Challenges and constrains faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Al Batinah governorate of Oman

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaroug Osman Bilal ◽  
Nawal Said Al Mqbali
Keyword(s):  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Investment Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nonparametric Testing ◽  
Medium Enterprise ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose – Although many studies have been conducted in this area in many countries, there is still, a few studies on these enterprises have been done in Oman concerning the obstacles and constrains. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – The main purpose of this paper is to throw light on the challenges and constraints faced by small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in Al Batinah Governorate of Oman and try to give some suggestions to solve problems. Findings – The data have been gathered through questionnaires from SMEs in Al Batinah Governorate in Oman. The descriptive analysis has been used to analyze the data, nonparametric testing and analysis of variance. Originality/value – After the data have been analyzed, the results show that obstacles and constrains facing SMEs in Al Batinah Governorate accordance to their importance are as follows: the investment environment come fist obstacles, capabilities of business owners come second, followed by the marketing obstacles, finance obstacles, while the legislations and regulations obstacles came last. Some of the recommendations have been presented which call for more attention and concentration on solving the obstacles facing SMES in Oman.

scholarly journals Perception towards Regulatory Burden on Small and Medium Enterprises Performance: A Case Study in Shashemene Town, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Ofgaha Alemu Dire ◽  
Wegene Bekele Bekelcha
Keyword(s):  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Regulatory Burden ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprise ◽  
Arsi Zone ◽  
Medium Enterprise ◽  
Broad Objective ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The study focuses on “perception towards regulatory burden on small and medium enterprise performance” in Shashemene town, west Arsi zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. The study adopted a qualitative research approach to address broad objective through answering research questions developed by a researchers. Specifically, this study used questionnaire to collect data from SMEs business owners, managers and employees and in-depth interview conducted. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The information obtained from a samples of the 140 small and medium enterprise and through face-to-face interview of 10 owners of SMEs business. The respondents were selected using stratified sampling techniques. The result of the study show that small and medium enterprise challenges from different factors as they perceived from the challenges of regulatory burden and identifies mechanisms used to mitigate problems from regulatory burden and how much the regulators have smooth contact with them and to what extent regulators made inspections. Moreover, the result indicated the perception of SMEs businesses towards regulatory burden. As a whole, the study suggests a series of measures should be taken by government policy, makers and regulators for SMEs performance. Researchers’ conclude and recommend that government bodies, Small and medium enterprise business owners, managers, employees and policy makers should focus on regulation to reduce regulatory burden on small and medium enterprises.

The effect of leadership orientation on innovation and its relationship with competitive advantages of small and medium enterprises in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 530-542
Author(s):  
Samsir Samsir
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Leadership Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Typical Food ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of leadership orientation on competitive advantage with innovation as a mediating (intervening) variable. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative methods (Creswell, 2010) are used as the study design. It is an explanatory research with the purpose of explaining the phenomenon or pattern of correlation between concepts (Kothary, 2004). SMEs (small and medium entrepreneurs) of typical food products of Riau domiciled in Kepulauan Meranti Regency are the focus of this study; the sample size included 258 respondents. Findings There is a significant effect of leadership orientation on innovation. Higher leadership orientation will result in higher innovation. There is a significant effect of innovation on competitive advantage. Higher innovation will result in higher competitive advantage. Innovation as a mediation variable in the relationship between leadership orientation and competitive advantage indicates that higher leadership orientation will cause a higher competitive advantage, if the mediated innovation is also higher. Originality/value The originality of this research lies in innovation as a mediating (intervening) variable and a complement of a previous study by including the indicator that measures the variables of the research so that research results can be completed and detailed.

