scholarly journals Co-development of a Wiki for Tracking the Environmental Footprint of Small Business Activities

10.28945/3874 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 237-258
Author(s):  
Helen Hasan ◽  
Corina Ionescu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Environmental Footprint ◽  
Nonlinear Design ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
Green Information Systems

Aim/Purpose: Climate change mitigation is a global challenge, in which academia and business have a role to play. This research explores ways to develop a freely-available information system that would enable small businesses to identify and reduce their environmental footprint. Background: While large organizations have the resources to track emissions and other pertinent data, small businesses may not, despite intentions to be more environmentally responsible. Freely available applications to track emissions focus on the carbon footprint of things, whereas activities are a more meaningful unit of analysis for business managers. Methodology: Using a design science research approach, we conducted a study of a collaborative project that investigated how a low-cost, freely-available online wiki could be developed by group of students, under the guidance of university scholars and business owners. In the project, different student groups were tasked to create the wiki, input content and design a dashboard interface for managers to find data relevant to their business. The research takes an information systems view of the project, relying on the holistic notion of activity from activity theory and taking a design science approach to the study. Contribution: The paper contributes to the practices of green information systems, climate change, and small business. Theoretically it provides new insights into the linear view of design science in resource poor, collaborative projects. Findings: The research demonstrates the viability of an online system to track the envi-ronmental footprint of business activities. It reveals the challenges from a design science perspective of attempts to create online systems using freely available products and labor. Recommendations for Practitioners: Meaningful information systems to assist small businesses to manage their environmental footprint should focus on activities not things, be low cost and easy to use. Recommendation for Researchers: Complex nonlinear design science frameworks may be needed to build community-based green information systems projects. Impact on Society: This paper examines the role that university-community partnerships can play in mitigating climate change. Future Research: We should now investigate ways to ensure the viability and sustainability of systems developed by groups of university students.

Information Systems Effectiveness in Small Businesses

2011 ◽  
pp. 245-274
Author(s):  
Ana Ortiz de Guinea ◽  
Helen Kelley ◽  
M. Gordon Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Small City ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Canadian Study ◽  
Managerial Support ◽  
Canadian Context ◽  
Information Systems Effectiveness ◽  
Systems Effectiveness

This study examines the applicability of the Thong, Yap, and Raman (1996) model of information systems (IS) effectiveness tested among Singaporean small businesses in a Canadian context. The model evaluates the importance of managerial support and external expertise (vendors and consultants) for IS effectiveness. This study extends the Thong et al. model by adding an intention of expansion construct. The sample included 105 small business users of IS in a small city in western Canada. The results show that both managerial and vendor support are essential for effective IS in Canadian small businesses, and supported part of the relations between IS effectiveness and intention of expansion. Overall, the results suggest that managers should engage quality vendors to obtain IS that contribute to the specific goals of the small business. The results of the Canadian study were, for the most part, similar to the results reported in the Singaporean study; however, a few notable differences appear to exist.

Adopting the Entrepreneurial Process in the Study of Information Systems and Small Business

2003 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
M. Gordon Hunter ◽  
Wayne A. Long
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Strategic Orientation ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Entrepreneurial Process

This document suggests the adoption of the Theory of Entrepreneurship by researchers who investigate the use of information systems by small businesses. The majority of existing research into this area tends to adopt results determined from investigations of larger businesses. Thus, the uniqueness of small business is not considered. Concepts such as strategic orientation, decision-making, and resource poverty contribute to the unique situation and approach taken by small business managers. The Theory of Entrepreneurship responds to these concepts. The framework suggests that organizations evolve and that entrepreneurs throughout this evolution face various challenges. The components of the Theory of Entrepreneurship are described here, in concert with the challenge to researchers to consider adopting this framework when conducting investigations into how information systems may be employed to support small business.

scholarly journals The Examination of Factors Influencing Saudi Small Businesses’ Social Media Adoption, by Using UTAUT Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer Bin Humaid ◽  
Yasser Sabri
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Effort Expectancy ◽  
Facilitating Conditions

Social media is becoming a major development in electronic commerce among a wide range of sectors, for example, education, government, health care, and business. In Saudi Arabia, a major movement toward social media has taken place, especially among small business entrepreneurs, due to its low cost and the powerful role it can play in globalization.The goal of this paper is to add to the theoretical knowledge base regarding the adoption of social media among Saudi small businesses, by applying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to examine the influences of Saudi small businesses’ social media adoption. An empirical study was carried out using online survey research among 73 Saudi business entrepreneurs. The major findings of the paper are that Saudi small business entrepreneurs tend to use social media for the major constructs of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. However, although the moderator of gender proved to be effective on the construct of effort expectancy, the effects of the moderators of age, gender, and experience on the other major constructs were not salient.It is believed that the findings will be useful for understanding adoption phenomena better, to help business entrepreneurs to make superior decisions based on them.

scholarly journals 'n Ondersoek na die aanwending van mikrorekenaarstelsels in klein sakeondernemings in Suid-Afrika

