scholarly journals Internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises from Arusha Tanzania: Market Information, Financial Resources and Product Quality Setbacks

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Liliane Pasape
Keyword(s):  
Product Quality ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Packaging Materials ◽  
Market Information ◽  
Processing Machinery ◽  
Key Players ◽  
Processed Products ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key players towards reviving the economy and livelihood development in Tanzania, yet their involvement in international business is still unsatisfactory. This study therefore assessed the three major setbacks for industrialization of Arusha’s SMEs namely as information, finance and quality. A cross-section research design was conducted using questionnaires. Through non-probability sampling, 50 respondents were stratified selected from SMEs owners, employees, business development support organizations and regulators. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and logit model. The findings on the existing business environment revealed that: majority of the SMEs involve women (68%) dealing with handcraft and tailoring, with less than five years of business experience. Moreover, the major identified information setbacks are low access to information source, use of irrelevancy market information, use of in effective medium of communication and high cost of the information. Besides, other financial related setbacks are limited sources of capital, lack of collateral, poor credibility history and high transaction cost. On quality setbacks include selling semi processed products, poor finished product and packaging materials as well insufficient processing machinery. Thus for SMEs internationalization the following recommendations are established: improving accessibility and affordability of relevant market information; designing various financial products at reasonable lending rates, strengthening entrepreneurial skills and formalization of enterprises; enhancing availability of processing machinery and packaging materials for improving product quality and competitiveness as well as avoiding selling of semi processed products . Above all, the government, regulators, private sector organizations and other key players along the value chain must play their respective relevant role towards supporting SMEs.

scholarly journals Extrapolative Collaborative Filtering Recommendation System with Word2Vec for Purchased Product for SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7156
Author(s):  
Kyoung Jun Lee ◽  
Yu Jeong Hwangbo ◽  
Baek Jeong ◽  
Ji Woong Yoo ◽  
Kyung Yang Park
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Filtering ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Recommendation System ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Share Data ◽  
Artificial Intelligence Technology ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Start Ups

Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) want to introduce recommendation services to boost sales, but they need to have sufficient amounts of data to introduce these recommendation services. This study proposes an extrapolative collaborative filtering (ECF) system that does not directly share data among SMEs but improves recommendation performance for small and medium-sized companies that lack data through the extrapolation of data, which can provide a magical experience to users. Previously, recommendations were made utilizing only data generated by the merchant itself, so it was impossible to recommend goods to new users. However, our ECF system provides appropriate recommendations to new users as well as existing users based on privacy-preserved payment transaction data. To accomplish this, PP2Vec using Word2Vec was developed by utilizing purchase information only, excluding personal information from payment company data. We then compared the performances of single-merchant models and multi-merchant models. For the merchants with more data than SMEs, the performance of the single-merchant model was higher, while for the SME merchants with fewer data, the multi-merchant model’s performance was higher. The ECF System proposed in this study is more suitable for the real-world business environment because it does not directly share data among companies. Our study shows that AI (artificial intelligence) technology can contribute to the sustainability and viability of economic systems by providing high-performance recommendation capability, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups.

