Hasil untuk "Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades"

I. N. Geraskina, L. P. Goncharenko, G. A. Timoshenko

From the standpoint of systems and self-organization theory, this article presents the prerequisites for the qualitative and sustainable development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Russian Federation. The relevance of this issue stems from the spatial and structural imbalance of key SME performance variables and the need to create conditions for achieving the priority directions of technological sovereignty, which will contribute to forming a qualitatively new structure of the national economy. The purpose of the study is to develop and propose methodological principles for achieving an optimal innovative structure of SMEs, while the main objective is to minimize losses and management costs in launching a mechanism of self-sustaining SME development. The authors apply the methodological framework of systems and self-organization theory, structural and cyclical dynamics, as well as methods of comprehensive and statistical analysis. The research is based on data from regulatory and legal reference systems and official statistics of the Russian Federation. As a result of the study, a methodological approach is proposed that enables managerial decision-making based on the principles of harmonious correlation of SME parameters (ownership forms, enterprise size, spatial and territorial characteristics, SME share in GDP, employment rate, etc.) and synergetic analysis. This approach shapes the systemic potential for the qualitative innovative development of SMEs and their transition into the sphere of large business.

Dallin Spencer, Kat Volk, Darin Ragozzine et al.

The Small Body Dynamics Tool (SBDynT) is software written for the community of Solar System small body researchers to perform dynamical classification, characterization, and investigation. SBDynT provides advanced simulation analysis capabilities that make it straightforward to determine mean motion resonance occupation, proper orbital elements, and a variety of stability indicators. These calculations can be performed for small bodies that are known, newly discovered, or simulated; observational uncertainties can be incorporated through the use of dynamical clones. In this paper, we describe the methods for producing proper orbital elements and stability indicators, which serve as essential tools for characterizing dynamical stability and long-term evolution. Through extensive validation, we demonstrate that this code offers a robust open-source framework for investigating the dynamics of Solar System small bodies with high accuracy. We also aim for computational efficiency allowing SBDynT to provide dynamical information for the several-fold increases in small bodies expected in the LSST era.

Aaron Joyal, Carol Bartlo

The need for affiliation (nAff) facet of David McClelland’s (1961) triad of needs is prevalent in psychology and business literature. Typically, nAff is referenced in combination with McClelland’s additional two triads: need for achievement (nAch) and need for power (nPow). Isolating the nAff construct, this study investigates the linkage of affiliation inclination of small business customers to their perceived value of retail servicescapes, filling a gap in the literature on nAff by evaluating the extent to which customer perceptions of servicescapes correspond to loyalty behaviors. Using online questionnaires, we analyzed data from 265 small business customers. This study suggests that servicescapes evoke customers’ feelings and reactions and customers subsequently form opinions of the servicescapes and the associative business. The study results indicate that customers’ need to be attached to small businesses and be satisfied with their small business experiences drive loyalty. When customers have positive servicescape reactions and become loyal customers, small businesses benefit. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for small business owners around the world, suggesting that investing in servicescape initiatives could contribute to their ongoing business success.

Zining Cao

In this paper, we extend Busy Beaver function to a class of higher order Busy Beaver functions based on Turing oracle machine. We prove some results about the relation between decidability of number theoretical formula and higher order Busy Beaver functions, and the relation between computability of max-min partial recursive functions and higher order Busy Beaver functions. We also present some conjectures on higher order Busy Beaver functions.

