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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Survey Explores Symbiotic Relationship between China's Nonofficial Finance and SMEs

Domestic and foreign studies have revealed the existence of an interactive development relationship between nono cial nance and small and medium-sizedenterprises.Based on the empirical findings of a Hangzhou case study,this article substantiates the existence of a very strong symbiotic relationship between China’s nono cial nance and small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs).This symbiotic relationship is an equilibrium outcome among three market players:formalnance,nono cial nance and SMEs.Meanwhile,it is also a rational choice and suboptimal equilibrium point reached under the existing institutional spaceconstraints.In our empirical study,we found that formal nance failure left a space for symbiosis to survive in two ways:the comparative advantages of nono cialnance created an institutional basis for symbiosis to grow,and immense SME fund shortages created a market space for symbiosis to thrive.In this article,we alsoput forward some recommendations for further development of such a symbiotic relationship.

A Study of the Awareness Level of Takaful Products Among Micro Enterprises in Malaysia

The small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） play a vital role in the development of the Malaysian economy through its contribution of 32% of the country＇s growth domestic product （GDP）. However, the recent global financial crisis has exposed these enterprises to plausible risks that have resulted in some businesses being shuttered. Such predicament shows how crucial it is for SMEs to be prepared with some form of protection or Takaful to mitigate impending risks. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which micro enterprises are aware of Takaful and the benefits of its products. The study was conducted on respondents who fall into micro enterprise category located in Johor, Malaysia, and the research process involves a case study method which is in-depth interviews. The results of the current study provide an insight into how Takaful is regarded among SMEs and the need for these enterprises to be protected.

The Usefulness of the SMEs＇ Accounting Information

This study investigates the perceived usefulness of selected accounting information presented in the financial statements of small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Mailed questionnaires were sent to SMEs＇ owner and loan officers in Malaysia. The findings show that the SMEs＇ owners and loan officers have substantially similar views on the usefulness of the accounting information. In addition, this study has found that the academic qualification and time spent in reading the financial statement have significant relationships with the SMEs＇ owners＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information, whereas types of business organization, awareness about financial reporting regulation, and level of understanding of the financial statements do not. On the other hand, for the loan officers, accouting expertise, year in position, and awareness about the financial reporting regulation do not have a significant relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. Meanwhile, experience in assessing SMEs＇ financial statements has a significantly negative relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. The results of this study may enable the SMEs＇ managers to realize the informational needs of the users of their financial statements.

The Impact of Firm Characteristics, Industry Types, and Financial Ratios on SMEs＇ Utilization of Tax Incentives

This study aims to contribute to the growing literature on issues of tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Through comprehensive exploration of data, the study investigates factors leading to successful and unsuccessful utilization of tax incentives among SMEs. Financial ratios were calculated based on the information retrieved from the companies＇ annual financial statement. Apparently, these financial ratios are evidence of how successful the companies are in utilizing the tax incentives. In this study, 129 small companies and 71 medium-sized companies were selected as samples for the period of 2003-2007. The result indicates that financial structure such as retained earnings, tax burden, cash flow, and inventory level determined the ability of companies to utilize tax incentives; hence leading to higher earnings generated from the business operation. The age of the companies affects the utilization of tax incentives and this denotes that older companies are more capable of generating higher earnings. Hence, a thorough analysis of the data allows us not only to determine the success of the company in utilizing tax incentives but also to identify the determinants that impact their performance.

The Relationship Between Access to Finance and Growth of SMEs in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka:Financial Literacy as a Moderator

The direct effect of access to finance on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs)run by entrepreneurs is well studied.However,there is limited understanding on the difference in the rate of entrepreneurship growth across a nation.Further,the empirical findings relating to the financial literacy of entrepreneurs significantly differ across different geographic communities.Thus,the purpose of this study is to examine the impact of financial literacy on the relationship between access to finance and the business growth of the SME Sector in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka in the post-civil war context,as SMEs promote resilience of communities to recover from adversities such as civil war.The Indebtedness of Northern Province has suddenly increased,as there is a sharp growth evident in the average debt per family in the post-civil war context.Thus,demonstrating the lack of proper financial literacy and the discipline required to be financially stable,is a crucial benchmark for a successful business.According to the model of ambidextrous management in entrepreneurial growth companies,entrepreneurship is process where the entrepreneurial orientation turns into implementation and thereby leads to the business growth.However,the effect of access to finance to the entrepreneurs and the impact of financial literacy of the entrepreneur on this relationship are not examined.Thus,this study incorporates the effect of access to finance and the moderating effect of financial literacy to the existing model.It was evident from this study that,access to finance has a direct impact on the growth of the SMEs in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.The result also reflects that the financial literacy and ability to make the financial decisions influence access to finance,resulting in business growth.

