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

Giuli Giguashvili

In the 21st century, artificial intelligence has been recognized as the main driver of universal progress. It has already gained a place in the economy of developed countries. It is used in both public and private sectors: in education, transport, finance and banking sector, medicine, and so on.Based on the scientific papers of artificial intelligence researchers, it is clear that small and medium-sized businesses can get significant benefits from artificial intelligence use. Small and medium-sized enterprises often work with limited resources, and automating repetitive tasks that can be performed with the help of artificial intelligence can help them save time and costs. Through artificial intelligence, SMEs are empowered to make data-driven decisions, improve their products or services, and identify new opportunities.The paper discusses the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in business, how AI can transform business operations and, therefore, the global economy, highlights the positive and negative aspects of AI, and expresses opinions in the direction of reducing the challenges associated with the introduction of artificial intelligence.

Raymond J. Jones, Manjula S. Salimath

Purpose – Private equity and venture capital (VC) firms in the capital markets sector invest capital with the primary goal of delivering economic value. However, some firms in the capital markets sector have started to shift this focus to create (i.e. invest in) social value. More specifically, traditional VC firms are starting socially oriented funds, while other firms have emerged to focus solely on investments in social enterprises. These VC firms are contributing to an interesting paradox – performance metrics are not measured by profit alone but also by social innovation. From an architectural perspective, the authors examine the implications of internal design, i.e. how specific strategic and structural factors influence the financial performance of VC firms with a social orientation to determine if these firms really can “do well and do good.” Design/methodology/approach – Social orientation was determined by content analysis of mission statements of the VC firms. Firm strategies, structures and performance were sourced from secondary data. A moderated mediation model was used to test relationships. Findings – Results suggest that (1) socially responsible VC firms adopt distinct foci of social investing that directs their strategic orientation and (2) these various foci have vastly differing effects on the firm's overall performance, strategic decisions made and the architecture of their structural design. Originality/value – This study is among the first to explore socially responsible VC architectural dimensions, with implications for firm design based on blended measures of success.

Irina Stoyneva, Veselina Vracheva

Purpose – Drawing from legitimacy and institutional entrepreneurship theory, this study assesses the naming patterns of entrepreneurial firms in the US biotechnology industry. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a mixed-methods design of content analysis and regression to analyze a sample of 441 entrepreneurial biotechnology firms, for which data were obtained from Net Advantage. The authors track changes to the proportion of firms with naming attributes, such as name length and type of name. The authors also examine variability in those characteristics during the industry's evolution, comparing freestanding to acquired start-ups. Findings – Start-ups select names that are longer, more descriptive, begin with rare sounds or hard plosives and have stronger discipline- or technology-specific links during nascent years of the industry. As the industry evolves, entrepreneurs are more likely to select names that are shorter, more abstract, begin with hard plosives and have stronger industry-specific links. The naming patterns of freestanding and acquired companies differ, and companies that conform to industry pressures tend to remain independent. Originality/value – Unlike extant studies that assess established industries, the current study identifies shifting trends in the naming patterns of entrepreneurial firms in an emerging industry. By focusing on start-ups, the authors expand research on organizational naming practices, which focuses traditionally on name choices and name change patterns of incumbents. By using marketing and linguistics methods when analyzing organizational name attributes, naming patterns in these attributes are identified, including name length, name type, starting letter of the name and link to the industry.

