BUSINESS NETWORKING, MARKETING AND INDUSTRY ANALYSIS: A Proposed Framework for SMEs in Mauritius

This paper is about the proposal of a framework for SMEs in Mauritius. It brings solutions to the weakness concerning the development of the SME industry in Mauritius and also proposes a framework for it in the context of globalisation. Such an initiative would allow SMEs to expand into large enterprises (LEs) and would be considered as ‘Gateways to Larger Enterprises’.

THE NETWORKING OF MAINTENANCE ENTITIES FOR PRODUCTION AND OTHER PROCESSES

The high share of maintenance costs in manufacturing processes and their continuing low efficiency lead to a search for solutions to this problem not only in the organization and management of internal maintenance, but also in outsourcing and interconnecting the maintenance entities into separate but cooperating partner units. The creation of business networking, recently applied in manufacturing processes, offers significant potential for efficiency in specific fields of manufacturing and other equipment maintenance. Applying such a system can increase flexibility, professionalism, operability and the quality of maintenance through new digital, virtual, organizational and working forms. This article deals with the assessment of the possibility of creating business networks for maintenance processes within production and non-production operations, which use machinery and other equipment for their activities, and it also deals with a demonstration of the significant economic and non-economic benefits. It is based on process analysis of the company Vitkovice Heavy Machinery (VHM), University Hospital Ostrava and on research in other industrial companies.

THE STUDY OF SME’S PERFORMANCE IN FURNITURE CARVING INDUSTRY

The center of SMEs carving furniture in Karduluk village, Sumenep Regency in Madura, East Java which has dynamic and uncertain environment and also high level of competition. Such situation needs adequate managerial capabilities so that SME players can sustain their existence from external competition. In spite of its thriving existence, the industry has some potential problems, which need to be identified The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of the entrepreneurship orientation, the capability of business network towards the performance of SMEs through the commitment of the businessmen. This research employed quantitative analysis, which used AMOS as its method of analysis. Data collection was conducted by distributing questionnaires to 105 craftman who were also managers of craving furniture units. This research found that businessmen orientation affected the performance of carving furniture. Business networking capability affected the performance of carving furniture. Behavioral commitment had a partial mediation impact on entrepreneurship orientation towards the performance of carving furniture. Behavioral commitment had a full mediation impact on entrepreneurship orientation towards the performance of carving furniture.

Innovation in agricultural and county shows: conceptualising the e-eventscape

PurposeIn response to the cancellation of a host of events during the summer of 2020, the purpose of this paper is to examine the rapid innovation that created an online County Show. County Shows are traditionally associated with agriculture and the wider rural economy of a region and provide a range of visitor experiences alongside business networking and trading opportunities. The case of the online Lincolnshire Show sought to replicate many aspects of a physical show, and this paper evaluates its effectiveness by applying a newly developed e-eventscape model.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach generated data from businesses, visitors and the show organiser. Surveys and social media feedback from attendees captured overall satisfaction levels and suggestions for improvements. Participation in the online Business Breakfast event along with an interview with the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Show provided deeper understanding of the innovation occurring.FindingsThe nature of innovation was strongly rooted in place, despite creating a virtual product. Local networks and supporters were critical to staging the online Show. The proposed e-eventscape model allowed an effective appraisal of the online Show, identifying many strengths in terms of the user interface and aesthetics as well as opportunities for improvement, especially linked to greater interactive engagement.Originality/valueThe impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have accelerated digital innovation in a range of events and festivals. This provides an opportunity to examine the evolving role of Shows in the rural economy and the innovation processes that have emerged. As well as presenting original insights into rural innovation, the paper develops and tests a new e-eventscape model applicable to the growing field of online events and festivals. Findings indicate that there is considerable scope for organisers to embed online content into the future of many live Shows and festivals, far beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appropriate Social Media Platforms Commensurate with the Maturity of Organizations

As digital technologies advance, the digital world is integrated with the real one through various digital platforms. Digital transformation in organizations is essentially based on emerging technologies and social and digital platforms. The purpose of this study is to help organizations choose the appropriate platforms to interact with customers and participate in the digital world in accordance with the maturity they gain in using these digital technologies. The present research, by synthesizing empirical studies on the use of various social platforms in organizations, provides a conceptual map of the relationship between the platform type and the maturity stage of organizations. According to the findings of this study, general social networks are suitable platforms for organizations with the first-stage maturity characteristics. Various social networks and creativity works sharing sites were recognized as suitable for the second stage; and public blogs and educational materials sharing for the third stage. Microblogs, discussion forums, and business networking sites are also appropriate for organizations with the characteristics of stages four and five. Using the findings of this research, organizations will be able to identify a social platform appropriate to their stage of readiness and maturity and make the most out of its benefits.

Business Networking and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Benue State, Nigeria

The impact of business networking on the performance of SMEs in Benue State, Nigeria is investigated in this study. The study focuses on the impact of network governance, network content, and network structure on SMEs in Benue State, Nigeria. The study employs a survey design, with a questionnaire serving as the data gathering tool. The study's population consists of 650 licenced SMEs in Benue State, with a sample size of 242 obtained via stratified sampling. The KMO and Bartlett's tests show that variables are highly significant, and principal component analysis was appropriate at 0.631. The reliability test-retest result revealed a reliability index of (0.702). Regression analysis was used to examine and present the data received from the businesses surveyed. Network governance (42.2 percent), network content (30.2 percent), and network structure (46.2 percent) all have a positive and significant effect on the performance of SMEs in Benue State, Nigeria, according to the results of tested hypotheses. According to the study's findings, business networking in a business environment is concerned with characteristics such as network governance, network content, and network structure, which create the foundation upon which SMEs connect with their surroundings. The research also revealed that business networking has a significant impact on SMEs' performance. SMEs working in any business environment should build up a formation structure that allows them to engage freely within the environment, according to the report.

Examining the Relationship between Entrepreneurship Development Programs and Business Performance among Entrepreneurs in Tioman Island, Malaysia

Malaysia is an ecotourism destination that attracts foreign tourists, like ecotourism destinations in Bali, Chiang-Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Aceh. Tioman Island is one of the most beautiful island destinations in Southeast Asia and receives an abundance of foreign tourists every year. This influx of tourists has built a new market segment and ecotourism concept approach, especially to micro and small entrepreneurs in Tioman Island. Some micro and small ecotourism operators in Tioman Island face competition problems with some medium-level companies that offer more competitive tourism products. This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurship development programs and business performance among entrepreneurs in Tioman Island. The findings showed that technology application and market access have a significant positive effect on business performance. Besides that, three other variables, namely, business networking, business financing, and training skill, do not significantly affect the business performance among entrepreneurs in Tioman Island. In conclusion, two significant variables that have contributed to entrepreneur business performance in Tioman Island are technology application and market access. This study can provide opportunities for some micro and small entrepreneurs among the island community, such as lodging services, homestays, chalets, and recreational services.