Research on System Dynamic of Buying Work Safety Services in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Buying work safety services from intermediaries is a new and important approach to improve the work safety in small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs).The existing literature addresses the significance and effectiveness of the service model but it ignores the dynamic game relationship between relevant stakeholders when SMEs choose to purchase the services under bounded rationality.Therefore,this study aims to analyse this dynamic game relationship based on evolutionary game theory.Furthermore,dynamic simulations of the evolutionary game model are applied to determine the impact of major factors for three stakeholders(SMEs,governments,and safety service agents),examine stability strategies,and identify modes of equilibrium under different subsidy strategies.The results of simulation are as follows.First,the results explain that how the major factors(service price,the quality of service,government subsidy,etc.)affect the system dynamic force of buying work safety services.Second,when the subsidy strategy is static payment,the selection of the stakeholders fluctuates and is not optimal.Third,when the subsidy strategy is a dynamic payment,the evolutionary game process converges to a stable state,which indicates that an evolutionarily stable strategy exists under the dynamic subsidy strategy.Moreover,the stable state and equilibrium values are not affected by the different initial values.The results of this study offer a certain reference for the government to guide the implementation of the purchase of work safety or other services in SMEs.

企业价值、融资次序、公司治理以及影响因素——融资结构的实证研究

自Modigliani&Miller(1958)提出MM定理并创建现代资本结构理论以来,融资结构的研究有了很大发展。但是这些理论是否适合中小企业融资结构的分析,需要实证检验。文章重点关注了中小企业融资结构的实证研究成果,围绕中小企业融资结构与企业价值、中小企业融资次序、中小企业融资结构与公司治理和中小企业融资结构的影响因素四个方面,对中小企业融资结构领域的相关文献进行了系统梳理与述评,并在此基础上对未来可能的研究方向进行了展望。

Drivers and barriers to engage enterprises in environmental management initiatives in Suzhou Industrial Park,China

Small-and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs)play an important role in sustainable development not only for their significant contribution to China’s economy,but also for their large share of total discharged pollutants.Therefore,this research takes the enterprises in Suzhou Industrial Park,China as the case study to investigate the environmental management practices of SMEs,and identify drivers and barriers to engaging businesses in environmental management initiatives.It is shown that,as in other countries,SMEs are less active in adopting environmental management initiatives than larger companies.Legislation remains the key driver to engage SMEs in environmental management initiatives.Based on the analysis,policy recommendations are also presented.

Familial and Territorial Values for Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Italy： Some Reflections in Theory and Practice]

This study reflects the specificities of family small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） which are related to values, culture, and relationships with the territory （local context）. In the following sustainable and corporate social responsibility （CSR）-oriented strategies, family businesses are ＂assisted＂ by the presence of entrepreneurial values which are tied to and derived from the social system in the territory in which they are located. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the consolidation of stable and durable relations between the family business and the local context depends on the presence of shared values between the members of the family and the stakeholders, all components of civil society are within the same territory. Such values are the fruit of a given territory＇s civic traditions. They are the result of an anthropological culture which is typical of the socioeconomic environment in which the entrepreneur, the family, and the business are all rooted, thus, they are expressions of a culture ＂of the place＂.

How different types of financial service providers support small- and mediumenterprises under the impact of COVID-19 pandemic: From the perspective of expectancy theory

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)pandemic has significantly impacted several aspects of the society and the economy.A problem that needs prompt attention in this situation is the increasing difficulties faced by small-and mediumsized enterprises(SMEs)in raising capital,which has aroused great concern from multiple stakeholders such as public administrations and regulators.As the major supply of capital,financial service providers(FSPs)play a critical role in financing SMEs.However,how FSPs deal with SME financing during shocks has not yet been fully researched.Accordingly,in this study,a theoretical framework based on expectancy theory is proposed to explore the expected strategic adjustments of FSPs in financing SMEs.Specifically,this study investigates 272 FSPs in China on their expectancy and attitude on financing to SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.Furthermore,this study has divided FSPs into three categories:commercial banks,non-bank financial institutions,and credit-enhanced FSPs.Differences among these categories are compared and analyzed.

Bottom-Up or Top-Down： Which Is the Best Approach to Improve CSR and Sustainability in Local Contexts？ Reflections From Italian Experiences

This paper reflects on the theme of sustainability and territorial social responsibility, which, in this context, is defined as a pathway promoted by a plurality of public and private actors, for- and non-profit, who find that social cohesion and the relationships that are cultivated in the place from which these diverse ＂protagonists＂ come, are the drivers in the construction of shared territorial governance. The efficacy of such processes in the local context （communal, provincial, and regional） is predicated on the culture and on the values that the diverse, networked stakeholders-actors accumulate in their territory （meso level）. In developing this theme, the paper is divided into several parts. The first part describes the theoretical context, which is illustrated by an enumeration of experiences realized at the local level in Italy. We then focus our analysis on the experience of territorial govemance promoted in the Marches Region. This project was selected as a case study, because it is emblematic of the Italian context; the territory is characterized by the diffuse presence of small businesses in the soeio-economic fabric and by the proactive role of the local government. The case allows us to evaluate this paper＇s fundamental proposition, that the policies of the European Commission [EC] and the Government of Italy for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability are not concretely effective when they are not fostered by regional authorities together with local private actors. Furthermore, public initiatives, to be effective, should take into consideration the influence of local culture, the social milieu, and economic factors shaping the environment in which public-private networks arise.