The Application of Knowledge Management(KM)by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises(SME)in Manufacturing Industry

To accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises(SMEs),this study delves into the primary challenges encountered in adopting knowledge management(KM)within these organizations and identifies the essential methods for successful implementation.The objective is to provide practical recommendations for the effective adoption of KM.This research suggests that enterprises should promote knowledge management through three key approaches:enhancing employees’cognitive understanding,standardizing knowledge systems,and tailoring business scenarios to meet diverse needs.These findings offer valuable insights into the digital transformation of SMEs in the manufacturing sector,ultimately helping these businesses to remain competitive and innovative in a rapidly changing market.By addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by SMEs,this study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how knowledge management can be leveraged to drive digital transformation and improve overall business performance.

Top 10 Listed Enterprises of Domestic Cosmetics Unveiled:PROYA Topping the Ranking List

On Apr.26th,2024,with the release of Marumi’s financial report,the listed enterprises of domestic cosmetics announced their performance for 2023.Upon analyzing the the list of TOP 10 listed enterprises of domestic cosmetics from 2021 to 2023(Only enterprises with makeups/daily cosmetics as their main businesses have been counted),it is found that there were new changes in the list for 2023.On the one hand,the TOP 1 listed enterprise of domestic cosmetics has been replaced by PROYA.

Lvis支架与Enterprise支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤的临床效果及预后对比研究

目的对比分析Lvis支架与Enterprise支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞对颅内宽颈动脉瘤患者栓塞效果、预后效果的影响及安全性。方法回顾性分析青海红十字医院2020年9月至2023年9月收治的147例颅内宽颈动脉瘤患者的临床资料,所有患者均行支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞术治疗,根据所使用的不同支架分为Enterprise支架组(72例,动脉瘤个数74枚)和Lvis支架组(75例,动脉瘤个数78枚)。比较两组患者术后即刻Raymond分级情况、并发症发生率、出院时和出院后6个月改良Rankin量表(m RS)评分。结果Lvis支架组患者术后即刻Raymond分级Ⅰ级占比高于Enterprise支架组,Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级占比低于Enterprise支架组(P<0.05);两组患者手术相关并发症总发生率,出院时和出院后6个月mRS评分比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结论与Enterprise支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤相比,Lvis支架在术后即刻的栓塞效果更佳,但两种支架手术相关并发症和术后短期预后情况相当。

A credit risk assessment model based on SVM for small and medium enterprises in supply chain finance

Background:Supply chain finance(SCF)is a series of financial solutions provided by financial institutions to suppliers and customers facing demands on their working capital.As a systematic arrangement,SCF utilizes the authenticity of the trade between(SMEs)and their“counterparties”,which are usually the leading enterprises in their supply chains.Because in these arrangements the leading enterprises are the guarantors for the SMEs,the credit levels of such counterparties are becoming important factors of concern to financial institutions’risk management(i.e.,commercial banks offering SCF services).Thus,these institutions need to assess the credit risks of the SMEs from a view of the supply chain,rather than only assessing an SME’s repayment ability.The aim of this paper is to research credit risk assessment models for SCF.Methods:We establish an index system for credit risk assessment,adopting a view of the supply chain that considers the leading enterprise’s credit status and the relationships developed in the supply chain.Furthermore,We conducted two credit risk assessment models based on support vector machine(SVM)technique and BP neural network respectly.Results:(1)The SCF credit risk assessment index system designed in this paper,which contained supply chain leading enterprise’s credit status and cooperative relationships between SMEs and leading enterprises,can help banks to raise their accuracy on predicting a small and medium enterprise whether default or not.Therefore,more SMEs can obtain loans from banks through SCF.(2)The SCF credit risk assessment model based on SVM is of good generalization ability and robustness,which is more effective than BP neural network assessment model.Hence,Banks can raise the accuracy of credit risk assessment on SMEs by applying the SVM model,which can alleviate credit rationing on SMEs.Conclusions:(1)The SCF credit risk assessment index system can solve the problem of banks incorrectly labeling a creditworthy enterprise as a default enterprise,and thereby improve the credit rating status in the process of SME financing.(2)By analyzing and comparing the empirical results,we find that the SVM assessment model,on evaluating the SME credit risk,is more effective than the BP neural network assessment model.This new assessment model based on SVM can raise the accuracy of classification between good credit and bad credit SMEs.(3)Therefore,the SCF credit risk assessment index system and the assessment model based on SVM,is the optimal combination for commercial banks to use to evaluate SMEs’credit risk.

