Pub Date : 2020-10-19DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1821159
I. Kozlinska, Anna Rebmann, T. Mets
Abstract This study examines the relationship among experiential entrepreneurship pedagogy, entrepreneurial competencies and employment status of business graduates in two European countries. A proposed model relies on the adapted Bloom’s taxonomy, human capital theory, and experiential learning theory. The model examines knowledge, skills, and attitudes as competencies, and relates them to the two forms of employment status: nascent intrapreneurship and early-stage entrepreneurial activity. These inter-relationships are tested closely considering a dominant pedagogical approach to teaching entrepreneurship – traditional or experiential. The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 454 graduates from Bachelor-level business programmes delivered at eight higher education institutions (four in each country); and on 16 semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurship educators, who taught the surveyed graduates. The findings highlight that experiential pedagogy can be indeed more effective for developing all three entrepreneurial competencies, while traditional pedagogy might still be suitable for theoretical knowledge about entrepreneurship. Furthermore, experiential pedagogy moderates the relationship between different competencies and the employment status of graduates. This contingency on the pedagogy type is crucial implying a combination of traditional and experiential teaching methods to balance the effects of entrepreneurship education.
{"title":"Entrepreneurial competencies and employment status of business graduates: the role of experiential entrepreneurship pedagogy","authors":"I. Kozlinska, Anna Rebmann, T. Mets","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1821159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1821159","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study examines the relationship among experiential entrepreneurship pedagogy, entrepreneurial competencies and employment status of business graduates in two European countries. A proposed model relies on the adapted Bloom’s taxonomy, human capital theory, and experiential learning theory. The model examines knowledge, skills, and attitudes as competencies, and relates them to the two forms of employment status: nascent intrapreneurship and early-stage entrepreneurial activity. These inter-relationships are tested closely considering a dominant pedagogical approach to teaching entrepreneurship – traditional or experiential. The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 454 graduates from Bachelor-level business programmes delivered at eight higher education institutions (four in each country); and on 16 semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurship educators, who taught the surveyed graduates. The findings highlight that experiential pedagogy can be indeed more effective for developing all three entrepreneurial competencies, while traditional pedagogy might still be suitable for theoretical knowledge about entrepreneurship. Furthermore, experiential pedagogy moderates the relationship between different competencies and the employment status of graduates. This contingency on the pedagogy type is crucial implying a combination of traditional and experiential teaching methods to balance the effects of entrepreneurship education.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"30 1","pages":"724 - 761"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73565548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-10-06DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1823791
S. Simen
Abstract The purpose of this article is to explore and assess the effects of networking on the apprehension of women entrepreneurs in Senegal regarding the conditions imposed by banking and microfinance institutions in the granting of credit. Therefore, based on data collected through semi-structured interviews with twenty women entrepreneurs in the regions of Dakar, Saint-Louis and Ziguinchor, Senegal, we show that women entrepreneurs have a negative perception of loans from formal credit agencies, due to the high interest rates and the requirement for guarantees. This prevents them from resorting to formal loans to fund their activities. They reckon that formal networking within professional organisations does not help them develop their businesses or access resources, unlike informal networking. They prefer to fall back on informal, less constraining networks based on fruitful self-connection built on trust.
