El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / In recent years, project management in consulting firms has grown due to greater demands for goods and services. However, this growth has meant that due to inefficiencies in the management, delays in project delivery times are generated. In addition, the same situation occurs for performance of personnel’s competences, as well as in defining the scope of the project. Therefore, this article proposes a model for the application of Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) based on knowledge management, which consists of the following areas: stakeholder management, risk management, cost management, time management, human resources management, quality management, integration management, and scope management. To show the ease of use of this model, a case study was conducted in an engineering consulting firm. The results of the application of the model were successful: the delay in project delivery times was reduced by 70% and the risks that may exist during execution were reduced by 67%. In addition, the company highlighted the success of the application of knowledge management because it improved the interaction and skills of staff by facilitating the implementation of the model.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Revisión por pares

As the closed innovation model requires firms to be strongly reliant on their own R&D- capabilities in order to generate new innovations (van de Vrande et al., 2009, p. 425), a new approach has emerged over the last decade: The open innovation model. Open innovation is a model where organizations commercialize both their own and external ideas through purposive out and inflows of information (Chesbrough, 2006, p. 1). As a result, enterprises can benefit from the reduction of costs it infers, and simultaneously gain a larger amount of competence (Ghezzi et al., 2018; Rehman et al., 2018; Dodgson et al., 2006).  The open innovation model favors smaller firms and gives them an increasingly prominent position in the innovation landscape (Chesbrough, 2003, cited in van de Vrande et al., 2009, p. 427), and since SMEs are limited by a lack of financial resources, manpower, and substitutes for lack of sales, they especially benefit from collaboration with external parts to increase innovation performance (Hanna & Walsh, 2002; Kaufmann & Tödtling, 2002). However, successfully implementing an open innovation model as an SME comes with its unique challenges. In this study we will aim to investigate how SMEs in Sweden addresses these barriers through the following research question:  How do Swedish SMEs overcome the challenges of open innovation in practice?  The purpose of our study was to explore how SMEs overcome the barriers of working with open innovation in order to provide guidance for organizations who struggle to do so. To answer our research question and fulfill our purpose, we have conducted semi- structured interviews with eight different decision-makers from eight different SMEs. We performed a thematic analysis with an inductive approach. Our study found many ways that SMEs overcome barriers related to open innovation and resulted in several actions for decision-makers to overcome different categories of barriers. For example, our research showed how an equal exchange of value between partners could be an efficient way of maintaining a partnership, how shaping the team to be open for and involved in the organization's innovation work was a way of overcoming the barrier of company culture, and that educating the employees on open innovation was a way of tackling the barrier of lack of resources.  From a theoretical standpoint, our study contributes with a new perspective on the existing literature. It complements what is claimed to be an under-researched area, not only for open innovation in SMEs in general (Lee et al., 2010, p. 299), but also with a focus on overcoming innovation barriers (Hölzl & Janger, 2012, p. 25). It also brings a new geographical perspective of the concept, providing insights from the Swedish innovation climate.

