scholarly journals Boosting Emerging Technology Adoption in SMEs: A Case Study of the Fashion Industry

Author(s):  
Arianne Muthia Zahra ◽  
Wawan Dhewanto ◽  
Akbar Adhi Utama

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) provide a significant contribution to the economy and are amongst the target of governments’ digital transformation programs. Yet, existing advanced technology adoption models are based upon and targeted for large-scale companies and might not be applicable to the majority of firms in this segment. To address this issue, this study aims to explore ways in boosting the adoption of technologies relevant to SMEs by employing a qualitative research approach through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with manufacturing SMEs in the fashion industry. Evidence of this study points to several main findings: (1) Leader's competencies, technology literacy, growth mindset, and supportive SME conditions provide positive sentiments towards emerging technologies. However, (2) SMEs must also consider the compatibilities of the technology and evaluate its advantage to the firms prior to adoption. Lastly, (3) stakeholders support and competitors influence are also shown to affect SME leaders, the SME, and the technology itself in terms of supporting technology adoption. This research contributes to the literature by uncovering current condition and needs of SMEs for their technological transformation. For relevant stakeholders, targets of transformation might be achieved if the particular concerns of SMEs have been addressed.

Digital India is one of the vital initiatives introduced by our Indian Government to “Develop the online infrastructure” and to make sure that the Services given to the citizens by the government is available to them digitally. The target year to transform digital in all the sectors is set us 2020 and it is expected to happen based on successful adoption of information technology.Adopting information technology results in „Digital Transformation‟ and it is realized as the needful change of the hour by the entrepreneurs in all the sectors. Though the large scale organisations are comparatively in ready state for Digital transformation, most of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have their own challenges in adopting information technology. This article has included the prime challenges in information technology adoption such as digital Illiteracy, connectivity, compatibility, cybercrime threat, inter departmental co-ordination, financial affordability and resistance to change Mind set. In spite of all these challenges, digital transformation is identified as unavoidable and vital in the present business scenario. Hence, the researcher has taken an attempt to identify the influencers and inhibitors involved in the process of information technology adoption among the SMEs in Tamilnadu State by analysing their demographic and organisational variables. The research results interpret about the digital perception of the SMEs, their difficulties and readiness to adopt information technology. The research findings highlight the prevailing need for digital literacy and better connectivity for better digital transformation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
Betgilu Oshora ◽  
Goshu Desalegn ◽  
Eva Gorgenyi-Hegyes ◽  
Maria Fekete-Farkas ◽  
Zoltan Zeman

The study examines the determinant factors that influence financial inclusion among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia. The study uses an explanatory research design and a mixed research approach with both primary and secondary sources of data. More specifically, the study adopts a multiple linear regression model. The finding of the study reveals that; supply-side factors, demand-side factors, market opportunity, and collateral requirements have a positive effect on the firm’s access to finance. On the other hand, institutional framework factors, and the costs of borrowing negatively affect the firm’s access to finance. This study suggests concerned bodies sustain rapid and inclusive economic growth and hence eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, the policymakers must build an efficient, strong, and well-functioning financial market system that provides affordable and sustainable financial service to SMEs.


Author(s):  
Fikrotul Ulyah ◽  
Ahmad Toha ◽  
Sasongko Sasongko

TQM concept is known as a significant driver of performance of large-scale companies. This study points out two perspectives namely direct and indirect influence associated with TQM. Specifically, it delves into the innovation and spiritual capital in improving the performance of Intako. Path analysis was carried out to shed lights on the correlation among the aforementioned aspects. There were 98 samples involved in the study. The research results confirm the influence of innovation and spiritual capital on TQM. Likewise, the same results are evident on the influence of innovation, spiritual capital, and TQM on company performance. Key word: Innovation, Spiritual Capital, Total Quality Management, Performance, Small-and-Medium Enterprises


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Ofgaha Alemu Dire ◽  
Wegene Bekele Bekelcha

The study focuses on “perception towards regulatory burden on small and medium enterprise performance” in Shashemene town, west Arsi zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. The study adopted a qualitative research approach to address broad objective through answering research questions developed by a researchers. Specifically, this study used questionnaire to collect data from SMEs business owners, managers and employees and in-depth interview conducted. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The information obtained from a samples of the 140 small and medium enterprise and through face-to-face interview of 10 owners of SMEs business. The respondents were selected using stratified sampling techniques. The result of the study show that small and medium enterprise challenges from different factors as they perceived from the challenges of regulatory burden and identifies mechanisms used to mitigate problems from regulatory burden and how much the regulators have smooth contact with them and to what extent regulators made inspections. Moreover, the result indicated the perception of SMEs businesses towards regulatory burden. As a whole, the study suggests a series of measures should be taken by government policy, makers and regulators for SMEs performance. Researchers’ conclude and recommend that government bodies, Small and medium enterprise business owners, managers, employees and policy makers should focus on regulation to reduce regulatory burden on small and medium enterprises.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 886-901
Author(s):  
Lars Hendrik Achterberg ◽  
Maktoba Omar ◽  
Ambisisis Ambituuni ◽  
Oliver Roll