Corporate Governance Mechanisms： Evidence From Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises （SMEs）

This paper aims to investigate the extent to which Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） adopted corporate governance （CG） principles and their effects on firm performance. The principles examined included： establishing clear roles and responsibilities; strengthening composition; and reinforcing independence. The paper is based on a questionnaire survey study among 113 SMEs that consisted of 35% （39） of manufacturing and related services and 65% （74） from services including information and communication technology （ICT）, primary agriculture, construction, mining, and quarrying. The analysis of the data indicates that 32% of the respondents said that the primary reason why they have their own business is to have control over their own working life. This fmding appears to confirm the f＇mancing theory that SMEs owners have other goals than profitability. In addition, 30% of SMEs perceived that the most important role played by the board is risk management; hence, these boards have a greater control over financial risks that may lead to better financial performance. The analysis also shows that 81% of the respondents＇ board consisted of internal board members only. These enterprises need to see the important role of external board members as a source of advice providers and experts to them. For policies relating to clear roles and responsibilities of board, only 28% of the respondents established clear functions reserved for the board and those delegated to management; substantial respondents did not draw up policies relating to reinforce board independency （between 75% and 79%） and to strengthen board composition （46%）. Besides, 68% of the respondents have the position of chairman and CEO held by same individuals and 81% of the chairman is an executive member of the board. These findings suggest that SMEs cannot see the importance of strengthening board and having independent board members. Regression analysis also indicates that board independence has a significant and positive impact on firm performance. Hence, SMEs need to appreciate networking advantages, competency, and strategic knowledge that the right board can offer. The governmental ministries and agencies in Malaysia need to take active measures to encourage SMEs to strengthen their board governance, because SMEs are the important economic powers for stimulating national economic growth. This paper contributes to the empirical literatures on the adoption of CG principles and their effects on SMEs＇ firm performance in emerging markets.

A Cloud Computing Security Assessment Framework for Small and Medium Enterprises

Cloud computing plays a very important role in the development of business and competitive edge for many organisations including SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). Every cloud user continues to expect maximum service, and a critical aspect to this is cloud security which is one among other specific challenges hindering adoption of the cloud technologies. The absence of appropriate, standardised and self-assessing security frameworks of the cloud world for SMEs becomes an endless problem in developing countries and can expose the cloud computing model to major security risks which threaten its potential success within the country. This research presents a security framework for assessing security in the cloud environment based on the Goal Question Metrics methodology. The developed framework produces a security index that describes the security level accomplished by an evaluated cloud computing environment thereby providing the first line of defence. This research has concluded with an eight-step framework that could be employed by SMEs to assess the information security in the cloud. The most important feature of the developed security framework is to devise a mechanism through which SMEs can have a path of improvement along with understanding of the current security level and defining desired state in terms of security metric value.

Assessment for Production and Operation Ability of Medium and Small-sized Enterprises Based on Neural Network

In order to improve production and operation ability of medium and small-sized enterprises, an assessment-index system of production and operation ability was proposed, and a corresponding assessment model was established based on BP neural network. The conjunction weights of the neural network were continuously modified from output layer to input layer in the process of neural network training to reduce the errors between the anticipated and actual outputs. The results from an example show that this method is reliable and feasible. The production and operation abilitv of an enterorise with assessed result of 0.833 is fairly oowerful, and that with assessed result of 0.644 is average.

