Yes / Entrepreneurship in small- and medium-sized enterprises are significant contributors to economic development. The purpose of this research is to examine the extent and motives for the use of informal training in Chinese SMEs. Using case studies, we found that informal training is widely used and generally accepted in Chinese SMEs. We also uncovered three separate categories on the motives for SMEs in adopting informal training based on the financial and time constraints they face, the perceived outcomes of training activities in terms of organisational performance, employee turnover, and the development of guanxi and positive team cohesion, as well as the attitudinal aspects of both managers and employees that influence their intentions in adopting a specific training approach. Our study contributes to the literature of HRM in Asia, and has important implications for the government and institutions in emerging countries to support entrepreneurship and SMEs.

Yes / The international business literature has mainly focused on the impact of top managers' psychological attributes on firms' strategic decisions. However, the potential moderating influence of industry conditions such as competition has not been well explored. Deriving insights from the regulatory focus and upper echelons theories, this paper extends the international business and regulatory focus literature by investigating how the impact influence of CEOs' regulatory foci on firms' degree of internationalization depends on the intensity of competitive market conditions. Using primary data gathered from 289 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, the findings of the study revealed when competition is intense in the domestic market, the potency of a CEO's promotion focus as a driver of internationalization is amplified. In addition, the research shows that intense domestic market competition weakens the negative influence of a CEO's prevention focus on a firm's degree of internationalization. These findings have important research and managerial implications for international business.

Yes / This paper explores whether MacIntyrean virtue ethics concepts are applicable in non-Western business contexts, specifically in SMEs in Taiwan a country strongly influenced by the Confucian tradition. It also explores what differences exist between different polities in this respect, and specifically interprets observed differences between the Taiwanese study and previous studies conducted in Europe and Asia. Based on case study research, the findings support the generalizability of the MacIntyrean framework. Drawing on the institutional logics perspective and synthesizing this with MacIntyrean concepts, the paper explains the differences between the studies largely by reference to the Confucian tradition operating at both the micro-level within firms and at the macro-level as a means of harmonizing the potentially competing institutional logics to which firms are subject. The recent weakening of this tradition, however, suggests that increased conflict may characterize the future.

No / Purpose: Using arguments from the regulatory focus and upper echelons theories, this paper aims to examine the impact of a chief executive officer’s (CEO’s) regulatory foci (i.e. promotion and prevention focus) on small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) level of innovativeness and how these relationships are jointly moderated by intense competition. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical analysis draws on survey data gathered from 257 SMEs in Ghana. Findings: The study findings indicate that a CEO’s level of promotion focus positively affects the firm’s engagement in innovation, while a CEO’s prevention focus is negatively associated with the firm’s innovativeness. The positive association between a CEO’s promotion focus and a firm’s innovativeness is enhanced under conditions of intense competition. Additionally, the negative relationship between prevention focus and firm-level innovativeness is attenuated under intense competition. Research limitations/implications: This study relied on a single informant and also used subjective measures for the dependent variable. As such, individual respondents might have biased perspectives on firm-level product innovativeness. Future studies may use multiple informants to examine the causal links of the variables. Practical implications: The study’s findings provide managers with a deeper understanding of how to achieve superior firm-level product innovation. The understanding of this issue can promote the development and maintenance of further entrepreneurial ventures in emerging economies. Originality/value: The paper has a strong theoretical value as it pioneers research on the effect of CEOs’ regulatory foci on firm-level innovativeness in competitive environments.

Yes / The UK faces the joint economic policy challenges of raising productivity and tackling climate change. This report challenges prevailing narrow market-based views of productivity, by examining the £4bn UK early stage Cleantech innovation finance market. We find that Cleantech innovation is frequently capital intensive and long horizon (5-10+ years), measured by shorterterm technology readiness level (TRL) and intellectual property (IP) progression. Longer-term sustainable productivity impacts remain little understood and, where applied, narrowly relate to customer adoption. This leads to Cleantech environmental impact investor logics that primarily relate to end user financial value (customer sales). There is little consideration for non-market values from, for example, circular economy (CE) and wider environmental spillover impacts (e.g. supply chains). Whilst few Cleantechs currently successfully commercialise, a small proportion exhibit high employment and sales growth and global environmental impact. Improved understanding of the broader environmental impacts of Cleantechs, through the adoption of environmental impact metrics (EIMs) can (i) add to a more holistic notion of productivity and (ii) improve the efficiency of the finance escalator, enabling more Cleantechs to contribute significantly to establishing the UK as a globally leading low carbon economy. / ESRC

Yes / This article examines the impact of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) proactive environmental strategy on market performance through the mediating mechanism of environmental reputation. In addition, we investigate the potential moderating role of competitive strategies on the environmental reputation-market performance nexus. Data were collected from 223 SMEs. Using the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the results show that a proactive environmental strategy positively enhances environmental reputation. Also, the influence of proactively environmental strategy on market performance is mediated by environmental reputation. In addition, our findings show the relationship between environmental reputation and market performance is greater for firms that adopt the differentiation strategy but not significant for firms adopting the low-cost and integrated strategies. Our study offers several theoretical and practical implications.

