Examining the determinants of small firms' performance in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Kumar Sinha ◽  
Aswini Kumar Mishra ◽  
Manogna RL ◽  
Rohit Prabhudesai

PurposeThe objective of the study is to analyse the impact of research and development investment on the firm performance of “small” scale firms vis-a-vis “medium”-scale firms.Design/methodology/approachThe dataset comprised of a balanced panel of 486 research and development conducting Indian manufacturing small and medium enterprises, constructed for the period of 2006–2017. Fixed Effects, Random Effects Model and Hausmann test were used to analyse the determinants of firm performance in manufacturing small and medium enterprises in India.FindingsIt was found that from firms’ research and development (R&D) investments in terms of performance could be attained if simultaneously internationalisation and higher capital intensity could be achieved.Practical implicationsManagers could pay specific attention to the antecedents of firm performance and calibrate their R&D investment, internationalisation efforts and capital intensity simultaneously to achieve higher growth and productivity. For policymakers, the results provide an insight into how the firms in both categories could be differently incentivised, such that resources are better utilised.Originality/valueThe study analysed the determinants of firm performance in small and medium-sized firms at a disaggregate level as well as at a sectoral level using fixed effects, random effects and lagged effects to arrive at novel results, which have important implications for their competitiveness.

2019 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 210-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleš Popovič ◽  
Borut Puklavec ◽  
Tiago Oliveira

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of how post-adoption use of business intelligence system (BIS) affects firm performance. It develops and empirically tests a conceptual model for assessing the impact of BIS routine and innovative usage on firm performance the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the data collected from 181 SMEs we analyzed how BIS usage influences firm performance using the PLS-SEM method.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights about how BIS routine and innovative usage affect firm performance.Practical implicationsThe results provide instrumental insights for managers and solution providers to help them understand the influence of various determinants to more effectively conclude the post-adoption process in SMEs.Originality/valueThis study represents important progress in the authors’ theoretical understanding of the role of BIS routine and innovative usage across different BIS partial impacts on firm performance dimensions.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla ◽  
Shiv Kumar

Purpose This paper aims to examine technical efficiency and its determinants in Indian textile garments industry in post-agreement on textiles and clothing regime and evaluate the technical efficiency among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) firms. Design/methodology/approach This study uses unbalanced panel data for the period 2005–2010 to 2015–2016. The stochastic frontier function is used to estimate technical efficiency and its determinants. Findings The results show that the overall ecosystem of textile garments’ value chains could be improved to enhance the technical efficiency thereof. The result also reveals that small-scale firms have the highest technical efficiency scores, and medium-scale firms have the least technical efficiency score among all the categories of MSMEs. Research limitations/implications The textile garments industry needs to define its innovation strategies, as these strategies lead to different results that can be achieved only through the management of resources dedicated to the generation and implementation of innovations. Practical implications This study has shown that to offset India’s cost disadvantage in the international markets, there is a need to develop an ecosystem of textile manufacturing and value chains, eliminate the inverted duty structure (where inputs are taxed at a higher rate than the final product) and switch over from shuttle looms toward shuttle-less looms. This would unleash the potential of textile and garments industry and make it globally competitive and technically efficient. Further, there will be an alignment with the ease of doing business with an appropriate mix of policy, technology, institution, infrastructure, information and services. Originality/value Using frontier production function takes stochastic context into account for the dynamic character of technical efficiency and its components. Most of the past studies have assessed technical efficiency at the aggregate level using three-digit National Industrial Classification (NIC) or four-digit NIC code. An analysis at higher levels of aggregation masks the variation in technical efficiency. This study used five-digit NIC data to measure the firm-specific technical efficiency of the textile industry. According to the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in the Indian textile industry using stochastic frontier approach and panel data. Further, it also looks at the contribution of different determinants in technical efficiency to the firms.


