Information technology innovation and its impact on job creation by SMEs in developing countries: an analysis of the literature review

ABSTRACT

This study reviews the literature on the role of technology innovation in job creation through small businesses in developing countries. A seven-step approach to the literature review is used for synthesising relevant data. The results show that technology innovations influence employment creation in small businesses positively and act as a driving force for economic development. The effective use of information technology in small businesses has a major impact on their competitiveness and access to international markets. Thus, the need for the government to develop technology innovative strategies for small businesses to actualise their firm performance and enhance job creation is recommended. The findings and proposed theoretical model of the study enrich existing theories and would help policymakers understand the role of information technology innovation in job creation and economic development.     

SME internationalization and performance: Growth vs. profitability

Lu and Beamish (2001) examined the effect of two internationalization strategies, exporting and foreign direct investment (FDI), on SME performance (ROA). We extend this research by examining the differential effects of these strategies on two other dimensions of SME performance: growth and ROS. We develop and test four sets of hypotheses using a sample of 164 Japanese SMEs. We find that exporting activity has a positive impact on growth, but negative impact on profitability. FDI activity has a positive relationship with growth, but a U curve relationship with profitability. Exporting activity has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between an SME’s FDI activity and firm growth, a negative moderating effect on the relationship between an SME’s FDI activity and firm profitability. An SME’s age when it starts to make FDIs has a negative moderating impact on the relationship between FDI and firm growth and profitability.     

中小企业信用担保立法的比较考察

本文从完善中小企业信用担保立法角度出发,通过与世界各国中小企业信用担保法律制度进行比较研究,审视我国现有中小企业信用担保立法存在的问题和缺陷,提出我国中小企业信用担保要健康、有序地发展,健全、完善立法是关键。     

中小企业财务治理问题探讨

企业具体的财务管理活动要以财务治理战略为导向,而我国中小企业由于历史发展的原因,其财务治理结构不受重视,存在着诸多问题。从战略导向的角度来建立良好的财务治理机制,为解决中小企业具体的财务管理问题提供了一个新视角。     

Multilevel psychic distance and its impact on SME internationalization

We expand the conceptualization of psychic distance and use a multilevel framework by studying it as a founder’s psychic distance in the pre-entry phase of entering a specific foreign market, and the SMEs (firm) psychic distance in the post-entry phase of entering that specific foreign market. Based on qualitative research involving six SMEs’ with 18 internationalization events, we found that psychic distance at country and business levels causes difficulties for SMEs in the post-entry phase because of their lack of knowledge. Bridge-makers possessing knowledge about target markets help SMEs to overcome psychic distance challenges. Trust in the relationship with the bridge-maker is an important ingredient to gain knowledge that alleviates the SMEs’ psychic distance challenges. Finally, we go beyond country-business levels of psychic distance by showing that psychic distance also matters at bridge-maker level. This relates to their lack of knowledge about the target market and SMEs’ routines.     

中小企业被并购过程中的价值综合评估

并购是企业为了扩大生产规模、提高经营效益所做出的重大战略调整。本文运用账面价值法,将企业各种因素赋予不同的权重,结合账面价值倍数参数(支付者愿意支付的净资产价值的倍数)评估企业的价值,得到了更为客观的企业价值参数,为并购决策提供了可靠的参考依据。     

“新常态”下科技型中小企业财务风险管理新举措

在科学技术不断进步的今天,作为以科技竞争力支撑的科技型企业已经成为社会进步的原动力和衡量国家综合实力的重要指标。但随着我国经济发展进入新常态,企业之间的竞争更加激烈,科技型中小企业面临的财务风险将不断增加,如何应对这些财务风险迫在眉睫。本文从科技型中小企业面临的财务风险入手,提出科技型中小企业有效防范与控制财务风险的措施。     

Analysis of the adoption of customer facing InStore technologies in retail SMEs

Brick and mortar stores are suffering the dramatic revolution of the retail sector. Customer facing in-store technologies (CFIST) are a key component of the inevitable transformation of retail stores; yet the reasons to adopt such technologies by business owners may be little known. Based on a TOE and TAM inspired framework, this study analyses the drivers of such decision by small and medium size enterprises using a survey methodology. The results show that the attitude towards technology is the strongest predictor of the intention to adopt CFIST, highlighting the role of the top management in technology decisions. This conclusion has important implications for practitioners. This research is the first to address the adoption of CFIST by SMEs and therefore set the path for further studies about the impact and adoption of in-store technology in SMEs.     

The determinants of financial structure: How to explain the “paradox of insolvency and debt” among SMEs in Cameroon?

The paradox of insolvent enterprises regularly contracting new debts is the motivation behind this research. Statistical tests carried out on a sample of 62 manufacturing firms show that the financial behaviour of these enterprises is mainly explained by two factors: the rate of asset immobilization and the manager's social capital. The impact of the first factor is due to the asset capacity to serve guarantees, and the impact of the second is inherent to the possibility that enables relational networks to get around norms or to reach informal circuits and alternative sources of financing. The latter aspect is the beginning of the answer to the insolvency and indebtedness paradox. This result denotes the coexistence of two parallel dimensions in the Cameroon business environment. Besides the formal sphere, where the lack of confidence and readability between the actors pushes financial backers to excesses of prudence, subsists an informal universe where confidence, loyalty and solidarity seem to cement business relationships. However, the economic rationality of actors in these networks remains problematic.     

Brand Management as an Internationalization Strategy for SME: A Multiple Case Study

ABSTRACT

This research examines the role of branding in the Portuguese SME internationalization process and how the internationalization and brand strategies are articulated in the search for a better business performance within a competitive framework and increasing competitiveness environment. The article aims specifically at: (a) the strategy of creation and brand management; (b) the relevance given to the brand; (c) the importance of brand creation and management in the internationalization strategy. We chose a qualitative methodology, based on four cases studies. Our results suggest that branding strategies of SME cannot be compared with the strategies of multinationals. Budgetary constraints and human resources lead companies to invest in low-cost strategies. The importance of the brand lies in the distinction that allows competition with similar products within the sectors. Management of the brand does not come up as an essential strategy for the internationalization of a Portuguese SME.