This paper aims to investigate the extent to which Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） adopted corporate governance （CG） principles and their effects on firm performance. The principles examined i...This paper aims to investigate the extent to which Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） adopted corporate governance （CG） principles and their effects on firm performance. The principles examined included： establishing clear roles and responsibilities; strengthening composition; and reinforcing independence. The paper is based on a questionnaire survey study among 113 SMEs that consisted of 35% （39） of manufacturing and related services and 65% （74） from services including information and communication technology （ICT）, primary agriculture, construction, mining, and quarrying. The analysis of the data indicates that 32% of the respondents said that the primary reason why they have their own business is to have control over their own working life. This fmding appears to confirm the f＇mancing theory that SMEs owners have other goals than profitability. In addition, 30% of SMEs perceived that the most important role played by the board is risk management; hence, these boards have a greater control over financial risks that may lead to better financial performance. The analysis also shows that 81% of the respondents＇ board consisted of internal board members only. These enterprises need to see the important role of external board members as a source of advice providers and experts to them. For policies relating to clear roles and responsibilities of board, only 28% of the respondents established clear functions reserved for the board and those delegated to management; substantial respondents did not draw up policies relating to reinforce board independency （between 75% and 79%） and to strengthen board composition （46%）. Besides, 68% of the respondents have the position of chairman and CEO held by same individuals and 81% of the chairman is an executive member of the board. These findings suggest that SMEs cannot see the importance of strengthening board and having independent board members. Regression analysis also indicates that board independence has a significant and positive impact on firm performance. Hence, SMEs need to appreciate networking advantages, competency, and strategic knowledge that the right board can offer. The governmental ministries and agencies in Malaysia need to take active measures to encourage SMEs to strengthen their board governance, because SMEs are the important economic powers for stimulating national economic growth. This paper contributes to the empirical literatures on the adoption of CG principles and their effects on SMEs＇ firm performance in emerging markets.展开更多
The topic investigated competition in marketing as a survival yardstick for small and medium enterprises （SMEs） in Nigeria. The objectives addressed by this study were： （1） identifying different types and intensi...The topic investigated competition in marketing as a survival yardstick for small and medium enterprises （SMEs） in Nigeria. The objectives addressed by this study were： （1） identifying different types and intensity of competition that SMEs are exposed to along the life-cycle portfolio in Nigeria; （2） quantifying the strength of SMEs vis-a-vis some foreign enterprises in terms of market competition; and （3） proffering solutions on how best they could match competitively these foreign enterprises. Relevant models and theories were employed in literature to evolve detailed analysis of issues relating to the variables used in terms of competition in marketing and survival of juice-producing SMEs. Two hypotheses were investigated through the survey of 20 prominent Ikeja based SMEs using Cluster sampling, 5-points Likert summated rating scale was adopted, while Yard＇s formula with 95% confidence level and 5% error tolerance was used. Alternative form validity of the instrument was measured at 0.63 while its reliability was measured at Cronbach＇s alpha of 0.70. Pearson＇s product-moment correlation was used in testing hypothesis 1 while standard multiple regressions were used to test hypothesis 2. Findings revealed that there was strong relationship between survival of juice-producing SMEs with forms of competition on a firm＇s life-cycle; while competition had positive effects on survival components for the enterprises. It was concluded that since competition subsists in any firm＇s life-cycle, strategies to support operations for survival must be adopted. It was recommended that operators of SMEs have to monitor and manage competition as it affects their businesses positively and/or negatively.展开更多
The small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） are crucial to economic growth, especially in post-socialist transitional countries or new emerging market economies. The development of SMEs depends on the ability of ...The small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） are crucial to economic growth, especially in post-socialist transitional countries or new emerging market economies. The development of SMEs depends on the ability of those firms to invest and grow. Based upon an SME survey conducted by Riinvest Institute at the end of 2010, this paper seeks to provide answers on determinants of SMEs to invest in Kosovo, based on an econometric model which identifies the key determinants of SMEs＇ investment. The econometric evidence suggests a positive relationship between investment and the size and age of the company. Also, the decision of the firm to invest depends on the future business plans; if entrepreneurs have optimistic views about the future of the business, this encourages them to invest. The manufacturing and trade sectors invest more, so do exporting firms, which may be because of bigger market opportunities. Access to external sources of finance is another significant determinant of investment, suggesting that firms which gained credit invested more than other firms in the sample.展开更多
Globalisation and competitiveness affected the way of enterprises undertake innovation, particularly in the case of Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs）. According with European Commission （2013） in Europe 99% of t...Globalisation and competitiveness affected the way of enterprises undertake innovation, particularly in the case of Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs）. According with European Commission （2013） in Europe 99% of the enterprises is SMEs. SMEs all over the world are considered as the lifeblood of the economies. The importance of this research is justified by the predominance of SMEs that represents the majority of enterprises in Portugal. SMEs contribute to the creation of jobs, as well as to the competitiveness of the economies, specially, in crisis time. This study has two main objectives; firstly propose a literature review focused on competitiveness of SMEs. Secondly analysis a sample of 23 enterprises identified as leaders of Portuguese SMEs in 2012. The data considering a ranking list of the largest 1,000 Portuguese SMEs in 2012, published by Exame （2013）. This analysis considers some SMEs features such as, sales, market share, dimension, and sector. Additionally this research presents a SME case included in this database. Through the application of a questionnaire the study provides a complementary micro perspective of the factors that influences enterprises competitiveness. The questionnaire is divided into three parts： Part one refers to the characterization of the enterprise; Part two assesses the entrepreneurial competitiveness, considering nine questions to assess performance, six questions to assess internal processes and four questions to understand the relations with customers; and part three analyses the diffusion of innovation through three questions. Finally the study provides important clues relevant for the development of public policies that can support the innovation and competitiveness of SMEs. Moreover the discussions highlight some variables approached in literature review considered as pertinent in the case of innovative SME due to their contribution to exports and to economic growth.展开更多