I. N. Ivanov, L. V. Orlova, G. M. Sundukova

The sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to  as  RF, Russia) have most significantly affected high-tech sectors of   the economy. In   these conditions, it   is necessary to   solve a   number of  problems, including import substitution, the transition to   the Industry 4.0 concept and low-carbon production and consumption. The need of   participation in   solving these problems is   substantiated not only for large, but also for small and medium-sized businesses (hereinafter referred to   as SMB). The current state and prospects for the development of   small and medium-sized enterprises (hereinafter referred to   as SME) in   Russia are analysed. The article emphasises the discrepancy between the modern state of   the domestic SME and its potential capabilities , in   particular the insufficient participation of  this business in  production activities. The problems of   SMB and its risks related to   the current geopolitical situation are indicated. Ways of   overcoming similar problems in   other countries experiencing sanctions pressure, as   well as  the efforts of   the RF   to   minimise losses of   the Russian SMB, are shown. It   is noted that the implementation of   the national project “Small and medium-sized entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiative” does not solve all the problems of  the SME. As  promising areas for the SMB development, it  is proposed to   strengthen its cooperation with big business, modify the “Grow a   Supplier” programme, and intensify work on  targeted training of   personnel for subjects of   small and medium-sized manufacturing entrepreneurship in   the country’s universities with participation of   the big business. The ways to   ensure the sustainability of   the domestic manufacturing business, possible in   modern conditions, are considered.

Justinas Kisieliauskas, Justas Šiburkis, Paulius Bakanauskas

This research explores the nexus of audio branding and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a substantial sector representing 90% of global businesses yet one that remains largely underrepresented in the context of audio branding. The primary research question is as follows: what are the possibilities of audio branding for small and medium-sized businesses, and how should such enterprises use it? The objective of this research is twofold: firstly, to highlight the potential of audio branding for SMEs; and secondly, to develop a comprehensive guidance model tailored to assist these enterprises in implementing effective audio branding strategies. The research approach is multi-faceted, encompassing a theoretical analysis of audio branding concepts, empirical research into current practices, and the creation of a practical, SME-specific guidance model. The study employs a range of methodologies, including the analysis and synthesis of scientific literature, a comparative analysis of diverse concepts and approaches, qualitative case studies, and in-depth interviews with experts in the field of sonic branding. The research employs these methodologies with the objective of filling the existing gap between the field of audio branding and its application within SMEs. The objective is to provide SMEs with a valuable tool to leverage the benefits of audio branding, thus contributing to a more inclusive and diverse sonic branding landscape. The research findings indicate that the restricted deployment of audio branding among SMEs is predominantly attributable to resource limitations, scepticism and difficulties in quantifying the return on investment (ROI). To address these issues, the research proposes a comprehensive four-step audio branding guide. This unique guidance model is designed to help SMEs effectively integrate audio branding into their marketing and branding strategies, taking into account their specific contexts and challenges. By following this guidance model, SMEs can overcome the barriers to adopting audio branding and unlock its potential to enhance brand identity and customer engagement in a cost-effective and impactful way.

Matthew I. Jones

We introduce a new framework to study the group dynamics and game-theoretic considerations when voters in a committee are allowed to trade votes. This model represents a significant step forward by considering vote-for-vote trades in a low-information environment where voters do not know the preferences of their trading partners. All voters draw their preference intensities on two issues from a common probability distribution and then consider offering to trade with an anonymous partner. The result is a strategic game between two voters that can be studied analytically. We compute the Nash equilibria for this game and derive several interesting results involving symmetry, group heterogeneity, and more. This framework allows us to determine that trades are typically detrimental to the welfare of the group as a whole, but there are exceptions. We also expand our model to allow all voters to trade votes and derive approximate results for this more general scenario. Finally, we emulate vote trading in real groups by forming simulated committees using real voter preference intensity data and computing the resulting equilibria and associated welfare gains or losses.

Jonathan Weiping Li, Ren-Wei Liang, Cheng-Han Yeh et al.

This paper examines the phenomenon of probabilistic robustness overestimation in TRADES, a prominent adversarial training method. Our study reveals that TRADES sometimes yields disproportionately high PGD validation accuracy compared to the AutoAttack testing accuracy in the multiclass classification task. This discrepancy highlights a significant overestimation of robustness for these instances, potentially linked to gradient masking. We further analyze the parameters contributing to unstable models that lead to overestimation. Our findings indicate that smaller batch sizes, lower beta values (which control the weight of the robust loss term in TRADES), larger learning rates, and higher class complexity (e.g., CIFAR-100 versus CIFAR-10) are associated with an increased likelihood of robustness overestimation. By examining metrics such as the First-Order Stationary Condition (FOSC), inner-maximization, and gradient information, we identify the underlying cause of this phenomenon as gradient masking and provide insights into it. Furthermore, our experiments show that certain unstable training instances may return to a state without robust overestimation, inspiring our attempts at a solution. In addition to adjusting parameter settings to reduce instability or retraining when overestimation occurs, we recommend incorporating Gaussian noise in inputs when the FOSC score exceed the threshold. This method aims to mitigate robustness overestimation of TRADES and other similar methods at its source, ensuring more reliable representation of adversarial robustness during evaluation.

