scholarly journals Digital Transformation in the Nigerian Small Business Sector

2022 ◽  
pp. 359-382
Author(s):  
Olakunle Olayinka ◽  
Martin George Wynn

Digital transformation is now impacting businesses in both the developed and developing worlds, and this chapter examines this phenomenon in the small business sector in Nigeria. Adopting an interpretivist philosophy, the methodology combines a survey of small business enterprises (SBEs) with in-depth case studies of three Nigerian companies. Ten critical influencing factors are identified, and a model (Engage-Deploy-Exploit-Transform – EDET) is developed and applied to the case studies to assess the status of digital transformation. The influencing factors provide a checklist for SBEs embarking on digital transformation projects, and the model can be used to assess progress and identify new opportunities for digital transformation at the business process level. The authors believe this to be a useful contribution to the growing literature in this field that can be used by both researchers and practitioners in similar developing-world contexts.

1982 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ernst W. Neuland

The importance of small business enterprises in a free market economy is reflected by their contribution to economic activity, maintaining competitiveness, and provision of employment opportunities. Despite their economic importance, small business firms are characterized by a high failure rate, inter alia, owing to their unique problems. The independent entrepreneur accordingly has a definite need for aid - which is rendered to the small business sector in the majority of capitalistic countries, including South Africa. It would appear that research in the field of small business has, almost without exception, been conducted in an unsystematic and fragmentary manner. In this paper a conceptual framework, which is based on the developmental approach and the life cycle concept, is advanced. By relating the specific problems of small business firms to the stage of development of the firm in a strategic sense, a systematic approach for studying the dynamic small business firm ensues. This approach will also serve as a conceptual framework for: research into small business firms; developmental aid to the small business sector; development and training of entrepreneurs; financing considerations by the financial sector; and strategy formulation and implementation for the small business firm as such.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Lihnida Stojanovska-Georgievska ◽  
Ivana Sandeva ◽  
Aleksandar Krleski ◽  
Hristina Spasevska ◽  
Margarita Ginovska ◽  
...  

Although the building sector builds and renovates objects, the construction industry is currently due for a digital renovation. In this paper, we provide insight into the status of BIM adoption in North Macedonia as a step towards the digital transformation of the construction industry. The presented review on the current stage of development, benefits, and barriers is followed with showcasing the possibilities for using BIM for the assessment of the energy performance of buildings through case studies. Furthermore, the results of the conducted survey on BIM awareness and the proposed national roadmap for BIM adoption are elaborated on.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Wynn ◽  
Peter Jones

Entrepreneurship research has often focused on the capabilities and motivation of the entrepreneurs themselves, but there have also been more recent attempts to understand the contextual factors that can engender and support entrepreneurial activity. This article examines the contextual factors in evidence in four Knowledge Transfer Partnership case studies, where entrepreneurial activity has played a key role in developing and implementing significant change projects in small business enterprises. Based on a detailed analysis of these case studies, a number of contextual factors are identified that may act as a model for others researching entrepreneurship in similar contexts. The study finds that four main factors in the broader socio-economic environment were key in engendering entrepreneurial activity: the influence of the local university, availability of financial support, regional knowledge production and the presence of industry clusters pursuing similar objectives. There were also a number of influencing factors within the small business company environment: the potential to develop human and social capital, particularly evident in family businesses, and the opportunities to rapidly adopt and change technology platforms and systems that encouraged entrepreneurial thinking and initiative taking. The case studies also evidence that entrepreneurial initiatives may not always produce successful long-term outcomes.


Author(s):  
Felicity Lamm

In spite of the fact New Zealand small businesses represent over 90 percent of the business population there has been little research and scant discussion regarding absenteeism in small businesses. The implication is that absenteeism in the small business sector is similar to that experienced by large businesses and therefore does not warrant special attention. Based on data gathered from 65 New Zealand small business case studies since 1990 onwards, this paper attempts to outline the issues surrounding absenteeism in the small business sector within the context of the ECA employment environment. It is understood that any discussion on absenteeism cannot be separated from the employment issues surrounding worker injury and illness as one is the consequence of the other. It is also argued that worker absenteeism in small businesses is the action of last resort for the following reasons: lack of compliance and enforcement small business employment practices; precarious employment and the employment environment.