Date :  4th June 2023 Level : Masters thesis in industrial engineering and management, advanced level, 30 ECTS Institution : School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalens University   Authors :   Afnan Abdul Amir 9 Maj 1998Onel Nabeel Polus 24 November 1998 Title: How to identify Adaptability within SMEs: A case Study Supervisor: Mikael Johnsson Keywords: Change Management, Adaptability, SMEs Research Question : How can consult agencies identify the adaptability within SMEs?. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a process for the identification of  SMEs adaptability. Method: This study adopted a qualitative research methodology using a abductive approach. This method facilitated an iterative exchange between the theoretical framework and empirical observations. The theoretical framework was based on scientific articles and the study was conducted as a case study to help the company identify the adaptability within its clients. The empirical data was collected through structured and semi-structured interviews divided between the different clients. The empirical data was structured on 7 interviews with project managers, team leaders and CEOs. Conclusion: The conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that the adaptability to various market changes can be identified when a company analyzes the following three key factors: Leadership, Communication, and Knowledge. / Datum: 4 Juni 2023 Nivå: Examensarbete i produkt och processutveckling, avancerad nivå, 30 Hp Institution: Akademin för innovation, Design och teknik Författare:    Afnan Abdul Amir 9 Maj 1998Onel Nabeel Polus 24 November 1998 Titel: How to identify adaptability within SMEs: A case Study Handledare: Mikael Johnsson Nyckelord: Ledning av förändringsarbete, Omställningsförmåga, SMEs Syftet: Syftet med denna studie är att erbjuda en guide för fallföretaget att följa för att identifiera omställningsförmågan bland sina kunder. Forskningsfråga : Hur kan konsultföretag identifiera omställningsförmågan bland SMEs? Metod: Denna studie antog en kvalitativ forskningsmetod med en abduktiv ansats. Denna metod underlättade ett iterativt utbyte mellan den teoretiska ramen och empiriska observationer. Den teoretiska ramen baserades på vetenskapliga artiklar och studien genomfördes som en fallstudie för att hjälpa företaget att identifiera omställningsförmågan hos sina kunder. Datainsamlingen inkluderade strukturerade och semistrukturerade intervjuer där projektledare, teamledare och VD intervjuades för att skapa ett bredare perspektiv. Slutsats: Slutsatsen som kunde dras från denna studie är att omställningsförmågan till olika förändringar i marknaden kan identifieras när ett företag analyserar de följande tre faktorer : Ledarskap, Kommunikation och Kunskap. / nej

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are a significant factor that drives the global economy, especially in developing countries such as Thailand, where SMEs contribute more than one-third of the Thai GDP. With digital transformation allowing businesses to access new technologies easily, most SMEs have shifted from traditional businesses to digital businesses. However, adopting technologies without any protections could make SMEs become a target of cyberattacks. This study, therefore, aims to explore cyber securities that are used to protect against cyberattacks in Thai SMEs and also the challenges of implementing cybersecurity frameworks and controls in SMEs. The research questions of this study are “How do SMEs in Thailand protect their organization from cyberattacks?” and “What challenges do SMEs in Thailand face during implementing cybersecurity frameworks or controls?” A mixed method combining surveys for quantitative data and interviews for qualitative data was used in this study. The online survey questionnaires were used to find out the overview of cybersecurity in SMEs, followed by the semi-structured interview to investigate the challenges of implementing cybersecurity in SMEs. There were 75 SMEs participating in the survey along with three respondents working for SMEs and an IT consultant for SMEs participating in in-depth interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, while the thematic analysis was used to analyze the quantitative data. The findings indicate that SMEs in Thailand implement some cybersecurity controls to protect their organization instead of complying with the cybersecurity standards or frameworks, such as ISO2700X series, NIST, and PCI DSS. However, SMEs are also concerned about the laws, including Thailand’s PDPA, Computer Crime Act, and Personal Information Act, to which they have to comply. In addition, the biggest challenge of implementing cybersecurity frameworks and controls in SMEs is lack of financial resources, as cybersecurity frameworks and controls require a lot of budget, tools, and also experts or consultants to implement.

