scholarly journals Circular economy in clusters' performance evaluation

Equilibrium ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Razminiene
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Regional Growth ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Resource Efficiency ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Technology Products ◽  
Performance Development ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Research background: The value of clusters in developing advanced technology products and services as well as promoting regional growth is acknowledged by many policymakers and researchers (Lee et al., 2012). Hence, clusters are identified as enablers of the circular economy and resource efficiency in this study. Companies aim to enhance competencies and create competitive advantages in global competition and this can be achieved through pulling from a common and accessible pool of resources, information and demand for innovation which means that companies can profit from belonging to a cluster. Purpose of the article: The main aim of the article is to overview the scientific literature that addresses the circular economy, identify clusters and their role in the circular economy and suggest how small and medium enterprises could engage in a circular economy through clusters' performance development. Methods: Bibliometric literature analysis enables identifying the latest trends in scientific articles regarding a circular economy and clusters. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) allows for composing the scheme of the cluster’s competitive advantage within circular economy. Findings & Value added: The findings suggest that resource efficiency is considered to be one of the most important ambitions and clusters can work as enablers of a circular economy for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), gaining a competitive advantage at the same time. Clusters can encourage and provide conditions in which SMEs would turn to a circular economy. The scheme of Cluster's competitive advantage proposed by the author can help cluster's coordinators, policymakers and all the concerned parties to verify the importance of clusters' involvement in the circular economy.

scholarly journals Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy in European SMEs: Investigating the Role of Green Jobs and Skills

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12136
Author(s):  
Francesca Bassi ◽  
Mariangela Guidolin
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Latent Class Model ◽  
Resource Efficiency ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Green Jobs ◽  
Multilevel Latent Class Model ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This study explored the size and potential of green employment for circular economy (CE) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union, and investigated the role of green jobs and skills for the implementation of CE practices. The data were collected in a Eurobarometer survey, and refer to resource efficiency, green markets, and CE procedures. Lack of environmental expertise is one of the factors that might be perceived as an obstacle when trying to implement resource-efficiency actions. Previous research has shown that, although resource-efficiency practices are adopted by firms in all European countries, there are differences both within and between countries. The analysis of the determinants of green behavior by European SMEs was completed by a study of heterogeneity across firms and within countries with a multilevel latent class model, a hierarchical clustering method. A general important observation is that having no workers dedicated to green jobs is strongly correlated to the probability of adopting resource-efficiency practices, while perceiving the need of extra environmental skills has a positive effect on the intention to implement actions in the future. Other characteristics of the firms play a significant impact on resource efficiency: in general, older and bigger firms, with larger yearly turnover, are more prone to implement actions.

scholarly journals Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Network Resource Utilization on Internationalization of SME’s: Evidence from Pakistan

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Imran Hanif ◽  
Madiha Irshad
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Network Resource ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Value Added Products

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of implementation of strong entrepreneurial orientation and utilization of network resources creating value added products for the internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises in Pakistan. The objective is to investigate and evaluate the nature of the business, then to determine the importance of implementation of entrepreneurial orientation and utilization of network resources for the internationalization of small and medium sized enterprises in Pakistan. It is proposed that the intensity of internationalization of small and medium sized enterprises is enhanced by development of organizational practices and cultural environment. An overview is provided of the importance of SME sector in Pakistan for the economic growth of the country. The current state of SME sector has been evaluated. It proceeds with the discussion of the factors essential for fostering the growth of SME’s in Pakistan. The importance of these factors such as strong entrepreneurial orientation and utilization of network resources has also been considered for the internationalization of small and medium sized enterprises in Pakistan.The paper concludes with the assessments of implications of these factors and suggestions for future research. Information is provided regarding the current situation of SME’s in Pakistan and the factors for the international growth of this sector have also been identified and studied. Factors under consideration are strong entrepreneurial orientation and utilization of network resources. Few hypotheses made regarding the implication of these factors have been evaluated and tested by several statistical methods. For the internationalization of SME’s in Pakistan these factors have been given special attention. In the industrial development of a country the importance of the SME sector cannot be ignored. SMEs constitute nearly 90% of all the enterprises in Pakistan; employ 80% of the non-agricultural labor force; and their share in the annual GDP is 40%, approximately. However, Pakistan Small and Medium Enterprises sector is facing many problems and challenges both domestic and international in achieving economics of scale and better prospects in marketing their products at international market and to gain the competitive advantage. Demand of the global era requires entrepreneurs who are willing to face risks, innovative, proactive and compete aggressively to be able to seek new opportunities and increase competition advantages. Innovation is needed to provide value added products through value creation, so that the competitive advantage could be gained. Entrepreneurs can utilize open source that involves external parties by utilizing network resources. This paper calls attention to ways in which SME’s of Pakistan can survive in this competitive environment. This paper investigates the chief factors for the internationalization of SME’s of Pakistan specifically focusing on the entrepreneurial orientation determinants such as pro-activeness, risk taking and competitive aggressiveness and utilization of network resources.