This paper examines the relationship between small- and medium-sized enterprises＇ （SMEs） entrepreneurs＇ perceptions towards a proper accounting system with the level of accounting staff recruited, preparation of f...This paper examines the relationship between small- and medium-sized enterprises＇ （SMEs） entrepreneurs＇ perceptions towards a proper accounting system with the level of accounting staff recruited, preparation of final accounts, meetings with accounting staff, and entrepreneurs＇ ranking of accounting according to their priority. The methodology used to gather the data is survey questionnaire. It has been distributed to SMEs based on simple random sampling method. Three hundred businesses were selected from the total of 3,390 businesses listed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia area obtained from Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation （SMIDEC） website and a few random selected from Ampang and Cheras areas. Regression analysis has been used to analyze the data. The results of the study reveal that there was a significant relation between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and the level of professional accounting staff recruited. Furthermore, findings of this study also found that there was an insignificant relationship between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and preparation of final accounts of the company and frequency of meetings with accounting staff.展开更多
Family businesses, which aim at surviving today, have to deal with a precise modality： To ensure their continuity, entrepreneurs have to ensure the transfer of leadership from one generation to another inside of them...Family businesses, which aim at surviving today, have to deal with a precise modality： To ensure their continuity, entrepreneurs have to ensure the transfer of leadership from one generation to another inside of them. We do believe that this matter is worth being analyzed, since the succession, from one generation to another, can be considered as a crucial variable in maintaining family small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） over time. Therefore, after investigating the main features, problems, and factors leading to the succession processes, in the second part of this article, an empirical analysis will be carried out, by comparing several European countries on the basis of data from the European Commission. This article contributes to enriching, from a theoretical point of view, the conceptual framework used for investigating the dynamics in the continuity of SMEs. Moreover, empirically, it contributes to the increasing literature on family businesses by comparing several European countries in order to understand what originates the longevity of family SMEs.展开更多
Entrepreneurship has become an attribute of the current growth without business activities. Entrepreneurship is a global world. It is not possible to think about economic driving force of technological development and...Entrepreneurship has become an attribute of the current growth without business activities. Entrepreneurship is a global world. It is not possible to think about economic driving force of technological development and scientific research. It materializes knowledge and involvement of people and society. Expansion of business activities is a source of individual country＇s economic performance. It contributes to the development of people＇s living standards. In every market economy, it represents an irreplaceable role for small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. A strong representation of＂micro-enterprises＂ can be found in the field of personal services. Companies within the course of their existence go through particular stages of their development--from their foundation through the stage of steady development. After this stage, there comes their decline that can develop even into their termination. We indicate this process as a company life cycle. The aim of the submitted project is to map the life cycle of particularly chosen companies providing accommodation and catering services and to find a mutual relation among observed quantities and their stable economic positions in the market. The analysis is based on the data of macro-economic character, the data about development of receipts in the sector, development of inflation, tempo of economic growth, and development of consumer prices. Out of a company, non-financial factors will also be considered. The core of the analysis is the stage of sustainable stability of the assessed companies. The point of the findings is revelation of the causes of risks of possible transition into the stage of termination due to the decline of services volume, decline of profitability, and long-lasting payment insolvency. The contribution of the project is to draw our attention to possible risks of critical situation development and to propose how to avoid them so that the company will not occur in financial straits. Achieved information could assist the company management to make relevant decisions.展开更多
This study is motivated by the lack of direct empirical research on the relationship between intangible assets （IA） and loan interest rates for small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） in emerging markets. This ...This study is motivated by the lack of direct empirical research on the relationship between intangible assets （IA） and loan interest rates for small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） in emerging markets. This study uses a multivariate regression to investigate the effects of 1A on loan interest rates by focusing on SMEs. Using a panel sample of 186 publicly-listed SMEs with 952 annual observations in Taiwan from 2001 to 2006, the empirical findings indicate that an SME＇s IA does negatively affect loan interest rates. The main contribution of this study lies in its direct testing of whether IA can affect the loan interest rates for SMEs in an emerging market. The finding provides empirical evidence that an SME with greater IA leads to lower interest rates on bank loans, implying that SMEs should strive to invest in IA and enhance their knowledge management for obtaining more benefits of loan interest rates. Furthermore, the findings may provide empirical evidence for SMEs in emerging markets and can be compared with those for firms in industrialized economies.展开更多
