, process innovation strategy, and organisational innovation strategy practised by SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and competitiveness was Positive. Therefore, it indicates that different innovation strategies were significantly influencing the competitiveness of the SMEs. To remain a competitor enterprise in the market is not a natural or an easy attempt, and it can be challenging for SMEs, especially without the needed knowledge and support. Findings and recommendations of the study can be used as a guideline for SMEs. Also, emphasising on the importance of education that plays a vital role in SMEs innovations. It is essential to establish with different research centres and universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia programs or activities that focus on changes in business, and it will result in gaining competitive advantage and sustainability for Small and Medium Enterprises in the Market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on business administration recommends that, for the organization development, it is necessary to apply strategic approaches on marketing and on market orientation. Although the massive growth in technical production, little is produced related to marketing addressed to medium-sized enterprises - a segment that, though having a high economic relevance, it lacks technical support to develop. Therefore, the question that emerges is: what would be these marketing technical needs? Answering this question was the primary objective of this paper and, to accomplish this objective, a qualitative exploratory research was conducted, based on a sample of 66 medium-sized enterprises. The research pursued to identify medium-sized enterprises strategic needs in marketing, to develop a program of market orientation and, therefore, improve its growth. The obtained results showed that the main problems are related to four strategic approaches: Commercial Management, Market Segmentation, Competitive Positioning and Relationship Marketing. The research also showed the little knowledge about the potential of applying methodologies and techniques to attain superior organizational results. Finally, the paper concludes discussing possible solutions to reduce the medium-sized enterprises segment needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• OHS laws require provision of information, training, instruction and supervision. • SMEs use passive knowledge exchange, and basic checks on safe work practices. • Most SMEs provide limited ITIS in an ad hoc way. • Planned interventions using participative methods would be more effective. • SMEs need guidance to implement flexible legal requirements for ITIS. In many countries, laws for work health and safety (WHS) require employers to provide information, training, instruction and supervision (ITIS) to their workers about WHS matters. The objective of this study was to investigate how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) provide ITIS in the context of Australia's model WHS laws. The study was conducted in 46 SMEs, in three industries (construction, manufacturing, and health care and social assistance). Data about ITIS were collected primarily through interviews and documentation review, and supplemented by observation of work. The thematic analysis of data distinguished SMEs' main methods for providing ITIS ('methods'), and their approach to, and the scope of, their ITIS provision ('performance'). The literature about ITIS provision was applied in characterising SMEs' methods and performance. The methods generally involved passive knowledge exchange, and basic supervision to check safe work practices, rather than engaging and participative methods. However, some SMEs' methods included easy to understand information, and opportunities to learn in different ways. Most SMEs, including all small enterprises, provided limited ITIS in an ad hoc way. Only a small number of enterprises, all medium, used a carefully considered and substantial mix of methods. Within each of the three industries, SMEs favoured particular methods due to industry–specific influences. The study raises questions for WHS policy makers and practitioners about the translation of flexible, non-prescriptive legal requirements into workplace practice, particularly in small enterprises. Therefore, options are canvassed for guidance about developing and implementing ITIS initiatives, or engaging external providers for these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite of reduction of its share on the gross domestic product, agriculture remains a branch generating job opportunities in rural areas. However, through more intensive farming procedures, it puts a pressure on environment and sustainability of agricultural production and prolongs the distance of distributed goods. Reduction of the mentioned impacts is possible through shortening the food supply chain subsequently resulting in increase of local sale, demand for local services and increase of labour market, putting an emphasis on support of small and medium – sized enterprises and their economic viability improvement. This paper evaluates the performance of small and medium enterprises and micro-enterprises which applied for the support and supplied and distributed fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products to kindergartens and primary schools within the School Fruits and Vegetables and the School Milk programme. We suppose that through supplying local schools they contributed to the food supply chain shortening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of the entrepreneurial sector requires information on the current risk levels in economy. The paper deals with three levels of entrepreneurial risk: acceptable, critical and catastrophic. The research aim is to assess the values of entrepreneurial risk that has been existing in recent years in aggregates of small and medium enterprises, formed by size and industry characteristics. Risk evaluation was made on the base of official statistics, characterize activity of all medium enterprises, small enterprises and microenterprises situated in Russia in 2015 and 2016. The paper presents the results of risk assessment for a set of medium enterprises, small enterprises and microenterprises in the Russian economy. From the results of the study it has been concluded that there is a significant differentiation of entrepreneurial risk levels by the types of economic activity. The industries with the maximum and minimum values of the existing entrepreneurial risks have been determined. The research outcomes can be used by entrepreneurs including