{"title":"Perception des femmes entrepreneures face aux exigences de garanties des organismes de crédits au Sénégal: quelle influence des réseaux d’affaires","authors":"S. Simen","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1823791","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1823791","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The purpose of this article is to explore and assess the effects of networking on the apprehension of women entrepreneurs in Senegal regarding the conditions imposed by banking and microfinance institutions in the granting of credit. Therefore, based on data collected through semi-structured interviews with twenty women entrepreneurs in the regions of Dakar, Saint-Louis and Ziguinchor, Senegal, we show that women entrepreneurs have a negative perception of loans from formal credit agencies, due to the high interest rates and the requirement for guarantees. This prevents them from resorting to formal loans to fund their activities. They reckon that formal networking within professional organisations does not help them develop their businesses or access resources, unlike informal networking. They prefer to fall back on informal, less constraining networks based on fruitful self-connection built on trust.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"77 1","pages":"86 - 107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81848851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-29DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1820185
I. Akpan, E. Udoh, B. Adebisi
Abstract Many challenges continue to hinder digital technologies' adoption by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. Comparatively, there are more success stories by SMEs in emerging markets. However, most SMEs operating in the informal sector in the emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) face similar challenges that inhibit the adoption of advanced technologies and innovations needed to improve business operations and re-engineer processes. This article evaluates the implementation and use of state-of-the-art technologies by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations performance and create sustainable competitive advantages. Further, the papers in this Special Issue identify FinTech and analytical algorithms as some of the current technologies employed by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations and processes in the manufacturing and service industries. The recognized technologies and technical innovations that seem novel in EMDEs have long existed in the advanced economies. Most state-of-the-art technologies, including cloud computing, 'big data', and predictive analytics that can improve operations and strategic decisions, are yet to make inroads in most EMDEs. Also, disruptive computing technologies, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) required to engineer new business models, reduce overheads, enhance competitive advantages, and digitize SMEs' business operations remain untapped. The absence and non-adoption of digital technologies in EMDEs explain why business activities in most EMDEs remain shut during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and the community lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategies to survive the 'new normal' imposed by COVID-19 and fierce global competition includes a successful adoption of advanced technologies.
{"title":"Small business awareness and adoption of state-of-the-art technologies in emerging and developing markets, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"I. Akpan, E. Udoh, B. Adebisi","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1820185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1820185","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Many challenges continue to hinder digital technologies' adoption by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. Comparatively, there are more success stories by SMEs in emerging markets. However, most SMEs operating in the informal sector in the emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) face similar challenges that inhibit the adoption of advanced technologies and innovations needed to improve business operations and re-engineer processes. This article evaluates the implementation and use of state-of-the-art technologies by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations performance and create sustainable competitive advantages. Further, the papers in this Special Issue identify FinTech and analytical algorithms as some of the current technologies employed by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations and processes in the manufacturing and service industries. The recognized technologies and technical innovations that seem novel in EMDEs have long existed in the advanced economies. Most state-of-the-art technologies, including cloud computing, 'big data', and predictive analytics that can improve operations and strategic decisions, are yet to make inroads in most EMDEs. Also, disruptive computing technologies, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) required to engineer new business models, reduce overheads, enhance competitive advantages, and digitize SMEs' business operations remain untapped. The absence and non-adoption of digital technologies in EMDEs explain why business activities in most EMDEs remain shut during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and the community lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategies to survive the 'new normal' imposed by COVID-19 and fierce global competition includes a successful adoption of advanced technologies.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"3 1","pages":"123 - 140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82194893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-24DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1821158
Aidin Salamzadeh, Léo-Paul Dana
Abstract The coronavirus outbreak has become a global issue with significant effects on capital markets, and the global economy; its impacts are estimated to be even more than the previous global recessions. In this interim, due to the impacts of this pandemic, startups are more prone to fail or succeed faster than ever before; however, the challenges they face are not yet clearly scrutinized, as the pandemic was faster than scholars. This study therefore investigates the main challenges of Iranian startups by interviewing the co-founders of fifteen well-known startups. The findings are analyzed through two-step coding, and findings were discussed in a focus group session to which startup co-founders, policymakers, and scholars were invited. It was revealed that there are six principal types of challenges to be addressed, including financial, human resources management, support measures and mechanisms, marketing, crisis management, as well as some others.
