The research aims to explore the relationships among entrepreneurial orientation, social capital and firm performance when Taiwanese SMEs are expanding their business territory in China. Apart from social capital, there would be more other moderating variables existing in the environment. However, after literature review and in-depth interviews with the SMEs owners/directors/executives, social capital has been regarded as the possible influential factor affecting the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance. In the second part of the research, comprehensive literature and studies relating to entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial orientation are investigated and summarized. Later, the literature of social capital and firm performance is summarized in order to develop the hypotheses to examine the relationships among entrepreneurial orientation, social capital and firm performance. This is an empirical research, assisting with in-depth interviews with Taiwanese SMEs owners/directors/executives to outline the findings more accurately. The statistical tools applied in the thesis include SPSS and AMOS. The findings of the research have come up with some practical implications and suggestion. The implications of the results might intrigue people who are interested in the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on organizational success. Lastly, some suggestions are made accordingly for the further development.

Over the past 50 years, the success of SME development in Taiwan has played an important role in the economic growth, and even today, many developing countries are interested in learning from Taiwan¡¦s experience. In fact, SME development in Taiwan has made remarkable contributions to the expanding of foreign trade, the strengthening of market competitiveness, the boosting of national income, the creation of jobs opportunities, the balancing of regional development, and the influence on social stability. In this study, we first studied the key success factors in Taiwan¡¦s SME development through the review of related literature. Then, we attempted to find that the majority of scholars and experts had a common view of Taiwan¡¦s SME key success factors, which are concluded as social culture and psychology factors, historical and economic factors, and government policy factor. Secondly, we intended to make questionnaires from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and SME owners. The main purpose is to research for the opinions of three different parties on SME development in Mongolia, such as government roles, present situation, future development strategies, and opportunities to learn from Taiwan¡¦s experience and successful development factors. Here were 120 responses received at the end of this survey. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA, Pearson¡¦s correlation, and factor analysis. The results showed that there were significant differences between the three organizations. In addition, this research tried to make an effort to suggest future SME development strategies in Mongolia on the basis of external and internal environment analyses using a SWOT model. Finally, on the basis of above results, we proposed several policy recommendations for relevant organizations that get lessons from Taiwan¡¦s experience and revealed some key success factors in SME development into the ground of Mongolia.

The international business century is coming. The general business shall transfer, collect, manage a lot of information effectively and reduce the cost and impacts. Therefore, during the business century, how do we use the useful information and technology to have more and more opportunities to improve the structure of a business. However, the business style changing, the competiveness improving, and the capability value increasing is achieve. Using Information technologies(IT) to develop capability is a mean to cope with globalization. Small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan have higher penetration and potential, however, as White Paper of E-Commercialization described, have lower penetration of infrastructures and applications of Information technologies(IT) than large enterprises. The purpose of this study is to understand what factors affect SMEs¡¦ e-business adoption and IT impacts, and how to formulate managerial regulation of diffuse e-business of SMEs. Following the purpose, this study develops and empirically tests a theoretical model to explain the SMEs¡¦ e-business adoption and impacts. For the e-business adoption, the theoretical model includes Institutional Theory, external e-business support, and relative advantage to investigate SME¡¦s intensity of e-business adoption. For the impacts, the model examines outcome performances through e-business usage, and the relative moderation effects which contain compatibility and training. Keyword: Small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) , Information Technologies (IT) , e-business.

This study attempts to examine change to the industrial relations system of Renfrewshire over the last few decades. By focusing on the area's traditional historical reliance on manufacturing industry as a vital contributor for employment in Renfrewshire, the consequences of change and its effect on the area's local industrial relations system provide the main emphasis for our research. In particular, the study adopts the concept of'externality' as a theme, and as an analytical tool for analysis, in order to comment on change experienced by Renfrewshire's distinct industrial relations system. Investigation took the form of a survey of workplace industrial relations in manufacturing small and medium sized establishments in the districts of Renfrew and Inverclyde. The main chapters of this study consider the main institutions of industrial relations support for the Renfrewshire area, such as Employers' Organisations, Trade Unions or ACAS; and the changes which have been seen to occur with regard to these bodies. We contend that an industrial relations parallel to the concept of 'branch factory syndrome' has been witnessed by these institutional bodies in relation to Renfrewshire. The main conclusion of this study is that the system has adapted, in its own way, based on its historical characteristics, especially in respect of workplace organisation. The study identifies four main factors which have a relevance on the changing face of the industrial relations system in Renfrewshire: 1. industrial re-structuring (at macro level) 2. non-unionism 3. national bargaining decline 4. organisation-level rationalisation Finally, some recommendations for further research are made

