Download or read book Strategies for Growth in SMEs written by Margi Levy and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2004-11-09 with total page 420 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Strategies for Growth in SMEs explores for the first time the role of information and information systems (IS) concepts in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most IS research focuses on large firms, yet the majority of firms in most economies are SMEs. The book considers the applicability of IS theory and practice to SMEs and develops new theories that are relevant to these firms.Composed of 6 sections, it covers, amongst other things; the nature of SMEs, the background to IS, and SMEs' use of IS, issues of IS strategy and planning in SMEs, the way that firms can transform through use of IS, evaluation, IS flexibility, business process re-engineering, resource-based strategy and knowledge management, the appropriateness of existing theories and the development of new models to address SME-specific issues. The final section of the book reviews the learning in the previous chapters and poses future agendas for research.Written by two of the leading figures in the field, this book will be essential reading for researchers in IS and SMEs, students on entrepreneurship or IS courses, and others that focus on SMEs. * A unique text relating IS theory to SMEs* Benefit from the authors' years of experience in the field* Familiarise yourself with this growth area for research and courses

Download or read book Industry 4 0 for SMEs written by Dominik T. Matt and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-01-03 with total page 435 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book explores the concept of Industry 4.0, which presents a considerable challenge for the production and service sectors. While digitization initiatives are usually integrated into the central corporate strategy of larger companies, smaller firms often have problems putting Industry 4.0 paradigms into practice. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) possess neither the human nor financial resources to systematically investigate the potential and risks of introducing Industry 4.0. Addressing this obstacle, the international team of authors focuses on the development of smart manufacturing concepts, logistics solutions and managerial models specifically for SMEs. Aiming to provide methodological frameworks and pilot solutions for SMEs during their digital transformation, this innovative and timely book will be of great use to scholars researching technology management, digitization and small business, as well as practitioners within manufacturing companies.

Download or read book Industry 4 0 in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises SMEs written by Ketan Kotecha and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2022-03-11 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Focusing on the broader areas of Industry 4.0 as it applies to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this book offers a smooth adoption of techniques and technologies and presents advances, challenges, and opportunities for implementation. It will also enhance the role of academia by training new engineers on Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. Industry 4.0 in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions presents concepts of predictive maintenance, digital factory, digital twin, additive manufacturing, and machining for sustainable development. It discusses the challenges faced by adopting Industry 4.0 including new security and privacy measures in the whole smart manufacturing setup while also explaining the impact of Industry 4.0 on Lean production systems. Implementation recommendations in the form of case studies, research studies, and the role academia can play are also provided. Practitioners, research scholars, academicians, and those studying or working in the Industry 4.0 sector will find this book of interest.

Download or read book Michael Porter s Competitive Advantage Theory written by Max Zapf and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2011 with total page 41 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2008 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: A, University of Applied Sciences Chur, course: MSc Entrepreneurship, language: English, abstract: This report was commissioned to examine whether small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that target only a few market segments will promote their products and services more effectively than SMEs that target the mass market. The research draws attention to Porter's generic theory of competitive advantage by mainly concentrating on the third of his competitive advantage strategies, the focus strategy. Theory as well as a practical survey was used in order to falsify or approve the research question. Theory revealed Porter's focus strategy to have several key advantages over a mass market strategy which make firms pursuing such a strategy more effective in their product promotion efforts. First, a focused firm does not have to devote substantial resources into being all things to all people entailing less expenditure of time and money in comparison to a mass market strategy. Second, empirical evidence was found that customers do value specialized firms due to their focused capabilities. Third, a focused firm is less likely to be overwhelmed by great amount of different customer request and is more likely to identify and adapt to market changes in a quick time manner. Besides the advantages of a focus strategy, the research question is only supported when the SME makes bigger rivals to accommodate their existence in the segment(s) by creating circumstances in which the cost for the bigger rival in fighting the SME exceeds the cost of accommodating the SME. 27 SMEs from South Germany have returned completed questionnaires which were used to find practical evidence for answering the research question. Results revealed several tendencies which partly support theory. First, SMEs that pursue a focus strategy are more likely to do this with a differ

