Under de senaste decennierna har antalet digitala omställningar ökat till följd av den teknologiska utvecklingen. De digitala omställningarna har inneburit särskilda utmaningar för små- och medelstora företag då de inte har samma förutsättningar som större organisationer. SMEs har till följd av deras förutsättningar präglats av en lägre tillämpningstakt av digitala förändringsinitiativ jämfört med större organisationer. För att företag ska lyckas med sina förändringsinitiativ har tidigare forskning visat att det är viktigt att anställda upplever engagemang för förändring. Däremot saknas forskning gällande hur engagemang för förändring skapas hos anställda i SME kontext och huruvida deras förutsättningar har någon påverkan. Studien syftar därmed till att förstå vilka förändringsaktiviteter i samspelet mellan ledare och anställda som skapar anställdas engagemang för digitala omställningar i SMEs samt hur detta engagemang skapas. Vidare har följande problemformulering besvarats: Hur skapas anställdas engagemang för digitala omställningar av förändringsaktiviteter i samspelet mellan ledare och anställda i SMEs? För att besvara studiens syfte samt problemformulering har en kvalitativ flerfallsstudie utförts med tre svenska SMEs, där data samlades in genom 10 semistrukturerade intervjuer med ledare och anställda. Samtliga intervjuer utgick från att skapa en förståelse för hur anställda och ledare ser på förändringsaktiviteterna i samspelet och hur dessa bidrar till anställdas skapande av engagemang. Utifrån insamlad data utfördes en tematisk analys som formade studiens tre teman: SMEs förutsättningar för digital omställning, samspel samt anställdas engagemang för digital omställning. Utifrån dessa teman konstruerades en modell för att förklara hur engagemang för förändring skapas hos anställda i SMEs. Studiens resultat visar på fem förändringsaktiviteter som bidrar till anställdas engagemang för digitala omställningar: Förberedelse, psykologisk empowerment, stöd, kommunikation samt engagemang för organisationen. Författarna har funnit att det är genom relationen mellan dessa aktiviteter som anställdas engagemang skapas. Detta resultat visar på att engagemang inte skapas oberoende av andra förändringsaktiviteter och det är därmed viktigt för ledare att ta hänsyn till. Vidare framkommer det i studiens resultat att små- och medelstora företags förutsättningar har en påverkan på samspelet mellan ledare och anställda. Det genom att SMEs förutsättningarna påverkar vilket behov anställda har av förändringsaktiviteter i samspelet samt vilka möjligheter ledaren har att utföra dessa förändringsaktiviteter. Utifrån studiens resultat rekommenderar författarna förändringsledare att aktivt delta i den digitala omställningen för att visa att initiativet prioriteras. Vidare rekommenderas det att förändringsaktiviteterna bör individ- och gruppanpassas för att öka förutsättningarna för att skapa engagemang för förändringen hos anställda.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are currently achieving massive growth but the problems and challenges associated with them are less understood. A goal in supply chain management is to maintain a solid flow of goods from raw materials to manufacturers and distribution of the final product. In managing all of these moving parts, warehousing plays a vital and central role to streamlining the supply chain. Furthermore, expanding a firm’s business to one or more locations as trends in markets, and consumer demands are continuously changing has proven vital to succeed. Yet, there is under developed research in the are of geographical expansion as it pertains to warehouse operations as an SME. In understanding these challenges and motivations to expand, SMEs have a greater chance to succeed. This thesis uses a combination of the existing literature surrounding global warehouse expansion as well as a field study that was conducted to gain further insight into an SME that is currently undergoing a warehouse expansion in both Germany and the United States. The motives for expansion to these locations are explored through semi structured interviews of six employees involved in the warehouse project. There is great complexity in this case, where unfamiliar locations and market potential are unknown, making this sector within supply chain management of SMEs an important one to investigate.