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the external antecedents of pricing information acquisition in an integrative manner. The study develops understanding of determinants of information acquisition as a crucial prerequisite of successful pricing strategies within German small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach A large scale survey of sampled 2,542 SMEs was conducted. A total of 220 questionnaires were completed, reflecting a response rate of 9 per cent. This was acceptable considering the sensitivity of pricing issues. A final sample of 173 usable questionnaires were obtained. Findings The result indicates that external antecedents of pricing information acquisition practices have a positive impact on SME pricing performance, and pricing performance is positively related to firm performance. Practical implications The study indicates that external antecedents of pricing information acquisition are strategic pricing capabilities, which should receive attention by SME managers. Originality/value This study bridges significant obstacle to knowledge generation and theory development of the important issues of pricing information acquisition in SMEs.


Author(s):  
Neven Vrcek ◽  
Ivan Magdalenic

Many benefits from implementation of e-business solutions are related to network effects which means that there are many interconnected parties utilizing the same or compatible technologies. The large-scale adoption of e-business practices in public sectors and in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)-prevailing economic environments will be successful if appropriate support in the form of education, adequate legislative, directions, and open source applications is provided. This case study describes the adoption of e-business in public sectors and SMEs by using an integrated open source approach called e-modules. E-module is a model which has process properties, data properties, and requirements on technology. Therefore e-module presents a holistic framework for deployment of e-business solutions and such e-module structure mandates an approach which requires reengineering of business processes and adoption of strong standardization that solves interoperability issues. E-module is based on principles of service-oriented architectures with guidelines for introduction into business processes and integration with ERP systems. Such an open source approach enables the spreading of compatible software solutions across any given country, thus, increasing e-business adoption. This paper presents a methodology for defining and building e-modules.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-271
Author(s):  
Wonkyu Shin ◽  
Sehwan Oh ◽  
Sungho Rho

This article examines some of the distinctive characteristics of South Korean firms in relation to their research and development (R&D) and export activities affecting the efforts to retain intellectual property rights (IPR). In particular, this study shows how firms of different sizes (small and medium enterprises: SMEs vs. large-scale enterprises: LEs) tend to hold the ownership of IPR differently. To test the heterogeneous effects of the firms’ innovative capacity, this study utilizes the firm level data of 6,138 Korean firms during 2006–2014. In the years 2006–2014, South Korea concluded free trade agreements (FTAs) with numerous economies and accelerated its market competition and integration into the global economy. Our empirical results found that R&D activities of both SMEs and LEs were active during the period; however, SMEs in particular took a great stride in their patenting and innovation activities. Findings of our article also show that the more companies engaged in export activities, the more actively patents grew. Furthermore, the companies in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry are more aggressive in patenting activities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Oduro

Purpose Open innovation (OI) is now recognized as one essential innovation paradigm to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) quell their liability of newness and smallness. However, little is known about SMEs’ OI barriers, particularly in emerging economies. Drawing on both network and transaction cost theory, this study aims to explore the barriers to SMEs’ OI adoption in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted an exploratory sequential research design that involved both qualitative and quantitative study methodologies. A total of 644 responses (21 survey interviews and 623 usable questionnaires) across SMEs in Ghana were collected and analyzed in the study. A qualitative analysis involving quotations extracted from the respondent’s statement was used to present the qualitative findings, whereas SEM-partial least square, co-variance approach, was used to analyze the formulated hypotheses. Findings Results show that significant barriers to SMEs OI adoption are collaboration barriers – difficulty in finding the right partners and problems of cooperation and coordination of operational functions; organizational barriers – lack of flexible internal procedures and structures and organizational inertia; and strategic barriers – opportunistic behavior of partners and lack of strategic and resource fit. Contrary to existing findings, financial and knowledge barriers were disclosed as driving factors, rather than barriers, to SMEs’ OI adoption; these findings challenge conventional thinking about SMEs’ major OI barriers. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on only SMEs in one emerging economy, namely, Ghana, which may limit the generalization of the findings. Practical implications The findings of this study, while limited to Ghana, offer useful insights to SMEs managers, development practitioners and policymakers respecting the overall importance of the OI model, its associated impediments, as well as the strategic measures to quell those barriers. Originality/value This study provides a pioneering empirical investigation into the main barriers to SMEs’ OI adoption in a less-explored emerging market context through a mixed research approach.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document