The Moderating Effect of Social Capital in Relation to Entrepreneurial Orientation and Firm Performance

The importance of entrepreneurial orientation (EO), resource-based view (RBV), network types of social capital (SC) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have become the main focus in the manufacturing environment. The current study investigates 1. The relationship between EO and Manufacturing SMEs performance and 2. The moderating effect of intra- and extra-industry network in EO and manufacturing SMEs performance relationship. Quantitative method was done through survey. The population of this study was industrial SMEs in Tehran and Hamedan. Proportionate stratified random sampling was employed and out of 580 questionnaires sent out, only 150 questionnaires were returned. The result implies that the dimensions of EO positively improved manufacturing SMEs performance. In addition the result shows that the high intra-industry network strongly moderates the relationship between innovativeness and growth-profit ability and also strongly moderates the relationship between risk-taking and growth-profitability. Contributions and limitations of the study are also discussed accordingly.

Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs

Given the increasing importance of the role played by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the developing economy, this paper intends to provide further insight into corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices among SMEs. Within this context, the purpose is to propose the role of non-audit services (NAS), which contribute to the possible explanation of the SME adoption of CSR practices. A conceptual approach is taken whereby this paper is based on an extensive literature review of NAS and CSR practices in the SME context. Then, based on the knowledge-based view (KBV), this paper set to explain and highlight the role of NAS play to enhance CSR practices among SMEs. This paper provides a theoretical discussion on the importance of CSR in ensuring the survival of the SMEs. Although the proposition of NAS is relatively new, it provides an interesting and remarkable avenue for further research especially in the developing country. Overall, this paper draws attention to the importance of NAS in enhancing the survival and performance of the SMEs.

Working Capital Financing by Banks in Small Enterprises

Among all the economic players, small enterprises (SEs), by number, dominate the whole world business segment. However, it is a very common problem for SEs, in every economy either developed or developing, to get access into formal financial sector. Working capital can be treated as the life blood for SEs to be operated. But unfortunately, most of the small enterprises face serious problem while obtaining such loan from banks. On the other hand, banks face a lot of problems to finance working capital to SEs. Therefore, this chapter intends to identify the problems faced by SEs in obtaining and by banks while financing working capital. A total of 413 small enterprises were interviewed through a structured questionnaire administrated directly by the researchers and selected purposively from the capital city (Dhaka) of Bangladesh. The major findings indicate that about 72% small enterprises got the access into banks for working capital loan although all of them face a lot of problems while obtaining such loan from banks. To identify the problems and challenges faced by banks while financing working capital to SEs, 34 commercial banks' officials working in SME department were interviewed through questionnaire and selected purposively based on their high involvement into SME sector lending. Bankers encountered different problems and challenges related to working capital financing in SEs. Based on the survey findings, a good number of solutions have been formulated for policy initiatives.

The Impediments to Entrepreneurial Ventures among the Bottom of Pyramid Community in Northern Malaysia

There is a continuing debate among scholars concerning the existence of a fortune at the bottom of pyramid (BOP). While some scholars argue that there is a profitable market at the pyramid base, others argue that targeting poor people as customers could lead to unethical business practices. With the aid of preliminary study, this paper explains that there is a fortune to be made at the BOP if the community is treated as the entrepreneurs than as mere consumers. Nevertheless, for them to develop their own venture in order to reduce poverty is not an easy task due to various hindrances. Therefore, this paper provides insights into the under-researched area of comprehending the impediments that triggered the BOP community readiness to venture into business development. Converting the BOP into active entrepreneurs has become the agenda of the Malaysian government to eradicate the poverty by the year 2020 and thus this paper is expected to provide preliminary findings of the barriers that prohibit them to become entrepreneurs. A series of interview was conducted with a sample of ten BOP communities from Northern Region in Malaysia. In-depth, one-to-one interviews were conducted among them to probe into their outlook on this matter. The findings highlighted on the key factors that hamper the BOP community to create new ventures, new insights and experiences towards entrepreneurship. In sum, this study generates agenda for researchers to reach more conclusive evidence about the concept of entrepreneurship among the BOP community in Malaysia.