Development of Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs） Accounting Information System in Cluster of Kampung Laweyan Batik, Surakarta, Indonesia

The role of small and medium enterprises （SMEs） in the economy of a country was quite strategic, however the tightness of the competition, has allowed the SMEs into disadvantageous position. The SMEs need a precise accounting information system, thus the SMEs could improve the accuracy, validation data, productivity, and the competitiveness of enterprises. The problem of this research is how the SMEs accounting information systems in a cluster of Kampung Batik Laweyan Surakarta. To develop accounting information systems in a SMEs cluster of Kampung Batik Laweyan Surakarta, this research used research and development （R＆D） method. Data obtained through analysis of the company＇s business processes. Results of data analysis used to develop accounting information systems in a SMEs cluster of Kampung Batik Laweyan Surakarta. Accounting information system development consists of the structure of SMEs organizations, the general design of accounting information systems of the SMEs, flowchart and documentation of the SMEs accounting information systems, and accounting software of the SMEs

On the Symbiotic Modes of SMEs and Large Enterprises Based on Symbiotic Energy and Medium

There are three varieties of symbiotic modes of SMEs and large enterprises based on symbiosis energy,including commensalisms,asymmetry mutualism and symmetry mutualism.The symbiotic mediums(such as stock ownership,contract,trust,etc.) have an important influence on symbiotic modes.From the angle of symbiotic medium view,there are some measures that promote symbiotic modes toward symmetry mutualism,such as optimizing stock ownership structure of subsidiary company,promoting mid-system organization growth,building good faith cultural atmosphere.

Fuzzy integral based measurement and assessment of medium and small enterprises'product innovation

A fuzzy integral based way of measurement assessment has been established by using linguistic varia-bles and combining fuzzy integral with hierarchy analysis for measurement of medium and small enterprises'product innovation. The conclusions drawn from analyses made with 20 medium and small enterprises providebases for governments to formulate applicable policies and for medium and small enterprises to enhance theirproduct innovation.

Prioritizing real estate enterprises based on credit risk assessment:an integrated multi‑criteria group decision support framework

Credit risk assessment involves conducting a fair review and evaluation of an assessed subject’s solvency and creditworthiness.In the context of real estate enterprises,credit risk assessment provides a basis for banks and other financial institutions to choose suitable investment objects.Additionally,it encourages real estate enterprises to abide by market norms and provide reliable information for the standardized management of the real estate industry.However,Chinese real estate companies are hesitant to disclose their actual operating data due to privacy concerns,making subjective evalu-ation approaches inevitable,occupying important roles in accomplishing Chinese real estate enterprise credit risk assessment tasks.To improve the normative and reliability of credit risk assessment for Chinese real estate enterprises,this study proposes an integrated multi-criteria group decision-making approach.First,a credit risk assessment index for Chinese real estate enterprises is established.Then,the proposed framework combines proportional hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation II methods.This approach is suitable for processing large amounts of data with high uncertainty,which is often the case in credit risk assessment tasks of Chinese real estate enterprises involving massive subjec-tive evaluation information.Finally,the proposed model is validated through a case study accompanied by sensitivity and comparative analyses to verify its rationality and feasibility.This study contributes to the research on credit assessment for Chinese real estate enterprises and provides a revised paradigm for real estate enterprise credit risk assessment.

Competition in Marketing： Survival Yardstick for Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs） in Nigeria

The topic investigated competition in marketing as a survival yardstick for small and medium enterprises （SMEs） in Nigeria. The objectives addressed by this study were： （1） identifying different types and intensity of competition that SMEs are exposed to along the life-cycle portfolio in Nigeria; （2） quantifying the strength of SMEs vis-a-vis some foreign enterprises in terms of market competition; and （3） proffering solutions on how best they could match competitively these foreign enterprises. Relevant models and theories were employed in literature to evolve detailed analysis of issues relating to the variables used in terms of competition in marketing and survival of juice-producing SMEs. Two hypotheses were investigated through the survey of 20 prominent Ikeja based SMEs using Cluster sampling, 5-points Likert summated rating scale was adopted, while Yard＇s formula with 95% confidence level and 5% error tolerance was used. Alternative form validity of the instrument was measured at 0.63 while its reliability was measured at Cronbach＇s alpha of 0.70. Pearson＇s product-moment correlation was used in testing hypothesis 1 while standard multiple regressions were used to test hypothesis 2. Findings revealed that there was strong relationship between survival of juice-producing SMEs with forms of competition on a firm＇s life-cycle; while competition had positive effects on survival components for the enterprises. It was concluded that since competition subsists in any firm＇s life-cycle, strategies to support operations for survival must be adopted. It was recommended that operators of SMEs have to monitor and manage competition as it affects their businesses positively and/or negatively.

