Strategy dynamics in small to medium-sized enterprises : Evidence from UK manufacturing SMEs

This paper discusses the strategy management in small to medium-sized enterprises. It was presented at the 16th international European operations management association conference in 2009

Business process modelling in small- to medium-sized enterprises

Data flow analysis is used in a novel context for business process modelling. A framework is presented together with its enterprise modelling concepts and the associated modelling tools. The framework was specifically developed for small- to medium-sized industries. The strengths and weaknesses of the general data flow analysis approach are discussed in terms of its suitability for Hong Kong's small- to medium-sized industries. A case example is also presented to illustrate the methodology.published_or_final_versio

Facebook and Branding of Small To Medium-Sized Enterprises

Small to Medium Size Enterprise (SME) owners face many challenges as they strive to keep their businesses afloat. Although these challenges vary, one of the most prevalent is the inability to market effectively. Over 50% of SMEs close within the first five years (Cronin-Gilmore, 2012). This case study explored the relationship between Facebook and SMEs’ brands, and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). Through the examination of these relationships, the study identified barriers that hinder SMEs ability to use Facebook effectively and further strengthen their branding strategies. Facebook can be an inexpensive marketing tool that SME owners has access; however, challenges exist, as their training and use of Facebook in many instances are self-taught. The often lack knowledge in how to translate the activity into revenue. To address the effectiveness of SME’s use of Facebook on SMEs, the primary research questions are: RQ1: How do SMEs in Tennessee use Facebook to brand their business? RQ2: How do SMEs in Tennessee use Facebook to develop online marketing strategies

Strategic Marketing by Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Although there are many stages involved within the strategic planning process which makes the process somewhat daunting and difficult to follow to the letter for SMEs, research suggests that strategic marketing plays an important role for the success of many businesses. The literature review conducted for this research suggests that many authors writing in the subject domain focus on such activities in large organisations when providing details on how to adapt the strategic marketing approach, and they tend to ignore these issues in relation to small and medium size organisations. To identify the importance of the strategic marketing approach for such organisations, research was conducted within a SME in order to find out the importance of strategic marketing for this business. The main focus in this Case Study approach was to identify if the organisation could adapt the strategic marketing approach within its unique environment in order to increase its sales and revenue figures. The findings suggested that the organisation’s financial resources were the main issue impacting on strategic marketing planning; it is suggested that SMEs, due to lack of resources, might not follow the recommended approach to planning and may avoid some stages in the process in order to save money. The research indicates that there is a dearth of literature available for SMEs in this important subject domain as many books and authors tend only to focus on the process linked to large organisations

Holonic Business Process Modeling in Small to Medium Sized Enterprises

Holonic modeling analysis which is the application of system thinking in design, manage, and improvement, is used in a novel context for business process modeling. An approach and techniques of holon and holarchies is presented specifically for small and medium sized enterprise process modeling development. The fitness of the approach is compared with well known reductionist or task breakdown approach. The strength and weaknesses of the holonic modeling is discussed with illustrating case example in term of its suitability for an Indonesia's small and medium sized industry. The novel ideas in this paper have great impact on the way analyst should perceive business process. Future research is applying the approach in supply chain context

Connecting for Impact - Multidisciplinary Approaches to Innovation in Small to Medium Sized enterprises (SMEs)

This paper reveals the methodology developed and adopted by groups of Multidisciplinary Design Innovation Masters students whilst working on projects with regional Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SME’s). It exposes an eight-stage approach and shows how the creation of a ‘problem-space tapestry’ acts as a mediator between different disciplinary approaches. The authors used a combination of observation, interview, post project-analysis and auto ethnographic reflection in order to uncover this process and to draw conclusions about the conditions that are necessary to support university based multidisciplinary design-led innovation projects of this type

Developing supply chain methodologies for small to medium sized enterprises

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN044646 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Intrusion Prevention And Detection in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises

This paper will examine in depth the reluctance of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement cybersecurity measures amidst the growing threat of cyberattacks. Small businesses encompass the vast majority of for profit and nonprofit organizations in the world. Due to the growing connectedness of the global economy through the Internet and e-business, the reluctance of SMEs to invest in security measures threatens the very existence of many organizations and their partners. The detection and defense against attacks through intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) are two solutions that assist in detecting and deflecting potential breaches of security. An extensive look at how both IDS and IPS can provide meaningful solutions to SMEs through their visibility and control measures (including their unique characteristics, applications, and limitations) will be explored

