Search

Introduction: Big data are distinguished by their quantity, speed, variety, and reliability. Big data presents opportunity for "small and medium-sized" businesses (SME), in addition to being a reality for giant firms. The term "big data" denotes to the fact that numerous varieties of data have become more easily accessible, and its consequences for various organizational types may vary from one another. SME can benefit greatly from creating and utilizing big data. Aim and objectives: The main purpose of the study is to assess the implications of "big data analytics" with organizational performance in small and medium enterprises and its associated role of knowledge management. Methods: This study's main goal was to develop a big data KM model for SME through an examination of several business situations. This study used the qualitative analysis of data methodology. The study gathered examples of large data for SME, which it then used to test a KM model. Data collection, coding, and analysis are the three main components of qualitative data analysis. Results: Big data collection is a business endeavor for SMEs. An SME needs to specify its big data plans and deal with all potential organizational difficulties. Big data must be strategically used in a way that is consistent with the SME's business strategy and embraces a long-term strategy for competitive sustainability. To tackle the big data challenge, IT solutions are chosen based on the definition of data requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite full recognition of strategic management in the success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), little attention has been paid to the factors that contribute to the failure of its implementation in the Ecuadorian context. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the obstacles that hinder the successful implementation of strategic management in SMEs in Ecuador. A quantitative study approach was employed. The initial sample comprised 105 entrepreneurs, who were administered a checklist to evaluate the status of strategic planning implementation within their organizations. Based on their responses, nine entrepreneurs were selected for in-depth analysis, categorized as follows: three entrepreneurs with a high level of strategic management implementation, three with a moderate level of implementation, and three with minimal or no strategic management practices. This identified the primary obstacles to effective strategic management implementation. Finally, a comprehensive survey was applied to all participants to quantify these barriers, which allowed the construction of the final model used for the subsequent analysis. Through structural equation modeling, the study demonstrated that these obstacles negatively and significantly correlated with the level of strategic management implementation, revealing that businesses with minimal or no implementation experienced significantly different sales performance compared to those with higher levels of strategic management practices.

