What Makes for Successful Innovation Teams in Small and Medium Enterprises? A Multiple Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150002
Author(s):  
Edurn Martínez-Moreno ◽  
Virginia Díaz ◽  
Silvia da Costa ◽  
Darío Páez ◽  
Rosa Mindeguia
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Team Members ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Innovation Teams ◽  
Lack Of Commitment ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This study explores how training of facilitators and coordinators can promote the creation of high-performing innovation teams in SMEs, and analyzes why some trained teams are successful and others are not. Within a participatory action research framework, eight innovation teams were newly created in six SMEs in the Spanish service sector and were followed up over six months. Facilitators and coordinators underwent 12 h of training prior to creating new innovation teams in their own organizations, whose work was followed up over six months. Team processes and results were analyzed based on both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews, incident diaries, and open questions) data that were gathered longitudinally across the study period. Our results showed that, despite complaints about poor management of face-to-face meetings, difficulties in the use of information and communication technologies and work overload are surmountable. The greatest barrier for innovation teams is a lack of commitment on the part of top managers and low involvement and participation by team members. Reflexivity, both inside and outside the team (i.e. in follow up sessions), was one of the most valued and useful strategies for innovation teams. Our findings highlight the importance of training programs that can provide both technical and emotional support to team facilitators and coordinators and enable SMEs to create high-performing innovation teams despite their limited financial and human resources.

Influence of ICT in the Industrial Sector MSMEs

2016 ◽  
pp. 197-217
Author(s):  
Isaac Machorro Cano ◽  
Mónica Guadalupe Segura Ozuna ◽  
María Dolores Esquivel Hernández ◽  
José Antonio Hernández Contreras ◽  
José Julián Aguilar Láinez
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Important Region ◽  
Convergence Point ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Access, use and adoption of information and communication technologies by enterprises constitute an important innovation that could improve their productivity and competitiveness, provided that other policies adopted oppose obstacles or restrictions that these enterprises deal with for their own development. The Papaloapan Basin region is characterized by a wide range of economic activity. The city San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec is found within this region; which is a convergence point for the economic activities of the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz and Puebla, since it has an important activity in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. In this chapter, the influence of information and communication technologies on micro, small and medium enterprises in the industrial, commercial and service sector of this important region is presented, based on a classification of the run of businesses, considering their management, financial and marketing activities.

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.

Understanding the gendered nature of developing country MSMEs’ access, adoption and use of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D)

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-295
Author(s):  
Elisa Mohanty ◽  
Anindya Jayanta Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has had a significant effect on various groups and communities of people including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their owners/managers. The current study aims to analyze recent literature regarding adoption of ICTs by MSMEs. Further, it tries to locate gender within this broader context of diffusion of ICTs among MSMEs. Design/methodology/approach Using the thematic analysis approach, the research articles pertaining to six leading journals on ICTs, gender and entrepreneurship published during the time period from 2011 to 2019 are reviewed. Findings The literature selected for the study has been discussed under two primary categories, viz. “adoption of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) for business purposes” and “insights on gender in ICT4D use by MSMEs.” Research limitations/implications The context-dependent nature of ICT use can enable future entrepreneurs to assess the scope of specific ICTs in given areas of operation. The gendered nature of ICTs helps to evaluate as well as question the empowerment potential of ICTs. The study emphasizes the need to account for historical specificities and transnational linkages in understanding access, adoption and use of ICT4D by women MSME entrepreneurs. Originality/value The study bridges together literature on ICT4D use by MSMEs and the role of gender in ICT-mediated entrepreneurial environments. While unraveling the interplay of power dynamics in such environments, the scope for future research in terms of tapping into the content of information exchanges and exploring the implications of “dark side of internet” for women MSME entrepreneurs is also indicated.

Open Innovation

2013 ◽  
pp. 1521-1534
Author(s):  
Hakikur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Social ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Corporate Business

With the advent of innovative technologies and multi-dimensional researches along the setting of entrepreneurship development, philosophy, context and business handling has been transformed from being traditional to innovative. Depending on diversity and nature of the transformation, innovation has been shifted from closed to open to crowdsourcing innovation. Ranging from small entrepreneurs to corporate business houses are being immensely benefited by the innovation techniques, especially utilizing information and communication technologies. However, the road to innovation, despite being a paradigm shift is not smooth and ready for many, particularly the small and medium enterprises who mainly deal with the clients at the outer peripheries of the social circle. This chapter synthesizes issues of opportunities and challenges for small and medium enterprises by carrying out a broad literature review and synthesis. Furthermore, the chapter will provide a few research hints to be applicable for researchers and research institutions.

ICT Mediated Value Chain for Managing Weavers’ Livelihoods

2013 ◽  
pp. 526-562
Author(s):  
Harekrishna Misra
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Returns On Investment ◽  
Manage Innovation

Value chain practices focus on market orientation of products and services. Products and services highly rely on processes included in the supply chain in order to contribute to the value chain. Globalization, competition, and high cost of production influence the value chain imperatives. Thus, organizations involved in the value chain are challenged with creation of innovative designs and establishing lean production scenarios. This challenge is more serious in the cases of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The rugs industry in India is one example of such market behavior, and various SMEs are involved in this sector. Besides, the sector demands market orientation and customer retention for which continuous innovative practices are essential. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have played a crucial role in supporting these SMEs in India in rolling out innovative designs through customer engagements in the entire production life cycle. There are also efforts to use ICT as a tool to innovate processes, products, and services to harness better returns on investment and to sustain business. In this case, Jaipur Rugs Company (JRC) strives to manage innovation cycles to ensure development oriented value chain for the weavers and ICT applications have been intrinsic to realize these efforts.