scholarly journals Strategic Planning and Competitive Advantage of ICT Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary B. Awino
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Balanced Score Card ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The Paper is the research findings on the role of strategic planning and competitive advantage of ICT Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya. Literature suggests that the contemporary business environment in which organisations operate is increasingly becoming uncertain and unpredictable. Significant changes are mostly driven by technological changes, globalisation and trade liberalisation. As a result, like large enterprises, SMEs are facing new and unexpected challenges that threaten their competitiveness. While most countries acknowledge the critical role that SMEs contribute to their economies, both as an engine of growth and sustainable development, many questions still remain unanswered as to the determination of the critical challenges facing SMEs and how these challenges could be addressed to improve their competitiveness. These challenges have increased the need for empirical information which is essential for decision making in addressing issues that are likely to enhance SMEs survival and growth. It is noted that there has been no adequate research studies on the role of strategic planning and competitive advantage of SMEs. This study contributes to the need to address the research gaps and thus explored the role of strategic planning and competitive advange of SMEs in Kenya. The study population consisted of 238 ICT SMEs from Nairobi and its environs. A sample size of 146 firms constituting 61 per cent of the total population was selected through stratified sampling. The study aimed to collect data from 438 respondents from top, middle and lower management teams. Structured questionnaires with closed and open ended questions was used for data collection, 239 responses were received from 123 ICT firms a response rate of 55 per cent and 84.2 per cent respectively. Key characteristics of strategic planning including formality, environmental analysis processes both internal and external orientations, strategies adopted, and implementation and control were recorded. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, correlation matrixes and regression analysis. The key findings revealed that strategic planning has significant and positive influence in performance of SME’s. The test of hypothesis revealed that strategic planning has positive and significant influence on competitive advantage. The study demonstrated strategic planning as a learning tool and a strategic resource which is consistent with the underlying assumptions of resource based theory, systems theory, chaos theory and balanced score card model assumptions. It is envisaged that, this kind of research is likely to generate useful discussions on the role of strategic planning and performance, of SMEs. It is apparent that entrepreneurs of SMEs cannot ignore strategic planning as significant changes in competitive advantage is the result of change or effective application of strategic planning. Policy makers and academicians may need to address the capacity needs of SMEs and develop strategic planning model that address the challenges that SMEs encounter in a dynamic environment.

scholarly journals Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh- Challenges and Determining Factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Afroze ◽  
Md Kashrul Alam ◽  
Eliza Akther ◽  
Nahid Sultana Jui
Keyword(s):  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Sales Promotion ◽  
Social Constraints ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The aim of this study is to find out the major challenges that hinder smooth operation of women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh. It also finds the reasons behind the success of the women entrepreneurship. Both primary and secondary data have been used to conduct the study. The questionnaire included questions about economic problems, family related issues, social constraints and other limitations faced by women entrepreneurs and the reasons behind their success. Women involved in various small and medium enterprises take on the challenge to work in a male-dominated society, competitive and complex economic and business environment. However, the identified challenges are inadequate capital, sales promotion, getting permission to start-up a business, gender discrimination, illiteracy and lack of knowledge among women, non-availability of training program and technical support, lack of managerial experience, in some cases young people make ill talk about the enterprise and so on. Personal qualities such as hard work and perseverance, management skills and marketing skills, support provided by their spouses or family are the main reasons behind the success of the women entrepreneurs. The level of participation of women in mainstream economic activities remains insufficient and the percentage of women in business is still much below than that of their male counterparts.Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.9(2) 2014; 27-41

scholarly journals Small and Medium Enterprises in Mexico and the Craft Beer Sector in Baja California: Dynamic Capabilities, Culture, and Innovation

2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-203
Author(s):  
Araceli Almaraz
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Baja California ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Symbolic Capital ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Craft Beer ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This article studies how Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in emerging economies implement adaptative strategies to respond to constant changes in demand and global uncertainties, such as those stemming from the current SARS-COV2 pandemic. In this study the knowledge management capabilities used by SMEs in the craft beer sector in a region of northern Mexico are the focus of analysis. The objective is to present the competitive capabilities that craft beer sector has demonstrated in Baja California region and how small companies compete with the national industrial brewery and survive. Sources are data from a sample of companies and interviews with brewery owners, with which the analysis approaches, also, the Baja California business environment. The article highlights the routes of creativity, innovation, and symbolic capital of the companies in the region, and uses ideas from dynamic capabilities and knowledge management theoretical frameworks, to understand the craft brewery milieu. The conclusions in this article include the confirmation about the usefulness of these analytical frameworks based in the capabilities approach and the territorial knowledge. Also, the description of the existence of a complex Baja Californian milieu, where a multimodal scheme of craft beer characterized by different places of distribution and types of beer container, food-districts, at Mexicali, Tijuana, and Ensenada and a second generation of entrepreneur groups leading local business, is identified.