1986 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-129
Author(s):  
P. J.S. Bruwer ◽  
C. E. Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
Microcomputer System ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Business World ◽  
Regression Techniques

An investigation into the use of microcomputer systems in small businesses in South Africa The relatively low cost and great advantages, i.e. accuracy, time and cost savings, better decision making, more professional service to clients, etc. make a microcomputer system an attractive aid for any business and particularly for the small business. This is why microcomputers will, today and in future, play an ever-increasing role in the business world. The implementation of a microcomputer system, however, implies major changes for the business and these changes may create major problems for the management of the small business. The objectives of this research project are to determine the extent to which microcomputer systems are used in small businesses in South Africa, what problems they experience with these systems, and to suggest possible solutions to these problems. Furthermore, the major contributing factors to the successful application of microcomputer systems in small businesses are identified by using regression techniques.

scholarly journals Social Media Marketing Adoption Strategies: An Exploratory Multiple Case Study of Landscape Industry Small Businesses

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Crystal Lupo ◽  
Jason R. Stroman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Multiple Case

Despite research contending that marketing is a pivotal factor in small business success, many small business owners continue to underutilize low-cost marketing options available to them. Of these options, social media marketing is a useful tool to maintain competitiveness in the larger marketplace. However, the adoption of social media best practices in small business remains deficient. The landscape industry is a large and growing field with small businesses making up a large and growing share of the industry. Yet some landscape industry small business owners lack strategies to adopt innovative social media marketing strategies to help ensure business viability. This study incorporated a qualitative, exploratory multiple-case study design to explore how landscape industry small business owners use social media marketing strategies to help ensure business viability. Results indicated that successful marketing strategies tended to incorporate Facebook as the primary social media tool and included content such as service, education, and holiday posts. Benefits of social media marketing primarily centered on low-cost marketing options for improved visibility, while challenges included a trial-and-error learning curve. Results of this study might help small businesses improve their long-term viability through social media marketing strategies.

Management Processes

2015 ◽  
pp. 211-225
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Mission Statement ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Short Term ◽  
General Direction ◽  
Management Processes

On a daily basis small businesses carry out the basic operations of the venture. These management processes must support the general direction set by the small business in its long-term mission statement and goals and objective plans. But the small business must also address the short term functional requirements. As the small business grows and matures the management processes must expand and change to support the larger business. More formal and structured processes will be facilitated through the adoption and use of information systems. These processes are presented in this chapter.

Use

2015 ◽  
pp. 170-183
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Small Business Management ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Operational Decision Making ◽  
Positive Environment

A positive environment will contribute to the beneficial use of information systems by small business. It is incumbent upon senior management to take a proactive approach to the strategic use of information systems. Employees must be trained with the appropriate skills. New processes should be explored regularly both with current information systems and new systems that could potentially provide an improvement in performance. Information systems should be sued in a way that contributes to both efficiency and effectiveness to support operational decision making and eventually the competitive advantage of small business. This chapter presents an overview of the issues involved in the use of information systems by small business. Management of small business tends to make decisions based upon an informal approach to gathering information. Once adopted, an information system formalizes this approach and promotes a more structured process for decision making. From an external perspective the use of information systems by small business presents a positive image to customers, suppliers and other small businesses. Internally the responsibility resides with senior management to set a positive environment regarding the use of information systems.

THE ROLE OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND PRIVATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT IN AN INNOVATIVE ECONOMY

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-36
Author(s):  
Shoira Jalolovna Mamatkulova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Sole Proprietorship ◽  
Private Entrepreneurship ◽  
Innovative Economy

This article highlights the role of small business and private entrepreneurship in providing employment.At the same time, the article focuses on small business and sole proprietorship, which shows that this type of business can quickly explore the needs of a compact hidden market, produce a variety of products to meet local needs and offer them to markets at a low cost

Assessment of small businesses activities in Ukraine

2019 ◽  
pp. 40-47
Author(s):  
Igor Ponomarenko ◽  
Kateryna Volovnenko
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Business Entities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Micro Enterprises

The subject of the research is a set of approaches to the statistical analysis ofthe activities of small business entities in Ukraine, including micro-enterprises. The purpose of writing this article is to study of the features of functioningof small business entities in Ukraine. Methodology. The research methodology isto use a system-structural and comparative analysis (to study the change in thenumber of small enterprises by major components); monographic (when studyingmethods of statistical analysis of small businesses); economic analysis (when assessing the impact of small business entities on socio-economic phenomena andprocesses in Ukraine). The scientific novelty consists to determine the features ofthe functioning of small businesses in Ukraine in modern conditions. The influenceof the activities of the main socio-economic and political indicators on the activities of small enterprises in recent periods of time has been identified. It has beenestablished that there is flexibility in the development of strategies by small businesses in conditions of significant competition, which makes it possible to quicklyrespond to changing situations in specific markets. Conclusions. The use of acomprehensive statistical analysis of small businesses functioning in Ukraine willallow government agencies to develop a set of measures to optimize the activitiesof these enterprises, which ultimately will positively affect the strengthening oftheir competitiveness and will contribute to the growth of the national economicsystem.

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