The Internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Firms

This paper contributes to the existing research by integrating the notions of organizational learning and entrepreneurial orientation into the body of international entrepreneurship. Our primary framework combines learning theory and the new venture theory of internationalization to study the extent to which small and medium-sized companies engage in international activities. We found that the firms’ international learning effort and entrepreneurial orientation are positively associated with internationalization intent whereas domestic learning effort is negatively related with internationalization intent. Overall, our results suggest (1) that intensive knowledge renewal and exploitation regarding foreign markets and the internationalization process itself may increase internationalization by affecting the perceptions of opportunities offered by further international expansion, and (2) that firms with an entrepreneurial mindset may be more likely to develop a long-term, substantial presence in the international arena, compared to firms that are more reactive or conservative.     

Internationalization Opportunities and Challenges for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises from Developing Countries

The purpose of this study was to identify opportunities and challenges for internationalizing the small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. In this article the author examines the internationalization motives and strategies of the managers of these enterprises. A survey was conducted in Tanzania and the effect of the identified opportunities on the decision to internationalize was modeled using the multinomial logistic regression to determine the relationship between the respondent profile and the decision to be taken in the absence of the internationalization opportunities. The results have revealed the existing opportunities including export rehabilitation incentives, schemes as well as institutional supports granted from the governmental and nongovernmental organizations, development partners, and business associations. However, inadequate international business skills, unawareness of existing export promotion programs, poor access to finance, and imperfect foreign market information are the main challenges. Profit and growth goals and saturation of domestic markets are the key drives to internationalization, with indirect exporting being the main internationalization strategy. The author concludes by drawing attention to managerial and policy implications and future research directions.     

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Concern

At present, small and medium-sized enterprises are faced with many serious challenges. Since most of the large-sized enterprises in China are state-owned ones, small and medium-sized enterprises in this article are referred mainly to those in the private sector.     

Precautionary Actions within Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Absenteeism results in considerable costs, both for individuals, firms, and governments. One of the ways in which firms can reduce absenteeism is by taking precautionary actions, that is, improving the physical or mental working conditions of their employees. This study examines the decision-making process of small and medium-sized enterprises on whether to take precautionary actions. The main hypothesis is that firms are more likely to take precautionary actions if they assume that absence rates are related to working conditions. Several hypotheses were derived, and information on more than 600 Dutch enterprises was used to test them. The results indicate that the probability of taking precautionary actions increases with the occurrence of physical complaints, the assumed proportion of employees whose tasks are physically demanding, and firm size. The main hypothesis was, however, rejected.     

我国中小型物流企业的整合模式分析

中小物流企业是我国物流产业中的主体,在日益开放的中国物流市场环境中,中小物流企业能否发展壮大、提高整体竞争力,是我国物流业快速成长的关键。本文在对中小物流企业现状实证分析的基础上,总结以往研究提出中小物流企业整合的四种模式,并利用德尔菲法对四种模式的各方面表现进行综合考评,为企业最佳整合路径的选择提供了依据和相应实施建议。     

试论中小企业信贷中的银行信贷基准问题

中小企业信贷融资难问题 ,其解决方法通常是以增设中小金融机构或为中小企业提供担保来增加中小企业的资金可获程度 ,即采用“资金可获型战略”。本文希望通过对银行建立以信用为核心的信贷基准的探讨 ,回归中小企业信贷融资基础 ,即逐步提高中小企业以信用为基础的融资可获程度 ,从而使中小企业融资战略转换为“信用可获型”。     

中小企业如何应对融资问题

<正>在我国,中小企业具有对地方税收贡献大、市场适应力强等这样的优点,但是其缺点即运作不规范,人员素质差、资产质量差、风险大等问题也困扰着中小企业,给中小企业的融资尤其带来极大的困难。特别是在金融危机之后,我国中小型企业的数量甚至比90年代的时候都少     

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises,Technology, and Globalization: Introduction to a special issue on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Global Economy

This paper is an introduction to the special issue on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Global Economy. The paper gives a broad outline of globalization, the role of technology, and examines the role that small and medium-sized enterprises play in the global economy. We focus on foreign direct investment of small technology based firms and how their innovations diffuse into the global economy.     

我国中小企业融资租赁问题分析

最近几年,我国融资租赁业务快速成长,在法律法规和市场监管等方面有明显突破,但与西方发达相比,我国融资租赁业的发展还处在较低级的水平,还存在很多问题,还需要吸取借鉴先进的经验和理念。宏观方面:政府应支持制造商、租赁企业改变结构,扩大融资租赁标的物的种类和融资租赁方式,建立健全金融租赁法律体系,制定优惠政策,实行统一管理;微观方面:企业应重新审视租赁的功能和定义,转变落后的观念,提高租赁意识,建立良好的信用制度,提高企业自身的综合能力和市场竞争能力,加强人才培养。     

Co-opetition and Technological Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Multilevel Conceptual Model

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) face tremendous challenges in their attempt to pursue technological innovations. This paper argues that co-opetition strategy—simultaneous pursuit of competition and collaboration—helps SMEs to develop their ability to effectively pursue technological innovations. We developed a multilevel conceptual model consisting of factors at the industry, dyadic, and firm level to understand the drivers of co-opetition and discuss benefits and costs of co-opetition for SMEs. We believe that this paper will stimulate future conceptual and empirical research on this important topic and has implications for SME managers and policymakers.     