Holonic Business Process Modeling in Small to Medium Sized Enterprises

Holonic modeling analysis which is the application of system thinking in design, manage, and improvement, is used in a novel context for business process modeling. An approach and techniques of holon and holarchies is presented specifically for small and medium sized enterprise process modeling development. The fitness of the approach is compared with well known reductionist or task breakdown approach. The strength and weaknesses of the holonic modeling is discussed with illustrating case example in term of its suitability for an Indonesia’s small and medium sized industry. The novel ideas in this paper have great impact on the way analyst should perceive business process. Future research is applying the approach in supply chain context.Key words: Business process, holonic modeling, operations management, small to medium sized enterpris

Impact of information and communication technology in Nigerian small-to medium-sized enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this (qualitative, multiple-case) study is to determine how small-to medium-sized enterprise (SME) leaders in Nigeria use information and communication technology (ICT) adoption as a business strategy to increase profitability and compete globally. Design/methodology/approach – The participants for this study consisted of executive-level SME leaders who had the authority to approve ICT implementation within their respective organizations. Individual interviews were undertaken with participants to gain an understanding of their experience of determining the merits of and implementing ICT. The technology acceptance model, which specifies the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward computer use and intention to use technology, was applied as a framework to explain the Nigerian SME’s ICT adoption strategies. Findings – Four major themes emerged from the data analysis: ICT adoption factors, ICT roles and benefits, role of government and SME success factors. The findings of this study may help SME leaders and government leaders address many of the factors inhibiting the adoption of ICT in SMEs in Nigeria. Practical implications – This study may ensure that SMEs are successful and able to create jobs, which in turn may help to promote socioeconomic development through adoption of ICT. Originality/value – The findings from this study contribute to the knowledge base regarding factors that affect ICT adoption by SME leaders as a business strategy to increase profitability and compete globally, particularly within SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria. It further addressed the gap in existing literature regarding other factors such as the influence of culture on ICT adoption, cost of ICT implementation, available ICT skills, infrastructure and ICT knowledge gap as the primary impeding factors of ICT adoption in Nigerian SMEs.Objetivo - El propósito de este estudio (cualitativo, de casos múltiples) es determinar cómo los líderes de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYME) en Nigeria utilizan la adopción de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) como estrategia comercial para aumentar la rentabilidad y competir a nivel mundial. Diseño / metodología / enfoque - Los participantes de este estudio consistieron en líderes de pymes de nivel ejecutivo que tenían la autoridad para aprobar la implementación de las TIC dentro de sus respectivas organizaciones. Se realizaron entrevistas individuales con los participantes para comprender su experiencia en la determinación de los méritos y la implementación de las TIC. El modelo de aceptación de la tecnología, que especifica la relación entre la utilidad percibida, la facilidad de uso percibida, la actitud hacia el uso de la computadora y la intención de utilizar la tecnología, se aplicó como marco para explicar las estrategias de adopción de las TIC de la PYME nigeriana. Recomendaciones - Del análisis de datos surgieron cuatro temas principales: factores de adopción de las TIC, funciones y beneficios de las TIC, función del gobierno y factores de éxito de las PYME. Los hallazgos de este estudio pueden ayudar a los líderes de las PYME y los líderes gubernamentales a abordar muchos de los factores que inhiben la adopción de las TIC en las PYME en Nigeria. Implicaciones prácticas - Este estudio puede garantizar que las PYME tengan éxito y puedan crear puestos de trabajo, lo que a su vez puede ayudar a promover el desarrollo socioeconómico mediante la adopción de las TIC. Originalidad / valor - Los hallazgos de este estudio contribuyen a la base de conocimientos sobre los factores que afectan la adopción de las TIC por parte de los líderes de las pymes como estrategia comercial para aumentar la rentabilidad y competir a nivel mundial, particularmente dentro de las pymes en Lagos, Nigeria. Además, abordó la brecha en la literatura existente con respecto a otros factores como la influencia de la cultura en la adopción de las TIC, el costo de la implementación de las TIC, las habilidades disponibles en TIC, la infraestructura y la brecha de conocimiento de las TIC como los principales factores que obstaculizan la adopción de las TIC en las PYME nigerianas