This is the first study within the area of rental affordability. It is an important issue to address since many startups and SMEs are struggling with finding suitable workspace in Stockholm. This study contributes to a better understanding of different aspects of affordability. Moreover the aim is to enhance the understanding of different perspectives of rental affordability for these companies when choosing office space. When defining rental affordability it has to be a relative concept within a certain context since it includes the perspective of both tenants´ preferences and market related factors. The proposed definition of affordability solutions is based on theory and empiricism, which are found through a literature review and a qualitative method. Since there is lack of consistency in research papers of the definition of affordability, and no previous definition of affordable solutions within this context is found, this method could define what factors affecting tenants when choosing office space. The qualitative method together with a literature review resulted in a pre-study, which was supposed to combine different aspects of affordability and further suggest how to construct a rental affordability index. Methodological triangulation increases the originality of this report, since the approach involves three aspects, which together highlight what dimensions should be evaluated when constructing an affordability index. A number of benefits from affordability solutions for startups and SMEs are presented in the results. Affordability solutions are intangible factors, which in several ways benefit property owners, tenants and society. However the office market is changing and tenants do not have the same preferences as before. Thus, it could be asked whether the recent office trend is just a trend or if it is here to stay. This report provides a starting point for such discussion, which is also proposed to consider when constructing a rental affordability index in further studies. / Denna masteruppsats är den första av sitt slag inom området för rental affordability. Det är av stor vikt att framhäva den problematik som är kopplat till den rådande situationen för många startups och småtill medelstora företag, vilka kämpar för att hitta lämplig kontorsplatser i Stockholm. Denna studie bidrar till en bättre förståelse för vilka aspekter som karaktäriserar rental affordability. Dessutom är målet att öka förståelsen för olika perspektiv av begreppet när det sätts i dess sammanhang. Vid en definition av rental affordability, bör hänsyn tas till sammanhanget vilket inkluderar både hyresgästers nuvarande preferenser samt rådande marknadsrelaterade faktorer. Den föreslagna definitionen av lösningar som hyresgäster har råd med, affordable solutions, baseras på hyresgästernas preferenser, vilka kartläggs genom kvalitativa intervjuer och teori. Med hänsyn till att en enhetlig definition saknas i tidigare forskning och att ingen tidigare definition finns inom kontexten för denna rapport, så kan den valda metoden användas för att definiera vilka immateriella faktorer som påverkar hyresgästerna när de väljer kontorslokaler. Den kvalitativa metoden tillsammans med en litteraturgranskning resulterade i en förstudie som kombinerar olika aspekter av affordability och vidare föreslås hur ett affordability index kan konstrueras. En metodologisk ansats i form av triangulering ökar originaliteten av denna rapport, eftersom tre aspekter tillsammans lyfter fram vilka dimensioner som bör utvärderas när ett affordability index konstrueras. Ett antal fördelar från affordability solutions för startups och små- till medelstora företag kan påvisas i resultaten. Ett flertal faktorer är framträdande och kan på flera sätt gagna fastighetsägare, hyresgäster och samhället. Emellertid så förändras kontorsmarknaden och hyresgäster har inte samma preferenser som tidigare. Således kan det diskuteras om den rådande kontorsutvecklingen bara är en trend eller om den är här för att stanna, vilket bör tas hänsyn till i vidare studier där ett affordability index konstrueras i enlighet med förstudien.

The construction industry is one of the largest industries in the world and its contribution to the Indian GDP is 7.74% and the Indian construction industry is worth $120 Billion. Though major part of the sector is governed by the small to medium enterprises. The SMEs work from small cities to larger metropolitans. With new technologies coming to front everywhere due to globalization and ease of communication through the media such as the internet, many companies have tried to adopt Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Managing the critical information has always been an issue in these sector, and any lessons learnt from the previous project or ongoing project goes in vain as they fail to use this information efficiently. Use of knowledge management systems (KMS) is uncommon but is known in the Indian industries but the construction sector is far behind in this area. Many large companies (mostly telecom, but some construction companies) are using KMS or similar systems; but there is no such evidence of use of a KMS by the SMEs in the sector. So, keeping this in mind, the purpose of this thesis is to identify the barriers in implementation of a Knowledge Management System of Small-to-Medium Scale Construction Companies in India. The work