Since the concept of open innovation was put forward by Chesbrough (2003), many researchers focus on open innovation in large enterprises. There is a research gap in how open innovation is implemented in SMEs, specially in Chinese companies. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the motives and challenges of manufacturing SMEs in China to implement onpen innovation. The study is based on analysis of scientific literature and four case studies of manufacturing SMEs. The empirical data were collected by semi-structure interviews and a survey. Overall, collsboration with external partners was found to be good for improving innovation performances in the studies companies. And also, four motives were found, which were forming innovation networks, cooperating with external innovation sources, importing advanced technologies, and driving and motivating innvation processes. Meanwhile, four main challenges were found lack of trust in collaboration, disability for transforming external knowledge to internal knowledge, low support from government, and barriers to overcom intellectual property disputes. At last, the authors suggest that manufacturing SMEs in China could collaborate with each other more, and improve the knowledge of intellectual property as well.

This research aims to show the impact that consultants have on the creation of IS knowledge assets as well as the impact that they have on the development of IS competencies in SMEs. Exploratory case studies involving SMEs and consultants are used to investigate the impact consultants have on SMEs. IS knowledge and IS competencies are important themes that emerge from the exploratory stage of the study. This research further investigates the types of IS knowledge assets and IS competencies that consultants impact in SMEs by conducting further case studies with consultants and SMEs. Several propositions about the types of IS knowledge assets and IS competencies impacted by consultants are developed and tested using a longitudinal single-case study. The results are analysed using resource-based theory and knowledge-based theory and reveals that consultants contribute to the development of experiential knowledge assets like know-how and experience, routine knowledge assets and systemic knowledge assets by influencing the knowledge creation processes of implementing SMEs. Consultants enhance and contribute to the development of the Management of IT competence which relates to the SME’s ability utilise IS. However, the results also show that consultants compensate for other IS competencies: strategy and vision; sourcing and alignment; and systems and infrastructure. These competencies relate to the SME’s ability to integrate IT with business processes, to source and alignment IT/IS and to engage in business and IS strategic thinking. It is proposed that in addition to overcoming the knowledge barrier in SMEs, consultants are an essential part of the IS knowledge-creation process. Additionally, consultants compensate for IS competencies which are abilities; however, it is noted that if an on-going relationship develops between the consultants and SMEs then SMEs may, over time, develop IS competencies related to business and IS strategic thinking, management of IT and, sourcing and alignment.

Background: Ever since the Born Global phenomenon has emerged in the early 1990s, it has been investigated from various perspectives as for example from the network-based view. However, research has exclusively been done within this field at early stages of Born Globals’ internationalization. Therefore, there is a lack of understanding of how Born Global firms continue their operations after their initial internationalization. Research Question: How does networking influence a Born Global firm in order to continue its international growth? Purpose: The purpose with this study is to increase the understanding of how networking influences an already internationally established Born Global firm in order to continue its international growth. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework is divided into four different categories, namely Maintenance and Increase of Network, Personal and Inter-Organisational Network, The Strength of a Network Tie and Causation and Effectuation, which have been developed based on the literature review. At the end, the theoretical framework is summarized with a model indicating the categories’ influence on the continued international growth of Born Globals. Methodology: For this study a qualitative research method has been chosen where both secondary and primary data have been collected. A case study consisting of two Swedish companies has been conducted. Conclusions: This study shows that efficient and strategic networking is crucial for the continued international growth of Born Globals, which is supported by the establishment of routines and standardized criteria. It is of the highest importance to keep a close contact to customers and to preserve control over the network, which can be realized by having strong relationships to distributors or agents or by establishing own sales subsidiaries. Furthermore, it is noticeable that network relationships shift from a personal to a predominantly business-based character during the continued international growth of Born Globals. Managerial Implications: Managers should perceive networking as a crucial part of their firms’ continued international growth and implement networking in their overall internationalization strategy. Essential for a long-term success is to keep control over the increasing network and stay as close as possible to the increasing number of customers. Theoretical Implications: The findings of this study imply that the role of networking as well as the networks’ characteristics change over time during Born Globals’ continued international growth. Keywords: SMEs, Born Globals, Internationalization, Growth, Network

