Assessing the Impact of E-Commerce on SMEs in Value Chains

Author(s):  
Judith Jeffcoate ◽  
Caroline Chappell ◽  
Sylvie Feindt

This chapter is intended as a contribution to the establishment of a theoretical foundation for the e-commerce field. Our specific contribution to methodology is through the description of a qualitative approach based on multiple case studies across industry and country boundaries. This has enabled us to propose an analytical framework that will identify the triggers for value chain transformation that will encourage SMEs to adopt e-commerce. The chapter describes seven elements that make up this framework, including the automation of value activity interactions between partners in the value chain. These elements form the basis for a discussion of future trends.

Author(s):  
Judith Jeffcoate

This article describes an analytical framework to identify the triggers for value chain transformation that will encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt e-commerce. The framework was adopted in the KITS project as part of a qualitative approach, using multiple case studies of SMEs that were involved in business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce (Jeffcoate, Chappell & Feindt, 2004). Results from this project are used to illustrate the use of the framework.


Author(s):  
Wallace Alves Esteves Manzano ◽  
Valdemar Vicente Graciano Neto ◽  
Elisa Yumi Nakagawa

Systems-of-Systems (SoS) combine heterogeneous, independent systems to offer complex functionalities for highly dynamic smart applications. Due to their critical nature, SoS should be reliable and work without interruption that could cause serious losses. SoS architectural design can facilitate the prediction of the impact of failures due to SoS behavior. However, existing approaches do not support such evaluation. The main contribution of this paper is to present Dynamic-SoS, an approach to predict, at design time, the SoS architectural behavior at runtime to evaluate whether the SoS can sustain their operation. Results of our multiple case studies reveal Dynamic-SoS is a promising approach that could contribute to the quality of SoS by reliably enabling prior assessment of their dynamic architecture.


Author(s):  
Wallace Manzano ◽  
Valdemar Vicente Graciano Neto ◽  
Elisa Yumi Nakagawa

Systems-of-Systems (SoS) combine heterogeneous, independent systems to offer complex functionalities for highly dynamic smart applications. Due to their critical nature, SoS should be reliable and work without interruption since a failure could cause serious losses. SoS architectural design can facilitate the prediction of the impact of failures due to SoS behavior. However, existing approaches do not support such evaluation. The main contribution of this paper is to present Dynamic-SoS, an approach to predict, at design time, the SoS architectural behavior at runtime to evaluate whether the SoS can sustain their operation. Results of our multiple case studies reveal Dynamic-SoS is a promising approach that could contribute to the quality of SoS by reliably enabling prior assessment of their dynamic architecture.


2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882096177
Author(s):  
Michael Yeldham

Instruction in second language (L2) English phoneme pronunciation almost invariably includes a focus on improving the learners’ use of their articulatory organs to pronounce the relevant sounds. However, the pronunciation of many English sounds also relies on effort from the abdominal region, and under-utilization of this region can often contribute to pronunciation difficulties. For Chinese-speaking learners of English, such relevant sounds include the long vowel and diphthong sounds, particularly the phonemes /iː/, /uː/ and /eɪ/, and also the voiced fricative consonants, /z/, /ð/, /v/ and /ʒ/. Consequently, this study examined the impact of teaching adult Chinese-speaking English learners to enhance the use of their abdomen when pronouncing these sounds. The main focus of the research was a quasi-experimental component, where both an experimental and control group were taught the same way in all aspects, with the only point of difference being that the experimental group was taught the abdominal techniques. Longitudinal multiple-case studies of learners from the experimental group were also employed to examine for any post-course maintenance of the phonemes as well as possible reasons for this. Results from the quasi-experimental component showed that it was advantageous to teach learners the abdominal techniques. Also, there were some discernible trends in the learners’ post-course maintenance of the sounds. This article then discusses pedagogical implications of the study, and provides suggestions for future research of the abdominal techniques.


2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vighneswara Swamy ◽  
Dharani M

