Crowdfunding: The collaborative economy for channelling institutional and household savings

The financial disintermediation mechanism known as “loan-based-crowdfunding” has recently come under regulation in several countries. This competitive investment and finance vehicle is already well established in the US and British markets.By compiling empirical data from a reference crowdfunding platform, this article compares loan-based crowdfunding with traditional investment vehicles such as investment funds, equities or pension funds.The conclusion of the study is that saving through crowdfunding allows the optimization of a portfolio comprising both institutional and retail investors.     

从“官控”到“民动”——论政府推进城镇化进程中的公众参与

当下中国的城镇化是＂政府主导＂的城镇化,鲜有程序规制及公众参与,存在着权力裸奔的危险,城镇化推进成果难以获得正当性证成。因此,必须要完善程序机制,扩大公众参与,实现从＂官控＂到＂民动＂的推进模式转变。     

均衡视角下集体化转型对中小企业劳动关系的影响研究

当前我国劳动关系出现集体化新趋势,这必将对中小企业劳动关系产生深远影响。为适应新趋势,中小企业首先要进一步规范个别劳动关系,并在此基础上逐步构建适合中小企业特点的集体劳动关系,同时要在理念、方式和机制上进行变革。     

High‐performance work systems and workplace performance in small,medium‐sized and large firms

This article draws on the Organisational Growth and Development (OGD) life cycle model to explore the relationship between high‐performance work systems (HPWS) and performance in firms of different size, thereby extending understanding of congruence or ‘best fit’ theory within strategic HRM debates. With reference to management control theory, economies of scale and the availability of specialist managerial skills, the article hypothesises that while an HPWS–performance relationship might exist in small, medium‐sized and large firms, the relationship will be stronger in large firms than in both small and medium‐sized firms, and stronger in medium‐sized firms than in small firms. Analysis of data from the British Workplace Employment Relations Survey demonstrates, however, that there is no association between HPWS and workplace performance in medium‐sized firms, in contrast to the positive relationship between HPWS and performance found in large firms and between HPWS and labour productivity in small firms.     

Modelo de gestión logística para pequeñas y medianas empresas en México

The market opening and the globalization of supply chains, demand a structural changes in which logistics has a strategic role. Nowadays, clients evaluate product quality, its value added and its availability in time and form, which implies a need to make the process efficient. Several experts have proposed some logistics management models to increase competitiveness in the market, but some of these models are too ambitious for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) due to their informal structure and their lack of technical knowledge; other models make indirect reference to the internal information flows, which include whole system disintegration because of the weak interrelation among the different areas. In Mexico, SMEs represent 4.2%, they generate 31.5% of employment and provide 37% of the gross domestic product; that is why it is important to reinforce their competitive position in the market. This research presents the design of a conceptual model of logistic management for SMEs which could provide comprehensive solution through control of the variables involved in the logistics process; to verify that the variables considered in each identified dimension are correct factor analysis was used.     

我国中小企业发展状况与政策研究——新形势下中小企业转型升级问题研究

我国中小企业得到了迅速的发展,在面向市场求生存、求发展中极具活力,已经成为国民经济中最活跃的成分。但是,面临复杂多变的国内外经济形势,结构性矛盾依然存在,局部性困难突出,新老问题交织,尤其部分行业小微型企业面临严峻形势,强大的市场倒逼机制推动中小企业加快转型升级的步伐。目前,阻碍中小企业转型升级的市场准入隐性壁垒依旧存在,转型升级下新生需求的多元化的金融业务、市场和机构发展滞后,中小企业成本全面上升导致转型升级动力不足,转型发展面临技术创新和管理创新瓶颈,中小企业的政府管理部门协调不力使得转型升级缺乏保障。未来必须充分认识中小企业的重要地位,把促进中小企业发展上升到国家战略层面,加强改革的顶层设计,破除民营经济和中小企业发展的体制机制障碍,缓解转型升级中融资难问题,同时通过加大扶持小微企业发展的财税支持力度以及鼓励中小企业转型升级和技术创新等,保障和促进中小企业转型与升级。     

Predictors of export performance in developing economies: a longitudinal analysis of Moroccan SMEs

Purpose: To help increase understanding of the export performance, we investigate the influence of firm size, research and development (R&D), advertising expenditures and network relationships, and develop a conceptual model to increase export intensity. Design/methodology/approach: The research involved a four-year longitudinal study of export performance of 168 exporting SMEs in Morocco (672 observations). The two-stage least square estimation (G2SLS) was used to test the hypotheses. Findings: The findings of the two-stage least square estimation (G2SLS) suggest that export sales and domestic sales are interdependent and influence each other. R&D expenditures and network affiliation have positive and significant impact on export sales, while advertising expenditure has a negative and significant influence on export sales. Research limitations/implications: Readers should use caution in generalizing the findings unless verified in other developing contexts. Practical implications: The findings of this study are useful for managers and export policy makers in developing countries. A proper understanding of the predictors of export performance may help them encourage the growth and diversification of exports that is so vital for developing countries. Originality/value: Export performance is a key element in the field of international marketing. Unfortunately, the literature exhibits a lack of empirical studies in developing countries, particularly in Maghreb regions. The empirical testing of the theoretical model in a developing economy is a significant contribution to fill the needed gap in the literature toward generalizing findings.     

大型银行、中小企业与贸易融资:青岛案例

长期以来,商业银行尤其是大银行拓展中小企业信贷市场一直面临困境。但中国工商银行青岛分行却以中小企业商品交易为基础,较为成功地开发了一系列贸易融资产品。由此可以看出,在特定的产品、制度和技术保证下,大银行也可以成为中小企业信贷市场上的有效资金供给者。     

浙江省中小企业EAP实施路径探索——以诸暨市为例

当前我国中小企业正处于经济转轨、社会转型期,在急剧变化和激烈竞争中将面临着严峻的考验与巨大的压力。这既阻碍了企业的发展,更严重危害着员工的身心健康。而EAP的实施能够有效地化解压力,提高工作效率。本文结合诸暨市当地实际情况,试从EAP在诸暨市中小企业的适用性及其产生的作用入手,进而探索视浙江省中小企业EAP的实施路径,希望为中小企业对员工建立有效的精神激励机制提供一些对策。     

Conceptualizing businesses as social actors: A framework for understanding sustainability actions in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises

Small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) can play a crucial role in advancing environmental and social well‐being. Yet various—often conflicting—explanations have been offered to clarify why SMEs pursue sustainability. Some arguments foreground possibilities of profit maximization, whereas others emphasize individual values and convictions. Research supporting such contradicting explanations is often biased towards large enterprises or small, innovative frontrunners. In this article, we examine the underlying drivers of social and environmental interventions of SMEs by exploring empirical data from a survey of over 1,600 Canadian SMEs and complementary in‐depth interviews. We argue that sustainability actions of SMEs can be understood by viewing these firms as social actors—organizations that are shaped by individual values, internal and external interpersonal relationships, and are embedded in a social environment. This conceptualization directs attention to the full range of factors that shape sustainability engagement of SMEs and highlights frequently overlooked forms of sustainability‐oriented actions.