Download or read book Strategies for Growth in SMEs written by Margi Levy and published by Butterworth-Heinemann. This book was released on 2005 with total page 411 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Strategies for Growth in SMEs explores for the first time the role of information and information systems (IS) concepts in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most IS research focuses on large firms, yet the majority of firms in most economies are SMEs. The book considers the applicability of IS theory and practice to SMEs and develops new theories that are relevant to these firms. Composed of 6 sections, it covers, amongst other things; the nature of SMEs, the background to IS, and SMEs' use of IS, issues of IS strategy and planning in SMEs, the way that firms can transform through use of IS, evaluation, IS flexibility, business process re-engineering, resource-based strategy and knowledge management, the appropriateness of existing theories and the development of new models to address SME-specific issues. The final section of the book reviews the learning in the previous chapters and poses future agendas for research. Written by two of the leading figures in the field, this book will be essential reading for researchers in IS and SMEs, students on entrepreneurship or IS courses, and others that focus on SMEs. * A unique text relating IS theory to SMEs * Benefit from the authors' years of experience in the field * Familiarise yourself with this growth area for research and courses

Download or read book Small and Medium Enterprises written by Information Resources Management Association and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2013-04-30 with total page 2031 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This book provides a comprehensive collection of research on current technological developments and organizational perspectives on the scale of small and medium enterprises"--Provided by publisher.

Download or read book Productivity and Innovation in SMEs written by Azad Bali and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book analyses the determining factors behind productivity and innovation amongst SMEs in Signapore and Malaysia, in order to offer recommendations for increasing productivity and aiding economic growth.

Download or read book Michael Porter s Competitive Advantage Theory Focus Strategy for SMEs written by Max Zapf and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2011-05-09 with total page 19 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2008 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: A, University of Applied Sciences Chur, course: MSc Entrepreneurship, language: English, abstract: This report was commissioned to examine whether small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that target only a few market segments will promote their products and services more effectively than SMEs that target the mass market. The research draws attention to Porter’s generic theory of competitive advantage by mainly concentrating on the third of his competitive advantage strategies, the focus strategy. Theory as well as a practical survey was used in order to falsify or approve the research question. Theory revealed Porter’s focus strategy to have several key advantages over a mass market strategy which make firms pursuing such a strategy more effective in their product promotion efforts. First, a focused firm does not have to devote substantial resources into being all things to all people entailing less expenditure of time and money in comparison to a mass market strategy. Second, empirical evidence was found that customers do value specialized firms due to their focused capabilities. Third, a focused firm is less likely to be overwhelmed by great amount of different customer request and is more likely to identify and adapt to market changes in a quick time manner. Besides the advantages of a focus strategy, the research question is only supported when the SME makes bigger rivals to accommodate their existence in the segment(s) by creating circumstances in which the cost for the bigger rival in fighting the SME exceeds the cost of accommodating the SME. 27 SMEs from South Germany have returned completed questionnaires which were used to find practical evidence for answering the research question. Results revealed several tendencies which partly support theory. First, SMEs that pursue a focus strategy are more likely to do this with a differentiation focus and secondly and most importantly they tend to have fewer problems in attracting and retaining customers. There was no indication that focused SMEs are more likely to see and adapt to market changes on an early stage and there was also no tendency visible whether SMEs with a focus strategy are less likely to be overwhelmed with customer requests. In conclusion, theory supports the research question only when the firm is able to adequately implement the focus strategy.

Download or read book E Business Issues Challenges and Opportunities for SMEs Driving Competitiveness written by Cruz-Cunha, Maria Manuela and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2010-09-30 with total page 490 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Electronic business plays a central role in the economy, facilitating the exchange of information, goods, services, and payments. It propels productivity and competitiveness and is accessible to all enterprises, and as such, represents an opportunity also for SME competitiveness. E-Business Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for SMEs: Driving Competitiveness discusses the main issues, challenges, opportunities, and solutions related to electronic business adoption, with a special focus on SMEs. Addressing technological, organizational, and legal perspectives in a very comprehensive way, this text aims to disseminate current developments, case studies, new integrated approaches, and practical solutions and applications for SMEs.