Managing a modern enterprise requires the use of appropriate IT technologies. Currently, an interesting option for companies is the possibility of using IT technologies provided through cloud computing. Cloud Computing (CC) offers enterprises the ability to remotely use various IT resources in the form of services. Nowadays, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) utilize CC solutions, with many of them having several years of experience in their implementation and operation. The article presents the results of research on future trends in the application of cloud computing as indicated by SMEs in Poland. After presenting the theoretical aspects of cloud computing, various aspects related to the use of CC (such as the period of use, models, and types of services used) in the surveyed enterprises are discussed. Subsequently, the effects and changes brought about by the introduction of CC solutions, as well as the place of CC in the business strategy of SMEs, are examined. The subsequent sections present anticipated changes in the use of CC in the surveyed enterprises. The article concludes with forecasts of the popularity of CC solutions as indicated by respondents from SMEs in Poland. According to respondents from medium-sized enterprises, the most likely changes, in order, will be: many cloud services from different providers have started to be used, more auxiliary processes have been moved to the cloud, and the type of cloud used or the cloud service has changed or other modifications have been made to CC services. Conversely, respondents from small enterprises foresee that the first changes will involve: more auxiliary processes being moved to the cloud, more main and critical processes being moved to the cloud, and the type of cloud used or the cloud service has changed or other modifications made to CC services. According to the surveyed enterprises, the services expected to gain the most popularity over the next five years include file storage and sharing, email, archiving and storing data, documents and databases, and office applications and document flow support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study is to present original research tool for measuring the information effects of the entrepreneur's personal network based on factors related to the enterprise resource base and access to opportunities. The study focuses on the description of the method of preparing and verifying the tool and indicating the results of the analyses. This tool was constructed based on the analysis of the specificity of information provided by entrepreneurs' personal networks, with particular emphasis on information about resources and opportunities. Since the information effects of the entrepreneur's personal network were considered a directly unobservable variable, constituting a multidimensional construct, the scales used for measurement were subjected to factor analysis and internal consistency assessment using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In the process of assessing the tool and determining its suitability for measurement purposes, discriminatory power analysis was used. The tool designed to measure information effects of the entrepreneur's personal network meets the assumed criteria, and its use to measure these effects in the case of the research sample in question can be considered legitimate. The results of the analysis provide useful tool for managers and researchers to measure entrepreneurial network information effects. The paper provides an enhanced view and delivers a new tool for the measurement of information effects of the entrepreneur's personal network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customer satisfaction means the to what extend customers' expectations are met or exceeded by the products, services, or experiences provided by an organization. The Medium Enterprises play a substantial role in modern economies for their flexibility and capability to innovate. The need for continuous improvement to become part of organizational culture is highly desired in Medium Enterprises. The study, therefore tries to ascertain the level of customer satisfaction amid the Service and Manufacturing Medium Enterprises of Kamrup (Rural) and Kamrup (Metropolitan) Districts of Assam. Data was acquired by way of a survey of 600 customers belonging to 65 service-based and 77 manufacturing-based medium enterprises in both these districts using the convenience sampling technique. Descriptive research design was applied for gathering data from the sample subjects using a survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA was exercised for statistical analysis of data. Results specified that management should focus on the female customers. This could involve enhancing the quality of products and services provided to them. The manufacturingbased enterprises should enhance professionalism and technical competence while dealing with male customers. Customers' marital status also has a dynamic role in influencing their perception of satisfaction with the commitment in meeting their expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality is equally important for Medium Enterprises and for large corporations. The lack of owners'/managers' ability to exercise quality management practices has proved to be one of the major causes of failure of these enterprises. The study intends to provide suggestive measures for proper application of Total Quality Management (TQM) practices in the service and manufacturing medium enterprises of Kamrup (Rural) and Kamrup (Metropolitan) Districts of Assam. Analysis was carried out concerning perception of owners and employees on TQM practices. Arithmetic Mean was calculated regarding 20 issues relating to TQM practices in case of both these enterprises. The findings showed that owners required very high emphasis on employee involvement in terms of meeting customers' needs and organisations' objectives. They also required very high emphasis on actively involving the employees in quality-related activities and instigating their suggestions. The respondent employees revealed strong agreement regarding acquisition and continuous upgradation of knowledge by the management and perceiving management as role models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth and sustainable development of companies depend on their ability to adequately and effectively identify and utilize innovative strategies. The aim of the study is to determine the results of the innovative strategy of international small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in times of economic crisis. The research involved 360 owners and managers of international SMEs in the European Union. The study used tabular and graphical methods, surveys, questionnaires, and correlation and regression analysis. It was found that 82.7% of SMEs improved their production processes, while 62.8% implemented innovations by acquiring new products or equipment. It was established that 82% of enterprises implemented innovative strategies in the commercial or trade sector, 73.2% in the service sector, and 77.7% in other sectors. The models developed in the study contribute to the modern development of the economy since they analyze the relationship between innovative strategies and determinants affecting their successful implementation and implementation. Prospects for further research include analyzing the types of innovative strategies that prevail in the activities of international SMEs, as well as their size and sectors of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medium Enterprises (MEs) are significant contributors to global economic development. Integrating sustainability practices in their business can support MEs worldwide to become more sustainable, improving companies' performance and stakeholders' expectations. Nevertheless, few MEs adopt sustainable practices. Following Behavioral Decision Theory and Behavioral Strategy literature, we argue that this can be associated with their managers' decision-making processes – apart from not possessing considerable resources like large companies. Via a mixed-method research design involving 277 Italian ME managers, we investigate the cognitive biases that hinder the development of a sustainable performance management system (SPMS) in MEs. We found the most prominent biases influencing SPMS development. Then, we developed a 'SPMS de-biasing funnel' framework. We propose some corrective actions to reduce the impact of the most critical cognitive biases that influence SPMS development, allowing related beneficial potential outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth and sustainable development of companies depend on their ability to adequately and effectively identify and utilize innovative strategies. The aim of the study is to determine the results of the innovative strategy of international small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in times of economic crisis. The research involved 360 owners and managers of international SMEs in the European Union. The study used tabular and graphical methods, surveys, questionnaires, and correlation and regression analysis. It was found that 82.7% of SMEs improved their production processes, while 62.8% implemented innovations by acquiring new products or equipment. It was established that 82% of enterprises implemented innovative strategies in the commercial or trade sector, 73.2% in the service sector, and 77.7% in other sectors. The models developed in the study contribute to the modern development of the economy since they analyze the relationship between innovative strategies and determinants affecting their successful implementation and implementation. Prospects for further research include analyzing the types of innovative strategies that prevail in the activities of international SMEs, as well as their size and sectors of activity.

