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.

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.

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.

Assessing Factors Influencing Solar Energy Adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises in Mzuzu City, Malawi

One of the many renewable energy sources that offer advantages is solar energy, which also lowers energy prices and promotes environmental sustainability and energy security. Despite these advantages, various barriers, such as installation costs, have prevented small and medium-sized enterprises from investigating this invention. Malawi has a significant energy shortfall such that most businesses have been hindered from their profit maximization goals. The “Photovoltaic systems” (PV) that transform sunlight into electricity are the subject of this study. This type of solar energy system is situated on the building’s roof and generally produces electricity for businesses and even homes. Solar energy offers a great impact to small and medium enterprises in Mzuzu city with a cost-effective and dependable alternative to energy that has the potential to change the game. Therefore the aim of the study was to identify factors that encourage the adoption of solar energy among small medium enterprises in the city of Mzuzu city. And to identify some of barriers faced when adopting solar energy among small and medium enterprises in the city of Mzuzu. The research approach employed in the study was a survey. A survey is a type of research methodology in which primary data is gathered from a sample using a questionnaire. When information is to be gathered from a wider sample, a survey is employed. A bigger sample size was needed in this study in order to facilitate hypothesis testing. It is advised to apply a logical approach while using the survey. The survey utilized a five-point Likert scale. The study used convenience sampling to select study participants. The sample size in this study was determined using Cochran’s sample size formula. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel were used for statistical analysis. About 97.2% of the participants were aware of solar as a source of energy compared to 2.8 % who were unaware. The majority of participants use solar energy for lighting only, seconded by those who use electricity. The least number of participants use solar energy for cooling only. The majority of participants 21.5% indicated partnership and collaboration as the most motivating factor for the adoption of solar energy. This was followed by technical expertise 19.1 % the least number of participants 10.8% expressed that policy and regulatory frameworks were associated with the adoption of solar energy. This study found that there are no statistically significant factors influencing barriers to the adoption of solar energy. The price of solar energy adoption was identified as the least factor associated with the acceptance or rejection of solar energy. Nonetheless, the reasons given by the homes that had embraced solar technology aligned with the findings of other studies. This survey also found that although the public was aware of solar energy, and technology, there were still a number of factors that mattered, especially for non-adopters.

Contract Mechanism of Water Environment Regulation for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Based on Optimal Control Theory

The small and scattered enterprise pattern in the county economy has formed numerous sporadic pollution sources, hindering the centralized treatment of the water environment, increasing the cost and difficulty of treatment. How enterprises can make reasonable decisions on their water environment behavior based on the external environment and their own factors is of great significance for scientifically and effectively designing water environment regulation mechanisms. Based on optimal control theory, this study investigates the design of contractual mechanisms for water environmental regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises. The enterprise is regarded as an independent economic entity that can adopt optimal control strategies to maximize its own interests. Based on the participation of multiple subjects including the government, enterprises, and the public, an optimal control strategy model for enterprises under contractual water environmental regulation is constructed using optimal control theory, and a method for calculating the amount of unit pollutant penalties is derived. The water pollutant treatment cost data of a paper company is selected to conduct empirical numerical analysis on the model. The results show that the increase in the probability of government regulation and public participation, as well as the decrease in local government protection for enterprises, can achieve the same regulatory effect while reducing the number of administrative penalties per unit. Finally, the implementation process of contractual water environmental regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises is designed.

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.

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.

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.

The role of e-readiness assessment criteria in accepting e-commerce for small and medium size enterprisesmDevelopment of technology acceptance model

This paper develops Davis technology acceptance model by adding two criteria of e-readiness assessment. For small and medium size enterprises, the paper evaluates the credit of developed model in studying the efficient factors in internet technology acceptance, which is one of the most applicable communication tools in e-commerce. The added factors, taken from models and means of e-readiness assessment, are ＂existing information technology infrastructures＂ as well as ＂organization＇s training＂. The authors study 45 small and medium size enterprises in the city of Tehran, which are active in information technology products and services. Using Lisrel structural equation modelling, it is shown that there is a meaningful relationship between the added factors and the variables indicating internet network usage. Therefore, the better factors of e-readiness assessment lead to the higher acceptance level of electronic communication tools in e-commerce.

Evaluation of a software positioning tool to support SMEs in adoption of big data analytics

Big data analytics has been widely adopted by large companies to achieve measurable benefits including increased profitability,customer demand forecasting,cheaper development of products,and improved stock control.Small and medium sized enterprises(SMEs)are the backbone of the global economy,comprising of 90%of businesses worldwide.However,only 10%SMEs have adopted big data analytics despite the competitive advantage they could achieve.Previous research has analysed the barriers to adoption and a strategic framework has been developed to help SMEs adopt big data analytics.The framework was converted into a scoring tool which has been applied to multiple case studies of SMEs in the UK.This paper documents the process of evaluating the framework based on the structured feedback from a focus group composed of experienced practitioners.The results of the evaluation are presented with a discussion on the results,and the paper concludes with recommendations to improve the scoring tool based on the proposed framework.The research demonstrates that this positioning tool is beneficial for SMEs to achieve competitive advantages by increasing the application of business intelligence and big data analytics.