Andres Felipe Cortes, Younggeun Lee

Purpose – This research note discusses three essential and practical questions related to social entrepreneurship and social activities in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): What motivates SMEs to undertake social activities? What are the obstacles faced by SMEs when undertaking social activities? What are the types of social activities that SMEs undertake? The article presents preliminary answers and provides research suggestions related to these questions. Design/methodology/approach – The authors search and review articles that study social entrepreneurship and social activities of SMEs and synthesize their findings based on the three main topics of interest. Findings – The authors synthesized findings based on their three motivating topics: motivation, obstacles and types. They extracted three primary motivations of SMEs for social activities: (1) demands and expectations from external stakeholders, (2) nonpecuniary incentives that stem from organizational values and culture and (3) anticipation of improving relevant organizational outcomes. The authors extracted two obstacles for social initiatives: (1) limited resources and knowledge and (2) lack of perceived benefits or incentives. Finally, the authors extracted two types of social activities: (1) activities that address social and ethical issues and (2) activities that address environmental concerns. Originality/value – Pressing concerns in society have pushed numerous entrepreneurs and small business managers to create and manage businesses that aim to alleviate social and environmental problems. Accordingly, researchers have devoted some attention to how SMEs get increasingly involved with social activities and initiatives (i.e. addressing social and environmental challenges through their firms). The authors highlight existing findings and propose future research opportunities based on our three essential and motivating questions.

Mayank Jaiswal

Purpose – This study compares the performance of female majority-owned new ventures (FNV) vs. male majority-owned new ventures (MNV). It analyzes the differences in levels of variables such as education, the same industry work experience of owners, and other venture level attributes between FNVs and MNVs. More importantly, this study employs decomposition techniques to determine the individual contribution from the intergender difference of each attribute on the performance of the new venture. For example, the study finds that, on average, the owners of an MNV possessed 3.4 years more of the same industry work experience than their FNV counterparts. This difference in work experience accounted for 47% of the “explained” gap [1] in Net Profits between the FNVs and MNVs. Design/methodology/approach – This paper utilizes the Kauffman Firm Survey, a longitudinal dataset of 4,928 new ventures started in the USA in 2004. It employs Blinder-Oaxaca and Fairlie decomposition techniques in conjunction with OLS and Logit regressions. Both methods provide point estimates of contributions to the performance gap due to the heterogeneity in each attribute across the groups (FNV and MNV). This approach has a significant advantage over OLS or mediation analysis, which can only provide a directional analysis of the contributions of differences in attributes to performance. Findings – The paper finds no performance gap between MNVs and FNVs. It further investigates whether the heterogeneous characteristics of MNVs vs FNVs are related to different effects on survival and performance. It finds that characteristics such as owners’ work experience in the same industry, average hours worked by owners in the new venture, the technology level of the venture, and its incorporation status are related with a differential impact on new venture survival and performance. Research limitations/implications – All firms in the dataset belonged to a single cohort (2004) of new ventures started in the US. Future studies are encouraged to develop a dataset from multiple geographies and founding over several years so that the results may be more generalizable. Practical implications – The paper provides crucial practical guidance to policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. In general, policies that enhance the work experience of women entrepreneurs and provide access to infrastructure such as daycares, which may allow them to work more hours, would probably improve the performance of FNVs. Originality/value – The paper furthers the literature on women entrepreneurship by analyzing point estimates of differential contribution of disparate variables to performance. From a methodological perspective, the study reconciles the results between regression and decomposition analyses.

Gemma Fuentes-Calle, Juan Carlos Díaz-Casero, Ricardo Hernández Mogollón et al.

La dificultad de iniciar un negocio, con relación a los trámites administrativos, ha despertado el interés de los investigadores de diferentes ámbitos científicos. Pero además, añadido al problema de la burocracia administrativa, nos encontramos que la actividad emprendedora se ve influenciada por instituciones informales como la corrupción, que se hacen visibles en el proceso emprendedor. El presente trabajo de investigación analiza la evolución científica con relación a la influencia de la corrupción y la regulación en la actividad emprendedora en función del crecimiento económico, bajo el enfoque de la Teoría Económica Institucional. A través del análisis de los trabajos publicados, el porcentaje de los mismos en el campo de investigación y el índice de citación de los mismos, nuestras primeras conclusiones nos llevan a pensar que en los últimos años existe un especial interés en la influencia de la corrupción y la regulación en la actividad emprendedora.