Export Concerns of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Poland

This is an empirical investigation of export concerns of managers in small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland. Chisquare analysis is used to identify the major determinants of export orientation. The data refer to a random sample of 90 enterprises which engaged in exports in 1991 and 1992. It is shown that major determinants of export orientation among the Polish firms are foreign ownership, eiport arrangements based on joint-ventures with foreign partners and aualitv of exported products. Although there is no clear& formula fbr deGelopiig a su&essful export program, the study suggests a number of specific improvements in marketing strategy, government support and environmental characteristics which should help to increase exports by small and medium-sized firms in Poland. Findings of this study are systematically compared with the results of previous explorations into the determinants of export performance.     

中小生物技术企业创业融资问题研究

世界现代生物技术发展已经进入大规模产业化阶段,生物技术企业是产业化的主要推动力量。我国生物技术企业普遍存在融资困难的问题．既有高新技术产业在融资中存在的普遍性问题,也有其自身的特殊问题。阐述生物产业特征与融资特点,分析我国生物技术企业融资现状和存在的问题,并提出政策建议。     

Technical Efficiency and Location Choice of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

We establish a theoretical model to explain the relationship between the regional technical efficiencies and production location choice. A higher regional technical efficiency level attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) and offsets the adverse effects of a high wage rate and setup cost. Data from Taiwan's SMEs during the period 1989–1996 are collected. Observations are classified into three exclusive and exhaustive groups: SMEs without FDI, SMEs with FDI in mainland China, and SMEs with FDI in other countries. We then apply the multi-logit model to test the relationship between the technical efficiency and FDI location choice. Taiwan's SMEs with higher technical efficiencies are less likely to invest in mainland China. Technical efficiencies do not significantly influence the location choice between Taiwan and other countries. The wage rate is a significant motive for SMEs to invest internationally, while the setup cost is not an important factor to affect firms' location choices.     

补缺营销与中小企业的市场策略

中小企业相对于大企业在市场上资源不足,管理不完善,占领市场的能力较弱,但中小企业选择合适的细分市场,进行补缺营销,能帮助中小企业发挥其优势,因而能获取顾客,赢得市场,在整个市场上拥有低份额的公司能通过出色的补缺营销来获得高额的利润。     

中小企业核心竞争力研究

本文从核心竞争力的内涵着手,分析了中小企业核心竞争力的现状,提出了构建中小企业核心竞争力的策略。     

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and IT Diffusion Policies in Europe

The main argument to justify an information technology (IT) diffusion policy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is that IT could act as a catalyzer to the SMEs' growth, which is important because of the role played by these firms in innovation and regional development. However, due to the heterogeneity of SMEs, present IT diffusion policies in Europe are reaching only a limited number of these firms. The aim of this paper is to discuss the obstacles to the implementation of an IT diffusion policy for SMEs. The main arguments that justify a policy for IT diffusion in SMEs, and the main initiatives taken for IT diffusion in these firms in European countries are summarized. The shortcomings of present policies will be discussed, together with possibilities to increase IT diffusion in SMEs.     

New Product Development Processes in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Some Australian Evidence

This article examines the new product development process (NPDP) in Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Findings from a sample of 276 innovative Australian SMEs suggest that marketing-related activities were undertaken less frequently and were less well executed than technical activities in developing new products. However, marketing-related activities were important in distinguishing between successful and unsuccessful new products. In addition, resource and skill availability and new product planning were positively associated with the quality with which NPD activities are executed. Further, the existence of a new product strategy seemed to have a significant positive impact on the quality of NPD activities.     

中小企业信用缺失研究现状评述

国外对中小企业信用缺失的研究较为成熟,而国内学者大多是在财政、金融政策和法律法规、行业管理、中小企业的经济活动等方面进行政策建议型研究.本文认为,我国中小企业中失信者与诚信者并存,银行或企业应加以区别对待;负偾经营、资本市场优先、低成本扩张等理论导致中小企业信用行为扭曲,从而引起整个社会信用关系的恶化;要通过明晰产权关系,规范政府行为,制定连续稳定的政策来改善信用缺失问题;网络时代的到来加强了中小企业信用市场的透明度,为中小企业信用缺失问题的解决提供了载体等等.     

供应链金融视角下中小企业信用风险评价

为了解决中小企业信贷难的问题,供应链金融(SCF)依托供应链上核心大企业的信用给予链条的上下游中小企业授信。科学客观地评价中小企业的信用风险成为银行成功实施供应链金融的基础,同时也为银行向中小企业开展金融业务提供了具体的方向和行动指导。本文运用主成分分析和二元Logistic回归分析方法建立了信用风险评估模型,测算中小融资企业信用风险高低,并通过实例对评估模型进行检验。证明了基于供应链金融的中小企业信用风险评估模型预测结果准确度较高,可帮助商业银行预测中小企业信用水平,同时也帮助中小企业有效缓解融资困难。