Constraints to the development of MSMEs in Assam, India: do owner-managers’ background characteristics and firm-specific characteristics matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Sahnewaz Sanu ◽  
Shabana Anjum
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Innovation Activity ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Firm Characteristics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Perceived Constraints

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to identify the major constraints to the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a less-developed region of an emerging economy and how these constraints are affected by owner/manager's attributes and firm-specific characteristics.Design/methodology/approachTo fulfill the objectives, a structured questionnaire is used to gather data from 200 randomly selected MSMEs located in Cachar district of Assam, India. The study applies factor analysis to categorize various perceived constraints into resolute sets of problem variables or factors. Then, the summated scales are regressed on the predictors related to owner-manager's attributes and firm characteristics to validate the hypotheses.FindingsThe results demonstrate that the broad factors constraining the development of MSMEs in Cachar district are as follows: (1) financial issues, (2) infrastructure problems, (3) labor and management issues, (4) market problems and (5) input problems. Furthermore, the findings confirm that firm growth, size, age, sector, location, innovation activity, owner-manager's gender, age and level of education significantly affect the identified constraints.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the research is limited to the Cachar district of India, the findings are relevant for other similar districts of India and less-developed regions of emerging economies. However, the study needs to be replicated in other regions of India as well as in other emerging economies for cross-validation and to determine the generalizability of the results.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, no studies linking the constraints faced by MSMEs to owner/manager's attributes and firm-specific characteristics are carried out in the north-eastern region of India. The study also extends the limited researches on the influence of owner-manager's attributes and firm characteristics on the constraints to the growth of MSMEs by incorporating additional predictors.

Implementing strategic responses in the COVID-19 market crisis: a study of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guydeuk Yeon ◽  
Paul C. Hong ◽  
Elangovan N. ◽  
Divakar G. M.
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Strategic Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies. This paper aims to examine how India's SMEs implement their strategic responses in this crisis. Design/methodology/approach The study uses dynamic capability theory to explore the strategic responses of SMEs. Strategy implementation theory helps to explain how they implement innovative practices for outcomes. A research model defines the COVID-19 challenges, strategic responses and performance outcomes. The study reports the findings of an initial pilot study of 75 firms and follow-up case study results in the context of COVID-19. Findings Firms choose their approaches according to their perceived market risks. Case studies illustrate that firms display diverse attitudes depending on their strategic direction, leadership vision and organizational culture. They achieve different outcomes by implementing specific styles of risk management practices (e.g. risk-averting, risk-taking and risk-thriving). Research limitations/implications Although the study context is Indian SMEs, the findings suggest meaningful lessons for other emerging economies in similar crisis events. The propositions may be extended to future research in broad contexts. Practical implications Even in the extraordinary COVID-19 market crisis, SMEs with limited resources display their strategic potential by recognizing their unique capabilities, translating them into effective actions and achieving desirable outcomes. Social implications In the COVID-19 pandemic, top leaders' mental attitude, strategic perspective and routine practices are contagious. Positive leadership motivates both internal and external stakeholders with an enormous level of collaboration. Originality/value This rare study of Indian SMEs provides a theoretical framework for designing a pilot survey and conducting a case study of multiple firms. Based on these findings, testable propositions are articulated for future research in diverse organizational and national contexts.

scholarly journals Innovative solutions to tap “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises” (MSME) market

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-52
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mohsin Hakeem
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Risk Sharing ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Profit Sharing ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Collaborative Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Net Worth ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to indicate an innovative solution to address the financing issues faced by “Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises” (MSME) in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) especially Islamic banks are competing for high net worth individuals, whereas the MSME sector is largely untapped. A collaborative model for IFIs is suggested, to explore the MSME sector. Islamic Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs) are operating in these markets through their extensive gross route networks. The multistep collaborative model proposes “Special Purpose Entity (SPE)” partially owned by a single Islamic Bank or consortium and NBFI/s. SPEs can be incorporated with a defined scope, focus areas, risk profile, budget and shareholding patterns. Findings Risk and profit sharing instruments also known as Musharakah and Mudarabah have less than 6 percent share within total financing offered by Islamic banks globally. Risk sharing products offered by Islamic banks are not targeting this sector due to the underdevelopment of instruments, lack of knowledge and resources. Proposed SPEs can operate regionally with a concentration on specific business sectors. Originality/value The SPE model would enable Islamic banks to enter the huge MSME market while mitigating risk. On the contrary, it would enable the large segments of emerging economies (bottom 40 percent population of developing nations) to get involved and actively play their role to attain long-term development goals.