Travis Newton

This case study, grounded in entrepreneurship theory, explores LSO Live, the sixteen-year-old record label wholly owned and operated by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). The examination includes a history of the forward-looking LSO, including: the player-owned model of the orchestra; the ensemble's long tradition of film soundtrack recording; the launch of their in-house label, LSO Live; the organization's current plans for a new “Centre for Music”; the LSO's efforts to engage audiences through digital audio and video content; and challenges facing the orchestra as they “push forward” into new territory while also capitalizing on their 102 year history. The LSO's experiences in launching, maintaining, and furthering the label illuminate the importance of traditional “legacy” arts organizations' efforts to speak to a new audience and produce electronic media.

Salustiano Eduardo Rocca Espinoza, Antonio Duréndez Gómez-Guillamón

El presente estudio analiza las causas del racionamiento de crédito en las micro y pequeñas empresas peruanas. Dado que en Perú se produce un especial problema en el acceso al crédito puesto que el sistema financiero no está plenamente desarrollado y las posibilidades de acceso al crédito bancario son menores que en otras economías. Para ello, se desarrolla un estudio empírico mediante una encuesta a una muestra de 158 micro y pequeñas empresas peruanas. Nuestro trabajo produce robustos resultados en cuanto a factores que influyen en el acceso a la financiación de las micro y pequeñas empresas en Perú. De forma que se identifican factores tangibles e intangibles como la certificación de calidad, el contar con buenos sistemas de gestión, el hacer planeamiento dentro de la empresa, hacer actividades de innovación, contar con directivos altamente calificados y con experiencia que le permitan a los prestatarios dar señales de la buena condición del negocio, y de los proyectos que presenta. La identificación de los factores que facilitan el acceso al crédito de las empresas ayudará a las mismas en la mejora de su competitividad, así como a los organismos gubernamentales a conocer qué políticas deben desarrollar para facilitar el acceso al crédito y una mayor eficacia del sistema financiero

Sally Packard

Entrepreneurship for the Creative and Cultural Industries is an earnest attempt to assist artists who are interested in starting a business, offering a comprehensive layout of the nuts and bolts of the business planning process. The book is punctuated by business startup experiences in the form of artist entrepreneur testimonials and advice from creative industry professionals. Dr. Kolb ends each chapter with a summary, a list of “Tasks to Complete” and suggestions for visualization exercises. It is significant to note that Entrepreneurship for the Creative and Cultural Industries is unique, in that it targets artists (“creative”) and their particular business startup challenges.

William Wales, Fariss-Terry Mousa

This study presents evidence concerning the effects of affective and cognitive rhetoric on the underpricing of firms at the time of their initial public offering. It is suggested that firms that use less affective, and more cognitively oriented discourse in their IPO prospectus will experience better underpricing outcomes. We examine these assertions using a sample of young high-tech IPO firms where investors rely on prospectuses as accurate and informative firm communications. Results from a robust five-year time span observe initial support for the hypothesized effects. Moreover, the signaling of a higher degree of entrepreneurial orientation in the firm prospectus is found to worsen the negative effects of affective discourse.

Steven E. Phelan, Ane T. Johnson, Thorsten Semrau

We utilize a sample of New Jersey schools to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and school performance. The results indicate a significant relationship between several dimensions of EO and performance after controlling for a number of relevant variables. Charter schools were found to have higher EO than traditional schools. The implications of these findings for education and entrepreneurship research are discussed.

Michael L. Harris, William C. McDowell, Shanan G. Gibson

This study examines the performance between operational variables for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) within the context of interorganizational relationships. Specifically, it investigates the role of information quality and continuous quality improvement and the varying importance that SMEs place on each of these constructs. The sample consists of 134 vendors of a large university in the southwestern region of the United States.The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between information quality and continuous quality improvement with performance in SMEs. Implications for both research and practice, as well as ideas for future research, are discussed.