2020 ◽  
pp. 49-68
Author(s):  
Waqas Ahmad ◽  
Zaheer Abbas ◽  
Zulfiqar Ali Shah

Purpose- The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of financial constraints on firm performance. The role of financial development in reducing financial constraints is also investigated. Design/methodology/approach- Data from two waves of World Bank Enterprise Surveys from 2007 to 2013 was used to construct the required variables. A balanced sample of 427 firms was selected and a fixed-effect model was used for empirical estimations. Findings- The findings indicate the significance of access to finance in terms of explaining firm performance. Improvement in access to finance led to subsequent improvement in firm performance as measured by labour productivity. The role of financial development in reducing credit constraints is not as expected. The concentration of lending to the private sector in the hands of large corporations at the expense of small and medium enterprises could be the reason for such a result. Originality/value – Most of the work in this area is focused on large listed firms. The present study focused primarily on small and medium-sized enterprises in Pakistan. Multiple measures of financial constraints and firm performance were used for robustness. The investigation also covers the role of financial development and its microeconomic implications at the level of an enterprise.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Papa ◽  
Gabriele Santoro ◽  
Lia Tirabeni ◽  
Filippo Monge

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of social media usage on four knowledge creation processes, namely socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation, and innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach A sample of 96 SMEs has been used to gather data through a standardised questionnaire and test the hypotheses through OLS regression models. Findings The results indicate that social media influence positively three out of four knowledge creation processes and that they help to foster the innovation process. Originality/value From a theoretical perspective, the study contributes to literature considering a specific digital tool and its effect on knowledge creation and innovation. In fact, a few studies have considered the impact of social media usage on other variables, such as ROI and productivity, but never on knowledge creation and innovation through a quantitative study. From a managerial perspective, the research suggests managers to implement and involve social media within business and innovation processes.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Mehta ◽  
Manpreet Kaur

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges faced by the Ludhiana’s woolen knitwear industry that got accentuated with the outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The paper discusses the road map for building capabilities within the industry from the perspective of “system of innovation” approach that would help the industry to comply with the recent call for “AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.” Design Methodology Approach The woolen knitwear industry from Ludhiana district of North Indian state, Punjab, was taken as a case to examine the impact of COVID-19. Data was collected online through self-structured questionnaire along with telephonic interviews. Stage I was the period of “total lock-down” and Stage II was conducted after the announcement of “stimulus package” and during the unlocking period. Some local industry associations and labor unions were also interviewed to understand the wider perspectives of different stakeholders. Descriptive statistic was applied to analyze the results of the survey. Findings It is estimated that the industry would lose about INR 2,000 crores approximately US$282.1m with the monetary loss of man-days nearing INR 157 crores approximately US$22.1m for the total lockdown period of 68 days. This amount is feared to increase with the lackluster re-opening of the industry in the unlocking period. The study reveals that there were some concerns, such as infrastructural bottlenecks, obsolete internal and international connectivity and institutional rigidity with cumbersome rules and regulations that get heightened with the outbreak of COVID-19. The entrepreneurs and workers are skeptic regarding the nature of demand revival in the changing world economic order. The paper suggests a dynamic policy intervention with inbuilt feedback mechanism along with reviving the organizations to infuse enthusiasm among various actors of industry. Originality/value The study is one of the first few to conduct surveys at two different stages to assess the impact of COVID-19 from the perspective of micro, small and medium enterprises and workers working therein while taking the case of Ludhiana woolen knitwear industry. The findings of this study will aid the industry and policymakers to take essential steps to make the industry more innovative and competitive in the dynamic world market.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-525
Author(s):  
Nischay Arora ◽  
Balwinder Singh

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance mechanisms, i.e. board structure and ownership structure on the underpricing of small and medium enterprises (SME) IPOs in India. Design/methodology/approach Most of the extant empirical research studies have either pivoted on mainstream IPOs or SMEs IPOs in developed economies, but the present study examines 200 SME IPOs issued during Feb 2012 to April 2017. Multiple regressions have been used to examine the impact of the corporate governance mechanisms on raw return (RR). Furthermore, robustness of the results has been verified through the employment of market-adjusted excess return (MAER) as an additional proxy of underpricing. Findings The results highlight that board size, inverse of board committees, board independence, board age, board directorships positively, and top ten shareholding negatively influence RR. Further, direction of promoter ownership variable indicates curvilinear relationship with underpricing. Other explanatory variables used in model lack statistical validity. Similar results have been obtained when variables were regressed against MAER with related board members being additionally significant in model. Practical implications The findings suggest that Indian investors do take cues from board structure and ownership patterns for making investment decisions in small- and medium-sized firms. Further, the results are also helpful to top management in structuring their boards. Originality/value The present research enriches SME IPOs underpricing literature because the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on unadjusted returns is relatively under explored particularly within the context of small- and medium-sized firms.