Effect of Innovation Strategies on Sme Performance Mediated Competitive Advantages

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-97
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mabrur Taufik ◽  
DewiPuspaningtyas Faeni
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Product Introduction ◽  
Research Population ◽  
Innovation Strategies ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Small and Medium Enterprises and Indonesian Cooperatives (SMESCO) are strategies in promoting and introducing Indonesia's superior products to the international community. Through SMESCO, SME owners can work together on standardization of SME products, SME quality standardization and at the same time a forum for fostering SMEs to market their products, through human resource development programs including seminars, training, workshops and product introduction through online shops and mentoring programs. The research aims to prove and analyse the influence of: innovation strategies on the performance of SMEs in SMESCO Indonesia directly or through competitive advantage; innovation strategy towards competitive advantage; competitive advantage towards the performance of SMEs at SMESCO Indonesia. The research population is all SME companies that partner with SMESCO Indonesia. Sampling is done by probability sampling with a simple random sampling method. Data analysis using Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Squares, a sample of 147 small and medium business owners at SMESCO Indonesia. The results of the study prove: (1) The innovation strategy does not directly have a significant effect on the increasing performance of SME companies in SMESCO Indonesia but has a significant effect through competitive advantage; (2) Competitive advantage has a significanteffect on the increasing performance of SMEs in Indonesia.

scholarly journals Women’s Economic Empowerment in Vietnam: Performance and Constraints of Female-Led Manufacturing SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 255
Author(s):  
MinhTam Bui ◽  
Trinh Q. Long
Keyword(s):  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This paper identifies whether there was a performance difference among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) led by men and by women in Vietnam during the period 2005–2013 and aims to provide explanations for the differences, if any, in various performance indicators. The paper adopts a quantitative approach using a firm-level panel dataset in the manufacturing sector in 10 provinces/cities in Vietnam in five waves from 2005 to 2013. Fixed effect models are estimated to examine the influence of firm variables and demographic, human capital characteristics of owners/managers on firms’ value added, labor productivity and employment creation. We found that men led MSMEs did not outperform those led by women on average. Although the average value added was lower for female-led firms in the informal sector, the opposite was true in the formal sector where women tend to lead medium-size firms with higher value added and labor productivity. The performance disparity was more envisaged across levels of formality and less clear from a gender perspective. Moreover, while firms owned by businessmen seemed to create more jobs, firms owned by women had a higher share of female employees. No significant difference in business constraints faced by women and by men was found.

scholarly journals From Barriers to Enablers: The Role of Organizational Learning in Transitioning SMEs into the Circular Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Sara Scipioni ◽  
Meir Russ ◽  
Federico Niccolini
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Contextual Elements ◽  
Transfer And Retention ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Medium Enterprises

To contribute to small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) sustainable transition into the circular economy, the study proposes the activation of organizational learning (OL) processes—denoted here as multi-level knowledge creation, transfer, and retention processes—as a key phase in introducing circular business models (CBMs) at SME and supply chain (SC) level. The research employs a mixed-method approach, using the focus group methodology to identify contextual elements impacting on CBM-related OL processes, and a survey-based evaluation to single out the most frequently used OL processes inside Italian construction SMEs. As a main result, a CBM-oriented OL multi-level model offers a fine-grained understanding of contextual elements acting mutually as barriers and drivers for OL processes, as possible OL dynamics among them. The multi-level culture construct—composed of external stakeholders’, SC stakeholders’, and organizational culture—identify the key element to activate CBM-oriented OL processes. Main implications are related to the identification of cultural, structural, regulatory, and process contextual elements across the external, SC, and organizational levels, and their interrelation with applicable intraorganizational and interorganizational learning processes. The proposed model would contribute to an improved implementation of transitioning into the circular economy utilizing sustainable business models in the construction SMEs.

scholarly journals Success Drivers for Implementing Circular Economy: A Case Study from the Building Sector in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1350
Author(s):  
Luz Elba Torres-Guevara ◽  
Vanessa Prieto-Sandoval ◽  
Andres Mejia-Villa
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Direct Communication ◽  
Management Commitment ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Large Building ◽  
Do So

This paper contributes to the circular economy (CE) literature by investigating the drivers of success of the CE implementation in the construction sector and how those drivers can complement any implementation process in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To do so, we analyzed the case of TECMO Estructuras Metálicas, using the methodology proposed by Jaca and colleagues to implement the CE in SMEs. It is a Colombian company with more than five decades of experience in the manufacture and installation of steel and aluminum structures for small and large building and infrastructure projects. The data were collected between August 2019 and November 2020 through direct communication with the company via workshops, meetings, and company reports. This research found that five drivers are relevant for implementing CE in the construction sector: fertile ecosystem, management commitment, identification of valuable materials, green teams, and CE intermediaries. Moreover, this study also contributes to teaching the implementation of the CE in companies, since it shows that through the methodology presented, implementation projects can be developed in postgraduate classes.

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 Product Development for Competitive Advantage of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of Ikat Woven Fabric in Kediri

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Ambarwati ◽  
Andre Saputro ◽  
Aditya Galih Fathurochman ◽  
As'ad Rizal
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Woven Fabric ◽  
Quality Cost ◽  
The Third ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The research aimed to provide the solutions for the method of selecting product development strategies based on competitive advantage criteria including Quality, Cost, Delivery, Service, and Morale (QCDSM). The research was done in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of Ikat woven fabric in which the collecting data used questionnaires for the customers. The questionnaire was regarding the criteria for competitive advantage for MSMEs of Ikat woven fabric in Kediri. The analysis methods applied Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) based on the criteria of competitive advantage. The results show that the MSMEs of Ikat woven fabric should replace plastic materials into recyclable materials, ensure that raw materials do not contain dangerous and poisonous materials, choose coloring materials that do not contain dangerous and poisonous materials, choose the third parties to deliver products, weigh dye materials according to their composition and measurement, and utilize domestic raw materials.

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