scholarly journals Effects of Corporate Entrepreneurship Dimensions on Organizational Performance: Case of Small and Medium Enterprises in Holeta Town, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Gemechu Abdissa ◽  
Abebe Ayalew ◽  
Csaba Bálint Illés ◽  
Anna Dunay
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Corporate Entrepreneurship ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Market Shares ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Town

Small and medium enterprises are paying the lion’s share in the innovation-based economy of today’s competitive business environment. To this effect, this study observed the effects of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) dimensions on the performance of SMEs in the town of Holeta, Ethiopia. We used both descriptive and survey research designs to meet the specified target of the study. The researchers employed both primary and secondary data sources; the former were collected from 173 participants using both primary and secondary data. The result of this study indicates that all of the explanatory variables used were statistically significant and had a positive relationship with the performance of SMEs. Thus, we recommend that owners of small and medium enterprises pay special attention to practicing CE to increase their business performance, sustainability, and competitiveness. Entrepreneurs should also come up with new and attractive product and service features to take high market shares. Furthermore, forecasting potential challenges for firms and devising possible ways of solving the situation in advance can safeguard businesses from failure.

scholarly journals MSMEs as Engine of Economic Growth in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects of Scalability

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Okokondem Okon
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Technological Systems ◽  
Economic Growth And Development ◽  
Area Of Concern ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
A Company

Growing or expanding the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector of the economy is one key strategy to achieve economic growth and development. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) scalability (growth or expansion) have become an area of concern for economic growth in developing economies. People use the term in reference to computer or other technological systems, but those in business also use the word to describe the adaptability of a company (Thibodeaux, 2015) in today‘s fast-paced business environment where the focus on customer satisfaction is at an all-time high. This article discusses the concept of scalability as it relates to business and non-scalable components of business process as well as the importance of being scalable. It also looked at some of the challenges and practices that prevent effective scalability of MSMEs in Nigeria and the way forward.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Modal Usaha, Kualitas Produk, Jaringan Wirausaha Terhadap Kelangsungan Usaha UMKM Madu Sari Lanceng

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Junedi ◽  
Mustika Dwi Arumsari
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Business Continuity ◽  
Entrepreneurial Networks ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Positive Effect

Usaha Mikro Kecil dan Menengah (UMKM) memiliki kontribusi atas Pendapatan Domestik Bruto (PDB) rata-rata sebesar 60% sehingga kelangsungan usahanya perlu dipertahankan dengan mengenali faktor-faktornya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh modal usaha, kualitas produk, dan jaringan wirausaha terhadap kelangsungan usaha UMKM Madu Sari Lanceng. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan kuantitatif, dan menggunakan analisis statistik. Pengumpulan data berupa kuesioner kepada 22 pelaku UMKM Madu Sari Lanceng di Nglipar, Gunungkidul. Hasil analisis memberikan gambaran:  a) Modal Usaha dan Jaringan Wirausaha tidak berpengaruh terhadap Kelangsungan Usaha; b). Kualitas Produk berpengaruh positif terhadap kelangsungan usaha. Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have a contribution to the average Gross Domestic Income (GDP) of 60% so that their business continuity needs to be maintained by recognizing the factors. This research aims to analyze the influence of business capital, product quality, and entrepreneurial networks on the business continuity of Madu Sari Lanceng MSMEs. The approach used in this research is a quantitative approach, and uses statistical analysis. Data collection in the form of questionnaires to 22 MSME madu sari lanceng actors in Nglipar, Gunungkidul. The results of the analysis provide an overview: a) Business Capital and Entrepreneurial Network have no effect on Business Continuity; b). Product Quality has a positive effect on business continuity

scholarly journals External Environmental Analysis For Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather C. Banham
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Font Size ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Customer Expectations ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Medium Enterprises