Internationalization barriers of SMEs from developing countries: a review and research agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1281-1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashna Chandra ◽  
Justin Paul ◽  
Meena Chavan
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeThis paper reviews the literature on internationalization barriers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from developing countries. The purposes of the study are: (1) to explicitly point out specific factors influencing the growth and internationalization of SMEs from developing countries and (2) to identify the research gaps to provide lucid and succinct directions for future research in this area.Design/methodology/approachThe authors selected relevant papers from journals listed on Web of Science and Scopus databases.FindingsIt was found that there are large number of questions remain unanswered regarding the internationalization of SMEs from developing countries regarding the factors determining their growth and internationalization.Originality/valueThis review distinctively accentuates previous studies on such barriers influencing the growth of SMEs from developing countries and systematically synthesize the issues faced by those SMEs. Thus, the authors seek to provide a comprehensible platform for researchers working in this area.

Prioritizing quality problems in SMEs: a methodology

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humberto Nuno Teixeira ◽  
Isabel Lopes ◽  
Sérgio Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Longitudinal Case Studies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a new methodology to be used by small and medium enterprises to characterize their performance in quality, highlighting weaknesses and areas for improvement. The methodology aims to identify the main causes of quality problems and help to prioritize improvement initiatives. This is a methodology that intends to be easy to implement by companies with low maturity level in quality. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature review a methodology for diagnosing and prioritizing quality problems is proposed. Then two longitudinal case studies are performed to refine and validate the proposed methodology. The methodology is organized in six different steps which include gathering information about predetermined processes and sub-processes of quality management, defined based on Juran’s trilogy, and about predetermined results categories. Findings – The application of the methodology was successful in two case studies and a report was produced on the quality state of each industry, including a prioritization of the causes of poor performance. Research limitations/implications – The methodology may have to be adapted to better suit the needs of companies from different sectors, either by reviewing the processes, by integrating new tools or refining the existing ones. Practical implications – This paper presents a new methodology for identifying and prioritizing quality problems. Originality/value – Due to its simplicity and comprehensiveness, it is believed that the developed methodology can be applied periodically by companies as self-diagnostic and prioritization tool, aimed at continuous improvement.

Organizational readiness for change: an inherent concern for Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-7
Author(s):  
Sunil Budhiraja
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Readiness For Change ◽  
Organizational Readiness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Readiness For Change ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Organizational Readiness To Change ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to discuss various determinants of organizational readiness to change for India small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and proposes a framework to strengthen the employees’ readiness to change which is integral to organizational readiness for change (ORC). Design/methodology/approach This paper is based upon the subjective viewpoint of the author. Findings The paper brings forward the opportunities and challenges of Indian SMEs with a suggestive framework on employee readiness for change (ERC). Practical implications The paper will help SMEs consider a framework to assess ERC before implementing a change. Originality/value The exists no framework for Indian SMEs to look-up as a benchmark to assess their ORC and ERC. Hence the paper will contribute to the literature and will be a handy reference for SMEs.

Impact of cultural intelligence on SME performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raavee Kadam ◽  
Srinivasa Rao ◽  
Waheed Kareem Abdul ◽  
Shazi Shah Jabeen
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Intelligence ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Upper Echelons Theory ◽  
Multicultural Environment ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose In environments characterized by high cultural diversity, the ability to understand the cultural makeup of the workforce and the environment would equip business owners with knowledge required to innovate, take risks and proactively change their business offerings. Drawing on the upper echelons theory and action-characteristics model of entrepreneurship, the purpose of this paper is to test how competencies of small business owners, namely, cultural intelligence (CQ) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) contribute to the performance of their firms. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 106 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the UAE, the data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using partial least squares–structural equations modeling. Findings Results showed that CQ of the SME owner has a positive effect on firm performance (FP) through the mediating role of EO. Also, CQ of the SME owner was found to have a direct effect on FP, thus asserting its importance as a valuable competency that SME owners need to cultivate when operating in a multicultural environment. Practical implications Skills of the top managers greatly influence the choices and decisions they make, which in turn impact the effectiveness of their organizations. This study focuses on the role of managerial competencies that need to be cultivated among SME owners that would contribute to the growth of their firms. Originality/value This research studies the role of an individual’s cross-cultural and entrepreneurial competencies that enable the organization to achieve higher performance.

