Factors Impacting the Adoption of the Internet among SMEs

The Internet can extend market reach and operational efficiency of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhance their contributions to the U.S. economy. This paper reports an empirical study conducted to identify the factors that impact SMEs involvement with the Internet. Internal and external variables such as firm size, self-efficacy, prior technology use, etc. are used to predict the level of Internet involvement. This involvement is examined in terms of ownership of a web site (adoption) and use of the Internet for selling purposes (routinization). Logistic regression is used to examine the relationships between internal and external factors and SMEs involvement with the Internet. The results suggest that specific factors contribute to the SMEs involvement with the Internet – prior technology use and the customer service subscale of perceived competitive pressure influence both stages of Internet adoption. Moreover, the relative importance of some of these predictor variables decreases as the level of Internet involvement increases. Past media use does not explain SME behavior – in terms of adoption or routinization. These findings can be used to develop strategies to build SME involvement with the Internet.     

Globalisation,E-Business and SMEs: Evidence from the Italian District of Prato

The paper explores how SMEs located in industrial districts explore e-business as a means to face the challenges posed by globalisation. By resorting to case studies conducted in the textile district of Prato, the research evidences the positive attitude of the interviewed entrepreneurs towards e-business. However, the characteristics of the considered products (textiles) and the district structure strongly affect the path followed to explore the scenarios opened by e-business. The collected evidence suggests that only few firms in the district are actively pursuing the full range of opportunities provided by e-business, and that isolated actions are not enough to foster collective learning and growth processes involving the whole district.     

Control Aversion and The Search for External Financing in Swedish SMEs

The discussion on growth (see Storey, 1997) and control aversion (Cressy, 1995; Chittenden et al., 1996; Cressy and Olofsson, 1996) in small and medium sized firms has been attracting an increasing amount of attention. Our purpose in this article is to identify under what circumstances small and medium sized firms are prepared to accept outside control in the business firm in order to grow. In the article it is argued that technology development, financial strength, size and perceived need to grow, change firms attitudes towards external financiers. The change in attitude towards more openness eventually leads to an actual behaviour where the principals choose to apply for external finance in the form of bank loans. A linear structural equation modelling program, LISREL, is used to analyse a sample of 281 Swedish firms. The firms all have less than 200 employees, and the sample includes both manufacturing and service firms. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An Empirical Study of Factors Influencing E-Commerce Adoption/Non-Adoption in Slovakian SMEs

While the global emergence of e-commerce has led businesses to take advantage of the technologies available to them to enhance their use of e-commerce, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are known for not adopting information technology to create jobs. Due to the dearth of studies of SME adoption of technology in transitioning European countries such as Slovakia, (Saffu, Walker, and Mazurek 2012 Saffu, K., J. H. Walker, and M. Mazurek. 2012. Perceived strategic value and e-commerce adoption among SMEs in Slovakia. Journal of Internet Commerce 11 (1):1–23. doi:10.1080/15332861.2012.650986.[Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), it is imperative to understand the factors that differentiate SME e-commerce adopters from non-adopters. Adoption and non-adoption factors of 230 Slovakian SMEs were empirically examined using logistic regression. Compatibility and Organizational Readiness, Decision and Operational Aids, and External Pressure were significant for discerning e-commerce adoption. Practical, policy, and research implications are presented. This study goes beyond the determinants of e-commerce adoption and contributes to the understanding of factors that distinguish between adopters and non-adopters of e-commerce for Slovakian SMEs.     

The Financial Conditions for Swedish SMEs: Survey and Research Agenda

This paper shows that in two important sectors of Swedish industry in the early 1990s the existence of finance demand (internally generated) constraints in addition to the familiar finance supply (externally generated) constraints on businesses are a significant empirical phenomenon. Firms are aware that relinquishing some control would improve performance. However, the returns in growth, profits and survival are not sufficient to offset the utility of control loss. Owners of younger firms, especially in Business Services, regard very favourably the added expertise of new (preferably angel) equity holders, with one in three such firms having actively sought new owners. Equity finance is therefore to be regarded as a package from the viewpoint of the smaller firm, with transfer of management skills from venture capitalist to firm sweetening the bitter pill of control-loss.     

