scholarly journals The influence of logistics integration on information sharing and business performance: The case of small and medium enterprises in South Africa

Author(s):  
Richard Chinomona ◽  
R.I. David Pooe

Logistics integration across partnering firms has become the backbone of supply chain management as it facilitates information sharing, which is required in order to enhance business performance. This study investigated the mediatory role of information sharing on the relationships between logistics integration and business performance within the small and medium enterprise (SME) context. Five research hypotheses were postulated and the hypotheses were empirically tested using sample data from the SME sector in South Africa’s Gauteng Province. The results indicated that logistics integration positively influences information sharing and business performance in a significant way within the context of South African SMEs. Managerial implications of the findings are discussed, whilst limitations and future research directions are indicated.

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chinomona ◽  
E. Chinomona

Despite increasing awareness of the importance of managing the negative effects of organizational politics at the workplace, research on consequences relating to employees’ perceptions of the same in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa has received little attention. Therefore, using data from 250 SMEs in Zimbabwe, this study examines the effects of employees’ perceptions of organizational politics on turnover intentions and the mediating influence of employees’ perceptions of equity and organizational commitment. All the posited six hypotheses were supported by the sample data. Managerial implications of the findings are discussed and limitations and future research directions are indicated.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3(J)) ◽  
pp. 63-75
Author(s):  
Richard Chinomona

Most firms are increasingly realizing the benefits of involving the outside suppliers by considering their manufacturing processes and technological capabilities, especially regarding quality, time to market, configuration, control and cost. Nevertheless, in the context of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), scant attention has been given to the empirical investigation into the influence of supplier involvement on business performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of supplier involvement on business performance and the mediating role of communication and relationship longevity among SMEs in South Africa. Five hypotheses were posited and sample data of 302 were collected from Gauteng Province of South Africa, to empirically test these hypotheses. The results of this study showed that, supplier involvement has influence on communication, relationship longevity and business performance in SMEs context in South Africa. The managerial implications of the findings are discussed and limitations and future research directions are indicated.


Author(s):  
E. A. G. Sumanasiri

This paper explores the e-leadership behaviours of Sri Lankan Small and Medium Entreprises and the barriers to e-leadership in SME sector. To explore these research objectives a qualitative method was used with 23 semi-structured face-to-face interviews with owners of fast-growing SMEs in Sri Lanka. To understand the effective e-leadership behaviours the study used Gary Yukl’s Hierarchical Taxonomy of Leadership Behaviours model. Findings confirmed that most SME leaders use ‘Internet of things’ in performing their leadership roles. Among the four effective e-leadership behaviours described by Gary Yukl, most SME leaders use e-leadership for change-oriented decision making while relationship-oriented leadership behaviours became the least important. Theoretical contributions, limitations and future research directions are discussed in the concluding section of the paper.


Author(s):  
Rosmeriany Nahan-Suomela ◽  
Satu Lautamäki

A rapidly changing business environment generates a growing demand for enterprises to understand their markets. Knowledge about markets is a strategic resource and enterprises are advised to invest in understanding their markets, competitors, and customers. Market orientation is widely studied as a concept describing how enterprises generate and respond to market knowledge. Market orientation is a cultural factor which we analyze in the framework of organizational culture. We examine market orientation as a cultural factor, as adopting a new type of culture inside and outside an organization can be particularly challenging for Small- and Medium-Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs have not been considered as very active participants in global business, where market knowledge is of utmost importance. For example, Keskin (2006) finds that market orientation is an antecedent of learning orientation in SMEs and market intelligence guides their learning processes. This chapter examines both theoretically and empirically how market orientation as a cultural factor is related to the internationalization processes of SMEs. This hopefully helps us to understand how SMEs can develop their businesses to a global level. We will present a qualitative study of four Finnish SMEs representing different phases of internationalization. Finally, discussion on the results and future research directions will be presented.