2010 ◽  
Vol 110 (9) ◽  
pp. 1319-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.T.S. Ho ◽  
K.L. Choy ◽  
S.H. Chung ◽  
C.H.Y. Lam

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the factors, such as the different strategies adopted and the size of the company, that have a significant determining impact on the financial performance of companies in extreme circumstances.Design/methodology/approachThe research target of this paper is the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong. This is quantitative research and it is done on a survey basis, which includes hypothesis setting and statistical analysis. In addition, constructive suggestions are given to companies after analyzing the current situation.FindingsIn total, ten factors from four dimensions are determined as the critical strategies for the company to adopt in an uncertain financial situation. The result shows the influence of different factors on return on investment for the companies with different backgrounds.Practical implicationsThe business environment today is full of turbulence and uncertainties; this, along with the fierce global competition, means that manufacturers are all struggling to survive. The financial tsunami that has swept across the global economy is believed to be the most catastrophic in living memory. Therefore, this research will be especially valuable and useful to companies which wish to achieve excellence in business performance in spite of such a global disaster.Originality/valueManufacturers worldwide have suffered badly from the impact of the financial tsunami. The SMEs in Hong Kong are certainly not an exception. However, under the same adverse conditions, some have been able to maintain their stability or even thrive. The findings suggest some specific corporate strategies which will enable companies to survive and remain competitive.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ploypailin Kijkasiwat ◽  
Pongsutti Phuensane

This study examines the moderating effect of firm size on the relationship between innovation and firm performance of small and medium enterprises in 29 countries in Eastern European and Central Asia. The study also investigates whether the impact of innovation in products and processes on firm performance is affected by financial capital. The method applied is partial least square structural equation modelling. The findings indicate that firm size and the financial capital both moderate and mediate the impact of innovation on firm performance, positively or negatively. The findings have implications for decision makers by highlighting the significance of firm size and financial sources when planning to introduce innovations to enhance firm performance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surjit Kumar Gandhi ◽  
Anish Sachdeva ◽  
Ajay Gupta

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role played by service quality (SQ) in manufacturer–distributor working partnerships in the context of Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and present two models which propose and validate that contributions toward SQ, made by both the manufacturing unit and distribution firm lead to satisfaction which consequently results in business-to-business (B2B) loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe research design for this study includes a combination of literature review, exploratory interviews with a focus group and a questionnaire survey conducted through interview schedule from 101 information rich and willing respondents working in SMEs of northern India.FindingsThe paper brings out scales foe measuring organizational (internal) and distributor (external) SQ. Further, two models using structural equation modeling are developed. Model-I examines the effect of organizational SQ on distributor SQ. Model-II examines the impact of distributor SQ on satisfaction and loyalty and also tests a set of four propositions related to their working relationship. The models are empirically tested and are found to be fit.Research limitations/implicationsFuture researchers may validate these scales, and empirically test the proposed models in alternate settings. Insights derived from this study may be transferred to other partnerships, which may exist in a manufacturing supply chain including suppliers, employees, retailers and end consumers.Practical implicationsThis study would be of interest to SME practitioners interested in improving SQ with their distributors. The study also finds support for strengthening collaborative relationships with B2B partners to achieve a win-win situation.Originality/valueThere are very few empirical studies that measure SQ w.r.t. distribution function in SMEs and the concept is in nascent stage, especially in Indian setting.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abul Khayer ◽  
Nusrat Jahan ◽  
Md. Nahin Hossain ◽  
Md. Yahin Hossain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of cloud computing adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), further, to measure the effect of cloud computing adoption on cloud-supported firm performance through enhancing organisational agility. Design/methodology/approach The research model is developed by combining two popular theoretical models, namely, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the technology–organisation–environment (TOE) framework. Data are collected from 372 SMEs to test the model. The strengths of widely used structural equation modelling (SEM) are applied to analyse the data. Findings This study reveals that the significant predictors of cloud computing adoption are performance expectancy; effort expectancy; absorptive capacity; data security and privacy; and perceived trust. Also, cloud computing adoption positively influences firm performance directly and through organisational agility. The results of importance–performance map analysis indicate that effort expectancy falls in the critical zone, which needs to be improved. Originality/value This research is one of few that blends the strengths of UTAUT and TOE framework. The research outcomes yield noteworthy suggestions to cloud providers, managers and government policymakers on ways of motivating the spread of cloud computing in developing countries.


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