Yes / In recent years, there has been significant attention given to stakeholder management, which involves the intricate interaction between organisations and individuals, as well as diverse groups that can significantly affect or shape an organisation's decisions. While progress has been made, African countries are seen as the next promising frontier for progress and advancement. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of understanding of this concept, as the continent is undergoing remarkable economic growth. Entrepreneurs operating in such environments face intricate landscapes when it comes to stakeholder management. Consequently, understanding how stakeholders contribute to the growth of entrepreneurial ventures in Africa is crucial to promote sustainable and responsible business practices. This chapter presents insights that can stimulate future research on stakeholder management within the intricate and diverse African setting. The chapter conceptualises the relationship between stakeholders and entrepreneurship in Africa and shows how entrepreneurial firms navigate the challenges associated with weak institutional environments. / The full-text of this book chapter will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 7 Jun 2025.

Syftet med studien är att undersöka BFNs uttalande att K3 är ett principbaserat regelverk, genom att visa hur princip- eller regelbaserat regelverket är i förhållande till IFRS for SMEs, FRS 102, FRF for SMEs och K2. För att uppfylla syftet har vi utfört en komparativ studie där vi klassificerar redovisningsregelverken utifrån ett princip- och regelperspektiv. Studien har utförts på regelverkens klassificeringar av tillgångar, skulder samt omsättnings- och anläggningstillgångar. Undersökningen är relevant då de senaste redovisningsskandalerna medfört en debatt kring regel och principbaserade standarder. Enligt vår vetskap har inget liknande klassificeringsförsök gjorts tidigare där en bedömning av varje enskild bestämmelse görs huruvida den är regel- eller principbaserad och där omfattningen av regel- eller principbasering av enskilda normer sätts i relation till andra regelverk. Vårt bidrag till forskningen blir därför att försöka beskriva hur verkligheten ser ut. Vi vill även bidra till att diskussionen kring regel- och principbaserade standarder blir mer nyanserad.För att kunna avgöra om K3 är ett principbaserat regelverk eller ej har vi studerat både ekonomisk och juridisk litteratur. Vi har på så sätt hittat olika definitioner och tecken som indikerar om en norm är regelbaserad eller principbaserad. Utifrån denna information presenterar vi argument för varje undersökt paragraf i de olika regelverken gällande dess nivå av princip eller regelbasering. Med hjälp av dimensionsteorin visar vi sedan hur regelbaserade de olika studerade standarderna är i relation till varandra. Dessutom förs en diskussion angående relevansen av att diskutera harmoniseringsarbetet i termer av princip och regelbaserade standarder.Vår slutsats är att K3 är det minst regelbaserade och mest principbaserade regelverket av de undersökta bestämmelserna och regelverken. Men samtliga studerade regelverk innehåller dock aspekter som kan anses vara både regel- och principbaserade vilket medför att vår slutsats därför är att BFNs uttalande, att K3 regelverket är principbaserat, är felaktigt och för generellt.Vi tror inte att det är givande att fortsätta föra en diskussion angående regler och principer i de allmänna och generella ordalag som är vanligt i dagens vetenskapliga litteratur. Vi anser därför att det är mer utvecklande att istället bedöma hur en bestämmelse bör vara utformad i varje enskilt fall och då göra avvägningar mellan omfattningen av regler och principer i varje bestämmelse. Utformningen måste även vägas mot de övergripande mål och krav som ställs på de finansiella rapporterna, såsom jämförbarhet, relevans och andra kvalitativa egenskaper. Vi anser även att ett regelverk behöver ha både regler och principer för att vara effektivt och ändamålsenligt. / Program: Civilekonomprogrammet