Etienne St-Jean, Maripier Tremblay, Franck Barès et al.

Purpose – A career in entrepreneurship is stressful, especially during the start-up phase. Training programs for these nascent entrepreneurs are designed to improve entrepreneurial competencies and, more generally to generate learnings. Although learning outcomes can reduce stress, the conditions under which this can happen are not fully understood. The study looks particularly at the effect of learning, interaction with other participants and gender. Design/methodology/approach – A six-month three-wave longitudinal study of 120 nascent entrepreneurs has been conducted to investigate the before-and-after effects of training on stress reduction. The training is specially designed to develop competencies, share knowledge about business creation and support the development of the project, not to reduce per se stress. Findings – The training has no direct effect on stress levels. However, results indicate that interacting with others has a positive moderating effect on training as stress reduction, just as gender has. Specifically, women reduce their stress through training while men see theirs increasing. The authors conclude that breaking isolation through training is a relevant way to reduce entrepreneurial stress for nascent entrepreneurs. Research limitations/implications – Training programs offer different ways to deliver the learning content (online, in cohorts, in the continuous entrance, etc.). The findings of this study suggest ensuring that the participants will have opportunities to interact with others as it reduces the stress on nascent entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, the authors cannot demonstrate that this has a long-term effect as our timeframe is limited to six months. Originality/value – This research investigates the stress-reduction effect of training, which is not a common outcome studied related to training. This highlights the importance of looking at other more distal outcomes as nascent entrepreneurs may seek other peripheral outcomes from training, like seeking a sense of belonging or wanting to break isolation.

Hsing-Er Lin, Rachel Sheli Shinnar, Yongchuan Shi et al.

Purpose – This study explores the role of polychronic temporal orientation and decision-making decentralization on founders' perceptions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE). Design/methodology/approach – Longitudinal survey data were collected from 141 business founders in China. Findings – Findings suggest that decision-making decentralization is positively associated with founders' ESE. In addition, a polychronic temporal orientation is positively related to ESE, and this relationship is mediated by decision-making decentralization. Originality/value – This study adds to existing knowledge on ESE and temporal related issues by presenting empirical evidence that explains how and why the temporal orientation context and the practice of decision-making decentralization can shape ESE perceptions among venture founders.

Stephen M. Brown, Martha J. Crawford

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of a successful model on how to prepare business students to be successful in a new, post-pandemic world that faces enormous social challenges. Design/methodology/approach – The article discusses the current business and social movements that suggest the relevance of social entrepreneurship and explain the pedagogical model developed at the Center for Nonprofits at Sacred Heart University. Findings – The article suggests how this pedagogical model may provide students with the skills, attitudes and values required for successful social entrepreneurship processes. Research limitations/implications – The article presents the current picture which will undoubtedly change over time. Thus the context is time constrained. The article presents one model to develop leaders’ skills. There are many other models and experiences that should be considered and evaluated. Practical implications – The case explains a key initiative that can help universities improve pedagogical tools on building students' social entrepreneurship skills and extend this impact to their success in the post-pandemic environment and impact on surrounding communities. Social implications – There is a growing need for business leaders to have sophisticated business skills and purpose beyond financial profit. The article looks at the dual roles of social entrepreneurs as a model for the leaders and the Nonprofit Center at Sacred Heart University to develop the skills of the future leaders. Originality/value – The article presents a new vision of the skills necessary for a leader in today's environment. It draws from the literature on social entrepreneurship. It also presents one model that has been successful for 15 years and the pedagogical underpinnings of that model.