Impact of introducing e-commerce on small and medium enterprises – a case on logistics provider

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morsheda Parvin ◽  
Soaib Bin Asimiran ◽  
Ahmad Fauzi Bin Mohd Ayub
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Sustainable Economic Growth ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Small and medium enterprises (SME) significantly alleviate poverty and generate employment to achieve sustainable economic growth. Using electronic devices, e-commerce allows an immediate and advanced communication service to accomplish business transactions. Considering logistics provider as a case, this paper aims to examine the impact of adopting an e-commerce technology on its customers’ and agents’ satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The authors use the difference in difference methodology to examine these effects and find positive impacts on both customers and service providers. Findings As SMEs are widely considered as the powerhouse of an economy, the authors’ findings suggest that using e-commerce not only makes an SME agent more efficient but also accelerates an SME business transaction, which ultimately helps to achieve sustainable economic growth. Originality/value A few studies are conducted in examining the impact of SME on economy. However, according to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research that examines the impact of e-commerce on SME.

Pathways to accountant fraud: Australian evidence and analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Andon ◽  
Clinton Free ◽  
Benjamin Scard
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Relative Distribution ◽  
Fraud Triangle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Occupational Fraud ◽  
Contextual Elements ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore pathways to fraud perpetrated in accounting-related roles, focusing both on situationally driven attitudes and contextual elements. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on an anomie-based criminological taxonomy developed by Waring et al. (1995) and Weisburd and Waring (2001), which highlights individual attitudes and situational elements and their connection to illegitimate behaviour, the authors perform a qualitative content analysis of available media and court-reported information on a hand-collected database of 192 accountant frauds in Australia during the period 2001-2011. Findings – The analysis highlights four distinct pathways to accountant fraud – crisis responders, opportunity takers, opportunity seekers and deviance seekers – and the relative distribution of identified cases among these pathways. It also identifies the prevalence of gambling, female offenders, small and medium enterprises as victims, as factors in fraud, as well as the relatively unsophisticated methods in much accountant fraud. In addition, it establishes the importance of situational attitude in moderating inherent character as it relates to fraudulent behaviour and the variable importance of the fraud triangle elements across the pathways to accountant fraud. Originality/value – This paper provides direct evidence on the nature and pathways to accountant fraud, thus improving understanding of a significant category of occupational fraud. The evidence challenges conventional characterisations of accountant fraud offenders in prior research.

Modelling cause and effect relationship among enablers of innovation in SMEs

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 1597-1622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Himanshu Gupta ◽  
Mukesh Kumar Barua
Keyword(s):  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Organizations ◽  
Technological Growth ◽  
Component Supplier ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Successful Innovation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Innovation is a prerequisite for economic and technological growth of any organization. Identifying enablers of innovation can help managers accelerate the process of economic growth. The purpose of this paper is to identify the prominent enablers of innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can help overhauling organizations and benefit them economically. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review and expert’s opinions have been applied to identify enablers of innovation. A case of automotive component supplier is considered for conducting the research. A coalescence of Grey and DEMATEL methodologies has been incorporated to first rank the enablers of innovation based on their importance and then identify the causal relationship among these enablers by characterizing enablers into causal and effect groups. Findings A few important enablers, namely, entrepreneur traits, knowledge management, resources for innovation, and linkage capabilities, have been identified as prominent enablers for successful innovation in SMEs. Practical implications This paper identifies enablers of innovation in SMEs and the causal relationship between these enablers. The identified enablers and the causal relationship between these enablers will help managers of small organizations in selecting the enablers that need to be focused on, which, in turn, can drive other enablers of innovation, thus saving time and resources of the organizations. Originality/value This paper uses a novel Grey–DEMATEL methodology to identify the causal relationship among enablers and also contributes to the literature on innovation by identifying enablers of innovation in SMEs.

How a firm’s competitive strategy can improve performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Leadership ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact ◽  
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 Pursuing an appropriate strategy can enable micro, small, and medium enterprises in developing countries to significantly improve their performance. Such firms should typically be best served by a cost leadership competitive strategy, the impact of which can be increased through an emphasis on key components of quality management. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives 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.

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