The Perception of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises （SMEs） on the Importance of a Proper Accounting System： Malaysian Evidence

This paper examines the relationship between small- and medium-sized enterprises＇ （SMEs） entrepreneurs＇ perceptions towards a proper accounting system with the level of accounting staff recruited, preparation of final accounts, meetings with accounting staff, and entrepreneurs＇ ranking of accounting according to their priority. The methodology used to gather the data is survey questionnaire. It has been distributed to SMEs based on simple random sampling method. Three hundred businesses were selected from the total of 3,390 businesses listed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia area obtained from Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation （SMIDEC） website and a few random selected from Ampang and Cheras areas. Regression analysis has been used to analyze the data. The results of the study reveal that there was a significant relation between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and the level of professional accounting staff recruited. Furthermore, findings of this study also found that there was an insignificant relationship between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and preparation of final accounts of the company and frequency of meetings with accounting staff.

The Importance of Investments on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises （SMEs） Growth： The Case of Kosovo

The small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） are crucial to economic growth, especially in post-socialist transitional countries or new emerging market economies. The development of SMEs depends on the ability of those firms to invest and grow. Based upon an SME survey conducted by Riinvest Institute at the end of 2010, this paper seeks to provide answers on determinants of SMEs to invest in Kosovo, based on an econometric model which identifies the key determinants of SMEs＇ investment. The econometric evidence suggests a positive relationship between investment and the size and age of the company. Also, the decision of the firm to invest depends on the future business plans; if entrepreneurs have optimistic views about the future of the business, this encourages them to invest. The manufacturing and trade sectors invest more, so do exporting firms, which may be because of bigger market opportunities. Access to external sources of finance is another significant determinant of investment, suggesting that firms which gained credit invested more than other firms in the sample.

Analysis of the Critical Aspects of the Generational Turnover in Family Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises （SMEs）

Family businesses, which aim at surviving today, have to deal with a precise modality： To ensure their continuity, entrepreneurs have to ensure the transfer of leadership from one generation to another inside of them. We do believe that this matter is worth being analyzed, since the succession, from one generation to another, can be considered as a crucial variable in maintaining family small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） over time. Therefore, after investigating the main features, problems, and factors leading to the succession processes, in the second part of this article, an empirical analysis will be carried out, by comparing several European countries on the basis of data from the European Commission. This article contributes to enriching, from a theoretical point of view, the conceptual framework used for investigating the dynamics in the continuity of SMEs. Moreover, empirically, it contributes to the increasing literature on family businesses by comparing several European countries in order to understand what originates the longevity of family SMEs.

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises （SMEs） in Personal Services

Entrepreneurship has become an attribute of the current growth without business activities. Entrepreneurship is a global world. It is not possible to think about economic driving force of technological development and scientific research. It materializes knowledge and involvement of people and society. Expansion of business activities is a source of individual country＇s economic performance. It contributes to the development of people＇s living standards. In every market economy, it represents an irreplaceable role for small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. A strong representation of＂micro-enterprises＂ can be found in the field of personal services. Companies within the course of their existence go through particular stages of their development--from their foundation through the stage of steady development. After this stage, there comes their decline that can develop even into their termination. We indicate this process as a company life cycle. The aim of the submitted project is to map the life cycle of particularly chosen companies providing accommodation and catering services and to find a mutual relation among observed quantities and their stable economic positions in the market. The analysis is based on the data of macro-economic character, the data about development of receipts in the sector, development of inflation, tempo of economic growth, and development of consumer prices. Out of a company, non-financial factors will also be considered. The core of the analysis is the stage of sustainable stability of the assessed companies. The point of the findings is revelation of the causes of risks of possible transition into the stage of termination due to the decline of services volume, decline of profitability, and long-lasting payment insolvency. The contribution of the project is to draw our attention to possible risks of critical situation development and to propose how to avoid them so that the company will not occur in financial straits. Achieved information could assist the company management to make relevant decisions.