Author(s):  
Nabeel A.Y. Al-Qirim

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to national economies and employment levels and represent a viable source for inventions and innovations. The emergence of electronic commerce in the early 90’s could provide different opportunities to the small business sector to overcome its inadequacies. However, in view of the electronic commerce/business (EC) literature in organizations in general and in SMEs specifically, EC research is scarce. Available research portrays a gloomy picture about EC uptake and use by SMEs. Therefore, this chapter attempts, by reviewing recent EC research, to depict an agenda for EC success in SMEs made up of ten influencing factors. Thus, an attempt is made to develop deeper understanding about the factors influencing EC success in SMEs. By following the suggested guidelines in this chapter, SMEs would be in a better position to assess the viability of the new EC perspective to their organizations. The same factors are highly important to researchers, SMEs, professionals (including educational institutions) and policymakers in driving SMEs and EC forward.


2020 ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Olga Anatolyevna Rodionova ◽  
Anatoly Sergeevich Truba ◽  
Tamara Gennadievna Evsyukova

Author(s):  
Nataliia MITSENKO ◽  
Igor MISHCHUK

The main purpose of the publication is the development of theoretical approaches, systematization of the results of analysis and definition of measures for the formation of logistic systems of trade enterpreneurship subjects (trade enterprises), which belong to the small business sector. The peculiarities of formation were identified and the problematic aspects of the modern stage of entrepreneurship development in Ukraine were identified. The existence of the logistic component in the general complex of the conduct of trading activity by the entrepreneurship subjects is determined. The essence and ratio of concepts «system of logistic» and «logistics system» of the enterprise are determined. The objective of the logistics system organization as a complex, economic and technical and technological system covering the logistics system of the enterprise is emphasized), personnel of the management services of the enterprise logistic activity, as well as legal, organizational,managerial and methodical principles of all these elements interaction of the system and its management, formed on the basis of the scientific and theoretical basis (theory) of logistics management. The peculiarities of the functioning of small business entities in Ukraine and the averaged parameters of commodity flows in this sector of economy are investigated, factors of logistic flows organization specificity formation in the retail segment, which influence the requirements for the creation and operation of trade enterprises logistic systems and the choice of approaches to them, are determined. The attention is drawn to the need to consider as the main factor in the formation of the trade complex system of logistic of operational and functional processes of logistics activities, which are carried out by a trading company in order to bring commodity flows to end buyers of goods. The necessity of determining the structure of the logistics system of the trading company is focused on taking into account the resources available from the dealer in order to create opportunities for organizational, economic, technical and technological interaction with other supply chain participants in which the given enterprise is involved, and simultaneously ensuring compliance of the goods sold with the requirements end buyers. The key directions of logistic activity improvement of enterprises of trade – subjects of small (and micro) entrepreneurship, which are connected with technical and technological and infrastructure improvements within the enterprise logistics system, introduction of modern management technologies in the logistics management subsystem and logistics administration, are grounded, as well as the use of outsourcing capabilities of logistics functions and operations and the use of modern communication tools for the radical change of trade technologies , which will be reflected in the requirements for organizing a complex of logistics activities of retailers and, accordingly, logistic systems created by them. The purpose of the research is to develop theoretical approaches, to systematize the results of the analysis of the essential characteristics and the composition of the trade company system of logistics, and to identify the main measures for the formation of the system of logistics of the subjects of trade enterprise (trade enterprises), which belong to the small business sector. Object of research – subjects of trade enterprise – trade enterprises, which belong to the small business sector. The subject of the study is theoretical and methodological principles of logistic activity organization and conceptual approaches to the construction of logistic formations in the conditions of integration processes. In accordance with the goal formulated, the main objectives of the study: • on the basis of analysis of the most common scientific theories to determine mechanisms for managing them; • to identify new approaches for identifying the essence of logistics, the content of logistics activities of trade enterprises and identify the actual problems of their construction; • to formulate a conceptual approach, basic principles and applied principles of organization of logistic formations with the participation of small business entities; • to develop scientific and practical recommendations on the construction of trade enterprises systems of logistics and their development taking into account the integration processes in the field of commodity circulation.


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