Globalization was the turning point when many large corporations started to begin their operations in foreign countries which provided them with new markets to sell their products as well as new manufacturing facilities. While this trend of internationalization was not new but what was interesting was the speed at which this happened with globalization. The large enterprises were the first to internationalize but later this trend was growing where SME’s have also diversified their operations in foreign countries because of new opportunities available, low cost of labor, and limited growth opportunities in their home countries (Vachini, 2005). While this expansion opens new doors, there are lot of challenges that could firm could face in the host country (Vachani, 1998).  The world economy at present is moving rapidly towards a knowledge-based economy. According to OECD (1996) the term knowledge based economy is the total recognition of the role of knowledge and technology in economic growth. Knowledge is being widely accepted as the most important resource which is an intangible resource, hard to imitate and these makes it a source of competitive advantage for organizations. But, merely recognizing the importance of knowledge is not sufficient to have competitive advantage, Organizations must understand how to best manage this precious resource and it requires great effort in terms of how to create, share and utilize knowledge. If this knowledge is not managed properly it could affect growth, operational efficiency and innovation capacity (De Long & Davenport, 2003). / N/A

In the fast changing and increasingly competitive world market environment, leadership plays a vital role in bringing out the best of employees and steering an organization to success. Among the many leadership theories developed over the years, transformational leadership (TL) has proven among others to have a positive impact on subordinate satisfaction, motivation, and performance of workers. However, the phenomena of transformational leadership and its effect on jobs satisfaction (JB), work engagement (WE) and employees’ performance (EP) as a whole have not received much research attention in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) especially in the European Union (EU). This thesis investigated the impact of TL in selected SMEs in Germany and Sweden. The results of the 73 participants of the survey revealed that TL has a great impact on EP, JS and WE in SMEs. It was also established that there is a positive correlation between WE and EP. However, the research failed to establish a link between JS and WE and also JS and EP. The research also revealed that the most dominant type of TL style in the SMEs investigated was inspirational motivation.

L’innovation et le contrôle de gestion sont tous deux considérés comme des déterminants de la performance des entreprises. Pourtant, ces deux concepts apparaissent à première vue comme antinomiques, et certains chercheurs les ont présentés comme difficilement conciliables, préconisant aux organisations innovantes d’avoir recours à d’autres modes de contrôle. La question du rôle et de l’influence du contrôle de gestion en contexte innovant se pose alors et motive ce travail doctoral. Au-delà de la littérature s’intéressant à l’influence du contrôle de gestion sur l’innovation, nous empruntons les cadres théoriques et conceptuels portant sur l’innovation managériale et l’ambidextrie organisationnelle afin de traiter de cette question du lien entre contrôle de gestion et innovation produit. La méthodologie retenue est de nature exploratoire, qualitative et adductive correspondant ainsi à un positionnement épistémologique de type interprétativiste. Elle consiste en une démarche en deux temps : une étude exploratoire auprès de dix-neuf start-ups et PME innovantes, puis deux études de cas de PME récemment inscrites dans une stratégie d’innovation. Les résultats de cette recherche montrent que, innovation et contrôle de gestion sont loin d’être antagonistes. D’abord, le contrôle de gestion, qu’il soit de type interactif ou cybernétique, apparaît comme favorable à l’innovation, mais l’innovation semble également impacter les systèmes de contrôle de gestion, en poussant les entreprises à mettre en place des outils de contrôle d’une part, des outils refaçonnés et adaptés d’autre part. Au final, on observe que l’innovation produit et l’innovation managériale se soutiennent mutuellement, mais également que le contrôle de gestion apparaît comme support d’ambidextrie contextuelle. Par ailleurs, cette étude souligne le rôle clé du dirigeant, en tant qu’acteur hybride ou ambidextre. / Innovation and management control are both considered as determinants of business performance. Yet, these two concepts appear at first sight contradictory, and some researchers have presented them as difficult to reconcile, advocating innovative organizations to have recourse to other modes of control. The issue of the role and influence of management control in innovative context arises and motivates this doctoral work.Beyond the literature concerned with the influence of management control on innovation, we use the theoretical and conceptual frameworks bearing on managerial innovation and organizational ambidexterity in order to deal with this issue of the link between management control and product innovation. The methodology is exploratory, qualitative and adductive corresponding thus to an interpretativist epistemological positioning. It consists of a two-stage approach : an exploratory study with nineteen start-ups and SMEs innovative and two case studies of SME which are both recently entered into an innovation strategy.The results of this research show that innovation and management control are far from being antagonistic. First, management control whether interactive or cybernetic type appears as favorable to innovation, but innovation also appears to impact the management control systems, pushing companies to develop tools of control on the one hand, tools which are reshaped and adapted on the other hand. Finally, we observe that product innovation and managerial innovation support each other, but also that management control appears as contextual ambidexterity support. Moreover, this study highlights the key role of the leader as hybrid or ambidextrous actor.