The purpose of this study is to explore the relevance of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） for small and medium-sized entities （SMEs） in Swaziland. The study further seeks to determine if...The purpose of this study is to explore the relevance of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） for small and medium-sized entities （SMEs） in Swaziland. The study further seeks to determine if IFRS for SMEs can be the solution to better reporting by local SMEs. There has been a growing need for different reporting standards for small firms and big firms over the years due to the unique challenges and attributes they face especially in the area of financial reporting. This research is based on a statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by accountants from SMEs in Swaziland as well as other stakeholders who have a direct or an indirect interest in the financial statements of SMEs. These stakeholders included audit firms and the financial institutions. The sampling rate of 10% was applied across each industry to come up with a sample of 60 SMEs. Furthermore, a 100% sampling rate on the other stakeholders was applied. These were nine financial institutions and eight audit finns. The findings from the study revealed that SMEs in Swaziland are having challenges with the current reporting framework but to some extent, the framework is suitable. Most SMEs are not aware of IFRS for SMEs, therefore the accounting profession in Swaziland （SIA） has a huge role to play in training auditors and accountants in the country. Overall, IFRS for SMEs is applicable in Swaziland.展开更多
The paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance and debt management of Vietnam＇s small and medium enterprises （SMEs）, in a case study of a specific enterprise. It reveals one case that corpo...The paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance and debt management of Vietnam＇s small and medium enterprises （SMEs）, in a case study of a specific enterprise. It reveals one case that corporate governance factors have strong correlation with performance, due to transparency to the lender, innovative and consistent to the debt management. The results indicate that timely reporting and level of disclosure positively affect corporate performance and ability to raise funds in the financial market. The paper seeds new light into the relationship between corporate governance and debt management of Vietnam＇s SMEs in current context. It finds ways to solve financial dilemma and raise corporate equity value that most SMEs are facing.展开更多
Until now, the issue of quality of the products of SMEs （small and medium enterprises） remains the main issues as the cause of low ability to compete. This study focused into the issue of what happened with regard t...Until now, the issue of quality of the products of SMEs （small and medium enterprises） remains the main issues as the cause of low ability to compete. This study focused into the issue of what happened with regard to the quality of products in the supply chain SME products. This study aims to describe how the culture of quality in the supply chain of SMEs and their role in contributing to the lack of SME products. The study involved 128 SMEs in the food processing industry cluster and garment industry. The research uses qualitative method with case study approach. The results showed an average internal quality culture reached 3.62661 supply included in the category enough. Of the five industry cluster, a culture of quality in the internal supply chain is the best T-shirt industry （4.3385） in both categories, while other four clusters exist in enough categories, with grades： hoods （3.661）, soy crisps （3.6635）, cassava chips （3.64）, and the last chips fish balls （2.829）. The low average internal quality culture supply mainly is in industrial processing of cassava chips and chips fish balls. One reason is the low awareness of quality. There is no technology and equipment adequate to safeguard the stability of quality. The upper most excellent quality culture occurred in the supply chain, where the product is controlled by big industry, is the industry shirts （4.018）, soy crisps （3.613）, and hoods （3.473）, while when in the upstream industry controlled by small or SMEs, there is deterioration in the cultural values of quality： cassava chips （2.917） and chips fish balls （2.781）. For downstream, 100% controlled by SMEs, there is an average value of quality culture 3.5662.展开更多
Small and medium enterprises （SMEs） represent a significant portion of gross domestic product （GDP） and are recognized as pillars of the economy in Albania. They are the first generators of employment and have a p...Small and medium enterprises （SMEs） represent a significant portion of gross domestic product （GDP） and are recognized as pillars of the economy in Albania. They are the first generators of employment and have a positive impact on revenue from taxes and fees. SMEs are the main bearer of new technology and innovation in the economic fields and the development and exchange of experiences between countries and cultures. The main problems facing the SMEs are administrative barriers, project financing, and lack of specialists in specific profiles. The fact in Albania needs too much work to be done to improve the high degree of informality. The financial system in Albania has not been confronted with a pure financial crisis. The system has had problems that stem from macroeconomic and microeconomic issues, such as fiscal problems, the existence of the informal market, lack of public knowledge about the financial market, and the impact of the international crisis.展开更多
This study aims to contribute to the growing literature on issues of tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Through comprehensive exploration of data, the study investigates factors leading to...This study aims to contribute to the growing literature on issues of tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Through comprehensive exploration of data, the study investigates factors leading to successful and unsuccessful utilization of tax incentives among SMEs. Financial ratios were calculated based on the information retrieved from the companies＇ annual financial statement. Apparently, these financial ratios are evidence of how successful the companies are in utilizing the tax incentives. In this study, 129 small companies and 71 medium-sized companies were selected as samples for the period of 2003-2007. The result indicates that financial structure such as retained earnings, tax burden, cash flow, and inventory level determined the ability of companies to utilize tax incentives; hence leading to higher earnings generated from the business operation. The age of the companies affects the utilization of tax incentives and this denotes that older companies are more capable of generating higher earnings. Hence, a thorough analysis of the data allows us not only to determine the success of the company in utilizing tax incentives but also to identify the determinants that impact their performance.展开更多