The purpose of this study is to investigate the importance of knowledge management and to identify the factors that influence and encourage the implementation of knowledge management in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Existing studies have mainly focused large organizations and no study has been carried out from the perspective of small companies systematically. Qualitative design has been used in this research study to identify knowledge management factors that influence the knowledge management implementation in small organizations. A case study has been used and data was collected through interviews from employees of kunjah online service provider. Properly utilizing these factors make a contribution towards organizational growth.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) occupy a place of strategic importance in most of the developed and emerging economies. This is primarily because they contribute significantly to employment, GDP, exports and wealth creation in many economies .In addition, they stimulate innovative ideas, entrepreneurial skills and are adaptable to the changing conditions of business environment. An important characteristic of SME growth in recent decades has been its penetration and expansion in the international market to accomplish the objective of growth. This is commonly known as internationalization. The empirical studies on SME internationalization provide several indications about different factors that can be expected to influence the strategy and the degree of internationalization. Accordingly, export behavior of SMEs is determined by the internal factors involving the characteristics of SMEs. Subsequently, SMEs with limited access to financial resources, managerial abilities, and marketing skills find it difficult to enter the foreign market. These barriers would adversely affect their potential for expansion and their survival. Such firms might hardly dare to internationalize. Further, export marketing literature has recognized and highlighted the importance of external determinants that influence the entrepreneurs to initiate the internationalization activity and in formulating the strategies that would enhance their export performance A significant volume of empirical research argues that firms need to focus upon the external situation, on the element of external forces, and on managerial perceptions about these environmental attributes that should be regarded as a significant causal element in determining the internationalization activities. Therefore, SMEs in their early export stages are likely to be determined by both internal and external forces In this respect, a “holistic” approach is required which would facilitate the understanding of the multitude of issues that influence the internationalization decision .Therefore, internationalization of SMEs has to be seen from a strategic angle determined by both internal and external settings. In this view, it is highly important to analyze the factors that affect the SME internationalization decision from a holistic approach by taking into account the influence of antecedents (drivers, barriers, and firm level factors) on internationalization strategy and performance. A consolidated assessment of literature on determinants, strategies, and performance indicates that even though considerable information about these issues are available, research gaps exist in these areas. Therefore, it is to fill this gap that we have proposed a theoretical framework which has been conceptualized around the core aspects of SME internationalization process linking antecedents, strategies, and performance. The specific objectives of this study are: 1. To ascertain the factors that differentiate internationalized SMEs from non-internationalized SMEs. 2. To identify and analyze the different antecedents and its influence on the internationalization speed. 3. To examine the influence of various antecedents on the mode of exports adopted by SMEs. 4. To probe the achievements of SME internationalization in terms of scope, degree of internationalization, and economic performance in terms of sales turnover. 5. To derive policy implications for promoting SME internationalization in India. Furthermore, we decided to confine our study to Karnataka state, since this is one of the better industrially developed states in India. Initially, we approached MSMEDI, VITC and FKCCI in Bangalore to get the lists of SME exporters in the state. Subsequently, we merged all the three databases and prepared the district-wise and industry wise distribution of internationalized (exporting) SMEs in Karnataka. We cleaned the raw data as it comprised duplications. The final database comprised 1271 exporting SMEs for 2012/13. Later, we prepared a district-wise list of SME exporters. Since the Bangalore urban district accounted for 958 SMEs (75%) of the total 1271 SME exporters in Karnataka, we decided to confine our study to Bangalore district. We prepared an industry-wise list of SME exporters (as per National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2008, and found that machinery manufacturing industry accounted for a maximum share (182 out of 920) of the total SME exporters in Bangalore. Therefore, we decided to confine our study to the machinery industry SMEs in Bangalore district. Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state and a major industrial city in India. Bangalore has become a most attractive city for the global investment and has been recognized as the IT capital of India. The study is based on an Ex Post Facto Exploratory research using primary data collected from a sample of 102 exporting and 52 non-exporting SMEs in Bangalore. The data was collected during the period November 2013 to December 2014 using a semi-structured questionnaire followed by visiting the firms and having personal interviews with entrepreneurs/senior managers of the firms and data analysis is done using appropriate statistical packages. Initially, we decided to examine and differentiate internationalized SMEs from non-internationalized SMEs in same sector, in terms of their characteristics and economic performance. Further, to bring out the factors that distinguish internationalized SMEs from non-internationalized SMEs, we carried out a binary logistic regression analysis for their general profile, technical profile and size profile by combining all the three groups of profiles together. The dependent binary variables distinguished internationalized SMEs from non-internationalized SMEs. The overall results indicate that (i) non- internationalized firms are younger than internationalized SMEs, (ii) CEOs of internationalized SMEs are older than that of the