The Thinking of Financing under Dual Economies Character In Medium & Small Enterprises

In China,the dual economies show prominence in financial field.It leads to the serious dual credit ration and becomes one of the main cause which makes financing in medium & small sized enterprises becomes harder and harder.On basis of this situation,we theoretically pose that we can alleviate the difficulty through the dual cooperation of financial control and the deepening of finance.

A Novel Lifecycle Model for Web-based Application Development in Small and Medium Enterprises

Software engineering＇s lifecycle models havc proven to be very important for traditional software development. However, can these models be applied to the development of Web-based applications as well？ In recent years, Web-based applications have become more and more complicated and a lot of efforts have been placed on introducing new technologies such as J2EE, PhP, and .NET, etc., which have been universally accepted as the development technologies for Web-based applications. However, there is no universally accepted process model for the development of Web-based applications. Moreover, shaping the process model for small medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）, which have limited resources, has been relatively neglected. Based on our previous work, this paper presents an expanded lifecycle process model for the development of Web-based applications in SMEs. It consists of three sets of processes, i.e., requirement processes, development processes, and evolution processes. Particularly, the post-delivery evolution processes are important to SMEs to develop and maintain quality web applications with limited resources and time.

Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Production Manufacturing

Industry 4.0 concepts have brought about a wind of renewal in the organization of companies and their production methods. However, this integration is subject to obstacles when it comes to Small and Medium sized Enterprises—SMEs: the costs of new technologies to be acquired, the level of maturity of the company regarding its level of digitization and automation, human aspects such as training employees to master new technologies, reluctance to change, etc. This article provides a new framework and presents an intelligent support system to facilitate the digital transformation of SMEs. The digitalization is realized through physical, informational, and decisional points of view. To achieve the complete transformation of the company, the framework combines the triptych of performance criteria (cost, quality, time) with the notions of sustainability (with respect to social, societal, and environmental aspects) and digitization through tools to be integrated into the company’s processes. The new framework encompasses the formalisms developed in the literature on Industry 4.0 concepts, information systems and organizational methods as well as a global structure to support and assist operators in managing their operations. In the form of a web application, it will exploit reliable data obtained through information systems such as Enterprise Resources Planning—ERP, Manufacturing Execution System—MES, or Warehouse Management System—WMS and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (deep learning, multi-agent systems, expert systems), big data, Internet of things (IoT) that communicate with each other to assist operators during production processes. To illustrate and validate the concepts and developed tools, use cases of an electronic manufacturing SME have been solved with these concepts and tools, in order to succeed in this company’s digital transformation. Thus, a reference model of the electronics manufacturing companies is being developed for facilitating the future digital transformation of these domain companies. The realization of these use cases and the new reference model are growing up and their future exploitation will be presented as soon as possible.

Mechanism of Impact of Entrepreneurial Spirit on the Development of Small and Medium-sized Private Enterprises in China

As a necessary factor for a successful business,entrepreneurial spirit is an important means for enterprises to survive in the unstable environment of fierce competition. Under the circumstance of mass entrepreneurship and innovation,a large number of small and medium-sized private enterprises have emerged in all walks of life in China. This paper examines the differences in the definition of entrepreneurial spirit by different scholars,the influence of Chinese entrepreneurship on the development of small and medium-sized private enterprises,the origin of the spirit of private entrepreneurs with Chinese characteristics,and the disadvantages of the spirit of small and medium-sized private entrepreneurs in China. It is necessary to further improve entrepreneurial spirit to contribute to the development of small and medium-sized private enterprises and help China to build the national economic system.

STUDY ON MEASURE OF TECHNICAL INNOVATION ABILITY IN MEDIUM AND SMALL MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES

Measure index system of technical innovation in medium and smallmanufacturing enterprises is established according to principles of exploration, adaptability,standardization, generalization, feasibility, comparability and combination of economic benefit andcontinual development. It includes index of technical innovation capacity, informationaladministration on technical innovation, and investment of technical innovation, economic benefit,green technical level, social contribution and other influential indexes. Approach to measure oftechnical innovation in medium and small manufacturing enterprises is presented based on combinationof grey relation and fuzzy hiberarchy analysis, and conclusions are drawn based on practicalanalysis of 20 medium and small enterprises, which provides the basis for the medium and smallenterprises to select technical innovation policies and the government to constitute relativepolicies.