The deterioration of the economic situation in the country is certainly reflected in the financial performance of small and medium enterprise sector (hereinafter referred to as SME sector). The article attempts to study the degree of impact of forced urgent measures introduced by state authorities to contain the spread of coronavirus infection on financial performance of the sector. The authors conducted an overview study of scientific publications written by leading professional analysts on the problems of the economic situation in the Russian entrepreneurial segment, as well as on the relevance and effectiveness of government measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises. The assessment of changes in the final performance indicators of each of the three SME sector elements (micro, small and medium enterprises) over the past three years is given. When studying the dynamics of the components of the balanced financial result, horizontal analysis was used, alongside with the method of absolute differences, calculation of growth rates, and index method. The made analysis revealed a sharp deterioration in financial performance during the most severe quarantine restrictions in 2020 and an improvement in the economic situation after their partial abolition in 2021. It was noted that the risk of mass bankruptcy of enterprises in the SME sector was compensated by large-scale state support. It was determined that the protective restrictions imposed to localise the epidemic have aggravated the existing problems of small and medium-sized businesses. The article shows that the main risks of the studied segment will persist in the near future. In this regard, it is necessary to improve the tools of state regulation of SME sector development with consideration to the accumulated experience of anti-crisis management.

SMEs (small and medium enterprises) contribute substantially to the global and national economies. So, their activities can significantly affect the ecosystem; however, environmental performance is primarily targeted at larger corporations. Therefore, this study measures the SMEs' impact on environmental quality through CO2 emissions. For this purpose, data on twenty-five Asian and European economies from 2005 to 2020 is utilized, and the effect of SMEs on the environment is measured in the light of the EKC hypothesis. In order to validate and test the influence of SMEs on the environment, the pooled mean group (PMG) model with cointegration approaches is utilized. The results show that the flare-up of small and medium enterprises increases environmental pollution through high carbon emissions at micro levels. Thus, the study suggests that governments, SMEs, and other stakeholders have to create strategies and regulations targeted at SMEs to minimize their negative environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct impact of the economic downturn due to Covid-19 is mainly perceived by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This study aims to examine how MSMEs can understand customer needs regarding the provision of social media quality that can improve brand image and brand awareness. The survey was conducted on 145 respondents who had online shopping experience using social media by utilizing the structural equation modeling approach. Results show that social media quality can increase brand awareness, brand image, and social media marketing activities. Therefore, marketers who use social media can focus on its constituent indicators including content quality, design quality, information quality, interaction quality, contact availability, and contact relevance. Customers will have a high level of brand awareness and a good brand image if marketers can provide social media quality to meet customer demands. While previous studies found that there is a positive relationship between social media marketing activities on brand image and brand awareness, this study shows the opposite result because customers are not affected by the activities carried out by social media. This is considered a usual activity that other marketers also carry out. The implication of this study is that good social media quality is needed to increase brand awareness, brand image, and social media marketing activities.

