scholarly journals Small but Stylish: Pushing Innovation Ambidexterity in International Small and Medium Enterprises

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Faizah Mashahadi ◽  
Noor Hazlina Ahmad

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been the core agents in accelerating growth and providing jobs opportunities for the nation. Indeed, with industrial revolution rapidly evolving, there is a stronger exigency for SMEs to explore new opportunities aims to enhance efficiency so that SMEs able to compete and grow internationally. Recent development has heightened the need for SMEs to involve in innovation activity as the means to improve competitiveness and sustaining performance becoming a reality. Many studies emphasize on the critical role of innovation ambidexterity in determining SMEs success but the existing studies yet to conclude the predecessor of innovation ambidexterity in internationally operated SMEs. This article aims to provide a conceptual model that explores the potential of international entrepreneurial orientation in determining innovation ambidexterity in international SMEs in Malaysia.

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rina Herani ◽  
Otto Andersen

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have a critical role in economic growth in Indonesia and become the backbone for job creation, poverty alleviation, and safeguard during the crisis. However, they are highly exposed to uncertain environments. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of SMEs’ entrepreneurial orientation on business performance when uncertain environments exist. A total of 152 Indonesian SMEs were studied in order to assess this relationship. Moderated regression analysis is performed as the main statistical procedures to analyse the moderating role of environmental uncertainty on the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance. Surprisingly, the result of the present study did not confirm the previous predominant studies which found that entrepreneurialorientation dimensions are positively associated with business performance in growing in an uncertain environment. Indonesian entrepreneurs were reluctant to innovate, be proactive, and take risks when an uncertain environment exists. The present study was an endeavour to provide better insight in explaining the inconsistent and ambiguous findings from existing literature.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary B. Awino

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Nagwan AlQershi ◽  
Sany Sanuri Mohd Mokhtar ◽  
Zakaria Bin Abas

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is more than an information tool and plays a critical role in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The present study explored the moderating effect of relational capital (RC) on the relationship between CRM dimensions and the performance of 284 Yemeni manufacturing SMEs. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the study’s hypotheses. Results indicate that only three of the CRM dimensions have a significant effect on performance. The moderating effects of relational capital on this relationship were also examined and were found to be significant for only two CRM dimensions: technology-based CRM and CRM organization. Key customer focus and CRM knowledge management had no effect. The findings of this study offer important insights for owners and managers of SMEs, researchers, and policymakers to further understand the effects of relational capital and CRM on SMEs’ performance. SMEs should be encouraged to develop their CRM and relational capital to improve their performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 104-113
Author(s):  
Obey Dzomonda ◽  
Olawale Fatoki ◽  
Olabanji Oni

The critical role Small and Medium Enterprises play in the economic prosperity of nations cannot be understated. SMEs actively contribute towards economic growth and development through their active role as innovators and agents for change. The authors of this paper believe that leadership styles exercised by SME owners have a bearing on the innovative ability of SMEs. Hence, this paper aimed at investigating the impact of leadership styles on the entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs in Polokwane Municipality. A quantitative research method was used and 103 SMEs participated in the survey. The random sampling technique was used. Self-administered questionnaires were utilised to collect data in a survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. Reliability of the data collection instruments was measured using the Cronbach’s alpha. The results indicated that the SMEs display average levels of entrepreneurial orientation. In addition, the results showed that SMEs display average levels of leadership styles inclined towards transformational leadership style. Furthermore, the results showed a significant positive relationship between the independent variables: leadership styles with the dependent variable (EO) of SMEs. SMEs were recommended to provide flexible leadership styles that will make EO to flourish in their businesses. Furthermore, the policy makers and relevant authorities were recommended to devise and implement a consortium of strategies and policies that can increase the level of entrepreneurial orientation among SMEs in South Africa.


Author(s):  
Mokal et

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the Modular Approach to the insolvency of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The Modular Approach shares with standard insolvency regimes the core objectives of preserving and maximizing value in the insolvency estate, ensuring distribution over an appropriate period of time of the highest feasible proportion of that value to those individuals and entities entitled to it, providing due accountability for any wrongdoing connected with the insolvency, and enabling discharge of over-indebted natural persons. The Modular Approach differs from standard processes, however, in the way it pursues these objectives. Its basic assumption is that the parties to an insolvency case are best placed to select the tools appropriate to that case. The role of the legal regime should be to make these tools available to the parties in a maximally flexible way, while creating the correct incentives for their deployment.


Author(s):  
Ana Sofia Coelho ◽  
Ana Lisboa ◽  
José Carlos M. R. Pinho

Currently, small and medium enterprises that are family businesses (SMEFs) assume an important role in the global economy. Further, innovation and flexibility became vital to firms' survival and prosperity in the market during these volatile times. Firms should not only possess critical resources, but also be able to recombine them. Characterized by resource restrictions, SMEFs can rely on dynamic capabilities to access resources and be competitive in the market. In this regard, networking capabilities (NC) and resource combinations (RC) such as exploitative and explorative product development and on market-related capabilities emerge as key dynamic capabilities. This chapter examines the role of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) on NC and RC. Using a qualitative method of in-depth case study, the chapter analyzes 12 Portuguese SMEFs.


Author(s):  
Ismail Raisal ◽  
Arun Kumar Tarofder ◽  
Aboobucker Ilmudeen

PurposeDeveloping countries’ economic growth very much depend on the successful performance of entrepreneurial-oriented firms. Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is a valuable conjecturer of firm success. This study mainly focuses on analyzing the effect of EO on the firm performance (FP) with the mediating role of absorptive capacity (ACAP).Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypothetical model, we collected 226 valid responses from senior managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The structural equation modeling technique is performed and research hypotheses are validated.FindingsThe findings show that the strong causal relations exit between EO, ACAP and FP. In brief, EO was found to be a predictor of ACAP, and ACAP has a strong positive impact on FP. Moreover, ACAP substantiated to be a mediator between EO and FP.Research limitations/implicationsA notable ramification of this finding is that for SMEs to enhance their performance via EO, the presence of ACAP as a mediator is essential.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can be used as a basis to consider EO to increase firms' level of ACAP and to enhance FP. As a whole, the findings offer pragmatic insights for SMEs and pertinent stakeholders.Originality/valueSo far, little is known about the interrelationship between EO, ACAP and FP. Importantly, the mediating role of ACAP between EO and FP has remained unexplored. This study fills this gap in the existing literature.


Author(s):  
Tuan Anh Bui ◽  
Mai Thi Tuyet Nguyen ◽  
Minh Hoang Nguyen

This study explores the informal institutions in Vietnam and their impact on entrepreneurial orientation of Vietnamese small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A qualitative study was conducted through in-depth interviews with 21 SMEs in Hanoi2, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. The research findings suggest the important role of informal institutions in the context of Vietnam. Specifically, two main components of informal institutions, corruption and institutional trust, are found to have effects on entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs. The research findings are discussed and implications for SME managers and policy makers are provided.


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