There has been an increased awareness of the current problems regarding the environmental changes in the world. Companies are acknowledging these problems more and more to try and prevent the heavy pollution humans contribute. The metal industry is one of the highest emitters in the world because its manufacturing, production, and processing require substantial amounts of energy. While the pressure of addressing environmental issues has been on the bigger companies in history, the smaller ones are being caught up in the same pressure from customers and partners. Because of the raised awareness of the environmental impact, even the smaller companies, which are low on environmental impact alone but substantial when defined as a whole market, are more often required to implement an environmental management system. However, the limitations of resources are different for smaller companies. There is no structured way to work towards a certification in ISO 14001 with the barriers that might limit them. This study has its focus on gathering information in a qualitative mean to interpret and generalize the reality of smaller companies in the metal industry. By doing so, the main goal is to investigate the barriers that appear for the management when implementing an EMS according to ISO 14001 and identify the potential procedures taken to reach the end goal of certification. The results of this study are that companies don’t face the barrier of economic resources and the true barrier is the interpretation of costs. The implementation of a certified EMS is a long-term investment and generates money through continuous improvements and creates a business opportunity by opening a new market to customers with ISO 14001 requirements. Knowledge was a barrier and the change in ISO 14001 being more compatible with previous quality certification ISO 9001 helped the implementation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the study of science, engineering, and the development of intelligent machines. AI is based on human intelligence with the exception that it is not restricted by biologically observable limitations. AI has developed rapidly over the past few years and has become important all over the world. This Master’s thesis brings up AI as a medical device and the European market. The thesis provides guidance in the form of important aspects to be considered by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when marketing products in Europe. There is a lack of guidance and clear descriptions regarding AI/ML-based medical devices in Europe. Both MDR and medical devices with AI/ML are relatively new and uncharted. There are no clear guidelines, instructions, or articles that clearly describe what is needed to get an AI/ML-based medical device on the European market. In summary, there is no guidance that SMEs could benefit from when it comes to AI/ML-based medical devices and the European market. With this thesis the subject is enlightened and hopefully, the gap in knowledge about this is reduced. The chosen method to achieve the goal of this thesis is both a literature review and qualitative research in the form of interviews with relevant experts within the field. The results show that there is a lack of guidelines and regulations for AI-based medical devices, it is harder for SMEs to market such devices and it is complicated to put an AI-based medical device on the European market due to MDR. SMEs should consider certain aspects important when developing an AI/ML-based medical device and placing it on the European market. The identified aspects are creating a regulatory plan, using guidelines from example FDA, procuring regulatory competence from the start, risk classification, economics, clinical evaluation, risk management, having end-user in mind during the development, and data management/cybersecurity. The results also show that if guidelines are developed, they should contain thresholds for different characteristics in AI/ML-based medical devices, risk classification of the device, classification requirements, checklists, templates, actions, good manufacturing process description, data management, cybersecurity, patient safety process description, clinical evaluation process description, regional regulatory adaptions, and risk mitigation. The results of this thesis can be used in many ways and by many. By solely using this report for AI/ML-based medical devices, complete compliance with MDR is not fulfilled.