is based on a questionnaire survey from Indian cities Delhi, Pune and Ahmednagar. Using statistical analysis methods, we have investigated into the barriers that are hindering use of Knowledge Management in the SMEs in India. From the analysis and the findings, we have projected major issues in the sector such as information and communication technology, Human resources, Organization level and on Market level. A clear look at these showed that the organizations were facing issue with identifying relevant knowledge to store or they cannot figure out what they will need in the future. Other prevailing factor are lack of motivation and lack of the absorptive capacity which hinders the implementation of the Km effectively. Another concrete finding was rapid change in the IT tools which create time lag between the organization action and the response to it because of the time needed to get familiar with new technology. / Byggindustrin är en av världens största industrier, och dess bidrag till indiens BNP är 7,74% och den indiska byggbranschen är värd 120 miljarder dollar. Även om den största delen av sektorn förvaltas av små och medelstora företag. Små och medelstora företag arbetar från små städer till stora metropolitiker. Med ny teknik som uppträder överallt på grund av globalisering och enkel kommunikation via media som internet har många företag försökt att anta informations- och kommunikationsteknik (IKT). Hantering av den kritiska informationen har alltid varit ett problem inom den här sektorn, och alla lektioner från det föregående projektet eller pågående projekt är förgäves, eftersom de misslyckas med att använda denna information effektivt. KMS är ovanligt men är känt inom den indiska industrin, men byggsektorn ligger långt ifrån detta område. Många stora företag (främst telekom, men vissa byggföretag) använder KMS eller liknande system; men det finns inga tecken på användningen av en KMS eller små och medelstora företag i branschen. Mot bakgrund av detta är syftet med denna avhandling att identifiera hinder för genomförandet av ett kunskapssystem för små och medelstora byggföretag i Indien. Arbetet är baserat på en undersökning av indiska städer Delhi, Pune och Ahmednagar. Med hjälp av statistiska analysmetoder undersökte vi de hinder som förhindrar användningen av kunskapshantering i små och medelstora företag i Indien. Från analysen och resultaten har vi identifierat stora problem inom sektorn som informations- och kommunikationsteknik, personal, organisationsnivå och marknadsnivå. Organisationerna visade tydligen problem med att identifiera relevant kunskap för att rädda eller de kan inte räkna ut vad de behöver i framtiden. En annan avgörande faktor är brist på motivation och brist på absorptionskapacitet som effektivt hindrar Km-prestanda. Ett annat konkret konstaterande var en snabb förändring av IT-verktyg som skapar tid mellan organisatoriska åtgärder och svaret på det på grund av den tid som behövs för att bekanta sig med ny teknik.

The industrial marketing strategy in many industries has been largely influenced by the coming of digital marketing over the past decade. The trends are changing from the traditional to a digital era and companies are being forced by this digitalization shift. The manufacturing and marketing consultant industry is no exception. Since previous research has often been towards SMEs as a whole instead of specific industries. The research gap that the authors would like to investigate is brand equity development through digital marketing among two B2B SME industries, manufacturing and marketing consulting firms in Sweden. Moreover, the authors used a series of research methods to collect primary data and secondary data, as well as a computer-assisted coding software used for qualitative data analysis and coupled with benchmarking analysis for the secondary data analysis. Theories of brand equity and digital marketing ( marketing funnel and digital channels) are connected to the empirical findings of digital communication and business relationship to uncover what differentiates manufacturers from marketing consultants in brand equity building through digital marketing channels. The manufacturing industry has gained knowledge over the last few years when it comes to branding and digital marketing but is still split over the subject because of no clear direct benefits. They also lack the motivation that would have given them access to this knowledge, but somehow they have started outsourcing. Overall it seems that the manufacturing industry is working hard to become more digital. Lastly, a proposed model is recommended by the authors through the findings from both industries.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the economic development of any nation. However, due to various challenges, including government policies, cost of production, competition, and market demand, SMEs often struggle to survive and grow. Pricing strategy is one of the critical factors determining SMEs' success. This study examines the influence of pricing strategy on the growth of SMEs in Liberia. This master's thesis aims to investigate  the influence of pricing strategy on the growth of SMEs.  In order to investigate the concepts mentioned above, existing literature was reviewed. Following that, a frame of reference was created in order to further investigate these concepts in relation to the case of Liberia. The study adopts a qualitative approach, using a case study design to explore the pricing strategies adopted by SMEs in Liberia and their impact on business growth. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with SME owners and managers in different industries in Liberia. The data collected were analyzed using content analysis to identify common themes and patterns in the responses. The study's findings indicate that pricing strategy significantly impacts the growth of SMEs in Liberia. The study found that SMEs in Liberia adopt various pricing strategies such as cost-plus pricing, value-based pricing, and competition-based Pricing. However, the most effective pricing strategy for SMEs in Liberia is competition-based Pricing. The study also found that other factors, such as cost of production, competition, and market demand, influence the pricing strategy adopted by SMEs in Liberia. Furthermore, the study revealed that SMEs face various challenges in implementing pricing strategies, such as a lack of pricing knowledge and skills, poor understanding of customer needs, and inadequate market research. / Små och medelstora företag (SMF) spelar en avgörande roll i den ekonomiska utvecklingen i alla länder. Men på grund av olika utmaningar, inklusive regeringens politik, produktionskostnader, konkurrens och efterfrågan på marknaden, kämpar små och medelstora företag ofta för att överleva och växa. Prissättningsstrategin är en av de kritiska faktorerna som avgör små och medelstora företags framgång. Denna studie undersöker hur prisstrategin påverkar tillväxten av små och medelstora företag i Liberia. Denna masteruppsats syftar till att undersöka prisstrategins inverkan på tillväxten av små och medelstora företag. För att undersöka de begrepp som nämnts ovan har befintlig litteratur gåtts igenom. Därefter skapades en referensram för att ytterligare undersöka dessa begrepp i relation till fallet Liberia. Studien antar ett kvalitativt tillvägagångssätt, med en fallstudiedesign för att utforska prissättningsstrategier som antagits av små och medelstora företag i Liberia och deras inverkan på företagstillväxt. Data samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med små och medelstora företagsägare och chefer i olika branscher i Liberia. De insamlade uppgifterna analyserades med hjälp av innehållsanalys för att identifiera gemensamma teman och mönster i svaren. Studiens resultat indikerar att prissättningsstrategin avsevärt påverkar tillväxten av små och medelstora företag i Liberia. Studien fann att små och medelstora företag i Liberia antar olika prissättningsstrategier såsom kostnads-plus-prissättning, värdebaserad prissättning och konkurrensbaserad prissättning. Den mest effektiva prissättningsstrategin för små och medelstora företag i Liberia är dock konkurrensbaserad prissättning.

Since the 1990s the use of the Internet and electronic commerce (e-commerce) has exploded, yet few SMEs seem to benefit from its potential. The lack of personal involvement and low level of use are an indication that managers still have not committed themselves to e-commerce. Consequently they are not reaping the full benefits first hand. The objectives of the study are to identify key factors and relationships likely to influence e-commerce use by SME managers in the Netherlands and to investigate whether relevant and significant factors can be combined in a new model to predict how SME managers will use new technology. To achieve these objectives, a well-established model of IT usage behaviour, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), was used. Building upon TAM, a theoretical research model was developed to investigate a large number of external variables that are possible antecedents of managerial beliefs, attitudes, and the use of IT. E-commerce systems were chosen as the IT tool under review. A cross-sectional field survey was conducted to investigate the theoretical research model. The results are based on the analysis of questionnaire data from 114 managers from Dutch SMEs. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) the results show significant support for external variables, mostly of an individual nature, in the categories of demographics, managerial and IT knowledge, individual characteristics, and company characteristics. Contrary to expectations, two categories - social factors and environmental characteristics - had few or no variables with a significant relationship. This study further presents empirical evidence to suggest a limited number of antecedents under managerial control influencing beliefs, attitudes, and use. A better understanding of the various factors that may impede or increase effective utilization of IT can facilitate the design of organizational or managerial interventions that address these issues. Building on the core TAM model a new model, the e-Tam Model, has been developed based on the results of the theoretical research model. In this model, it is hypothesized that IT usage is directly and indirectly influenced by seven external variables divided into three categories: demographics, personality, and company characteristics. Using the e-Tam Model, effective and increased use of managerial IT tools can be promoted. This will enable managers to have a better use of e-commerce systems leading in turn to better margins and opportunities.