<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges in the business environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>SMEs need to successfully deal with the prevalent forces for change if they are to survive and grow and meet the expectations to create investment and employment opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Successfully adapting to change from technological advances, customer expectations, supplier requirements, the regulatory environment and increasing competition requires successful implementation of organizational change. The &lsquo;Degrees of Turbulence&rsquo; Model is proposed as a self assessment tool to aid SMEs in their environmental scan and to assist in assessing the potential impact and adjusting to the impending changes in the external environment to ensure continued viability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></strong></p>

scholarly journals Innovation indicators in the context of Romanian SMEs: A research agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-158
Author(s):  
Ioana Alexandra Onea
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Regional Innovation ◽  
Actual Application ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Key Terms ◽  
Innovation Indicators

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the theoretical connection between key terms such as innovation indicators and entrepreneurship, highlighting the main trends of innovative activities and practices in the context of Romanian small and medium enterprises. Innovation management has gained an increased interest nowadays since it provides tools for creating competitive advantage and economic growth for enterprises. In this sense, at global and European Union level, innovation indicators have been identified in order to measure the efficiency of innovation. In addition, innovation and entrepreneurship have been connected by scholars, since their application provides business opportunities. Starting from the Europe 2020 Strategy that has innovation as a pillar for reaching economic growth, the present study provides a descriptive analysis of the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2019 report, followed by a comparative analysis of the European Innovation Scoreboard reports published in the last 5 years. The present paper contributes to the existing knowledge regarding the actual application of innovation indicators in Romanian SMEs. The paper provides an answer to the research questions, which focus on depicting what are the exact innovation indicators that characterize the activities of Romanian SME and what are the trends and weaknesses in the actual business environment in terms of innovative endeavors. This paper provides some recommendations in terms of improvement of innovative efforts for the enterprises that operate in the Romanian market.

scholarly journals Penerapan Teknologi Tepat Guna dan Diversifikasi Pangan pada UKM Olahan Ikan Bandeng di Desa Bulu Cindea Kecamatan Bungoro, Pangkep

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-528
Author(s):  
Nur Fitriani Usdyana Attahmid ◽  
Rahmawati Saleh ◽  
Muhammad Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Vitamin B1 ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Processing Industry ◽  
Processed Products ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Small Industries ◽  
The Village

APPLYING APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD DIVERSIFICATION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES OF MILKFISH PROCESSING IN BULU CINDEA VILLAGE, BUNGORO DISTRICT, PANGKEP. Village of Bulu Cindea Bungoro District is a village located in Pangkep Regency. The village has the potential in developing milk fish based processed food products. The abundance of milkfish products in this area has a positive impact on the Small and Medium Enterprises in the milk processing industry. Milkfish is very popular with the community because it has a low price and has a specific taste. Every 100 grams of fresh milkfish contains: 129 kcal energy, 76.85% water content, 20.38 gram fat content, 20.38 mg protein content, 150 mg phosphorus content, 2 mg iron, vitamin A l50 SI, vitamin B1 : 0.05 mg, and also contains Omega-3 of 14.2%. Milkfish has weaknesses, namely the presence of many thorn bones scattered throughout the meat section and the diversification of processed products is still simple with low product quality, packaging that is not hygenic, packaging identity that includes labeling and nutritional chemical composition has not been met and inadequate business licensing. Empowerment of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is the key to the development of small industries in Pangkep Regency, both in terms of quality and quantity, as well as its supporting factors. Through the Community Partnership Program activities, a number of activities to develop fresh milkfish processing business without thorns and shredded fish to Small and Medium Enterprises who are partners are UKM Alifa Mandiri, which is one of the platforms to empower food processing industry players. This activity is very important considering the diversification of processed milkfish processing technology without thorns and shredded fish is still done conventionally so that it requires appropriate technology and diversification of appropriate processing.

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