Corporate governance: a conscious approach for Asia and emerging economies

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Rajablu
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Economic Transition ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Models ◽  
Anglo American ◽  
Asian Economy ◽  
Corporate Governance Practice ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose Asian economy in transition is facing great deal of challenges, so its corporate governance. This paper investigates the dominant corporate governance models practiced under the liberal market capitalism, cooperative capitalism, collective capitalism and the state capitalism across the continents and proposes conscious governance approach for Asia and emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores and compares Anglo-American and Continental European corporate governance models. The report further investigates the development of corporate governance across Asian publicly listed companies, state-owned enterprises, small and medium enterprises and other privately held large enterprises, and raises questions and concerns and derives conclusion. Findings The Asian experience of imposing Western corporate governance models is more of a simplification of tasks based on political, cultural and globalization needs rather than the regions’ economic, financial and social development reality. Practical implications The unique proposition of conscious corporate governance aligns corporate governance practice with Asian socio-economic transition vision and helps with further development and reforms. Originality/value The paper adds to the existing efforts and triggers a fresh view to the Asian and emerging economies corporate governance research and strategy.

Identifying the focal role of top management paradoxical cognition in ambidextrous firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparna Venugopal ◽  
Krishnan T.N. ◽  
Manish Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Organizational Ambidexterity ◽  
Upper Echelons ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioral Integration ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose Past studies have associated top management’s paradoxical cognition and actions with the ambidextrous performance of firms. Compared to large firms, the top management members of small firms play a focal role in resolving the paradoxical tensions of explorative and exploitative innovation strategies. Anchored in the upper echelons perspective, the purpose of this paper is to explore the influences of two top management team (TMT) processes on organizational ambidexterity: TMT behavioral integration and TMT involvement in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach The research is set in the context of 78 hi-tech SMEs across IT, biotech, and electronics industry. Multiple responses were collected from each firm. The authors used hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses. Findings The findings from this paper demonstrate that the process of TMT behavioral integration enhances organizational ambidexterity. However, the results show that neither the top management’s involvement, nor the interaction of the top management’s involvement with the behavioral integration of a TMT, enhances organizational ambidexterity. Research limitations/implications The limited examination of two TMT processes has restricted the scope of this paper. The study has also been unable to measure paradoxical cognition in the TMT objectively and without proxy measures. Originality/value The results from this study add to the existing literature on paradoxical cognition, ambidexterity, and behavioral integration. The results from this study also lend support to the upper echelons perspective. Further, the findings from this paper present significant practical implications by throwing light on the senior team processes necessary for small ambidextrous firms in emerging economies. The volatile and rather unpredictable nature of emerging economies underscore the relevance of examining the facilitating conditions of small ambidextrous firms in these countries.

Strategic flexibility and SME performance in an emerging economy

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai Guo ◽  
Zhi Cao
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Strategic Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Ties ◽  
Contingency View ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities Perspective

Purpose – This study aims to address the following question: when strategic flexibility can be most beneficial to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the context of emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on dynamic capabilities perspective, this study builds a contingency model and examines it with survey data collected from 166 SMEs in China. Findings – This study finds that the relationship between strategic flexibility and firm performance is extensively moderated by external (competitive intensity and environmental munificence), internal (resource combination activities), as well as bridging factors (managerial ties). Originality/value – The findings contribute to the contingency view of strategic flexibility and firm performance research by incorporating insights from the dynamic capabilities perspective and by expanding the scope of existing research to emerging economies.

Utilizing social capital

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings For small and medium enterprises in emerging economies, social capital is a crucial resource, often untapped. This is something that central governments need to address to support the SMEs in their economies. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

scholarly journals How Firm Characteristic on Capital Structure Can Improve Technology Improvement in Malaysian Manufacturing SMEs?