Background: E-commerce has created opportunities for companies and customers to operate online and enabled usage of online communication strategies to gain loyal customers. Small and medium e-commerce businesses have the possibility to expose wider range of products and reach customers globally despite limited resources. However, e-commerce has also brought challenges to companies, due to a new online approach, a changed customer behavior and a global competition. Previous research emphasize that the lack of physical contact with customers creates obstacles for e- commerce businesses, which might lead to perceived risks. Prior research on e- commerce businesses focuses on larger firms and no extensive research is made to understand how Swedish small and medium e-commerce businesses can optimize international communication strategies to create online trust and customer loyalty. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how Swedish small and medium businesses within the e-commerce sector manage global communication with customers despite lack of physical presence. By exploring how this distance might affect online trust and customer loyalty, the study will provide a deeper knowledge of how customer communication can improve customer relationships in an online context. Research Question: How can Swedish small and medium e-commerce businesses use customer communication strategies to generate online trust and gain loyal customers on a global market? Methodology: Abductive research approach, Qualitative research method, Exploratory research design, Semi-structured interviews. Conclusion: In order for companies to reduce customers ́ perceived risks, connected to online purchase, and to understand customer ́s behavior, despite lack of physical presence, we have gained knowledge of that small and medium e-commerce businesses should utilize interactive and customized communication strategies. These online communication strategies will create a mutual value and contribute to an increased online trust, which results in loyal customers.

The thesis is focused on feasibility study, which respect subsidy policy Operational Programme ICT and shared services for obtain grant from EU funds. Introduces part of the thesis contains desciption of parts the feasibility study and supporting a grant from Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovations for Competitiveness intended mainly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Diploma thesis deals with software in small and medium enterprises (SME). Main objective of this thesis is find out which software and enterprise information system companies use. Theoretical part is focused on ERP, CRM, SCM systems and application software. Analytical part deals with investments of czech SME in software and ICT equipment. Practical part is dedicated to quantitative survey and evaluation of results.

The goal of the diploma thesis "Financing of small and medium-sized enterprises" is to systematically analyze and review the financing options for SMEs in the Czech Republic. In the introductory part there is a definition of small and medium enterprises with its social contribution and meaning, I describe the needs and potential barriers for further development. The thesis proceeds with specification of various financial resources, there are mentioned own, external and alternative financial resources as well as trade finance possibilities. The last chapter of the theoretical part focuses on the support devoted to SME. In the practical part there is a business and financial analysis of the selected company on the market with artificial sweeteners.

A graduation thesis is focused on problems of small and medium enterprises and its development in the Czech Republic. The main goal of graduation thesis is to analyze the effect of carefully selected factors on SME. The thesis is dividend into two main parts. The first one characterizes small and medium enterprises and its contribution to economy, society and regions. The first part also describes differentiation of development of SME among the regions of Czech Republic. The second part is focused on features that determine SME. The data for the analysis are gained from the Statistical Office and questionnaire research. The results of analysis will be resumed in the end of graduation thesis.

My diploma thesis deals with the problem of financial and economical crisis and its impact on economy of medium-sized enterprise (MSE). First part defines the crisis phenomena themselves and discusses their upraise in the USA following by their expansion into the rest of of the world. Major part of my work addresses the situation in the Czech Republic, primarily the analysis of impacts onto the MSE. Another part of my work is a questionnaire research within the company employees. Company's effectiveness and efficiency evaluation are based on the research results. Concluding part proposes particular solutions and procedures suitable for the economical situation improvement of this particular MSE.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the service sector have gained highly important roles in the strive for growth and economic welfare. World economy changes creates both international business opportunities and pressure for small and medium enterprises to internationalise. International market selection (IMS) is considered the most vital decision when creating an internationalisation strategy. Nevertheless, the lack of both research attention and empirical insights has created a knowledge gap. Investigate how Swedish SMEs in the knowledge-intensive service sector perform their IMS. By answering the research question, this study will contribute to greater understanding in both theory and practice. The purpose is to add to theory in the field as well as contribute with an additional IMS model for this specific firm type. Through examination of previous research, three main approaches to IMS have been identified: systematic, non-systematic and relationship. The research was assessed through a qualitative design, using semi- structured interviews with five representatives from different companies. The results demonstrates the importance of maintaining and creating relationships for the IMS-process. Combining previous research, insights from practitioners and empirical findings, a size and industry specific IMS- model was developed named the Boarding Step Model.