Download or read book Marketing the SME written by Brian Healy and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2009-03-26 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prior to the recent global economic downturn, Ireland witnessed a decade of unprecedented economic growth. Almost overnight, the country’s labour base was transformed from one where decades-long emigration was the norm to a new and dynamic paradigm incorporating net in-migration. A significant element in Ireland’s economic transformation involved innovative marketing strategies and the role of Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs). SME’s were major providers for new jobs and this research addresses the key determinants of their success. This volume investigates a wide range of sophisticated, diverse and market-efficient strategies as adopted by Ireland’s SME’s to ensure global success.

Download or read book Government SMEs and Entrepreneurship Development written by Robert A. Blackburn and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-04-22 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent decades have seen substantial growth in the range of assistance programmes for SMEs and entrepreneurs across the world. Once regarded as peripheral to the economy and public policy, the role of small firms and of entrepreneurship is now recognized as of key importance in the economic growth and development strategies of many nations. The range of interventions and support focused on promoting SMEs and entrepreneurship is substantial and expanding, so Government, SMEs and Entrepreneurship Development asks ’what are some of the main policy instruments being used, and how effective are they?’ It considers policies in different countries, examines key interventions and tools used to promote entrepreneurship and SME development and concludes with contributions on how to best evaluate their effectiveness. The contributor chapters by academics and practitioners from businesses, enterprise development agencies and governments, are empirical or evidence-based and use both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Drawing on experience from a wide range of both developed and emerging countries and economies, the contributions focus on the broad strategies that different governments and communities have adopted to foster entrepreneurship and SMEs; the policy tools and instruments that can be used to promote small business and entrepreneurship; and on the outcomes of policy instruments and the methods used to evaluate interventions. Their findings will help researchers, policy-makers, economic development officers, civil servants, elected officials, and business associations to better understand the issues in this important field.

Download or read book Implementing Industry 4 0 in SMEs written by Dominik T. Matt and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-05-08 with total page 449 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book addresses the practical challenges that Industry 4.0 presents for SMEs. While large companies are already responding to the changes resulting from the fourth industrial revolution , small businesses are in danger of falling behind due to the lack of examples, best practices and established methods and tools. Following on from the publication of the previous book ‘Industry 4.0 for SMEs: Challenges, Opportunities and Requirements’, the authors offer in this new book innovative results from research on smart manufacturing, smart logistics and managerial models for SMEs. Based on a large scale EU-funded research project involving seven academic institutions from three continents and a network of over fifty small and medium sized enterprises, the book reveals the methods and tools required to support the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 along with practical examples.

Download or read book Sustainability and Small and Medium sized Enterprises written by Aharon Factor and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-03-29 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Industrialisation has brought great benefits to humankind but now, after 200 years of fossil fuel use, land clearance and pollution, the planet’s boundaries are being stretched to their limits. Going beyond these confines would have severe consequences for humankind. To prevent this from happening, government, corporate and community initiatives must focus on reducing the environmental impact of approximately 400 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), given that they produce approximately 70% of the world’s pollution, 60% of carbon emissions and have a significant impact on land. To date, research shows that SMEs have been environmental laggards and more needs to be understood to improve sustainability in the SME sector. Broadening the researcher’s methodological focus, beyond traditional singular approaches, improves knowledge generation and better informs policy and practice. This book paves the way by showing the reader that a mixed method research design is able to provide a deep, diverse and holistic understanding of sustainability and SMEs. Importantly, the book also provides an in-depth mapping of mixed method sustainability and SME research at a regional level. As this book is about environmental sustainability framed in a business context, it will be of interest to researchers, academics, students and those in industry who are enquiring about the environmental sustainability of SMEs.

Download or read book SMEs in Asian Developing Countries written by Tulus Tahi Hamonangan Tambunan and published by Springer. This book was released on 2009-08-28 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Analyzing the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Asian developing countries, the book is based on a survey of key literature and data on SMEs with the focus on; recent development, export performance, main constraints, competitiveness, innovation and technology transfer, and female entrepreneurs.