This study investigates the perceived usefulness of selected accounting information presented in the financial statements of small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Mailed questionnaires were sent to SMEs＇ owne...This study investigates the perceived usefulness of selected accounting information presented in the financial statements of small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Mailed questionnaires were sent to SMEs＇ owner and loan officers in Malaysia. The findings show that the SMEs＇ owners and loan officers have substantially similar views on the usefulness of the accounting information. In addition, this study has found that the academic qualification and time spent in reading the financial statement have significant relationships with the SMEs＇ owners＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information, whereas types of business organization, awareness about financial reporting regulation, and level of understanding of the financial statements do not. On the other hand, for the loan officers, accouting expertise, year in position, and awareness about the financial reporting regulation do not have a significant relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. Meanwhile, experience in assessing SMEs＇ financial statements has a significantly negative relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. The results of this study may enable the SMEs＇ managers to realize the informational needs of the users of their financial statements.展开更多
According to Michael Porter＇s Diamond Model, a business cluster is defined as geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry. In addition, clusters encompass an ar...According to Michael Porter＇s Diamond Model, a business cluster is defined as geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry. In addition, clusters encompass an array of collaborating and competing services and providers that create a specialized infrastructure, which supports the cluster＇s industry. The economic cluster model, represents a synergy, a dynamic relationship and a network between not only the companies that comprise a cluster but also the successful partnering of the stakeholders. Today in all over the world, successful clusters have established a greater competitive advantage and wealth creation for their regions when compared to companies not in a cluster. Given this success more policy makers and regions are considering fostering cluster development as building blocks of regional economies. Research is planned and performed for understanding the clustering in SMEs （small and medium enterprises） industrial estate in Istanbul if it gives a competitive advantage to the cluster members or not. It is performed to determine and satisfy the lack of knowledge about the small and medium enterprises＇ issues, technologic systems, production quality standards, capacity usage ratios, interactions with other firms, habits of following the technologic improvements and clustering effects on the members.展开更多
The frequency of based on the load pattern the power system varies of the consumers. With continuous increase in the load, the frequency of the system keeps decreasing and may reach its minimum allowable limits. Furth...The frequency of based on the load pattern the power system varies of the consumers. With continuous increase in the load, the frequency of the system keeps decreasing and may reach its minimum allowable limits. Further increase in the load will result in more frequency drop leading to the need of load shedding, if excess generation is not available to cater the need. This paper proposed a methodology in a hybrid thermal-hydro system for finding the required amount of load to be shed for setting the frequency of the system within its minimum allowable limits. The load shedding steps were obtained based on the rate of change of frequency with the increase in the load in both areas. The impact of superconducting magnetic energy storage （SMES） was obtained on load shedding scheme. The comparison of the results was presented on the two-area system.展开更多
Software engineering＇s lifecycle models havc proven to be very important for traditional software development. However, can these models be applied to the development of Web-based applications as well？ In recent yea...Software engineering＇s lifecycle models havc proven to be very important for traditional software development. However, can these models be applied to the development of Web-based applications as well？ In recent years, Web-based applications have become more and more complicated and a lot of efforts have been placed on introducing new technologies such as J2EE, PhP, and .NET, etc., which have been universally accepted as the development technologies for Web-based applications. However, there is no universally accepted process model for the development of Web-based applications. Moreover, shaping the process model for small medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）, which have limited resources, has been relatively neglected. Based on our previous work, this paper presents an expanded lifecycle process model for the development of Web-based applications in SMEs. It consists of three sets of processes, i.e., requirement processes, development processes, and evolution processes. Particularly, the post-delivery evolution processes are important to SMEs to develop and maintain quality web applications with limited resources and time.展开更多
This study reflects the specificities of family small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） which are related to values, culture, and relationships with the territory （local context）. In the following sustainable a...This study reflects the specificities of family small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） which are related to values, culture, and relationships with the territory （local context）. In the following sustainable and corporate social responsibility （CSR）-oriented strategies, family businesses are ＂assisted＂ by the presence of entrepreneurial values which are tied to and derived from the social system in the territory in which they are located. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the consolidation of stable and durable relations between the family business and the local context depends on the presence of shared values between the members of the family and the stakeholders, all components of civil society are within the same territory. Such values are the fruit of a given territory＇s civic traditions. They are the result of an anthropological culture which is typical of the socioeconomic environment in which the entrepreneur, the family, and the business are all rooted, thus, they are expressions of a culture ＂of the place＂.展开更多
The authors intend to contribute in this paper towards a debate on the consequences of external financing needs of small and medium enterprises （SMEs） regarding its economic growth. The authors＇ research differs fo...The authors intend to contribute in this paper towards a debate on the consequences of external financing needs of small and medium enterprises （SMEs） regarding its economic growth. The authors＇ research differs for using like proxy of external financing dependence of SMEs the flows of investments that cannot be financed with generated cash flows. The results thus obtained show that financial dependence accounts for economic growth of SMEs, and that there are other variables of control of significance such as those of financial development. The authors present evidence on better soundness achievement about conclusions pertaining to SMEs if they obtained results emerge from independent sub-sectors in SMEs, especially in those countries with a higher percentage of small-sized companies, which do not answer in the same way to the considered model展开更多