Author(s):  
Jeremiah Madzimure

Background: As the South African economy continues to grow, the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a potential source for employment creation and productivity within the country has become widely acknowledged. However, one area in which the SMEs in the country still need to develop is in their implementation of supply chain management practices, particularly their relationships with suppliers, which could result in either the failure or success of any business enterprise. Majority of studies conducted in this area have focussed on large firms, thereby creating a research gap in this area.Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of supplier integration on supply chain performance in South African SMEs.Setting: This study was conducted in Gauteng province of South Africa.Methods: A quantitative research methodology was employed in this study. A convenient sample comprising 283 owners and managers from SMEs drawn from the Gauteng Province was used in the study. The collected data were then analysed using Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis.Results: Positive correlations were found between supplier integration and both the tangible and intangible sub-dimensions of supply chain performance. Supplier integration also predicted both the tangible and intangible sub-dimensions of supply chain performance.Conclusion: These results imply that to improve the performance of their supply chains, it is imperative for SMEs to ensure that linkages with their suppliers are properly aligned for improved coordination, which leads to better relationships and supply of materials. This study contributes to the literature by proposing and testing the influence of supplier integration on supply chain performance.


Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdullah Alhamami ◽  
Noor Azuan Hashim ◽  
Roshayati Abdul Hamid ◽  
Siti Ngayesah Ab. Hamid

Social media (SM) has become a necessity and a method to confront challenges and fierce competition. More than half of the population are using SM. However, its implication for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is not well documented and researched. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review the literature pertaining to the adoption of SM by SMEs. A systematic literature review was conducted using specific keywords and database. This has resulted in reviewing 28 related articles. The findings was presented using frequency analysis. Number of articles are increasing steadily especially in emerging markets with large number of studies deploying the exploratory nature. The most widely used theory is the technological-organizational-environmental framework (TOE) and the sample size of the reviewed studies is adequate. Increasingly the structural equation modelling are being used. However, the use of intervening variable is minimal. The finding also showed that organizational and environmental context variables are the most important predictors of SM adoption by SMEs while the consequence of this adoption on business performance is mixed. There is a need for more studies to discover the consequence of adopting SM by SMEs using a combination of theories.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 4743
Author(s):  
Francesco Castagna ◽  
Piera Centobelli ◽  
Roberto Cerchione ◽  
Eugenio Oropallo ◽  
Shashi ◽  
...  

In this paper, a structured review was conducted to investigate the internationalisation process of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to define barriers and enablers and identify research gaps in this relevant field. Data were collected from two databases of scientific peer-reviewed articles (i.e., Scopus and Web of Science). After the selection process, 161 papers focusing on SMEs’ internalisation were analysed using both descriptive and content analysis. The analysis of the results highlights that SMEs’ internalisation is a growing research field, but different research gaps remain to be filled. These gaps concern barriers, impact on performance, models, and theories related to the different phases of the internationalisation process (e.g., start-up, early entrance, international growth). The future research directions identified interesting suggestions and guidelines for future researchers in the field of SMEs internationalisation.


Author(s):  
Regina Aurellia Putri ◽  
Paskah Ika Nugroho

In order to evaluate Business Performance and make Small and Medium Enterprise easier to receive Business Credit Community, Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia (IAI) provides SAK EMKM (Financial Accounting Standards of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). SAK EMKM consists of Statement of Financial Position, Income Statement, and Notes to Financial Statement. Object of this research is Charcoal Briquette Producers that is categorized as Medium Enterprise located in in Salatiga. Purpose of this research is to educate and assist EMKM XYZ in arranging financial statement, since owner of this business does not understand what is SAK EMKM and how to apply it.


Author(s):  
Chengedzai Mafini ◽  
Osayuwamen Omoruyi

<p>Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of every economy. However, in order for them to sustain their role of contributing to the mainstream economy, SMEs have to implement effective strategies in all of their business operations, inclusive of logistics. The function of logistics is important to SMEs because it is the quintessence of the organisation’s relationship with suppliers and customers. The aim of this study was to investigate the challenges encountered as well as the benefits realised by SMEs during the implementation of logistics strategies. A quantitative approach using the cross-sectional descriptive survey technique was used in which a three-section questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 131 SME owners and managers in Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data analysis was conducted using simple descriptive statistics. The results of the study reveal that financial constraints, the lack of logistics skills among the workforce, high costs of information technology and rapid technological advancements were the most important challenges to SMEs. Challenges related to inventory and environmental management emerged as the least relevant. Enhanced competitive advantage, increased sales and a reduction in operational costs were the most important benefits to SMEs. Reduction in labour turnover and innovation emerged as the least important benefits. Based on the findings, several recommendations were proposed.</p><p><strong>Key Words:</strong> SME, benefits, challenges, Emfuleni Local Municipality</p>


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