Social Media Strategies for Small and Medium Scale Enterprise in the Klang Valley Region of Malaysia

Despite the current widespread adoption and use of social media as a marketing tool, very little empirical research focusing on local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is available. This study examines the usage of social media by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. The study assesses the impacts of age, educational attainment, and industry characteristics to the utilization, perceived benefits and barriers of SMEs. Results of the study indicate that social media is used by most SMEs for customer acquisition and its benefits are developing new business opportunities, reduced cost of advertising, 24 hours accessibility and decreased travelling time. The results however indicate that there is a lack of allocation of resources mainly in staffing and training when adopting the social media. Results also indicate that manager's age and educational attainment had significant impacts on social media strategies. The results did not reveal any evidence of different industry sectors relevance towards social media strategies. Implications for research are discussed.

SMEs in Nigeria

Research in the area of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and coopetition has been ongoing for a considerable length of time. However, such studies have focused on SMEs in developed countries while there is very limited research in the same area with a focus on SMEs in Africa and developing countries. This research therefore aims to explore possible benefits and barriers that SMEs in Nigeria would experience in the adoption of coopetition. Considering the fact that it is a relatively new area of research, existing theories examining similar fields of study will be analysed with the aim of generating a theoretical framework through which factors affecting the phenomenon in the country may emerge.

Deploying ICT to Enhance Small Businesses and Achieving Sustainable Development

Beside the SMEs, families operate small and fragmented businesses due to poverty and unemployment to help cater for their needs and family needs. These small and fragmented businesses are common among the poor due to lack of credit to expand such businesses. In addition, with the mandate from the federal government of Nigeria, every business must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the federal republic of Nigeria and pay a certain amount of money every year depending on level of business growth and development. Suffice to note that despite the payment of these charges by businesses, nothing is done by the federal government to assist them.

On the Road to SME Sector Development in Bangladesh

Entrepreneurship has been deliberated as multidimensional and multidisciplinary study. From the economic point of view entrepreneurship is the central force for economic development for any nation. Scholars and policy makers now have started to see entrepreneurship as panacea for inclusive growth. Entrepreneurships are most widely popular and discussed area. Study on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has been maturing for the last decade as it has been regarded as significant player for the social development along with the economic development. In Bangladesh, SMEs account for a large proportion of the total establishments in various sectors. Considering the importance of the SME sector in Bangladesh, this study intends to explore and sketch-out the landscape of current SME setting in Bangladesh. With this aim the study has extensively carried out literature review, observed and understood the secondary data obtained from various organizations, and finally presented a policy driven recommendation (micro and macro level) which would enable to develop the SME sector in a developing country like Bangladesh.

Business Incubation in Malaysia

The purpose of this chapter is to present the importance and contribution of business incubation programmes to Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia. Chapter starts with a brief review of the history and transition of major economic policies in Malaysia as well as the government responses towards achieving the status of fully developed nation by the year 2020. The policy review includes the Laissez-faire Policy, New Economy Policy, National Development Plan, National Vision Policy, and New Economy Model which were set to achieve nation's rapid economic growth. This review leads the paper towards the exploration of the major drivers of current economic growth in Malaysia. This chapter identifies Multimedia Super Corridor as the most important initiative and a key driver to global Information Communications Technology development as well as the major contributor to Small and Medium Enterprises establishment in Malaysia. In addition, it outlines the significant contribution of Small and Medium Enterprises to the economic growth in Malaysia, and finally identifies business incubators as a support mechanism to accelerate the SMEs success, especially the start-up firms. This chapter provides knowledge to the researchers and practitioners on the linkages among Multimedia Super Corridor, Small and Medium Enterprises and incubators that align with the economic policy development. As a conclusion, the chapter discusses the challenges faced by the incubation programmes in Malaysia and thus, highlights the prominence of business incubators as a niche subject to be explored in depth, in terms of their growth and potentials in Malaysia.

Non-State SMEs in Vietnam

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which are dominated by non-state SMEs play an important role in economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction in Vietnam. However, most of non-state SMEs in Vietnam are young and contain several limitations in performance. Therefore, finding solutions and strategic orientations to enhance SMEs performance becomes the major concern of the policy makers and business practitioners. To generate the implications pertinent to firms for sustaining high organizational performance in long run, understanding the strategic situation of the firms is a vital step. Thus, based on strategic theory of SWOT and strategy formulation, this chapter aims to: (1) Explore the characteristics of dynamic macro environment for development of non-state SMEs in Vietnam; (2) identify the key firm's features; (3) examine firm performance to identify achievements and constraints; (4) suggest strategic implications for enhancement of SMEs performance toward long-run development of non-state SMEs in Vietnam.