Training for E-Commerce Success in SMEs

2011 ◽  
pp. 334-348
Author(s):  
Yanqing Duan ◽  
Roisin Mullins ◽  
David Hamblin
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Skills Shortage ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Rapid developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as electronic commerce (e-commerce), have revolutionized the way that business is conducted. E-commerce refers to the process of buying and selling goods and services electronically involving transactions using Internet, network, and other digital technology. It offers companies tremendous opportunities to improve their business performance in new and innovative ways. However, its huge potential benefit would only be realized by capable managers who can deal with these emerging technologies and implement them wisely. A skills shortage has been categorized as one of the challenges facing global e-commerce by Bingi and Khamalah (2000). The demand for highly knowledgeable and skilled managers and workloads places enormous pressure upon companies to improve or update their current knowledge and skills. This is particularly important in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as compared with their larger counterparts, as they are often described as “lacking the expertise needed to set up the technologies necessary, despite having a great deal to gain from doing so” (Anonymous, 1998).

Alliance portfolio formation and configuration by small and medium ICT firms

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Golonka ◽  
Dominika Latusek
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Alliance Portfolio ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Growth Firms ◽  
Managerial Agency ◽  
Stable Growth ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Rates Of Growth

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the forming and configuring of interfirm cooperation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) characterized by different rates of growth. Design/methodology/approach – The study applies a qualitative approach. A multi-site case study was conducted in 26 Polish ICT firms. Findings – The research indicates that SMEs manage alliances ad hoc and are characterized by a constantly emerging portfolio of partners. The results also indicate that “stable-growth” and “hyper-growth” firms adopt different approaches to managing alliances and they are characterized by different attitude of top managers towards uncertainty. Practical implications – The results suggest that the managers’ attitude affects the formation and management of alliance portfolio in SMEs. The authors further highlight the importance of managerial agency within the firms and indicate that managers can actively shape the alliance portfolio of their firms. Originality/value – The paper theoretically contributes to alliance portfolio literature through the adoption of both managerial and structural perspectives. More precisely, this study provides the factors related to managers that might affect a firm’s alliance portfolio configuration. All of these factors relate to managers’ approach to uncertainty. Furthermore, this study extends the previous research through focusing on SMEs.

scholarly journals Prioritizing Technology Adoption Dynamics among SMEs

TEM Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 983-991
Author(s):  
Mohammad Naushad ◽  
Sulphey M. M
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Relevant Factors

Though Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are engines of growth, due to multiple reasons they are low in adoption of digitalization and technology. This paper seeks to provide a framework to prioritize the factors/dynamics towards adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT). Through review of literature and applying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), relevant factors have been chalked out and arranged in terms of priority. The findings indicate SMEs adopt ICT to have a relative advantage over competitors. Affordability, ease of use, value creation and productivity are top priority reasons. Profitability and top management support are other prime factors that stimulate ICT adoption. Other relevant factors include technological self-efficacy and personal characteristics of entrepreneurs.

scholarly journals Significance and role of using electronic communications in entrepreneurial companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (18) ◽  
pp. 86-95
Author(s):  
Mersad Mujević ◽  
Safet Korać
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Electronic Communications ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Analytical Thinking ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Economic Philosophy ◽  
Old Economy ◽  
Medium Enterprises

With the development of computer science, time and computer networks, primarily the Internet, as well as the increasing use of information and communication technologies in the company's business, it establishes a new form of business, and thus the economy. For several years, computing has been ranked high on political agendas in Europe and the world. Today, the European Commission considers computing to be literacy, which is the basis for understanding how digital technologies work and serves the development of 21st century skills, such as, among other things, "electronic business, ie. digital economics and analytical thinking. E-business operates on different principles in relation to the old economy and requires a different economic philosophy. Information, ideas, innovation and knowledge that create values, growth and productivity. The modern way of doing business guarantees a better access to the market and thus increases the position of companies, especially small and medium enterprises, in time and better use of their own resources provided by information and communication technologies. Companies, ie. SMEs in their challenges in the later stages of development will be precisely that, the better position in the global Internet market with its basic premises of creating good material bases and time make their offer accessible to potential consumers.

scholarly journals Innovación en los procesos de distribución, mediante el uso de las TIC. Un estudio exploratorio en las mipymes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-122
Author(s):  
Paula Rosalinda Antonio Vidaña ◽  
Daniel Martínez Navarrete ◽  
Luz del Carmen Muñoz Palacios ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ruiz López
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Redes Sociales ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar el nivel de adopción de las TIC´s en los procesos de distribución de las Micro, Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (MIPyMES). El estudio fue concluyente de tipo descriptivo, que por tomar la muestra en un momento específico es transversal simple, aplicando una muestra de 483 encuestas en un periodo de febrero y mayo 2020, en los municipios de Orizaba e Ixtaczoquitlán.  Se obtuvieron resultados, que en un 23.1% consideran que no necesitan medios como redes sociales, el 34.1% consideran no necesario el usar el servicio de paquetería, lo cual fue un punto discursivo como parte del análisis, entre otros resultados mostrados. Abstract The objective of this research consisted of identifying the level of impact Information and Communication Technologies (Ict) had in distribution processes in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The study consisted of a conclusive descriptive type: which, due to the application of a survey during a specific period, it is a simple cross-sectional study applying a sample of 483 surveys between the months of February and May 2020, in the municipalities of Orizaba and Ixtaczoquitlan, in the State of Veracruz. Results showed that 23.1% considered that they had no need for media such as social networks, 34.1% considered the use of postal or parcel services unnecessary, which was a discursive standpoint as part of the analysis among other given results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document