Commercial Banks Responses toward Small and Medium Enterprises Survival in the Context of the COVID-19 in Africa

The African government has implemented measures to sustain an investable economic downturn as it navigates the fiscal effect of the viral spread of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Consequently,commercial banks in Africa have come hand in hand toward support of SMEs activities by increasing their borrowing power and reducing interest rates.Despite all these measures the general performance of small and medium enterprises(SMEs)across Africa as pertains to revenues and profits has gone down.This paper provides a theoretical analysis of the measures undertaken by commercial banks to ensure proper running and continuity of activities in the SMEs sector in Africa.The research is founded on the theories of innovation diffusion and resource-based theory.This study will use a mixed research design,which will include descriptive and explanatory research.The proposed target population will be Africa’s thriving commercial banks.The primary and secondary data will be used from commercial bank reports and the central bureau of statistics reports across Africa.The data will be analyzed using a multiple linear regression model.The finding indicated that commercial banks in Africa have brought in solutions and measures to adapt to the crisis being implicated on the SMEs by the COVID-19 pandemic.Based on the findings of the desktop reviews,the study concludes that commercial banks have a significant influence on SMEs during this period of COVID-19,and with the assistance of the government,they have implemented more policies to support the activities of SMEs.

Mechanism of Interaction between Entrepreneurial Spirit and Growth of Small and Medium Sized Private Enterprises

In the context of government appeal of " mass entrepreneurship and innovation",all areas launched the movement of " mass entrepreneurship" and " grassroots entrepreneurship". As parts of vitality of China's market economy,small and medium sized private enterprises become grassroots of market competition in talents,funds,and technologies. This paper combined three levels of entrepreneurial spirit and small and medium sized private enterprises,studied acting mechanism of entrepreneurial spirit,discussed competitive power of small and medium sized private enterprises,and recommended that small and medium sized private enterprises should cultivate core competitive power,adapt to external environment,and create external environment support,to realize sound development.

A Model to Analyze Small and Medium Enterprises＇ Training Needs Related to the Internationalization

Formal training can play a particularly important role in supporting the internationalization of small and medium enterprises （SMEs）. However, the demand for education services by the latter still appears limited. This is due to known structural and cultural limits that are found widely in this type of business and to the fact that the provision of training---especially that which is funded^oes not seem to address adequately SMEs＇ needs; in many cases, such training is not stimulating, because it is perceived as too general. In fact, SMEs do not constitute a single homogeneous group and therefore assistance needs vary among the different types of firms. So, especially in relation to internationalization, it is clear that there are important differences to consider due to the variety of approaches and ways of developing this process. In order to optimize the resources to invest in the promotion of training, there is a need to find a proper balance between providing ＂viable solutions for all businesses＂ and offering ＂targeted responses and tailored services＂. In such a context, the main objective of this paper is to identify and systematize the variables that most influence the SMEs＇ training needs related to internationalization by taking into account the differences among them. To this end, an empirical analysis was developed involving a significant number of Italian SMEs by using a combination of qualitative research methods. The results show the critical issues faced by the investigated firms during their internationalization process and highlight some important variables that affect their training needs： export involvement, characteristics of the product/market, characteristics of the company, exporting strategy, and human resources. Based on these variables, the writers identified clusters of firms characterized by similar needs and problems to be faced.

The Importance of Cultural Intelligence for Leader to Communicate Effectively: Case Study in Micro Small Medium Enterprises

Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia play huge part of national economic development because MSMEs can reduce unemployment rate. But, it is not easy to manage MSMEs well so it can be sustainable. There are some reasons why MSMEs are difficult to sustain, i.e., good management people by communicate effectively. Authors believe that one of important ability that owners, as a leader, must have in order to communicate effectively is cultural intelligence. Even in MSMEs, cultural intelligence plays important part because employees in MSMEs are diverse. They come from different region (mean having different tradition) and have different level of education. Methodology that is used in this article is qualitative method, and techniques of data collection are interview and observation. Technique of choosing informant is purposive and convenience while data analysis is using content analysis. The result of this study shows that leaders in MSMEs already have cultural intelligence to communicate with their employee. Leaders who have cultural intelligence can choose right method to communicate effectively with their employee.

Creativity of the Entrepreneur, Intrapreneurship, and the Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises： Evidence from China

Creativity is an element of the personality of entrepreneurs which can be important for the foundation, advance, and business performance of small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Intrapreneurship can be developed in small and medium-sized enterprises where entrepreneurs have a sufficient level of creativity and it can influence the growth of enterprises. Hypotheses are specified and empirically tested based on responses to a structured questionnaire on a sample of small and medium-sized enterprises from China. The research results indicate positive relationships between the creativity of the entrepreneur and intrapreneurship and growth of the enterprise.