{"title":"The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: challenges among Iranian startups","authors":"Aidin Salamzadeh, Léo-Paul Dana","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1821158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1821158","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The coronavirus outbreak has become a global issue with significant effects on capital markets, and the global economy; its impacts are estimated to be even more than the previous global recessions. In this interim, due to the impacts of this pandemic, startups are more prone to fail or succeed faster than ever before; however, the challenges they face are not yet clearly scrutinized, as the pandemic was faster than scholars. This study therefore investigates the main challenges of Iranian startups by interviewing the co-founders of fifteen well-known startups. The findings are analyzed through two-step coding, and findings were discussed in a focus group session to which startup co-founders, policymakers, and scholars were invited. It was revealed that there are six principal types of challenges to be addressed, including financial, human resources management, support measures and mechanisms, marketing, crisis management, as well as some others.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"51 1","pages":"489 - 512"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79172066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-24DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1821530
Frank Gyimah Sackey, P. Amponsah
Micro and small women entrepreneurs’ participation in commercial banks’ credit markets remains a huge challenge even after the liberalization of the financial sector. The present study sought to ex...
{"title":"Information asymmetry and self denial in gender participation in commercial banks’ credit markets in emerging economies in Ghana","authors":"Frank Gyimah Sackey, P. Amponsah","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1821530","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1821530","url":null,"abstract":"Micro and small women entrepreneurs’ participation in commercial banks’ credit markets remains a huge challenge even after the liberalization of the financial sector. The present study sought to ex...","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74161513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-20DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1818539
P. Qing, Chongguang Li, S. H. Chan, Shengliang Deng
Abstract Many questions remain unanswered regarding Chinese farmer entrepreneurs, who play a critical role in rural China. As there is limited research on this group, this study examines the farmer entrepreneurs’ motivations, success factors, and problems they encounter. Following in-depth interviews, a questionnaire survey was conducted in rural China. Data collected from 380 rural farmer entrepreneurs indicate that they are mainly motivated by physiological and safety needs to start up a business. They build their success on gaining available financial support, good marketing, and aggressive personal characteristics. They face formidable obstacles linked to external financing and improving their managerial capabilities. The findings suggest that access to financial resources is crucial to exploit opportunities the farmers have identified for the startup, growth, and success of entrepreneurial ventures. The findings present policy and managerial implications for stimulating rural entrepreneurship development programs, financing, education, and increasing the mobility of immigrants returning to their land to start entrepreneurial activities.
{"title":"Farmer entrepreneurs in China: an empirical investigation of their motivations, success factors, and challenges faced","authors":"P. Qing, Chongguang Li, S. H. Chan, Shengliang Deng","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1818539","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1818539","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Many questions remain unanswered regarding Chinese farmer entrepreneurs, who play a critical role in rural China. As there is limited research on this group, this study examines the farmer entrepreneurs’ motivations, success factors, and problems they encounter. Following in-depth interviews, a questionnaire survey was conducted in rural China. Data collected from 380 rural farmer entrepreneurs indicate that they are mainly motivated by physiological and safety needs to start up a business. They build their success on gaining available financial support, good marketing, and aggressive personal characteristics. They face formidable obstacles linked to external financing and improving their managerial capabilities. The findings suggest that access to financial resources is crucial to exploit opportunities the farmers have identified for the startup, growth, and success of entrepreneurial ventures. The findings present policy and managerial implications for stimulating rural entrepreneurship development programs, financing, education, and increasing the mobility of immigrants returning to their land to start entrepreneurial activities.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"91 1","pages":"349 - 369"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83785500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-15DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1818540
Shrikanth S. Narayanan, D. Nadarajah, M. Sambasivan, J. Ho
Abstract The purpose of this research was to identify and validate the antecedents and outcomes of the Knowledge Management Process (KMP) in the context of Malaysian SMEs. The antecedents (knowledge management (KM) enablers) in this study were internal collaboration, trust, small and medium enterprise (SME) network, transformational leadership, and information technology (IT) support. The outcomes were innovation speed and organizational performance. Data was collected from 242 SMEs through online surveys and personal visits and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).The salient findings were: (1) among the KM enablers, internal collaboration and IT support significantly influence the KMP; and (2) innovation speed mediates the relationship between the KMP and organizational performance. This study contributes to the literature by: (1) providing a comprehensive framework that links KM enablers, KMP, and performance for SMEs; and (2) establishing innovation speed as a mediator between the KMP and performance.