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study the cultural barriers faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in entering Japanese market and to see how the successful companies have overcome the barriers. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory case study with qualitative research through semi-structured interviews (telephonic and Skype) with foreign SMEs in Japan. 17 interviews could be conducted in 12 companies out of 76 companies contacted.  Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework encompasses barriers studied by Namiki (1998) for classification of the entry barriers and applied the same on SMEs. The cultural aspect has been deployed in accordance to theory of House et al. (2004), Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner (2012) and on the cultural dimensional framework of Hofstede et al. (2010). It further includes language in intercultural communication and barriers related to it.  Findings: The study identifies that the business culture perceived by foreign SMEs in Japan is almost similar to the national culture identified by Hofstede et al. (2010), but only three out of five cultural dimensions studied and the language have emerged as barriers for the foreign SMEs to do business in Japan. It was also found that to adapt to the Japanese business culture in general, engage in business relationship and to use senior bi-lingual Japanese staff, was keys to success for the foreign SMEs. Managerial implications: It is recommended that managers should study previous literature on cultural barriers as it most likely also applies to SMEs. It is also recommended to use Japanese bi-lingual staff and to establish relationships with Japanese companies as soon as possible. Limitations: The study was conducted with interviews of only twelve SMEs in Japan. The study was confined to qualitative method and a quantitative study with larger number of companies could have fetched more quantifiable results. Originality/value: This paper is one of the first to analyse the cultural barriers exclusively for the foreign SMEs in Japan with interviewing firms doing business in Japan. Keywords: Entry barriers, cultural barriers, SMEs, Japan market. Classification: Exploratory, qualitative study.

Oakland (1989b) argues that following the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century we are presently in the midst of the quality revolution. In the United Kingdom quality took on a new significance in 1979 with the publication of the British Standard for Quality BS5750. Since that date the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been actively promoting quality improvements. In 1989, the DTI specially supported the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in its Managing in the `90s Program. The benefits of TQM are widely recognised following reports of its successful implementation in many large companies. It has led to these companies becoming highly competitive both locally and internationally through the production of quality products that meet customer requirements at the lowest cost, significantly increasing their market share and profitability. As part of the Sheffield Regeneration effort, this thesis examines the current position of Small and Medium manufacturing Enterprises (SMEs) in Sheffield. The thesis aims to facilitate the implementation of TQM in SMEs by enabling them to benchmark their progress. The thesis examines three hypotheses: 1. SMEs do not understand the definitions or implications of TQM. 2. SMEs can be encouraged to implement TQM by a combination of training and mentoring (Uncle Concept). 3. It is possible to benchmark management styles and the relative position of a company on route to TQM using the biological classification system, Cladistics. The characteristics of SMEs and principles of TQM were closely researched to develop a TQM model based on 5 Pillars that would specifically cater to the needs of SMEs. A questionnaire was developed based on these 5 Pillars to assess the level of TQM implementation in 30 Sheffield and 10 Singapore manufacturing SMEs. The survey results based on interviews with senior management confirmed the first hypothesis that SMEs do not understand the definitions or implications of TQM. This led to the second hypothesis that SMEs can be encouraged to implement TQM through a Framework comprising a combination of training and mentoring (Uncle Concept) by a company that had already implemented TQM. The TQM Framework was applied to six SMEs in South Yorkshire. Customer and Employee surveys conducted as the prerequisite to TQM implementation provided valuable information to the companies about actions they needed to undertake in their implementation programme. All six companies proceeded to TQM Facilitator Training which was conducted by Avesta Sheffield Limited, who having successfully implemented and sustained TQM fulfilled the role of the Uncle. However, the second hypothesis was proved to be incorrect. The companies ‘cherry picked' facets of TQM and the implementation programs failed in each case. This thesis also reviews the evolution of management styles through a study of management pioneers and their principles and theories on management, organisation structures and motivation. The evolution of the bureaucratic, authoritarian and impersonal management style of Frederick W. Taylor to the flexible, open and participative management style of TQM was applied to the classification technique Cladistics to determine if it was possible to benchmark management styles and the relative position of a company along its route to TQM (Hypothesis 3). A Management Style Survey Questionnaire was developed and a structured interview was conducted with ten companies from South Yorkshire and one company from Japan. The results supported Hypothesis 3.

Business co-operation in the small firm sector has in recent years been the beneficiary of both considerable academic debate and public sector funding for its facilitation. This thesis reviews the pertinent literature in the fields of business co-operation, trust, commitment and personality psychology. The limitations of existing networking - co-operation SME research are identified, and in particular the dearth of empirical based research. Where such research exists, no attempt is made to isolate variables which might determine whether individuals are likely to co-operate with others, and / or the likely success of their co-operative activities. As a means of addressing these perceived flaws in the literature the potential antecedent role of owner-manager's personality, business related group affiliation, and owner-manager's and firm's demographics are examined in relation to their propensity to co-operate with others. A polymorphous definition of SME sector co-operation is adopted in which it is possible for actors to co-operate with varying parties and in a number of capacities. Extensive use is made of univariate chi-square and multivariate logistic regression techniques, with a logistic regression model ultimately being extended for each of the types of co-operation identified. The second phase of the empirical research conducted is focused upon the individual business network. Potential antecedents to small firm network success are examined at the aggregate level, and recommendations offered which network actors and facilitators can utilise as a means of heightening the likelihood of success within their own groups. The thesis closes with a re-examination of the hypothesis, drawing of conclusions relating to them, and the identification of areas for further research.