This paper reflects on the theme of sustainability and territorial social responsibility, which, in this context, is defined as a pathway promoted by a plurality of public and private actors, for- and non-profit, who ...This paper reflects on the theme of sustainability and territorial social responsibility, which, in this context, is defined as a pathway promoted by a plurality of public and private actors, for- and non-profit, who find that social cohesion and the relationships that are cultivated in the place from which these diverse ＂protagonists＂ come, are the drivers in the construction of shared territorial governance. The efficacy of such processes in the local context （communal, provincial, and regional） is predicated on the culture and on the values that the diverse, networked stakeholders-actors accumulate in their territory （meso level）. In developing this theme, the paper is divided into several parts. The first part describes the theoretical context, which is illustrated by an enumeration of experiences realized at the local level in Italy. We then focus our analysis on the experience of territorial govemance promoted in the Marches Region. This project was selected as a case study, because it is emblematic of the Italian context; the territory is characterized by the diffuse presence of small businesses in the soeio-economic fabric and by the proactive role of the local government. The case allows us to evaluate this paper＇s fundamental proposition, that the policies of the European Commission [EC] and the Government of Italy for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability are not concretely effective when they are not fostered by regional authorities together with local private actors. Furthermore, public initiatives, to be effective, should take into consideration the influence of local culture, the social milieu, and economic factors shaping the environment in which public-private networks arise.展开更多
文摘This paper aims to investigate the extent to which Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） adopted corporate governance （CG） principles and their effects on firm performance. The principles examined included： establishing clear roles and responsibilities; strengthening composition; and reinforcing independence. The paper is based on a questionnaire survey study among 113 SMEs that consisted of 35% （39） of manufacturing and related services and 65% （74） from services including information and communication technology （ICT）, primary agriculture, construction, mining, and quarrying. The analysis of the data indicates that 32% of the respondents said that the primary reason why they have their own business is to have control over their own working life. This fmding appears to confirm the f＇mancing theory that SMEs owners have other goals than profitability. In addition, 30% of SMEs perceived that the most important role played by the board is risk management; hence, these boards have a greater control over financial risks that may lead to better financial performance. The analysis also shows that 81% of the respondents＇ board consisted of internal board members only. These enterprises need to see the important role of external board members as a source of advice providers and experts to them. For policies relating to clear roles and responsibilities of board, only 28% of the respondents established clear functions reserved for the board and those delegated to management; substantial respondents did not draw up policies relating to reinforce board independency （between 75% and 79%） and to strengthen board composition （46%）. Besides, 68% of the respondents have the position of chairman and CEO held by same individuals and 81% of the chairman is an executive member of the board. These findings suggest that SMEs cannot see the importance of strengthening board and having independent board members. Regression analysis also indicates that board independence has a significant and positive impact on firm performance. Hence, SMEs need to appreciate networking advantages, competency, and strategic knowledge that the right board can offer. The governmental ministries and agencies in Malaysia need to take active measures to encourage SMEs to strengthen their board governance, because SMEs are the important economic powers for stimulating national economic growth. This paper contributes to the empirical literatures on the adoption of CG principles and their effects on SMEs＇ firm performance in emerging markets.
文摘The topic investigated competition in marketing as a survival yardstick for small and medium enterprises （SMEs） in Nigeria. The objectives addressed by this study were： （1） identifying different types and intensity of competition that SMEs are exposed to along the life-cycle portfolio in Nigeria; （2） quantifying the strength of SMEs vis-a-vis some foreign enterprises in terms of market competition; and （3） proffering solutions on how best they could match competitively these foreign enterprises. Relevant models and theories were employed in literature to evolve detailed analysis of issues relating to the variables used in terms of competition in marketing and survival of juice-producing SMEs. Two hypotheses were investigated through the survey of 20 prominent Ikeja based SMEs using Cluster sampling, 5-points Likert summated rating scale was adopted, while Yard＇s formula with 95% confidence level and 5% error tolerance was used. Alternative form validity of the instrument was measured at 0.63 while its reliability was measured at Cronbach＇s alpha of 0.70. Pearson＇s product-moment correlation was used in testing hypothesis 1 while standard multiple regressions were used to test hypothesis 2. Findings revealed that there was strong relationship between survival of juice-producing SMEs with forms of competition on a firm＇s life-cycle; while competition had positive effects on survival components for the enterprises. It was concluded that since competition subsists in any firm＇s life-cycle, strategies to support operations for survival must be adopted. It was recommended that operators of SMEs have to monitor and manage competition as it affects their businesses positively and/or negatively.
文摘The small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） are crucial to economic growth, especially in post-socialist transitional countries or new emerging market economies. The development of SMEs depends on the ability of those firms to invest and grow. Based upon an SME survey conducted by Riinvest Institute at the end of 2010, this paper seeks to provide answers on determinants of SMEs to invest in Kosovo, based on an econometric model which identifies the key determinants of SMEs＇ investment. The econometric evidence suggests a positive relationship between investment and the size and age of the company. Also, the decision of the firm to invest depends on the future business plans; if entrepreneurs have optimistic views about the future of the business, this encourages them to invest. The manufacturing and trade sectors invest more, so do exporting firms, which may be because of bigger market opportunities. Access to external sources of finance is another significant determinant of investment, suggesting that firms which gained credit invested more than other firms in the sample.