{"title":"Antecedents and outcomes of the knowledge management process (KMP) in Malaysian SMEs","authors":"Shrikanth S. Narayanan, D. Nadarajah, M. Sambasivan, J. Ho","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1818540","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1818540","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The purpose of this research was to identify and validate the antecedents and outcomes of the Knowledge Management Process (KMP) in the context of Malaysian SMEs. The antecedents (knowledge management (KM) enablers) in this study were internal collaboration, trust, small and medium enterprise (SME) network, transformational leadership, and information technology (IT) support. The outcomes were innovation speed and organizational performance. Data was collected from 242 SMEs through online surveys and personal visits and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).The salient findings were: (1) among the KM enablers, internal collaboration and IT support significantly influence the KMP; and (2) innovation speed mediates the relationship between the KMP and organizational performance. This study contributes to the literature by: (1) providing a comprehensive framework that links KM enablers, KMP, and performance for SMEs; and (2) establishing innovation speed as a mediator between the KMP and performance.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"35 1","pages":"697 - 723"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81036532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-03DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2020.1809220
S. Sidhu, Kanwarpreet Singh, I. Ahuja
Abstract Maintenance practices have been undeniably established as an integral part of an organization and become major facilitators for realizing efficient production systems. The maintenance function must ensure that the production system should always operate at rated capacity. Maintenance practices assume crucial role in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) because SMEs are backbone to efficient and smooth operation of large industries. The present study uses an integrated Analytical Hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach to evaluate the characteristics of effective maintenance practice implementation in Northern Indian SMEs. AHP approach has been deployed to calculate the weights, which serves as a primary input to TOPSIS for prioritizing the implementation dimensions for the successful implementation of maintenance practices. The present study has highlighted that maintenance implementation dimensions, Corrective Maintenance, General Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Predictive Maintenance and Breakdown Maintenance, have been observed to be the most significant factors for realizing sustainable manufacturing performance in Northern Indian SMEs. The significant implementation dimensions outlined in this study should be adopted by top management and concentrated on as crucial areas to ensure the successful implementation of maintenance practices in manufacturing organizations.
{"title":"Ranking of implementation dimensions for maintenance practices in Northern Indian SMEs using integrated AHP-TOPSIS approach","authors":"S. Sidhu, Kanwarpreet Singh, I. Ahuja","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2020.1809220","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1809220","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Maintenance practices have been undeniably established as an integral part of an organization and become major facilitators for realizing efficient production systems. The maintenance function must ensure that the production system should always operate at rated capacity. Maintenance practices assume crucial role in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) because SMEs are backbone to efficient and smooth operation of large industries. The present study uses an integrated Analytical Hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach to evaluate the characteristics of effective maintenance practice implementation in Northern Indian SMEs. AHP approach has been deployed to calculate the weights, which serves as a primary input to TOPSIS for prioritizing the implementation dimensions for the successful implementation of maintenance practices. The present study has highlighted that maintenance implementation dimensions, Corrective Maintenance, General Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Predictive Maintenance and Breakdown Maintenance, have been observed to be the most significant factors for realizing sustainable manufacturing performance in Northern Indian SMEs. The significant implementation dimensions outlined in this study should be adopted by top management and concentrated on as crucial areas to ensure the successful implementation of maintenance practices in manufacturing organizations.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"276 1","pages":"175 - 194"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82888668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-02DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2019.1661614
C. Meyer, David Cohen, J. Gauthier
Abstract Social entrepreneurs are driven to solve a particular social problem. Yet, they operate in a broad universe of stakeholders that expect the organization to at least not worsen a range of social ills. This complicates the organization’s work as various social goals can be in tension with each other. Based on Instrumental Stakeholder Theory and the concept of organizational fitness, this paper uses a revelatory case study to explore the unique stakeholder management challenges faced by social entrepreneurs. A series of nine interviews and review of archival materials reveals how Berkshares, Inc., a creator of a local currency, had to contend with competing social issues important to an array of stakeholders. The study showed that competing views of different social issues from different stakeholders in the community had a substantial impact on the management of the organization. Two primary points emerged from the data. First, the need to manage these competing dimensions greatly complicates organizational goal setting and initiative selection, potentially creating internal conflict and making decisions easily contested. Second, this challenge alters the nature of the transition from startup to maturity, such that marketing and external communication became much more critical for maintaining stakeholder support as the venture grew.