This licentiate thesis consist of two essays. Both essays deal with corporate finance and its impact on innovation investment.  In the first essay we use German Community Innovation Survey to identify financially constrained firms. Contrary to previous studies we find that the relationship between financial constraints and firm size is inverted u-shaped and that it is the group of medium sized firms which has the largest funding gaps. This is explained by the fact that these firms have high innovation capabilities but at the same time face high cost of capital. Furthermore, we test if financial constraints have an impact on firm productivity growth. We find negative effects from funding gaps on productivity, but only for investment in tangible capital and not for innovation investments. The second essay investigates whether there has been a change in the productivity and funding mix of innovative SMEs post stricter bank regulations. Our result shows that the likelihood of using bank loans as a funding source has not changed for innovation investments nor for tangible investments after stricter capital regulations have been announced. On the other hand, sources such as subsidies have increased due to regulatory programs that have been implemented in the aftermath of the recent financial crisis. Furthermore, SMEs productivity has not changed post stricter bank regulations. Overall, the impact from different sources of funding on productivity is rather limited. / <p>QC 20180110</p>

Background: Data-driven decision-making (DDDM) has emerged as a primary approach to decision-making in many organizations. It uses data and analytics to guide decision-making processes and can lead to better business outcomes. Prior research has focused on DDDM in large corporations operating in large economies, and therefore this thesis will examine DDDM in small and medium enterprises in Sweden.  Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect DDDM has on the financial performance of Swedish SMEs to investigate if the utilization of DDDM benefits companies financially and to understand the effect of managerial experience, technical skills, information quality, and firm size on the data-driven decision-making process. Method: This study is based on the positivism paradigm, following deductive reasoning and a quantitative approach of gathering data through digital surveys. The sample consisted of 55 Swedish SMEs gathered through simple random sampling. Further, the data was analyzed using Pearson correlation, Spearman rank correlation, and regression analysis to test hypotheses. Findings: The literature review identified a research gap on DDDM, factors that effect DDDM, and Financial Performance. Four hypotheses were developed to answer the research questions. The OLS regression found that DDDM had no significant effect on Financial Performance, the first hypothesis was not supported. The Information Quality variable had a significant positive effect on DDDM resulting in support for the second hypothesis. However, Managerial Experience and Technical Skills did not have a significant effect in the main regression model, hypotheses three and four were not supported. Conclusion: The thesis showed that DDDM did not have a significant effect on financial performance in Swedish SMEs. Additionally, managerial expertise and technical skills did not have an effect on DDDM. However, Information quality did have an effect on the DDDM process and was correlated with technical skills, which is in line with the theories used in the study: Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT) and Absorptive Capacity. This further supports that information quality is vital for the DDDM process and can explain why DDDM might not always lead to improvements in financial performance for Swedish SMEs.

Background and problem: Due to disruptions in the business environment, the importance of organizational resilience has become increasingly important. The availability of resources and the strategic management of these resources are important for maintaining organizational resilience. This study contributes to the literature by addressing the strategic management of organizational resilience in SMEs and how they maintain resilience, since the SMEs’perspective has not been adequately researched in prior literature. The study is also of practical importance given SMEs’ prominent contribution to the economy. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how SMEs employ strategies to maintain organizational resilience, including how they deploy their resources and capabilities to maintain organizational resilience. To do this, disruptive events faced by SMEs are also explored. Method: The study adopts a qualitative multiple case study method. Primary data has been collected through interviews, with the chief executive officer of seven SMEs operating in Sweden. Conclusion: The empirical findings reveal strategies that SMEs adopt for maintaining organizational resilience. Categorizing these strategies into resource-based strategies and capability-based strategies reveals how SMEs, which are often limited in resources, focus on developing dynamic capabilities to maintain organizational resilience. The finding also shows that the strategies employed can be proactive and emergent, where these either work separately or combined in a process where proactive strategies can support the emergent strategies.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role and benefits of relational governance of international networks on the internationalization of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Africa. It explored the strategies used by African SMEs to scout, manage, and maintain their relationship with international networks and how these benefited their businesses. Four African SMEs were studied in this respect using qualitative methods and interviews as a means of data collection. Interviews were digitally conducted with the members of top management positions in these SMEs. Prior to this, a literature review was carried out on the subject matter to understand the context of the research. Data collected was analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. Furthermore, the results of the study were presented followed by a discussion of findings that showed that relational governance has a positive impact on the internationalization of SMEs in Africa. Some of the SMEs started their internationalization by first exporting to neighboring countries and later to more distant markets. They also were seen to carry out some of their business transactions on a trust basis and manage their relationships in many ways to promote trust and commitment. This study further highlighted some theoretical contributions as it added to current literature and confirmed previously developed theories. Managerial contributions in terms of the availability of the knowledge on SMEs internationalization strategies to the SMEs as well as potential SMEs startups were also highlighted. Suggestions for further research is then proposed on replicating the study using bigger sample size, multiple sectors and not limiting the method of internationalization to only export.