This research is a literature study on marketing strategies for MSME owners in Riau. This study aims to analyze what marketing strategies are used by MSME owners in an effort to maintain their business continuity. The research method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive method. The type of data used in this study is qualitative data, which is categorized into two types, namely primary data and secondary data. Sources of data obtained through library research techniques (library study) which refers to sources available both online and offline such as: scientific journals, books and news sourced from trusted sources. The results of the study conclude that the marketing strategies carried out by MSME owners in maintaining their business during the Covid-19 pandemic are; Product Strategy, during the Covid-19 pandemic, MSME owners in Riau also created innovations in their respective products. Price Strategy (Price), during the pandemic, MSME owners in Riau also carried out a price strategy in the form of discounts or price discounts to attract consumers and be able to maintain business. Promotion Strategy (Promotion), The forms of promotion used are: (1) Advertising (Advertising) (2) Personal Selling (Personal Selling) (3) Sales Promotion (4) Place Strategy (Place/Distribution). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) represent popular topics of Industry 4.0. The use of these techniques, which are evolving rapidly in both academia and practice, can bring many benefits to production systems, such as enabling resilience and improving sustainable growth. However, given the effort needed in the implementation of AI/ML such as in terms of data quality and employee skills, the potential of AI/ML has not yet fully materialized in the context of manufacturing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which could improve their core processes or innovate product level to stay competitive, taking advantage of these technologies. This research work, methodologically based on a scoping literature review, presents an investigation of which are the existing applications of AI/ML in manufacturing MSMEs and discusses the limitations and challenges of these technologies. Moreover, the main emerging topics of research and future trends are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The culture of social responsibility has gained strength in the operational performance of companies through commitment and trust with their stakeholders, where one of its aspects focuses on labor conditions, seeking fair treatment and welfare of their employees, hence this research aims to characterize the appropriation of labor practices in service companies in the light of good practices of corporate social responsibility. The research used a quantitative, descriptive, documentary and field approach, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design without manipulation of variables. The results reflect the non-compliance of the companies under study with issues related to working conditions, human development, social dialogue, social protection and safety at work, which leads these types of organizations to assume the challenge of directing their business policies and strategies to the development of human quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to identify the influences on financing small-scale projects, either at the micro or macro level. And to identify the financing obstacles facing industrial projects in Iraq. And building a standard model for the factors affecting financing large projects. Providing goods that meet the needs and tastes Several conclusions have been reached, the most important of which is that the exchange rate does not have a significant long-term relationship with the volume of funding during the research period, due to the relative stability of the exchange rates during the research period. A set of recommendations was also reached, the most important of which is the need to find a cooperative formula between private financing institutions and government banks in order to open more windows for medium and small industrial projects to obtain financing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Special Region of Yogyakarta is a region with prominent Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) actors in Indonesia. This invites the important question of whether the implementation of the new MSMEs tax regulations in the region impacts the intensification of final income tax and tax compliance. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the amendments of the final income tax policy and the legal compliance of MSMEs taxpayers. This research uses a juridical and empirical approach. Empirical data was collected by interview and questionnaire to seven taxpayers, while juridical data was obtained by analyzing the Government Policy on taxation. This study shows that the reduction of the final income tax tariff from 1% to 0.5% and the existence of legal certainty regarding the taxation time frame implies a positive impact on taxpayer compliance. This is demonstrated by the fact that the number of taxpayers in 2019 increased by 15% when compared to 2017. However, tariff reduction is not the solution to the non-compliant taxpayer. The Regional Office of the Directorate General of Taxes still found the tax avoidance. It means the government needs to conduct a more cooperative approach to improve MSMEs taxpayer compliance

Reverse logistics is a specific logistics activity that is mainly undertaken by manufacturing enterprises. The main concept of reverse logistics assumes the materials and products circularity to gain the secondary value of used or defected objects. Manufacturing enterprises experience the most the problem of differentiated failures so reverse logistics becomes more and more popular part of their basic activity. For this reason, they are looking for modern solutions that are helpful in organizing reverse logistics processes and supportive for their performance. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) future trends might be the great answer for the manufacturing enterprises needs in the field of reverse logistics processes support. The paper main goal is to present some possibilities of ICT trends useful to enrich reverse logistics activities. For this reason the research was made in Polish and German manufacturing enterprises to verify their knowledge on analyzed theme, as well as, to assess their willingness for investing in such solutions. Because in both countries the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (divided into these groups according the size of the employment) are the main part of the whole enterprises population, presented research is concentrated on these three groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding the right strategy enabled by a solid digital transformation is a key challenge that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face. With a high number of transformations that fail, there is a significant investment in research to identify critical factors that ultimately drive a more successful journey, and at the same time, quite a few different models to assess the digital transformation maturity. There is, however, a gap in assessing how ready a SME is to successfully embrace the transformation and an even more significant gap in assessing it from an employee's perspective. This work proposes a model to assess that readiness. The organizational readiness assessment aims to enable SMEs to better understand the foundations that need to be set to successfully deliver the transformation. From the employee's perspective, a user-friendly model assesses the non-technological aspects of an organization, indicating the clear gaps that ultimately might negatively impact the organization's future when digitally transforming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, the role of venture capital has not been optimal, or it can be said that while it is not working. In practice, in Indonesia, venture capital companies carry out their business like banking. That until now, in general, venture capital companies practice more as credit providers as the usual practice of providing bank loans. All requirements and conditions requested for a business partner company (actually: a debtor) are like a bank in giving credit. Therefore a legal reform of venture capital financing institutions is needed to optimize financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises to realize national development.