{"title":"Social entrepreneurship, stakeholder management, and the multiple fitness elements of sustainability: where cash is no longer king","authors":"C. Meyer, David Cohen, J. Gauthier","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2019.1661614","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2019.1661614","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Social entrepreneurs are driven to solve a particular social problem. Yet, they operate in a broad universe of stakeholders that expect the organization to at least not worsen a range of social ills. This complicates the organization’s work as various social goals can be in tension with each other. Based on Instrumental Stakeholder Theory and the concept of organizational fitness, this paper uses a revelatory case study to explore the unique stakeholder management challenges faced by social entrepreneurs. A series of nine interviews and review of archival materials reveals how Berkshares, Inc., a creator of a local currency, had to contend with competing social issues important to an array of stakeholders. The study showed that competing views of different social issues from different stakeholders in the community had a substantial impact on the management of the organization. Two primary points emerged from the data. First, the need to manage these competing dimensions greatly complicates organizational goal setting and initiative selection, potentially creating internal conflict and making decisions easily contested. Second, this challenge alters the nature of the transition from startup to maturity, such that marketing and external communication became much more critical for maintaining stakeholder support as the venture grew.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"112 1","pages":"431 - 455"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87811810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-02DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2019.1691324
John W. Upson, Kimberly M. Green
Abstract The field of competitive dynamics has relied heavily on observations of large, visible firms while underestimating the nuances of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, due to their size, resource endowments, and customer relations, SMEs might compete differently than large firms. This qualitative research, performed through semi-structured interviews, draws on managerial perceptions to examine the competitive dynamics of nine SMEs in a single geographic market. For comparison, we also interviewed three large firms in corresponding industries. Using the awareness–motivation–capability framework as our foundation, we observed that the competitive dynamics of SMEs differ from large firms in two key areas, competitor analysis and competitive interaction. Most notably, SMEs approach competitor analysis very informally and interweave the process with other activities. However, SMEs are very aware of the competitive environment although they downplay their attention to competition. This awareness does not necessarily motivate SMEs to compete in the classic sense of head-to-head competition with rivals. Instead, SMEs favor cooperation with competitors and focus their attention on serving their customers rather than on besting rivals.
{"title":"Boxing or golfing: a view of small business competition","authors":"John W. Upson, Kimberly M. Green","doi":"10.1080/08276331.2019.1691324","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2019.1691324","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The field of competitive dynamics has relied heavily on observations of large, visible firms while underestimating the nuances of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, due to their size, resource endowments, and customer relations, SMEs might compete differently than large firms. This qualitative research, performed through semi-structured interviews, draws on managerial perceptions to examine the competitive dynamics of nine SMEs in a single geographic market. For comparison, we also interviewed three large firms in corresponding industries. Using the awareness–motivation–capability framework as our foundation, we observed that the competitive dynamics of SMEs differ from large firms in two key areas, competitor analysis and competitive interaction. Most notably, SMEs approach competitor analysis very informally and interweave the process with other activities. However, SMEs are very aware of the competitive environment although they downplay their attention to competition. This awareness does not necessarily motivate SMEs to compete in the classic sense of head-to-head competition with rivals. Instead, SMEs favor cooperation with competitors and focus their attention on serving their customers rather than on besting rivals.","PeriodicalId":37293,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship","volume":"82 1","pages":"477 - 500"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73919034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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