2021 ◽  
Vol 124 ◽  
pp. 04003
Author(s):  
Kuah Yoke Chin ◽  
Zuriawati Zakaria ◽  
Choong Chee Keong
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
External Financing ◽  
Firm Characteristics ◽  
Corporate Managers ◽  
Optimal Capital Structure ◽  
Technology Improvement ◽  
Tangible Asset ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is a important contribution to boost the economies overall the world. In fact, SMEs always struggle to access the financing compared list company. There are several factors influence the capital structure decision in SMEs. This study focuses on manufacturing SMEs companies and examines the influence of firm characteristics (firm size, tangible asset, liquidity, profitability and firm growth) on capital structure towards technology improvement. The results showed only liquidity and firm growth were found to be positive significantly affect the external financing. Furthermore, internal and external financing also able improve the manufacturing’s technology performance. Conclusion, different firm characteristics have different leverage privileges which trying to attain optimal capital structure. The variations in the capital structures affect the costs of equity or debt and cost of capital. This study provides benchmarks for corporate managers in SMEs when making a company’s decision on the company’s performance.

scholarly journals What Prompts Small and Medium Enterprises to Implement CSR? A Qualitative Insight from an Emerging Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zengming Zou ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Naveed Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Safdar Sial ◽  
Alina Badulescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Customer Behavior ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Management Commitment ◽  
Top Management Commitment ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

The topic of corporate social responsibility (henceforth referred to as CSR) has been a central topic during the last decade, but the majority of the existing literature discusses CSR relationship with large organizations. Whereas, its contribution in small and medium enterprises (henceforth referred to as SME) sector has received little attention. There have been some studies that focused on CSR activities in SME sector quantitatively in the context of developing economies like Pakistan, but the fact is, to date, SME sector of Pakistan is not participating actively in CSR-related activities due to some constraints. The present study is a pioneer attempt, to explore CSR barriers that restrict SME sector of Pakistan from practicing CSR initiatives. For this reason, the present study explores these barriers qualitatively in order to gain in-depth knowledge of different CSR barriers. In doing so, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews from 9 SMEs in Lahore city of Pakistan. We performed thematic analysis, which produced five relevant themes of CSR barriers, including: Lack of resources, lack of regulations, lack of top management commitment, lack of CSR knowledge, and passive customer behavior. Our analysis further showed that lack of resources is the most related barrier that hinder SMEs to be engaged in CSR activities. This paper contributes to CSR literature in emerging economies’ context. Through an increased awareness of barriers, policy makers and practitioners may take necessary steps to improve CSR practices in SMEs.

Twiga Hosting Ltd – providing affordable information and communication technologies services to small and medium enterprises

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Juma James Masele
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises

TitleTwiga Hosting Ltd – providing affordable information and communication technologies services to small and medium enterprises.Subject areaThe case describes the launch of Twiga Hosting Ltd, a company providing information and communication technology (ICT) services to the underserved small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in Tanzania and in a many countries in Africa.Study level/applicabilityThis case targets a range of audience from undergraduate students taking both Bachelor of Commerce and those taking Bachelor of Business Administration; and Postgraduate students taking business‐related courses. Nonetheless, the case may be used by all other learners of advanced studies in entrepreneurship and innovation management.Case overviewThe case addresses a number of issues including: Issues to be considered when starting an ICT enterprise. Strategic management. Business revenue models.Expected learning outcomes To impart/inculcate entrepreneurial insights in ICT and related areas. To make learners aware of the business growth opportunities in ICT ventures. The success factors for fruitful ICT ventures. To enable learners to identify challenges facing entrepreneurs in ICT ventures and the ways to overcome them.Supplementary materialsTeaching notes.

Relevant factors of innovation contests for SMEs

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1196-1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Isabel Rodriguez Ferradas ◽  
José A. Alfaro Tanco ◽  
Francesco Sandulli
Keyword(s):  
New Product Development ◽  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Context Factors ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Design Factors ◽  
Relevant Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevant factors that influence the implementation of innovation contests, an open innovation (OI) practice that has been extensively reported in the literature as a managerial tool for external knowledge search. The authors focus the study on the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach The approach is a retrospective case study. This methodology allows an in-depth view into a Spanish SME that successfully undertook two new product development processes thanks to the deployment of innovation contests. Findings The main context factors influencing innovation contests as managerial tool are ambidexterity, technological and marketing turbulence and intermediaries, among others. Regarding design factors, this work highlights the role of attraction and facilitation. Additionally, the repetitive implementation of innovation contests creates a corporate culture that promotes OI activities. Practical implications Managers will understand that they can use innovation contests as a managerial tool, and knowing the factors that need to be taken into account when implementing an innovation contest will help SMEs managers to make better use of this practice. Originality/value This case study enriches the literature of both innovation contests and topics relevant to SMEs. Based on a theoretical framework of the design factors that influence the implementation of innovation contests, the authors propose a research framework that incorporates those context factors in association with an SME.

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