Purpose – The global demand for food is expected to increase by 60 percent by 2050 when the world’s population reaches 9.1 billion. To meet this challenge significant investment in the agricultural sector is required to embrace innovative financing mechanisms that can benefit sustainable agricultural development, food security and nutrition. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the agricultural value chain (AVC) financing approaches and tools in India. It presents a proper understanding of the different case studies of Indian AVC financing models and related instruments. It also offers some useful recommendations to improve their efficiency. Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ the multiple case studies approach to research which allows for a purposive sample and the potential for generalizability of findings. This provides a more rigorous and inclusive approach than a single case study research due to the triangulation of evidence. Subsequently, the authors offer an explicit description of AVC financing models. In the next phase, a thorough assessment of these models is made. Finally, the authors formulate some useful policy recommendations based on the findings of the analysis. Findings – There is a need to review the value chain models that exist in the context of – lead actors, business model and sustainability strategy. Determining actual and critical points of finance such as the current flows of funds and their sources of financing, what is needed and in what point in time is significant to enhance the effectiveness of the models. Further, there is a need to analyze and compare financing options such as their relative strengths, risks and costs of financing for each level of participant in the chain. The authors observe that rather than investing in one component of the chain, the financial institution can grow expertise in the chain, share this knowledge and provide financing to support services. This not only benefits clients, but also expands lending opportunities while lowering the risks. Research limitations/implications – The study primarily focusses on AVC financing approaches and tools in India and attempts to analyze the inadequacies in the value chain models. The case study approach is adopted as the accurate data on value chain financing are not available for the analysis. Practical implications – The study has come out with the following policy recommendations: the governments (union government as well as state governments) – in partnership with the private sector need to spearhead and develop measures aimed at making the operation of the value chain efficient, fair, profitable and sustainable; governments have to focus on creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment and, providing the necessary support services in order to attract more investments. These will lower the transaction costs, facilitate the smooth flow of finance along the chain and ultimately increase value-added; financing for processing and marketing is particularly crucial for growth and expansion of the chain; bank finance should not be limited to short-term production loans, but also include big-ticket loans with longer maturities to finance investments in farming equipment and machinery, transportation, storage, mills and other processing/post-harvest facilities. Originality/value – This study is the first of its kind as it is based on a multiple case studies approach in understanding and analyzing the efficiency and effectiveness of AVC financing models in India by evaluating eight of such models. Besides, it offers quite useful policy recommendations to improve their efficiency.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4632
Author(s):  
Varun Gupta ◽  
Luis Rubalcaba

Context: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a turbulent business environment, resulting in market uncertainties, frustrations, and rumors. Wrongly held beliefs—or myths—can hinder startups from turning new market opportunities into their favor (for example, by failing at diversification decisions) or undertaking wrong business decisions, e.g., diversifying in industries that have products of no real market value). Objectives: The objective of the paper is to identify the beliefs that drive the business decisions of startups in a pandemic and to isolate those beliefs that are merely myths. Further, this paper proposes strategic guidelines in the form of a framework to help startups make sound decisions that can lead to market success. Method: The two-step research method involved multiple case studies with five startups based in India, France, Italy, and Switzerland, to identify perceptual beliefs that drove strategic business decisions, followed by a case study of 36 COVID-19-solution focused startups, funded by the European Union (EU). The findings were validated through a survey that involved 102 entrepreneurs. The comparative analysis of two multiple case studies helped identify beliefs that were merely “myths”; myths that drove irrational strategic decisions, resulting in business failures. Results: The results indicate that startups make decisions in pandemic situations that are driven by seven myths, pertaining to human, intellectual, and financial resources. The decision on whether to diversify or continue in the same business operation can be divided into four strategic options of the Competency-Industry Relatedness (C-IR) framework: ignore, delay, phase-in, and diversify. Diversification in the same (or different industry) is less risky for startups if they have the skills, as needed, to diversify in related industries. Diversification in related industries helps startups leverage their experiences and learning curves (those associated with existing product lines) to adapt their existing products in new markets, or utilize their technologies to solve new problems via new products. The desired outcome for these startups should be sustainable business growth—to meet sustainability goals by contributing to the society and the economy. Conclusion: The C-IR framework is a strategic guide for startups to make business decisions based on internal factors, rather than myths. Accurately assessing skill diversity and the nature of new industries (or markets) will help startups leverage their existing resources optimally, without the need for (pricey) external funding. This will foster sustained business growth resulting in a nation economic development. Knowledge transfer from the Innovation ecosystem will further strengthen the C-IR framework effectiveness.


Author(s):  
Tom Yoon ◽  
Bong-Keun Jeong

Using a multiple case studies and surveys, this article finds that factors essential to successful Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) implementations include establishing effective SOA governance, establishing SOA registries, starting with a small project, collaboration between business and IT units, strengthening trust among business units, and training. This article also explores business and IT motivations for SOA implementation and the benefits realized from this implementation. The findings from this article can provide a guidance for practitioners on the successful implementation of SOA.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huseyin Unlu ◽  
Ali Gorkem Yalcin ◽  
Dilek Ozturk ◽  
Guliz Akkaya ◽  
Mert Kalecik ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 1740005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Shoji ◽  
H. Fuke ◽  
K. Hamada ◽  
I. Iijima ◽  
C. Ikeda ◽  
...  

Stratospheric balloons have been used worldwide for more than half a century for various scientific missions. However such balloon operations are facing safety issues due to the reduction in appropriate sites for landing. Instead of landing on the ground, landing and recovering on the sea can be a radical solution to this problem. Marine search-and-recovery operations for balloons are not conducted commonly; however, such the operation has been uniquely developed in Japan for more than 40 years. This study describes the methodology for such search-and-recovery of balloons and gondolas through examination of multiple case studies.


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