The benefits of e-business adoption: an empirical study of Swedish SMEs

The global nature of business today and the advances in information and communications technologies have compelled corporations to employ emerging technologies in order to remain competitive. In recent years electronic business has been adopted by many corporations to improve operational efficiency, profitability, and to strengthen their competitive position. This study examines the impact of web-based e-business on the small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. The analyses of data collected for this study provide valuable information to the executives of manufacturing and service SMEs. The findings show that the SMEs in the sample have benefited from e-business implementation in both operational and performance areas of their organization.     

Managing Innovation in SMEs: A Multiple Case Analysis of the Adoption and Implementation of Product and Process Design Technologies

This work offers the results of a study which describes the experiences of twenty-six small manufacturing firms, operating in the machine tool industry in Italy, which have recently adopted and implemented advanced production technologies. A multiple case study approach was used to explore the reasons for, and obstacles to adopting the new technology, to identify key critical factors in implementation management, and to describe the characteristics of an environment that nurtures innovation. Perceived advantages, internal constraints and external context were identified as the main variables that could explain the CAD-CAM adoption and implementation practices of these small firms. Based on an analytical framework comprising 26 factors regrouped into the three mentioned variables, three groups of firms, characterized by different technology management profiles are identified. However, the system of relationships that characterizes the customer-buyer-supplier relation and the network of "real" services offered to the firm appeared two critical factors.     

Generic strategies and firm performance in SMEs: a longitudinal study of Austrian SMEs

This paper studies the impact of generic strategies on firm performance using a longitudinal study of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Austria. In two surveys, data on the strategic behavior and performance of the same group of firms were gathered for the period from 1992 to 2002. The study expands existing literature, which provides little evidence whether the persistent commitment to a generic strategy over a longer period pays off or whether strategic change is the rule in SMEs, reflecting their flexibility as a potential competitive advantage. We consider the traditional generic strategies of cost-efficiency and differentiation, but also examine the group of firms that have no clear strategy or are “stuck in the middle.” Within this group, we distinguish between those companies that deliberately combine traditional low cost production and differentiation, i.e., follow a combination strategy, firms that change their strategy and those that have no strategy. We argue that a combination strategy is a viable strategic choice for SMEs in the long run. We found that the majority of firms pursued a persistent strategy over a 10-year period, but that companies that changed their generic strategy did not produce inferior results to those that adhered to a single strategy over the entire period. Our results reveal that firms that follow a combination strategy outperform companies with no generic strategy in terms of profitability and growth and achieve higher profitability than companies that follow a differentiation strategy.     

社会网络对农民工生育观念的影响——来自深圳调查的发现

利用西安交通大学人口与发展研究所2005年深圳市农民工调查数据.从社会网络视角实证分析了流动后农民工生育观念的影响因素.生育讨论网的弱关系和网络成员的生育行为,以及个体在城镇的滞留时间、初次流动时的年龄、受教育程度等因素对流动后农民工的生育观念产生了影响.     

社会网络对农民工生育观念的影响——来自深圳调查的发现

利用西安交通大学人口与发展研究所2005年深圳市农民工调查数据,从社会网络视角实证分析了流动后农民工生育观念的影响因素。生育讨论网的弱关系和网络成员的生育行为,以及个体在城镇的滞留时间、初次流动时的年龄、受教育程度等因素对流动后农民工的生育观念产生了影响。     

电子商务驱动的供应链管理变革

随着经济全球化和信息网络化的快速发展,市场需求的不确定性正在不断上升,企业之间的竞争正在日益加剧。在纷繁复杂的市场竞争中,越来越多的企业开始意识到,企业之间的竞争已经突破了单个企业的界限,实质上已上升到供应链与供应链之间的竞争。广大企业为了创造更大的股东利益,确立起长期、可持续发展的市场竞争地位,必须建立起高效、灵活、并富有竞争力的供应链系统。     

The Potential and Challenge of the Network Realization Capability for SMEs in Ireland and Finland

In recognizing that the term ‘network’ can be interpreted in a multitude of ways and from a number of varying perspectives, the purpose of this article is to report the findings of a study designed to determine whether SME owner/manager see networks as an industrial relationship phenomenon. This gap, termed ‘realization capability’ refers to the SMEs’ ability to visualize the inter-organizational embedded systems that they are a part of that could enhance their marketing efforts. Bonds tie network members together and provide the context for relationships. Therefore, in measuring the level of SME realization capability the authors conceptualized the concept into social and structural bonds to ascertain the network perspective of the SME participants. To determine the level of realization of SME actors, a participatory action research method was employed in an Irish setting and compared to a control group in Finland. Findings suggest that from an Irish perspective, realization was low, highlighting that misconceptions existed amongst the SMEs regarding the nature and dynamics of networks whereby they were viewed as a predominantly personal contact structure. Conversely, the Finnish participants viewed networks as interconnected business relationships, continually operating in close collaboration with other stakeholders within their business. The findings are discussed in detail as they raise the barrier for many SMEs to participate in networks which by definition are proposed as cost effective solutions which can address many of the gaps to implementing marketing approaches by SMEs.     