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

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]

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the drivers of economic development of any macro-system. In the context of technological paradigm shift, successful operation of small and medium-sized enterprises largely depends on innovations. Therefore, it is advisable to examine innovative behaviour of these firms. The study aims to analyse the innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized enterprises of an industrial region, assess the funding of innovation activities, and identify factors that determine the innovation policy of small and medium-sized firms. Additionally, the paper suggests how state and municipal authorities can stimulate the innovative development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The initial data were the results of a survey of representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises in a Russian industrial region, which was conducted from May to September 2019 in the Sverdlovsk region. I interviewed 157 small and medium-sized enterprise managers in the Sverdlovsk region from various sectors of economic activity. The applied methods include in-depth interviews with managers, the statistical analysis method, and the logical systematic approach. The conducted research allowed identifying the features of the innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized firms in the Sverdlovsk region. Based on the analysis of the reasons for the low innovation activity of small and medium-sized enterprises, I developed recommendations for its improvement in the Sverdlovsk region. To solve the problem of low innovation activity in an industrial region, it is necessary for state and municipal authorities to stimulate innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized firms. Managers of small and medium-sized enterprises can use the obtained results to increase their activity. State and municipal authorities can apply the findings to develop programmes stimulating innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not sufficiently developed in Russia, which is largely due to significant gap between the wages of SMEs employees and the wages of workers from other enterprises. Thus, it is essential to examine factors that influence the wages of SMEs workers. The study assesses the influence of various regional socio-economic factors on the wages of employees in small and medium-sized enterprises. The considered factors include the unemployment rate, income of inhabitants, and regional budget expenditures. The paper investigates the relationship between the average monthly wage of SMEs employees and subsistence level in each region. The model uses the official statistics for 82 Russian regions obtained in 2015. The assessed three-factor power regression model describes the dependence of the average monthly wage on specific indicators of the unemployment rate of economically active population, average monthly income, budget expenditures per inhabitant in each region. The density function of normal distribution was used to analyse the ratio of wages of SMEs employees to the regional subsistence level. The article demonstrates a link between wages of SMEs employees and the three studied factors, proving that wages increase with a decrease in unemployment rate and growth of inhabitants’ income and budget expenditures. This fact indicates the high quality of the corresponding regression model. The conducted analysis shows that the wages of SMEs workers significantly differ in various regions of the Russian Federation. The paper proposes tools for assessing wages in SMEs and identifying low-wage regions, which eventually can ensure enterprise development. Further research aims to consider wages in small and medium-sized enterprises belonging to different economic sectors.

In the current age, the strategic direction of companies ensures their performance in achieving the best results. In fact, this orientation contributes to the construction of fundamental principles in the operational activities, which may lead to better performance in the future by creating appropriate behaviors. In other words, this orientation may lead to better performance of the company in operations and its place in the market. In this research, we examine the effect of strategic orientation on growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with respect to the mediator role of brand performance and market performance. The statistical population of this study consists of small and medium-sized companies operating in University of Tehran science and Technology Park and 80 knowledge- based companies were chosen as a sample of research. To investigate the research model, structural equation test was used which concluded that strategic orientation of businesses had a significant effect on brand performance and their growth. Also, the tendency to entrepreneurship, innovation and market has a significant effect on the brand performance. Tendency to market, besides having an impact on the market performance of firms and the propensity to innovation, results in company growth. Finally, brand performance and market performance can cause growth in businesses.

In the conditions of economic crisis is relevant the problem of accelerated development small and medium entrepreneurship. Support for this sector of the national economy requires scientific substantiation ofthe necessary resources. The aim of the study, the results of which are given in the paper was the modeling of the dependency of output small and medium entrepreneurship from investment in fixed assets and wagesof employees using production functions. As the object of research were considered sets of small and medium enterprises in the subjects of the Russian Federation. The paper describes the methodology and results of theevaluation degree of two-factor production functions. The modeling conducted on the basis of official statisticaldata for 2014 year on the subjects of the country. Proven high quality approximation of these data using the achieved production functions. The practical importance of research consists that its results can be used tojustify the need for investments and labour resources, monitoring of the level of development small and medium enterprises in the regions of the country.

