Capturing complexity: developing an integrated approach to analysing HRM in SMEs

This article presents a framework to evaluate HRM in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), using an open systems theoretical perspective. In presenting an open systems perspective the objective is to overcome the limitations of existing theorising in HRM, in particular to facilitate a move away from the ‘small is beautiful’ versus ‘bleak house’ stereotypes evident in much of the literature concerned with HRM in SMEs. The evidence is drawn from six SMEs operating in the Republic of Ireland, using a case study method. The findings show that a complex interplay of external structural factors and internal dynamics shaped HRM in each of the companies. HRM was not the coherent set of practices typically identified in the literature but rather was often informal and emergent. It is argued that the open systems theoretical framework enables a move beyond mere recognition of the complexity and heterogeneity of HRM in SMEs, towards an understanding, accommodation and explanation of particularistic factors

Strategic Asset Seeking and Innovation Performance: The Role of Innovation Capabilities and Host Country Institutions

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An exploration of the role of information systems in developing strategic growth in small and medium-sized enterprises

This submission demonstrates that the attached papers and book represent a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of information systems (IS) with a particular focus on small and medium sized enterprises. The theme throughout the publications is consistent: identifying strategic opportunities from information systems for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This document presents the papers and evaluates their contribution. The papers and a copy of the book are included with this document. The papers and book demonstrate the research contribution in four ways. The first contribution is to IS strategy knowledge, where the research has identified that IS analytical models that depend on IS department-business relationships are not useful in the SME context. Additionally, the research identifies those IS models that can be used in all organisational contexts to analyse strategic management information systems requirements. Second, the research demonstrates IS concepts developed in the large firm context such as evaluation, flexibility and knowledge sharing may only have limited applicability in SMEs. Third, the research contributes by developing a new model, the Focus-Dominance model that provides insights into analysing opportunities for strategic IS investment in SMEs. The final research contribution identifies issues that influence SME growth from internet adoption and e-business opportunities. The papers represent development of the research theme over the last 13 years. The main themes of the papers are information systems strategy; exploring IS issues in the 2 SME context; strategic context of IS investment in SMEs and internet adoption and strategy in SMEs. The twelve papers and book represent a subset of the author‟s publications. These have been selected as they show the main contribution to knowledge. The book demonstrates a research led approach to understanding the information systems issues that can influence SME growth. It is the first book that has been written on this topic and provides a useful source for the growing number of researchers in the field. The submission is organised as follows. A brief discussion is included on the reasons why SMEs behave differently from large firms and what this means for information systems. The next section presents the papers. These explore the validity of IS concepts in the SME context. Following on from this the submission considers the drivers and enablers of IS investment in SMEs. Finally the development of new theories in analysing strategic IS investment is discussed. Within the discussion the significance of the contribution, and the role played by co-authors is highlighted. The final section reflects upon the research contribution, methodology, research impact and current and future research. Table 1 presents the list of papers for submission with a brief summary of their contribution. Appendix 1 includes the written statements by collaborators of joint papers. Appendix 2 presents the author‟s contribution to the submitted papers. Appendix 3 presents the known citations for papers included in the submission. Appendix 4 presents the author‟s full publication list

GLOBALIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION STRATEGIES OF THE WINE SECTOR COMPANIES IN PORTUGAL

This research aims to analyze the competitive environment of companies in the wine sector in Portugal and assess the implications in the development of contingent strategic guidelines and different performances. Proposes to apply the methodological framework IKST – Integrated Key for Strategic Thought for international expansion. The research was carried out at two levels: at a preliminary level – a general characterisation was made of the companies as to their resources, and at a central level – the examination of the strategic aspect of the companies was carried out. The research involved the collection of primary data (survey of 164 companies in the sector) and secondary data (from documentary nature). Explores the strategic aspect, analyzing the sector in terms of global and national context, in order to design a diagnostic context of action, using the models of PEST and 5 Forces. Identifies, based on various statistical techniques, the adopted style of strategic thought and their profile in terms of contextual variables, as well as the underlying economic performance

The Italian SMEs in the International context. A model to succeed in the global arena

� This paper explores the internationalization process of the Italian SMEs, and aims to investigate their behaviour in the international contexts to ultimately outline general models able to optimize their peculiarities. The empirical study firstly examines 546 SMEs along their internationalization. The internationalization process is examined through its phases: decisions, marketing strategy, achievements and future perspectives. A second aim is to define sustainable paths for SMEs willing to expand successfully over the Country borders. It also proposes important issues and management implications to be considered in the international development of Italian SMEs.