Stephen Mago, Florah Sewela Modiba

Globally, micro and small businesses require finance to support their business activities. Most of them have low profits because of the lack of support from the formal financial system. Micro and small businesses in developing countries have a dire need for financing start-ups and existing business operations. The lack of support from the formal financial system and the government forces them to explore other financial support mechanisms, making it important to investigate alternative financial channels. This paper investigates whether informal finance matters for micro and small businesses. We used a systematic literature review to answer the predetermined research question. Thirty (30) primary studies were surveyed to establish the importance of informal finance for micro and small businesses. The findings show that informal finance is a workable alternative for micro and small businesses. It supports business start-ups, existing businesses and enhances business growth, business owners’ livelihoods and livelihoods in their communities. Informal finance models can be improved to work as small business promotion tools. The original value of the paper is based on the use of a systematic literature review to assess whether informal finance matters for micro and small businesses and connect theories with emerging themes. It further contributes to the debates on the importance of informal finance and contributes to future lines of research on informal finance.

John Paul Flaminiano, Jamil Paolo Francisco

Access to finance is critical to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, lack of access to adequate financing is one of the biggest obstacles that SMEs face. This paper analyzed the relationship between firm characteristics and credit constraints among SMEs in the Philippines. We determined which firm characteristics are correlated to the predicted probability of being credit-constrained or “quasi-constrained” — i.e., able to borrow from informal sources. Estimates of marginal effects at the means (MEMs) from logistic regressions provide some suggestive evidence that increased firm size, previous purchase of fixed assets, and increased use of digital technologies for accounting and financial management are associated with a lower predicted probability of being credit-constrained. The use of digital technologies in accounting and financial management is also associated with a lower probability of credit constraint in informal financial markets.

Francis Lwesya

International trade continues to play a crucial role in economic transformation in African countries. The rise of Global Value Chains (GVCs) presents opportunities through which international trade can be effectively conducted. GVCs facilitate organization of trade, international production and investment by locating different stages of production process across varied countries. This presents opportunities to integrate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into global trading systems but also may generate challenges particularly to resource constrained SMEs. Reviewing the challenges for the participation in international trade and possible integration into GVCs by Tanzania’s SMEs, the results show that the major challenges for SMEs internationalization are international marketing related constraints and global competition (69%), supply side constraints (56%), unfriendly investment climate (50%) and financial constraints (37.5%). As such, the role of trade policies remains critical in mitigating some of these challenges through formulating friendly legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing SMEs productivity by building their managerial and technical capacities, minimizing trade costs, and increasing trade openness. However, given the current global, regional and domestic developments in Tanzania, trade policies need review so as to respond to the changing global trade landscape but also promote policy harmony, coherence and complementarities among varying implementing institutions, deficiency of which is debilitating policy implementation at present

Carson Duan, Kamaljeet Sandhu, Bernice Kotey

Purpose – Given the importance of immigration and immigrant entrepreneurs in advanced economies, the authors take an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective to study the home-country benefits possessed by immigrant entrepreneurs and how home-country entrepreneurial ecosystem factors affect immigrant entrepreneurial motivations, activities and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual research paper follows McGaghie, Bordage and Shea's (2001) four-step new theory creation process, which suggests that new theories can be created through facts extraction from the extant literature. Findings – The authors propose that although immigrant entrepreneurs are unable to take full benefit of the host-country entrepreneurial ecosystem due to blocked mobility, they do have capabilities to access and use their home-country entrepreneurial resources and opportunities. The authors further propose that home-country entrepreneurial capital can be systemically analyzed through the framework of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The results imply that immigrant entrepreneurship as a social and economic phenomenon can be studied more holistically from both host- and home-country perspectives compared to the traditional research boundary of the host-country only. Research limitations/implications – The research focuses on the identification of home-country effects on immigrant entrepreneurship through the lens of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Testable propositions provide directions for future empirical research on the field of immigrant entrepreneurship from a home-country perspective. The research concludes that a holistic immigrant entrepreneurship study should consider dual (host- and home-country) entrepreneurial ecosystems. Practical implications – Immigrant entrepreneurs benefit from both host- and home-country entrepreneurial ecosystems. This paper suggests co-effects of dual entrepreneurial ecosystems lead to a high rate of entrepreneurship and business success within some immigrant groups. Policymakers can increase economic activities by developing and deploying programs to encourage immigrants to embed in host- and home-country entrepreneurial ecosystems. Originality/value – Based on the framework of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this paper brings a novel perspective to examining home-country effects on immigrant entrepreneurship. It theoretically conceptualizes that immigrants have higher entrepreneurship rates than native-born populations because they have access to extra home-country entrepreneurial capital.