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]

This paper presents a new approach to the Value Stream Mapping (VSM), a proven tool of Lean Manufacturing (LM) in a Make-To-Order (MTO) manufacturing environment. The use of VSM in mass production has proven to be successful due to the predictable volume and repetitive product type. Within a MTO environment the product is tailored to specific requirements and varying volumes make it hard to balance production causing lean waste. The approach combines the classic VSM technique with commonality analysis to get a better understanding of the processes. Author illustrates this approach using a case study. Using VSM for MTO requires some changes to capture the attributes of product families required at different frequencies and volumes successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro, small and medium enterprises are an essential part of the Indian industrial sector. It plays a decisive role in growth and development of Indian economy. The review of literature on various aspects of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showed that the SMEs, both in the country and other parts of the world, still rely on conventional marketing practices and, more or less, face the same types of challenges. Therefore, the present study is undertaken to examine the marketing strategies of SMEs in western Madhya Pradesh, India, and to suggest some innovative marketing practices for them to prosper. The sample consists of 439 SMEs drawn on a random basis from Indore and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh. The primary data are collected through a self-designed instrument with 40 items/statements, developed thorough a review of literature on the topic and personal interviews of managers of SMEs. The data are analysed using statistical tools like factor analysis and chi-square test applied with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20 Software. The study findings reveal that SME managers still rely on age-old practices of marketing. The article recommends some innovative marketing practices for SMEs. [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]

Medium enterprises (MEs) form a majority of enterprises in several regions, yet they are underrepresented in the literature. The digital transformation known as Industry 4.0 (I4.0) brings new data streams into enterprises. MEs and large enterprises will both leverage business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) to improve their business performance, so the study of the conditions favouring value creation of BI&A is of interest. However, there are few studies focusing on the impact of business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) on value creation in I4.0 and none focusing on MEs. Using a multiple case-study design, this paper explores factors linked to BI&A business value creation in manufacturing MEs that are undergoing an I4.0 transformation. Findings suggest enterprises resources and capabilities are not sufficient to predict business value: organizational learning and organizational culture have a non-negligible influence for MEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research presented in the article was to identify the influence of the market orientation on the financial performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operating in technology parks in Poland. The article corresponds with the needs of a systematic study of relationships between market orientation and financial performance at the organizational level. Using quantitative research methods, the authors analyzed the influence of market orientation on the theoretical construct named financial performance. CAWI and PAPI were two methods applied during the empirical research, while the methods of statistical description and inference were used for the analysis of collected data. The article provides some insights into direct relationships between market orientation and financial performance. The conducted research has proved that in the sample group of MSMEs operating in technology parks (TPs) in Poland, the market orientation is a factor stimulating their financial performance. In future research, it would be valuable to analyze the role of market orientation in combination with other strategic orientations in different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to analyze the present regularities, specific to the employees’ salaries of aggregates of small and medium enterprises related to the three dimensional categories and located in different regions of Russia. The following tasks were solved: the indexes, characterizing average monthly salary of employees based on the mentioned enterprises were assessed, belonging to different size categories and located in each of the regions; the relations were established between the average monthly salaries of employees of aggregates of small and medium enterprises and the cost of living in all regions of the country.Preliminary results of stopwatch reading of small and medium business activities in 2015 were used as initial data. The research was based on the comparison of indexes for the entrepreneurial sector and the full range of enterprises and organizations.Modeling differentiation of salaries’ values of small and medium enterprises aggregations, as well as its relationship to the values of the subsistence level was based on the development of the density function of normal distribution. The quality of the developed models was checked according to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Pearson and Shapiro-Wilk criteria.The obtained results have some theoretical significance, in particular, when conducting research related to the justification of the proposed wage of employees of enterprises different in number, the formation of measures for increasing efficiency of the entrepreneurial sector activity. Density functions of normal distribution given in the paper can be used in the justification of concepts, plans and programs of developing small and medium entrepreneurship in regions and municipalities. The practical importance of research results connected with the possibility of their use by entrepreneurs directly (especially by beginners) when assessing the potential of enterprise creation and definition of employees’ proposed salaries. In addition, the results can be used by the departments of regional and municipal authorities engaged in the formation of projects and programs of entrepreneurship development, including entrepreneurship development in regions and municipalities with a low level of employee’s wages of small and medium enterprises. Further development of small and medium entrepreneurship in Russia puts forward the urgent need for raising the salary in this sector of the national economy based on increasing the number of highly productive jobs through mechanization and automation of production processes, widespread introduction of innovation. Special attention must be paid to the issue of equalizing levels of wages in the enterprise sector and the national economy.

Copyright of Al Bashaer Economic Journal is the property of Al Bashaer Economic Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]