The Effects of Intangible Assets （IA） on the Loan Interest Rates for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises （SMEs） in Taiwan

This study is motivated by the lack of direct empirical research on the relationship between intangible assets （IA） and loan interest rates for small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） in emerging markets. This study uses a multivariate regression to investigate the effects of 1A on loan interest rates by focusing on SMEs. Using a panel sample of 186 publicly-listed SMEs with 952 annual observations in Taiwan from 2001 to 2006, the empirical findings indicate that an SME＇s IA does negatively affect loan interest rates. The main contribution of this study lies in its direct testing of whether IA can affect the loan interest rates for SMEs in an emerging market. The finding provides empirical evidence that an SME with greater IA leads to lower interest rates on bank loans, implying that SMEs should strive to invest in IA and enhance their knowledge management for obtaining more benefits of loan interest rates. Furthermore, the findings may provide empirical evidence for SMEs in emerging markets and can be compared with those for firms in industrialized economies.

Competitive Advantages and Clustering of SMEs： An Analysis of Clustering Effect on Competition in Small-Scale Enterprises in Istanbul

According to Michael Porter＇s Diamond Model, a business cluster is defined as geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry. In addition, clusters encompass an array of collaborating and competing services and providers that create a specialized infrastructure, which supports the cluster＇s industry. The economic cluster model, represents a synergy, a dynamic relationship and a network between not only the companies that comprise a cluster but also the successful partnering of the stakeholders. Today in all over the world, successful clusters have established a greater competitive advantage and wealth creation for their regions when compared to companies not in a cluster. Given this success more policy makers and regions are considering fostering cluster development as building blocks of regional economies. Research is planned and performed for understanding the clustering in SMEs （small and medium enterprises） industrial estate in Istanbul if it gives a competitive advantage to the cluster members or not. It is performed to determine and satisfy the lack of knowledge about the small and medium enterprises＇ issues, technologic systems, production quality standards, capacity usage ratios, interactions with other firms, habits of following the technologic improvements and clustering effects on the members.

BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMES:Small and medium-sized enterprises should make good use of RCEP rules to make major contributions to regional economic growth

The long-awaited Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP)agreement was signed and witnessed by leaders of the 15 participating countries via a video ceremony on November 15,2020.“The free trade agreement[FTA]creates new partnerships between China and Japan as well as Japan and South Korea,and it will contribute greatly to trade facilitation within the region,”said Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen.

Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs） and Competitiveness： An Empirical Study

Globalisation and competitiveness affected the way of enterprises undertake innovation, particularly in the case of Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs）. According with European Commission （2013） in Europe 99% of the enterprises is SMEs. SMEs all over the world are considered as the lifeblood of the economies. The importance of this research is justified by the predominance of SMEs that represents the majority of enterprises in Portugal. SMEs contribute to the creation of jobs, as well as to the competitiveness of the economies, specially, in crisis time. This study has two main objectives; firstly propose a literature review focused on competitiveness of SMEs. Secondly analysis a sample of 23 enterprises identified as leaders of Portuguese SMEs in 2012. The data considering a ranking list of the largest 1,000 Portuguese SMEs in 2012, published by Exame （2013）. This analysis considers some SMEs features such as, sales, market share, dimension, and sector. Additionally this research presents a SME case included in this database. Through the application of a questionnaire the study provides a complementary micro perspective of the factors that influences enterprises competitiveness. The questionnaire is divided into three parts： Part one refers to the characterization of the enterprise; Part two assesses the entrepreneurial competitiveness, considering nine questions to assess performance, six questions to assess internal processes and four questions to understand the relations with customers; and part three analyses the diffusion of innovation through three questions. Finally the study provides important clues relevant for the development of public policies that can support the innovation and competitiveness of SMEs. Moreover the discussions highlight some variables approached in literature review considered as pertinent in the case of innovative SME due to their contribution to exports and to economic growth.