Effect of the Intratrepreneurial Culture on the Innovative Activity of Spain's SMEs

The objective of this chapter is to analyze the effect which entrepreneurial culture has over innovation on products processes and development of micro, small and medium businesses (SMEs). That is why an empirical study has been conducted with over 600 firms from Spain. The data processed through linear regressions by ordinary least squares (OLS) which indicates that all factors associated to intrapreneurship have positive effects over innovation activity in SMEs, especially those which are a big larger. These findings are important because they show to businessmen, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, academia and government that in the quest for positive innovation performance, they must promote within organizations the tolerance to risks and mistakes, adequate compensation, incentives, team work, managers support and flexibility in corporate structure.

Challenges for Measuring Value Chain Relation Coordination of SMEs of the Textile and Apparel Industry

The objective of this chapter is to propose a methodology for the measurement of value chain relational coordination of SMEs. For this purpose, the case of the measurement of relational coordination of the value chain of a small safety footwear company of Ambato, Ecuador is analyzed. The results of the analysis show that the measurement of relational coordination in the value chain of SMEs presents several challenges. Some of the challenges are the result of some characteristics of SMEs such as the lack of strategy, processes, and functions formalization. Other challenges are derived from the size and power asymmetry of chain members and the geographical distance between them. Five steps are proposed for the measurement of relational coordination of the value chain of SMEs.

Strategic Brand Management in SMEs for Competitive Advantage

This study aimed to explore how SME owner-managers perceive their roles in marketing and brand management as a strategic approach to enhance their competitiveness to ensure profits, growth, and sustainability. For any organization to grow and thrive it is essential to become customers first choice and for that it is critical to communicate their brand content through effective and strategic brand management. Hence, adopting a qualitative, exploratory approach, 10 owner-managers of SMEs and entrepreneurs in Windhoek, Namibia, were interviewed using semi-structured in-depth interview protocol. Findings reflect that SME brand strategies both in modern and traditional aspects enhance company growth. The study also proposes a framework that is of practical significance for future entrepreneurs, SMEs and brand consultants to enable SMEs to create and develop their brands for better and competitive positioning in the markets. The unique contribution of this study is how SME-focused brand strategies can act as a driver and provide impetus to profits, growth, and sustainability.

Information and Communication Technology Adoption in SMEs in Sri Lanka; Current level of ICT Usage and Perceived Barriers

Information communication technology (ICT), considered as one of the major impacts of organizational performance and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), plays a significant role in the Sri Lankan economy as a strategic partner. Thus, the article examines current levels of ICT usage and perceived barriers to ICT adoption in SMEs in Sri Lanka. The findings revealed that despite the majority of respondents using IT for essential functions, they lacked proper internal IT infrastructures, personal motivation, had internet connection issues, trust issues, and lack of knowledge. These factors were identified as the perceived barriers to ICT adoption in SMEs in Sri Lanka. Data was collected from 67 SME owners from Sri Lanka, except the North province, in November 2016. The findings offer valuable insights to policy makers in general and to the SME owners. The methodology, implications, and suggestions are also discussed.

Key Challenges for Greek IT Start Ups

The study examines the IT Greek start-up ecosystem, analyzing the founders' views, strategy, and current perception regarding their ICT start-ups. The study examines the views and perceptions of 143 founders of Greek IT start ups who participated in exhibitions as start-up companies between September 2018 and May 2019, and had completed at least one accelerator program.

Supply Chain Startups in India

Supply chain management (SCM) has become a critical business function. SCM has become such a specialized function that dedicated firms on SCM has emerged. Startups in SCM domain target to reduce the inefficiencies through technological interventions and innovative business models. This chapter focuses on 10 Indian supply chain startups. These startups were analyzed based on supply chain drivers, supply chain operation reference model (SCOR), and using business model canvas (BMC). The case data was collected through secondary sources and analyzed through the cross-case analysis. It was found that the SCM startups were focusing more on transportation driver. SCOR model analysis demonstrated that the SCM startups assisted in operational area of the SCM where they carried out operational activities and decision making. BMC analysis revealed that startups were asset light and resources held by these startups were the financial funding which the firm secured through venture capitalists and software development teams.

The Influence of the Entrepreneur's Open Innovation Strategy on Firm Performance

This article helps identify the main factors influencing the performance of small and medium agribusiness enterprises in Kenya. The study proposes five research hypotheses, each tested on a sample of 150 agribusiness enterprises using multiple regression analysis. The results show that the use of external partners, such as scientific research establishments and commercial consultants, influences the firm's performance. This influence is moderated by factors like internal capabilities and the firm's degree of openness to innovation.

FinTech and SMEs

In this chapter, a study about how Italian SMEs understand and use FinTech technologies is presented. The study focuses on FinTech-aided banking services, in particular, due to the fact that these are, at present, the most widely used FinTech technologies available in Italy. The study shows how, despite FinTech entering Italy only in recently, the Italian SMEs market is very active and fruitful for digital companies. In the last years, a continuous growth of investment has seen the development of FinTech technologies in multiple areas, such as mobile networks, big data, trust management, mobile embedded systems, cloud computing, image processing, and data analytic techniques.

An Analysis of Implementation of Digitalisation in SMEs in India

This article attempted to analyse the implementation of digitalisation in small and medium manufacturing enterprises in India. The objective of the study is to determine the impact of the size of the firm on the adoption of digitalisation, and motives for the adoption and challenges faced during the adoption process. Logistic regression, t-Test and descriptive statistics have been used to analyse the data. The study found that the size of the firm is an important factor for the adoption of digitalisation. An increase in sales, profitability, competitive capability and awareness of the brand were found as the most motivating factor for the adoption of digitalisation. Satisfaction with the current system, high cost, the lack of appropriate technology and the lack of top management support were the most important challenges faced by the organisations during the adoption process of digitalisation. The study recommended firms which have not adopted digitalisation to think in this regard as there are several benefits associated with the adoption of digitalisation.

Contributions of Entrepreneurial Orientation to Competitive Advantage

The main objective of this chapter is to analyze the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantage on Portuguese exporting textiles small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, a quantitative methodological approach was used, conducting a descriptive, exploratory, and transversal empirical study, having applied a questionnaire to a sample of Portuguese SMEs, associated of the Portuguese textile association (ATP). The structural equations model was used for this purpose, using the partial least squares (PLS). Based on survey data from 247 firms, the empirical results indicate that 1) innovation have a positive and significant impact on differentiation, 2) proactivity and risk-taking does not have a positive and significant impact on differentiation, and 3) innovation, proactivity, and risk-taking does not have a positive and significant impact on cost leadership. This study shows that Portuguese textile SMEs seek to support and stimulate new ideas, experimentation, and creativity that surely result in new products, services, and processes.