later, (iii) internationalized SMEs accounted for a higher sales turnover than non-internationalized SMEs. The very fact that internationalized SMEs accounted for a higher sales turnover than non-internationalized SMEs indicated that internationalization would have enabled SMEs to achieve a higher sales turnover relative to non-internationalized SMEs. We analyzed a range of antecedents and its impact on the international strategies and performance of internationalized SMEs. Basically, the antecedents have been classified into drivers, barriers and firm level factors. For the quantitative measurement of different kinds of drivers and barriers, a Likert type ordinal scale which ranged from 1 to 5, was used. In addition, firm level factors were also taken into account as the antecedents to analyze its influence on the SME internationalization process. Further, an Exploratory Factor Analysis was first undertaken to explain the export drivers into a few underlying dimensions. The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis showed that the 13 identified export drivers could be reduced to three underlying dimensions. On the other hand, firms might get discouraged to internationalize, due to the obstacles faced either in the form of internal or external sources. According to the results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis, internal barriers which consisted of variables were grouped under four dimensions. The external barriers which consisted of 14 variables were grouped under two dimensions. After identifying the different determinants to SMEs internationalization, we analyzed how these identified determinants were able to differentiate between early and late in terms of internationalization speed. Thereafter, discriminant analysis was performed to analyze how well the explanatory variables were able to differentiate the two groups or categories i.e. early entrants compared to late entrants. Among the different firm level factors, CEOs age and exclusive export marketing division had a significant discriminant coefficient. The results revealed that it is the younger CEOs and their commitment towards internationalization facilitate firms to enter the international market at any early age. Further, among the different barriers, competitive constraints significantly differed between early and late internationalization stating that lack of competitiveness was a major factor responsible for the late internationalization of SMEs. Subsequently, we looked at how various determining factors (antecedents) influence the mode of exports adopted by the SMEs. Firstly, based on the survey data the mode of exports are classified as exports through (i) a multinational company, (ii) international trade exhibitions, (iii) exports through the network of friends and export organization and (iv) E-commerce. Secondly, we looked at the factors which influenced these SMEs in choosing the four alternative modes of entry for internationalization, by means of binary logistic regression technique. Further, the results revealed that those SMEs with CEOs who are less qualified, not highly committed and smaller in size relied on local MNC customers to enter the international market. Further, if SMEs are not highly competitive, face market barriers and influenced by the unanticipated conditions preferred to use MNC route. Subsequently, SMEs with more qualified CEOs’, face operating constraints and policy barriers preferred to enter international market through international trade exhibitions. Those SMEs with CEOs’ who are younger and face finance and information barriers and policy constraints facilitate firms to depend on various sources of network. Finally, SMEs with more qualified CEOs’, smaller in size and face policy barriers have entered the international market through E-commerce route. Finally, we analyzed the role of determining factors on the scope, degree of internationalization and on the economic performance of SMEs. Initially, the different determinants that influence the scope and the degree of internationalization are analyzed. Finally, we analyzed the impact of degree of internationalization on the economic performance of SMEs by using three multiple regression models. Among the firm level factors, only CEOs’ international experience positively influenced the scope of internationalization compared to those firms with CEOs who had lesser international experience. Therefore, it is the entrepreneurs’ competency and skills acquired over a period of time which facilitated firms to expand their scope of internationalization. Subsequently, internationalization speed had positively influenced the scope of internationalization indicating that those SMEs that had entered the international market at an early age were able to diversify its international market. Generally, early exporters were more entrepreneurial in the sense they were capable of identifying, exploring and exploiting opportunities abroad by means of their proactive behavior. We analyzed the influence of speed, scope of internationalization and along with the firm level factors on the degree of internationalization. The results revealed that it was the capabilities that were acquired in terms of experience and the commitment that facilitated firms to achieve a higher degree of internationalization compared to firms that were not capable and committed to internationalization. Further, internationalization speed had positively influenced the degree of internationalization indicating that those SMEs that had entered international market at an early age were able to achieve a higher degree of internationalization compared to those firms that had entered at a later age. Finally, we analyzed the influence of scope and degree of internationalization along with the antecedents on the economic performance in terms of total sales turnover. In the present study, the degree of internationalization had positively influenced the economic performance of SMEs indicating that those firms that had achieved a higher degree of internationalization were able to achieve higher sales turnover than the firms with a lesser degree of internationalization. Therefore, by means of widening foreign markets and building room for expansion, exporting to foreign markets was considered an important route for firm progress. The results of this study underline the need for policy trust to improve the international activities of SMEs. Further, from the research perspective, results provide a significant addition to the existing knowledge about the importance of entrepreneurial competency, commitment to internationalization and an appropriate strategy in explaining the internationalization efforts of SMEs in the emerging market of India.