Revisiting IT readiness:an approach for small firms

Drawing from the literature, this paper offers an empirically validated framework for examining IT readiness in small firms. A conceptual framework of IT readiness for small firms is developed and validated empirically using a quantitative survey of 117 UK manufacturing small firms to identify distinct clusters of firms according to their states of IT readiness. The survey responses are grouped according to three distinct profiles that display varying degrees of IT readiness depending upon their strategic motivation, IT processes, project management and technology complexity. The novelty of the conceptual model differs from the prior literature on IT readiness by explicitly recognising the potential effect of IT maturity on the capability of the firm to respond to opportunities in its external environment. The paper also distinguishes between internal IT processes and project management skills

Developing Business Architecture for SMEs: A Strategic Tool for Capability Orchestration and Managing Dynamisms

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly faced with competitive pressure due to swift and constant change to the dynamic and highly interconnected environment in which they operate. Competing in this dynamic ecosystem, SMEs need a strategic tool for managing co-evolution with the dynamic environment in order to create sustained value. Drawing from the specific SME characteristics operating in a collaborative network ecosystem of firms, this paper elicits the specific strategic management requirements that need to be satisfied by a Business Architecture. Extensive exploratory literature review and semi-structured interviews are used to explicate the underlying drivers of SME’s requirements for business architecture that need to be addressed by the requisite BA practice. The paper finds that, the BA practice must possess the capabilities to guide and assist the SMEs to adapt with the dynamic collaborative ecosystem of firms and sense, leverage and orchestrate the network of resources and ICT capabilities to create sustained value. This paper concludes with some guidelines for developing the business architecture-enabled journey toward creating sustained value within the said dynamic ecosystem

External managers, family ownership and the scope of SME internationalization

SMEs are important to world business and the majority of SMEs are family firms. Yet some family SMEs are inert, local firms while others are dynamic and international. Do certain governance structures encourage the scale and scope of their internationalization? We jointly apply social capital and corporate governance theories to explain the scope of family SMEs internationalization, and find that professional managers externally recruited from outside the family are important, but only for lower levels of family ownership, suggesting synergistic combinations of ownership and management. It is the combination of external capital with external managers that really works

Antecedents and impact of AIS usage amongst Jordanian SMEs : moderating effects of environmental uncertainty and firm size

An effective use of the Accounting Information System (AIS) facilitates firms to sustain their competitiveness by providing timely, accurate and reliable financial information for more informed business decisions. Despite extensive government efforts, the usage of AIS amongst the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan is relatively low and thus limiting the impact on firms‘ effectiveness. Furthermore, previous studies regarding the antecedents and impact of AIS usage are somewhat inconsistent. Thus, the purpose of this study was to propose an integrated model utilizing the Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) framework and the Resource-based View (RBV) theory to better explain the antecedents affecting AIS usage and its impact on AIS effectiveness amongst Jordanian SMEs. This study hypothesized seven factors affecting AIS usage based on the TOE framework. Meanwhile, RBV explained the relationship between AIS usage and AIS effectiveness as well as the moderating effects of environmental uncertainty and firm size on such relationships. Using the quantitative approach, this study employed a self-administered questionnaire survey on 741 owners of SMEs listed in the Amman Chamber Industry, of which 186 responses were usable for analysis (25% response rate). The Partial Least Squares (PLS) results revealed significant influence of compatibility (technological factor), owner/manager commitment and organizational readiness (organizational factors), as well as competitive pressure and government support (environmental factors) on AIS usage. Furthermore, compatibility demonstrated the strongest influence on AIS usage followed by competitive pressure. The results further demonstrated a positive and significant effect of AIS usage on AIS effectiveness. Finally, the findings only ascertained considerable moderating effect of firm size. Apart from extending the body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive model to explain how several interrelated factors influence AIS usage and its impact on AIS effectiveness, the results offer insights on how firms could improve the use of AIS for better firms‘ performance