文摘Globalisation and competitiveness affected the way of enterprises undertake innovation, particularly in the case of Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs）. According with European Commission （2013） in Europe 99% of the enterprises is SMEs. SMEs all over the world are considered as the lifeblood of the economies. The importance of this research is justified by the predominance of SMEs that represents the majority of enterprises in Portugal. SMEs contribute to the creation of jobs, as well as to the competitiveness of the economies, specially, in crisis time. This study has two main objectives; firstly propose a literature review focused on competitiveness of SMEs. Secondly analysis a sample of 23 enterprises identified as leaders of Portuguese SMEs in 2012. The data considering a ranking list of the largest 1,000 Portuguese SMEs in 2012, published by Exame （2013）. This analysis considers some SMEs features such as, sales, market share, dimension, and sector. Additionally this research presents a SME case included in this database. Through the application of a questionnaire the study provides a complementary micro perspective of the factors that influences enterprises competitiveness. The questionnaire is divided into three parts： Part one refers to the characterization of the enterprise; Part two assesses the entrepreneurial competitiveness, considering nine questions to assess performance, six questions to assess internal processes and four questions to understand the relations with customers; and part three analyses the diffusion of innovation through three questions. Finally the study provides important clues relevant for the development of public policies that can support the innovation and competitiveness of SMEs. Moreover the discussions highlight some variables approached in literature review considered as pertinent in the case of innovative SME due to their contribution to exports and to economic growth.
文摘This paper examines the relationship between small- and medium-sized enterprises＇ （SMEs） entrepreneurs＇ perceptions towards a proper accounting system with the level of accounting staff recruited, preparation of final accounts, meetings with accounting staff, and entrepreneurs＇ ranking of accounting according to their priority. The methodology used to gather the data is survey questionnaire. It has been distributed to SMEs based on simple random sampling method. Three hundred businesses were selected from the total of 3,390 businesses listed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia area obtained from Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation （SMIDEC） website and a few random selected from Ampang and Cheras areas. Regression analysis has been used to analyze the data. The results of the study reveal that there was a significant relation between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and the level of professional accounting staff recruited. Furthermore, findings of this study also found that there was an insignificant relationship between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and preparation of final accounts of the company and frequency of meetings with accounting staff.
文摘Family businesses, which aim at surviving today, have to deal with a precise modality： To ensure their continuity, entrepreneurs have to ensure the transfer of leadership from one generation to another inside of them. We do believe that this matter is worth being analyzed, since the succession, from one generation to another, can be considered as a crucial variable in maintaining family small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） over time. Therefore, after investigating the main features, problems, and factors leading to the succession processes, in the second part of this article, an empirical analysis will be carried out, by comparing several European countries on the basis of data from the European Commission. This article contributes to enriching, from a theoretical point of view, the conceptual framework used for investigating the dynamics in the continuity of SMEs. Moreover, empirically, it contributes to the increasing literature on family businesses by comparing several European countries in order to understand what originates the longevity of family SMEs.
文摘Entrepreneurship has become an attribute of the current growth without business activities. Entrepreneurship is a global world. It is not possible to think about economic driving force of technological development and scientific research. It materializes knowledge and involvement of people and society. Expansion of business activities is a source of individual country＇s economic performance. It contributes to the development of people＇s living standards. In every market economy, it represents an irreplaceable role for small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. A strong representation of＂micro-enterprises＂ can be found in the field of personal services. Companies within the course of their existence go through particular stages of their development--from their foundation through the stage of steady development. After this stage, there comes their decline that can develop even into their termination. We indicate this process as a company life cycle. The aim of the submitted project is to map the life cycle of particularly chosen companies providing accommodation and catering services and to find a mutual relation among observed quantities and their stable economic positions in the market. The analysis is based on the data of macro-economic character, the data about development of receipts in the sector, development of inflation, tempo of economic growth, and development of consumer prices. Out of a company, non-financial factors will also be considered. The core of the analysis is the stage of sustainable stability of the assessed companies. The point of the findings is revelation of the causes of risks of possible transition into the stage of termination due to the decline of services volume, decline of profitability, and long-lasting payment insolvency. The contribution of the project is to draw our attention to possible risks of critical situation development and to propose how to avoid them so that the company will not occur in financial straits. Achieved information could assist the company management to make relevant decisions.
文摘This study is motivated by the lack of direct empirical research on the relationship between intangible assets （IA） and loan interest rates for small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） in emerging markets. This study uses a multivariate regression to investigate the effects of 1A on loan interest rates by focusing on SMEs. Using a panel sample of 186 publicly-listed SMEs with 952 annual observations in Taiwan from 2001 to 2006, the empirical findings indicate that an SME＇s IA does negatively affect loan interest rates. The main contribution of this study lies in its direct testing of whether IA can affect the loan interest rates for SMEs in an emerging market. The finding provides empirical evidence that an SME with greater IA leads to lower interest rates on bank loans, implying that SMEs should strive to invest in IA and enhance their knowledge management for obtaining more benefits of loan interest rates. Furthermore, the findings may provide empirical evidence for SMEs in emerging markets and can be compared with those for firms in industrialized economies.