Drivers of Customers’ Adoption and Adoption Timing of a New Loyalty Card in the Grocery Retail Market

The authors study consumers’ process of adoption of a new loyalty card in a grocery retail context. More specifically, the authors simultaneously investigate the impact of attitudinal, behavioral, and socio-demographic variables on the likelihood of adoption and the time to adoption. They show that these variables differently affect the adoption likelihood and timing and demonstrate the importance of attitudinal measures of customer loyalty such as commitment to the store. This research confirms the so-called self-selection bias and extends it to the attitudinal dimension of loyalty. Some guidelines are proposed to increase the effectiveness of loyalty card program launches.     

基于电子商务的营销绩效评价指标体系设计

本文认为在买方市场条件下 ,为合理地分配营销资源、获取市场竞争优势、提高营销的综合效果 ,企业应充分关注其营销绩效的评价。本文从营销效益、营销效率、竞争效果、服务效果、公众效果、创新效果、安全效果七大板块设计了企业营销绩效评价的指标体系。     

SMEs and environmental responsibility: a policy perspective

Environmental policies to promote environmentally sustainable economic activity have often concentrated on larger firms. However, increasing attention is being paid to the role of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurial actors. In this paper, we examine how policy tools are being used to improve the environmental performance of SMEs and to redirect entrepreneurial energies in more environmentally benign directions. The empirical section adopts a case‐based comparative method to examine four instances of policymaking, drawn from different countries and industry sectors. The paper argues that while some interventions have proved effective in their own terms, better integrated approaches are required to address today's complex and deep‐rooted sustainability challenges. The paper identifies several policy implications including the need to: clarify the purpose of any intervention, address potential interactions and trade‐offs; select appropriate tools based on informed reviews of the options; remain sensitive to context‐specific factors; and devise effective vehicles for the promotion and governance of entrepreneurial initiatives.     

The Adoption of Marketing by Financial Institutions in the UK

This article presents the results of a recent survey into the adoption of marketing techniques and philosophies among UK financial institutions. The research was prompted by the increasingly competitive nature of the markets for financial services and the subsequent recent interest in the adoption of a more marketing-oriented approach to doing business. It was found that financial institutions have moved some way towards adopting more of a marketing orientation. There is still, however, much scope for further improvement.     

从激励机制研判中小企业可持续发展

对自身规模不大、竞争力不强的中小企业来说,能否建立起完善、有效的激励机制将直接影响其生存和发展。中小企业因为效益、发展阶段、管理模式的不同等,激励机制也存在有无或效果优劣的差异。因此从中小企业效益、发展阶段、管理模式等多方面对比来研判激励机制的建立对中小企业可持续发展的影响很有必要。     

Theoretical Model of E-Business Infusion in Manufacturer-Reseller Relationships

Manufacturer-reseller relationships are becoming much more technology-infused as distribution managers are employing e-business tools to streamline existing channels. This paper attempts to develop a theoretical framework aimed at systematically studying e-business infusion in reseller-manufacturer interactions based on technology diffusion and governance frameworks and relevant propositions are developed. Implications of the theoretical framework for researchers and managers are discussed.     

Competitive Advantage and Human Resource Management in SMEs in a Transitional Economy

The article is based on data of the study of 151 small companies in Slovenia by J. Pranikar and others. The study is the first investigation of small firms in slovenia with a sufficiently large number of cases to enable conclusions about the ways in which SMEs are managing to cope with new opportunities and problems. The aim of this article is to investigate a link between competitive advantage and human resource management in SMEs in a transitional economy. Results indicate that a link indeed exists in that human resource efforts in SMEs to a certain degree contribute to the competitive advantage of companies.     

Internationalization of SMEs: Toward a New Paradigm

Small Business Economics -