Problem Statement: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play an integral role in the economy of developed and developing countries. SMEs are constantly searching for innovative technologies that will not only reduce their overhead costs but also improve product development, customer relations and profitability. Literature has revealed that some SMEs around the world have incorporated a fairly new technology called Big Data to achieve higher levels of operational efficiency. Therefore, it is interesting to observe the reasons why some organizations in developing countries such as South Africa are not adopting this technology as compared to other developed countries. A large portion of the available literature revealed that there isa general lack of in-depth information and understanding of Big Data amongst SMEs in developing countries such as South Africa. The main objective of this study is to explain the factors that SMEs consider during the Big Data decision process. Purpose of the study: This research study aimed to identify the factors that South African SMEs consider as important in their decision-making process when it comes to the adoption of BigData. The researcher used the conceptual framework proposed by Frambach and Schillewaert to derive an updated and adapted conceptual framework that explained the factors that SMEs consider when adopting Big Data. Research methodology: SMEs located in the Western Province of South Africa were chosen as the case studies. The interpretive research philosophy formed the basis of this research. Additionally, the nature of the phenomenon being investigated deemed it appropriate that the qualitative research method and research design be applied to this thesis. Due to constraints such as limited time and financial resources this was a cross-sectional study. The research strategy in this study was multiple in-depth case studies. The qualitative approach was deemed appropriate for this study. The researcher used two methods to collect data, namely, the primary research method and the secondary research method. The primary research method enabled the researcher to obtain rich data that could assist in answering the primary research questions, whilst the secondary research method included documents which supplemented the primary data collected. Data was analyzed using the NVivo software provided by the University of Cape Town. Key Findings: The findings suggest that the process that influences the decision to adopt Big Data by SMEs follows a three-step approach namely: 1.) Awareness, 2.) Consideration, 3.) Intention. This indicates that for Big Data to be adopted by SMEs there must be organizational readiness to go through the process. This study identified the main intention for SMEs to adopt Big Data is to ensure operational stability. Improved operational efficiency was identified as the supporting sub-theme. This study has raised awareness about the process that SMEs, academic researchers, IT practitioners and government need to place emphasis on to improve the adoption of Big Data by SMEs. Furthermore, this study has raised awareness about the opportunities and challenges that SMEs, academic researchers, IT practitioners and government need to place emphasis on to improve the adoption of Big Data by SMEs. Value of the study: The study adds value in both academia and the business industry as it provides more insight into the factors that SMEs consider in the Big Data adoption decision.

Background: With the emerging and disruption of new technologies, digital transformationhas heavily impacted on businesses of all kinds, especially SMEs. Consequently, organizations must innovate their business model to adapt the changeable environment in many ways such as providing new products &amp; services, developing new markets, more collaborations with partnership, and investing digital tools to deliver more value to the customers. It is therefore necessary for organizations and academicians to understand the dynamic capabilities framework for the business model innovation. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the role of dynamic capabilities in the digital transformation of business model innovation (BMI) in SMEs. During this process, we also explore digital transformation and make future explanations of the key elements of BMI in our case companies. Method: In order to understand how SMEs build up capabilities for digital transformation inthe business model innovation, we carry out this study by using semi-structured interviews with open answered questions. The interviews consisted of 6 participants in various senior management positions at 5 case companies. The participants are either the company owners or the department managers. Findings: From the interviews, we studied that all the case companies had been in process of digital transformation for a certain extent. In terms of their business model, the digitaltransformation reflects in 3 domains: new digital products &amp; services, new markets &amp; segments,and key partnerships. In addition, companies build dynamic capabilities for their digital business model via a total of 8 activities, including digital scouting, digital learning &amp; planning, digital mind-set, agile working, investment in digital assets, collaboration with partners, creating digital culture, and redesigning organizational structure. Relevant management skills are the enablers throughout the whole innovation process. Finally, our study studies theenabling role of management in building dynamic capabilities and reacting to change.