文摘The purpose of this study is to explore the relevance of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） for small and medium-sized entities （SMEs） in Swaziland. The study further seeks to determine if IFRS for SMEs can be the solution to better reporting by local SMEs. There has been a growing need for different reporting standards for small firms and big firms over the years due to the unique challenges and attributes they face especially in the area of financial reporting. This research is based on a statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by accountants from SMEs in Swaziland as well as other stakeholders who have a direct or an indirect interest in the financial statements of SMEs. These stakeholders included audit firms and the financial institutions. The sampling rate of 10% was applied across each industry to come up with a sample of 60 SMEs. Furthermore, a 100% sampling rate on the other stakeholders was applied. These were nine financial institutions and eight audit finns. The findings from the study revealed that SMEs in Swaziland are having challenges with the current reporting framework but to some extent, the framework is suitable. Most SMEs are not aware of IFRS for SMEs, therefore the accounting profession in Swaziland （SIA） has a huge role to play in training auditors and accountants in the country. Overall, IFRS for SMEs is applicable in Swaziland.
文摘The paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance and debt management of Vietnam＇s small and medium enterprises （SMEs）, in a case study of a specific enterprise. It reveals one case that corporate governance factors have strong correlation with performance, due to transparency to the lender, innovative and consistent to the debt management. The results indicate that timely reporting and level of disclosure positively affect corporate performance and ability to raise funds in the financial market. The paper seeds new light into the relationship between corporate governance and debt management of Vietnam＇s SMEs in current context. It finds ways to solve financial dilemma and raise corporate equity value that most SMEs are facing.
文摘Until now, the issue of quality of the products of SMEs （small and medium enterprises） remains the main issues as the cause of low ability to compete. This study focused into the issue of what happened with regard to the quality of products in the supply chain SME products. This study aims to describe how the culture of quality in the supply chain of SMEs and their role in contributing to the lack of SME products. The study involved 128 SMEs in the food processing industry cluster and garment industry. The research uses qualitative method with case study approach. The results showed an average internal quality culture reached 3.62661 supply included in the category enough. Of the five industry cluster, a culture of quality in the internal supply chain is the best T-shirt industry （4.3385） in both categories, while other four clusters exist in enough categories, with grades： hoods （3.661）, soy crisps （3.6635）, cassava chips （3.64）, and the last chips fish balls （2.829）. The low average internal quality culture supply mainly is in industrial processing of cassava chips and chips fish balls. One reason is the low awareness of quality. There is no technology and equipment adequate to safeguard the stability of quality. The upper most excellent quality culture occurred in the supply chain, where the product is controlled by big industry, is the industry shirts （4.018）, soy crisps （3.613）, and hoods （3.473）, while when in the upstream industry controlled by small or SMEs, there is deterioration in the cultural values of quality： cassava chips （2.917） and chips fish balls （2.781）. For downstream, 100% controlled by SMEs, there is an average value of quality culture 3.5662.
文摘Small and medium enterprises （SMEs） represent a significant portion of gross domestic product （GDP） and are recognized as pillars of the economy in Albania. They are the first generators of employment and have a positive impact on revenue from taxes and fees. SMEs are the main bearer of new technology and innovation in the economic fields and the development and exchange of experiences between countries and cultures. The main problems facing the SMEs are administrative barriers, project financing, and lack of specialists in specific profiles. The fact in Albania needs too much work to be done to improve the high degree of informality. The financial system in Albania has not been confronted with a pure financial crisis. The system has had problems that stem from macroeconomic and microeconomic issues, such as fiscal problems, the existence of the informal market, lack of public knowledge about the financial market, and the impact of the international crisis.
文摘This study aims to contribute to the growing literature on issues of tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Through comprehensive exploration of data, the study investigates factors leading to successful and unsuccessful utilization of tax incentives among SMEs. Financial ratios were calculated based on the information retrieved from the companies＇ annual financial statement. Apparently, these financial ratios are evidence of how successful the companies are in utilizing the tax incentives. In this study, 129 small companies and 71 medium-sized companies were selected as samples for the period of 2003-2007. The result indicates that financial structure such as retained earnings, tax burden, cash flow, and inventory level determined the ability of companies to utilize tax incentives; hence leading to higher earnings generated from the business operation. The age of the companies affects the utilization of tax incentives and this denotes that older companies are more capable of generating higher earnings. Hence, a thorough analysis of the data allows us not only to determine the success of the company in utilizing tax incentives but also to identify the determinants that impact their performance.
文摘This study investigates the perceived usefulness of selected accounting information presented in the financial statements of small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Mailed questionnaires were sent to SMEs＇ owner and loan officers in Malaysia. The findings show that the SMEs＇ owners and loan officers have substantially similar views on the usefulness of the accounting information. In addition, this study has found that the academic qualification and time spent in reading the financial statement have significant relationships with the SMEs＇ owners＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information, whereas types of business organization, awareness about financial reporting regulation, and level of understanding of the financial statements do not. On the other hand, for the loan officers, accouting expertise, year in position, and awareness about the financial reporting regulation do not have a significant relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. Meanwhile, experience in assessing SMEs＇ financial statements has a significantly negative relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. The results of this study may enable the SMEs＇ managers to realize the informational needs of the users of their financial statements.