Jacqueline Scerbinski

College interns often possess information-age skills that are not familiar to workers who have been on the job for several years. Interns may be future sources for new employees. There is also the added benefit of observing and evaluating an intern for future consideration, as a full-time employee, after graduation. Giving junior employees the opportunity to supervise interns is also a way of evaluating the junior employees’ potential as a supervisor. The employment of college interns should be a mutually beneficial endeavor. As with all successful endeavors, the employment of interns requires planning and supervision.

Myung-Soo Lee, Alvin N. Puryear, Edward G. Rogoff et al.

Education has been shown to have myriad effects on people, from increasing their incomes to changing their views of the world. In the area of entrepreneurship, education creates opportunities and increases the rate of entrepreneurial activity. This study explores educationʼs effects on the immigrant entrepreneurship development processes and outcomes in the context of Korean-Americans by comparing a national sample of Korean-Americans with differing amounts of education. The sample is part of the National Minority Business Owners Surveys (NMBOS) carried out by the Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship at Baruch College between 2003 and 2005. The authors hypothesize that high-education Korean-Americans will have larger and more successful businesses, have more varying types of businesses, and follow differing paths to business formation. In addition, the authors hypothesize that motivations, goals, and attitudes toward their businesses, families, and their lives generally will be different. Among other things, confidence and level of satisfaction with their business will be higher for the high-education group. The study finds that while the low- and high-education groups vary in their types of businesses, the paths followed into those businesses, and the size of their businesses, they are very similar as to their attitudes, motivations, and family interactions. Implications for future research are discussed.

David Desplaces, Nancy K. McIntyre

This case engages students on a number of issues common to doing business in other countries, specifically in the Middle East. It is intended to be a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of the situation. The case seeks to integrate issues of international management and cross-cultural conflict and negotiation. Students are challenged to diagnose a cross-culturally sensitive situation and develop solutions in a team environment under limiting time restraints. This case is also designed to help students understand the cultural aspects of a situation and how different solutions could have major consequences on the bottom line of a company.

Joseph R. Bell

This article demonstrates the implementation and efficacy of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in an undergraduate entrepreneurship business planning course. Throughout the course, ill-structured problems arise that require independent thinking and ongoing problem solving with students taking responsibility for their own learning. The course incorporates the latest classroom technology and how that technology is utilized to deliver self-directed learning. The PBL methodology is then evaluated in light of anonymous student survey results. The objective is to create a framework for future assessment in evaluating PBL in the business planning course.

Joseph E. Levangie

Some of the best entrepreneurs fail early and often. Less talented or less committed entrepreneurs do not even get a second chance. Failure and setbacks, however, can be instructive.What lessons can be learned from these experiences? How can the entrepreneur (and investors) navigate around the potholes on the New Venture Highway? Read on.

Gregory B. Murphy

Trust has become a major issue among online shoppers. This underresearched subject will predictably determine the success or failure of e-commerce vendors. The lack of face-to-face interaction, the inability to inspect goods and services prior to purchase, and the asynchronous exchange of goods and money all contribute to the perceived risk of purchasing online and the resulting need for trust. Trust is particularly critical for small and new Internet ventures confronted by the liability of newness (Stinchcombe 1965). Lacking, among other things, a name that is readily recognized in the marketplace, entrepreneurial Internet ventures require trust if they are to succeed. The research presented in this article addresses this issue by building on the work of McKnight and colleagues and considering the effects of propensity to trust on trusting beliefs. Specifically, the author predicts that propensity to trust will significantly affect perceived ability, benevolence, and integrity but only for those individuals with limited direct experience. Based on a sample of web survey participants, the author found that propensity to trust significantly impacted perceived ability and benevolence for individuals with limited direct experience only. No statistically significant results were found for the effects of propensity to trust on perceived integrity.

Gene O’Neill, Liz Ellington

Cindi Bigelow, Tea Bigelow

NEJE Editors interview Cindi Bigelow: director of activities at Bigelow Tea