beginners; federal, regional and municipal departments' authorities related to the regulation of entrepreneurial activity; financial and credit, insurance, leasing organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of transformation of the Russian economy there is an urgent need for accelerated development of small and medium enterprises. Solving this problem is very urgent in each of Russia's regions. The aim of the study was to assess the two-factor production functions that describe the dependence of the volume of production (turnover) of small and medium enterprises on the wages of their employees and investments in fixed assets. The study was based on empirical spatial data characterizing the activities of medium enterprises, small enterprises and microenterprises. Official statistical information on 82 regions of Russia for 2016 was used. The study allowed to determine the factors influencing turnover of SMEs located in all regions, to prove the high quality of approximation of the initial data by the twofactor production functions, to prove that the economy of the Russian regions has not reached saturation with small and medium enterprises. The results of the study, namely new knowledge and tools for assessing production activities of small and medium enterprises in the regions, are of scientific and practical importance. They can be used in monitoring of business climate in regions, determining resource needs, as well as the implementation of the Russian strategy for its development up to 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Financial risk in companies is one of the relevant scientific problems, which concern: entrepreneurs, managers, entrepreneurs, among others. The sustainability and efficiency of companies, especially medium-sized companies, depends to a large extent on the financial system they adopt. Assess the probability of risk, acquires great relevance. The present investigation carried out in the province of Manabí, has like objective analyze the necessity of the introduction of the analysis of the risk in the financing of the medium companies (Me). For the development of the research materials and methods were used, among which we can mention: the analysis of documents, the deductive hypothetical method, the comparative method, scientific abstraction, the analysis of documents and the hermeneutical method. The following are fundamental results of the research: the identification of financing sources for the Me, the improvement of the definition of financial risk and the suggestions for a rational use of financial resources and for obtaining credit. Conclusion. The mediumsized company of the province was characterized, thus determining the means of financing for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the impact of factors socioeconomic position of Russian regions on the average wage of employees in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The present study uses empirical data to obtain new knowledge and estimate the current wages of employees of SMEs in the regions of Russia. It was the data from the official statistical observation of activities of all Russian SMEs for 2015 year. Authors estimated multiple nonlinear regression model on the spatial data. The ratios between wage of employees in SMEs and the subsistence minimum were measured with the use of the function of normal distribution. Studies showed great differentiation of wages of SMEs employees in the regions of Russia. Elaborated instruments for measurement and analysis wages can ensure the development of SMEs in perspective. In order to increase wages, it is necessary to take steps to develop regions and reduce unemployment. Such activities must be carried out by the authorities at the federal and regional levels and included into the development plans of the Russian economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small medium enterprises contribute to productive apparatus of Quevedo Canton in this line of our country. These institutions count on a great number of entrepreneurs in the all productive levels. But it has generated some difficulties in the organizations' control, even occasionally by managers' oversight. There also are weak supports in the control and enterprise's addressing. The present research was done with the purpose to determine the incidence of financial management is small and medium enterprises of Quevedo Canton. Empirical and theoretical methods were used and also some researching techniques such as surveys and documentary and literature review and the law and regulations of these enterprises were consulted. One of the main results was the necessity to incorporate integral training plans to improve the financial economic management of each enterprise. It concludes panting out that 74 % of small enterprises didn´t count on appropriate organizational structure to develop productive activities like the 68 % medium enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is to analyze small and medium enterprises through a knowledge management perspective. More specifically, the aim of the research is to further the understanding through what processes small and medium enterprises operating in the Polish market to create knowledge. Knowledge creation processes are vital to knowledge management initiatives of companies that operate in a changing environment and depend on innovation to gain the competitive advantage. Such processes significantly differ in small and large firms. Therefore, in the following study, a thorough investigation of knowledge creation processes is presented. This research attempts to fulfill the knowledge creation processes gap between small and medium enterprises in the Polish context where traditionally large firms are mainly investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This quantitative character paper, provides partial results of an investigation conducted in a medium-sized enterprises population Lara state, Venezuela, and that included a group of variables of organizational design. In this case, corresponds determine the basic types of work that are present in the medium-sized enterprises studied. Based on a literature review, was described the characteristics of work and it was operationalized by applying a questionnaire designed for that purpose. The data obtained in the field study, were processed through of multivariate statistical. Among the results emerged the presence of three basic types of work: (a) complex and subject to frequent changes, (b) complex and not subject to frequent changes, and (c) simple and not subject to frequent change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]