Golnaz Shahtahmassebi, Lascelles Wright

Online trading has attracted millions of people around the world. In March 2021, it was reported there were 18 million accounts from just one broker. Historically, manipulation in financial markets is considered to be fraudulently influencing share, currency pairs or any other indices prices. This article introduces the idea that online trading platform technical issues can be considered as brokers manipulation to control traders profit and loss. More importantly it shows these technical issues are the contributing factors of the 82% risk of retail traders losing money. We identify trading platform technical issues of one of the world's leading online trading providers and calculate retail traders losses caused by these issues. To do this, we independently record each trade details using the REST API response provided by the broker. We show traders log activity files is the only way to assess any suspected profit or loss manipulation by the broker. Therefore, it is essential for any retail trader to have access to their log files. We compare our findings with broker's Trustpilot customer reviews. We illustrate how traders' profit and loss can be negatively affected by broker's platform technical issues such as not being able to close profitable trades, closing trades with delays, disappearance of trades, disappearance of profit from clients statements, profit and loss discrepancies, stop loss not being triggered, stop loss or limit order triggered too early. Although regulatory bodies try to ensure that consumers get a fair deal, these attempts are hugely insufficient in protecting retail traders. Therefore, regulatory bodies such as the FCA should take these technical issues seriously and not rely on brokers' internal investigations, because under any other circumstances, these platform manipulations would be considered as crimes and connivingly misappropriating funds.

Sohini Upadhyay, Vatche Isahagian, Vinod Muthusamy et al.

AI business process applications automate high-stakes business decisions where there is an increasing demand to justify or explain the rationale behind algorithmic decisions. Business process applications have ordering or constraints on tasks and feature values that cause lightweight, model-agnostic, existing explanation methods like LIME to fail. In response, we propose a local explanation framework extending LIME for explaining AI business process applications. Empirical evaluation of our extension underscores the advantage of our approach in the business process setting.

Monika Herzig

Robert Paul Singh

Purpose – There has been significant growth in entrepreneurship research over the past several decades. Yet with all of the knowledge gained and presumably improved training of would-be entrepreneurs, firm failure rates remain persistently high. It is argued here that the historical and continued research focus on successful entrepreneurs has limited the field. Entrepreneurs are often considered to possess uniquely positive capabilities relative to the general population; this paper explores the possibility that the majority of entrepreneurs suffer from overconfidence and that this leads most entrepreneurs to make “bad bets” that result in underperformance and firm failure. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, a qualitative review of the literature was performed. Findings – Based on the literature review, three formal propositions are developed. The first two suggest that the majority of entrepreneurs are overconfident in their personal capabilities and the prospects for their new ventures. It is then proposed that this overconfidence leads to errors in judgment that results in financial underperformance and failure found among most new ventures. Originality/value – This paper makes an important contribution to the entrepreneurship literature by arguing that overconfidence negatively impacts pre-founding decision-making such that entrepreneurs pursue flawed opportunities. Studying the issues raised in this paper may spur new lines of research and knowledge that lead to better entrepreneurial outcomes.

James J. Cusick

This paper builds on a presentation provided as part of a recent panel session on ITSM (IT Service Management) Business Value at the NYC itSMF (Service Management Forum) Local Interest Group meeting. The panel presentation explored the definition of Business Value and how ITSM itself could be measured to produce business value. While ITSM and ITIL have been in use for years it often remains a challenge to demonstrate the business value of these methods or even to understand business value itself. This paper expands on the panel discussion on what is meant by business value and how it can be found (if at all) in the context of ITSM development and process improvement.