文摘According to Michael Porter＇s Diamond Model, a business cluster is defined as geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry. In addition, clusters encompass an array of collaborating and competing services and providers that create a specialized infrastructure, which supports the cluster＇s industry. The economic cluster model, represents a synergy, a dynamic relationship and a network between not only the companies that comprise a cluster but also the successful partnering of the stakeholders. Today in all over the world, successful clusters have established a greater competitive advantage and wealth creation for their regions when compared to companies not in a cluster. Given this success more policy makers and regions are considering fostering cluster development as building blocks of regional economies. Research is planned and performed for understanding the clustering in SMEs （small and medium enterprises） industrial estate in Istanbul if it gives a competitive advantage to the cluster members or not. It is performed to determine and satisfy the lack of knowledge about the small and medium enterprises＇ issues, technologic systems, production quality standards, capacity usage ratios, interactions with other firms, habits of following the technologic improvements and clustering effects on the members.
文摘The frequency of based on the load pattern the power system varies of the consumers. With continuous increase in the load, the frequency of the system keeps decreasing and may reach its minimum allowable limits. Further increase in the load will result in more frequency drop leading to the need of load shedding, if excess generation is not available to cater the need. This paper proposed a methodology in a hybrid thermal-hydro system for finding the required amount of load to be shed for setting the frequency of the system within its minimum allowable limits. The load shedding steps were obtained based on the rate of change of frequency with the increase in the load in both areas. The impact of superconducting magnetic energy storage （SMES） was obtained on load shedding scheme. The comparison of the results was presented on the two-area system.
文摘Software engineering＇s lifecycle models havc proven to be very important for traditional software development. However, can these models be applied to the development of Web-based applications as well？ In recent years, Web-based applications have become more and more complicated and a lot of efforts have been placed on introducing new technologies such as J2EE, PhP, and .NET, etc., which have been universally accepted as the development technologies for Web-based applications. However, there is no universally accepted process model for the development of Web-based applications. Moreover, shaping the process model for small medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）, which have limited resources, has been relatively neglected. Based on our previous work, this paper presents an expanded lifecycle process model for the development of Web-based applications in SMEs. It consists of three sets of processes, i.e., requirement processes, development processes, and evolution processes. Particularly, the post-delivery evolution processes are important to SMEs to develop and maintain quality web applications with limited resources and time.
文摘This study reflects the specificities of family small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） which are related to values, culture, and relationships with the territory （local context）. In the following sustainable and corporate social responsibility （CSR）-oriented strategies, family businesses are ＂assisted＂ by the presence of entrepreneurial values which are tied to and derived from the social system in the territory in which they are located. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the consolidation of stable and durable relations between the family business and the local context depends on the presence of shared values between the members of the family and the stakeholders, all components of civil society are within the same territory. Such values are the fruit of a given territory＇s civic traditions. They are the result of an anthropological culture which is typical of the socioeconomic environment in which the entrepreneur, the family, and the business are all rooted, thus, they are expressions of a culture ＂of the place＂.
文摘The authors intend to contribute in this paper towards a debate on the consequences of external financing needs of small and medium enterprises （SMEs） regarding its economic growth. The authors＇ research differs for using like proxy of external financing dependence of SMEs the flows of investments that cannot be financed with generated cash flows. The results thus obtained show that financial dependence accounts for economic growth of SMEs, and that there are other variables of control of significance such as those of financial development. The authors present evidence on better soundness achievement about conclusions pertaining to SMEs if they obtained results emerge from independent sub-sectors in SMEs, especially in those countries with a higher percentage of small-sized companies, which do not answer in the same way to the considered model
文摘This paper reflects on the theme of sustainability and territorial social responsibility, which, in this context, is defined as a pathway promoted by a plurality of public and private actors, for- and non-profit, who find that social cohesion and the relationships that are cultivated in the place from which these diverse ＂protagonists＂ come, are the drivers in the construction of shared territorial governance. The efficacy of such processes in the local context （communal, provincial, and regional） is predicated on the culture and on the values that the diverse, networked stakeholders-actors accumulate in their territory （meso level）. In developing this theme, the paper is divided into several parts. The first part describes the theoretical context, which is illustrated by an enumeration of experiences realized at the local level in Italy. We then focus our analysis on the experience of territorial govemance promoted in the Marches Region. This project was selected as a case study, because it is emblematic of the Italian context; the territory is characterized by the diffuse presence of small businesses in the soeio-economic fabric and by the proactive role of the local government. The case allows us to evaluate this paper＇s fundamental proposition, that the policies of the European Commission [EC] and the Government of Italy for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability are not concretely effective when they are not fostered by regional authorities together with local private actors. Furthermore, public initiatives, to be effective, should take into consideration the influence of local culture, the social milieu, and economic factors shaping the environment in which public-private networks arise.