Download or read book Handbook of Research on Strategies and Interventions to Mitigate COVID 19 Impact on SMEs written by Baporikar, Neeta and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2021-06-25 with total page 628 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of the modern world, and its impact is felt by all. The pandemic particularly has had a large impact on businesses as they were forced to close, supply chains were disrupted, and new health and safety precautions were adopted. As such, many businesses, especially small businesses, were faced with losses they could not afford. Governments and stakeholders across the world have thus needed to formulate various strategies and interventions to mitigate the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as they relate to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Handbook of Research on Strategies and Interventions to Mitigate COVID-19 Impact on SMEs is a comprehensive reference source that encapsulates the overall effect of COVID-19 on SMEs and a variety of strategies to overcome the negative effects and create more sustainable policies and organizations moving forward. The book offers a thorough overview of interventions and tactics to help organizations, entrepreneurs, and institutions of higher learning overcome the negative impact of COVID-19 while preparing policies for a more effective post-pandemic world. Covering topics that include sustainable practices for development, interventions to lessen the impact of COVID-19, and psychological resilience for SME employees, this book is Ideal for entrepreneurs, managers, executives, small businesses, family firms, academicians, scholar-practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and students.

Download or read book Industry 4 0 in SMEs Across the Globe written by Julian M. Muller and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2021-12-30 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The field of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) digitalization is becoming more mature and stands to significantly contribute to the full development of the agenda of Industry 4.0. Although national digitalization programs have their own goals, the common focus is on the role of SMEs in global value chains. Since SMEs are known to have challenges around Industry 4.0 implementation, this book integrates experiences from 14 countries worldwide. Industry 4.0 in SMEs across the Globe: Drivers, Barriers, and Opportunities provides an in-depth overview of Industry 4.0 in SMEs, covering various national, historical, and geographical settings in nine European countries: Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Serbia, and the UK, complemented by five other countries from around the world: Brazil, China, India, Iran, and the U.S. Each chapter describes the national digitalization program, along with barriers, drivers, and opportunities to implement Industry 4.0 in local SMEs. It subsumes the findings across these countries to identify common themes and clusters of drivers, barriers, and opportunities. The book concludes that there are common approaches of SMEs across the world to adopt Industry 4.0, which are to be understood to increase industrial competitiveness globally. This book is a great resource for digitalization leaders and laggards, business consultants and researchers, as well as Ph.D. and master’s students from industrial engineering and manufacturing backgrounds. Policy makers can also use the contents to better understand the commonalities and differences of national digitalization programs and further support SMEs in their digitalization process.

Download or read book Market entry strategies and their applicability to SMEs The winding road to foreign business written by Thomas Drabner and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2003-06-10 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: 1,9 (B+), Heidenheim University of Cooperative Education (Economic - International Commerce), course: International Commerce, language: English, abstract: “There will be hunters and hunted, winners and losers. What counts in global competition is the right strategy and success.” Heinrich von Pierer1 In business planning the globalization of the world market and the limits of domestic growth raise the question to what extent a foreign commitment should be considered if at all.2 In Germany these considerations are particularly underlined by the strong integration into the world economy. German enterprises obtain a third of their total revenue in foreign business, 25 % of all jobs depend on foreign trade.3 Contrary to expectations, going global is no longer subject only to large multinational companies. Due to saturation tendencies in the domestic market, global competition and the dependency on international key-account customers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been faced with the need for international activities. 4 Considering the fact that SMEs account for 97,3 % of all German enterprises, generating almost 45 % of the total revenue per year, the importance of future growth potential becomes evident.5 In general, SMEs are referred to as the “backbone” of German economy and many of them, the so called “hidden champions” have successfully faced the challenge of entering foreign markets.6 Others have been afraid to take this step. For these, the need for adaptation remains and their continuity will depend on the competitiveness in the world market. In general, entering new markets is connected with a multiplicity of chances and risks. SMEs especially, tend to underestimate the importance of profound information and the need for a realistic estimation of own capabilities.7 Accordingly, it becomes necessary to focus on a SME specific approach which considers major evaluation criteria for carefully developing market entry strategies. 1 Dr. Heinrich von Pierer, President and Chief Excecutive Officer of Siemens AG: Quotation cp. ‘TheGlobalist’ (2000) 2 cp. Hoppen (1999:144) 3 cp. Statistisches Bundesamt (2001:1.6) 4 Due to the IFM in Bonn (2000) SMEs intend to increase their foreign sales from an actual average of 30 % to 50 % in 2020 5 cp. IMF Bonn (2000) 6 cp. Hibbert (2000:1) 7 cp. Brenner (1999:2 et sqq.)