El presente trabajo de investigación “Profesionalización y Toma de Decisiones en Empresas Familiares No Corporativas” se ha realizado mediante un enfoque mixto con diseño no experimental y transversal de alcance descriptivo, cuyo objetivo es medir e identificar cuanto las empresas familiares del sector construcción servicios auxiliares se conocen al interna en dimensiones estratégicas y tácticas de manera que puedan realizar intervenciones tomando decisiones profesionales, entendiendo esta palabra de acuerdo a lo indicado por la real academia como “… con capacidad y aplicación relevantes propias”, lo que a su vez le permita sostenerse y crecer en el tiempo para superar las barreras de las generaciones más allá de las dificultades propias que representan las condiciones del mercado y las políticas y regulaciones de los gobiernos de turno. Es por ello que este trabajo de investigación ofrece una propuestas de análisis integral que ayudará a las empresas familiares del sector en estudio a tomar decisiones profesionales en intervención de carácter estratégico y táctico explorando para ello dimensiones como: manejo de las familias, balance negocio-familia, plan de negocios, alternativas estratégicas, estrategias definitivas; por otro lado aspectos tácticos como resultados y cultura impactada por los elemento de diseño, así como su propósito más allá de ser una fuente de ingresos, y que tanto las empresas también conocen a su competencia. Para ello este trabajo de investigación propone el uso de una herramienta integral que permitirá a las empresas familiares no corporativas, conocerse a profundidad sobre estos aspectos que facilitarán intervenciones de manera focalizadas. / Trabajo de investigación

Background: The wine industry is often linked to family business, due to the tradition of some long-standing family winery. Scholars agree that, the family elements are a factor of success in this industry. A reason for this success can be found in the branding of wineries. While the literature in branding is extensive, the link between wine family firms and their cultural heritage in the branding and the brand identity is poorly tackled. Given the wine history in a country like France, cultural heritage is a key point and its effect on wineries is a subject that deserve further research.Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the branding of wine family firms. The focus is set on exploring how and why family wineries are using their cultural heritage in branding, and how it affects the brand identity of wineries. By explaining the use of cultural heritage, we wish to understand the reason of the success in turning their personal background into the main asset of their branding strategy.Method: This research is qualitative and based on an interpretivist paradigm. Research method is following the Grounded Theory approach. Primary data are collected via open-ended interviews and all participants are family wineries with significant business seniority in Burgundy, France, as well as wine experts.Conclusion: The results show that family wineries use cultural heritage within their branding for three reasons: (1) Terroir gives the components of the product and directly influence the product positioning, (2) Customers behaviour and expectations is influenced by winery cultural heritage, (3) Industry requires higher reputation and singularity, brought by innovation and tradition. The leverage of their cultural heritage in branding and its outcomes on brand identity is done though (4) Storytelling of wineries cultural heritage which plays on the pleasure, emotional and cultural aspect of wine.

Background: The importance of sustainability is growing; however, the mindset of many businesses remains in the profit-driven take-make-waste economy, aiming for limitless growth. Humanity cannot continue with business-as-usual, and a paradigm shift must occur to ensure a future for the planet. SMEs represent 99% of the businesses in the EU, and to ensure a safer tomorrow for all, they need to evolve to reach sustainable development and capture the opportunities of regenerative strategies. Nevertheless, regenerative business practices are not widely appropriated in practice. Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to explore the phenomenon of regenerative businesses on SME level through the perspective of Swedish sustainability consultants. The authors aim to gain an understanding of the transformation processes in order to investigate if SMEs can reach a regenerative stage and, if so, how? Method: The study was conducted with an inductive qualitative approach under the interpretivism paradigm, and a multiple case study approach was chosen to best capture the phenomenon. The primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with sustainability consultants from various SMEs in Sweden, and a thematic data analysis was conducted to interpret the empirical findings to relate them to the theories presented. Conclusion: The findings pointed to eight factors that enable and restrict SMEs in transitioning to a regenerative phase. Internally, SMEs are impacted in their transition by the mindset, values, sustainability awareness, strategy and communication, and the organizational structure of the business. In addition, the main external factors influencing the transition are the ambiguity regarding the sustainability concept and pressure from various stakeholders. The findings also highlighted the interconnectedness of the factors and the importance of a paradigm shift to whole systems thinking.

The focus of this research lies on the possibilities and willingness of accommodation businesses to work for and towards sustainability in a destination. The area of investigation is the municipality of Bad Hindelang located in the German Alps. The so called Ökomodell stands for a collaboration agreement between agriculture and the municipality in order to preserve Bad Hindelang’s ecologically and touristically extremely valuable cultural landscape through continued traditional pasture-based livestock farming. The point of departure for this research is the destination’s goal to bring the accommodation sector on board. Two questions are particularly relevant in this context. First, to what extend do accommodation businesses recognize the Ökomodell’s importance for their own success as tourism stakeholders? And second, what factors influence their willingness to implement appropriate sustainability measures? The approach chosen for this research is mixed methods. Both, qualitative semi-structured expert interviews as well as a quantitative survey have been conducted. The results lay open the perspective of accommodation providers in Bad Hindelang. They have shown to be aware of agriculture being the condition for landscape preservation and thus long-term success in tourism. However, their willingness to contribute by implementing suggested sustainability actions is influenced by a multitude of other factors; above all, the costs and benefits going along as well as their level of engagement and foresight as tourism entrepreneurs.

The practical execution of an entrepreneurial process for technology-driven ventures in emerging markets can be likened to a maze - a dynamically complex process with many navigational contingencies. While the overall navigational path may appear straightforward conceptually, the actual execution path inherently becomes fraught with sub-optimal turns and apparent dead-end trails as an entrepreneur dynamically confronts many challenges. The navigational path for effectively sequencing events can be confounding, especially since event outcomes are highly contingent upon timing as well as execution of the appropriate events; seemingly 'right' actions can be applied at the 'wrong' time in the process with the corresponding result being an undesired outcome. Combining practical experience with academic research, this paper addresses the entrepreneurial process maze by presenting the authors' phased-structure process model for proactively sequencing effective actions in entrepreneurial ventures. Fundamental to this process model is a 'tactician' phase wherein a seven-step prescription is introduced to help entrepreneurs navigate the maze and dynamically sequence the 'right actions' at the 'right time' for commercialising innovations. Both the phased-structure process model and its seven-step prescription for the tactician provide practical guidance for technology-driven entrepreneurial ventures.

According to research findings, SMEs are continuously faced with unexpected changes within their operating environment. The rapid development of technology master’s new competitors, new products and markets which creates a source of uncertainty for these organisations. These changes are for instance demonstrated through changes in customer demands, lower barriers and government regulations, offering both opportunities as threats. Considering that SMEs play a significant role for society and the worldwide economy, they genuinely need to strive for innovative and efficient solutions in their business. By focusing on smarter use of information through Business Intelligence, SMEs can stay competitive in such an environment. Nevertheless, while BI utilization for efficient decision-making has been highly attractive to larger companies for some time, this has not been a reality for SMEs. The reasons for this are several and challenges vary. However, it is necessary to meet some basic conditions to effectively take advantage of BI, namely, to align BI with corporate strategies. This study applied the BISC framework on one strategic theme, the operations management, in an SME in order to identify gaps between BI and corporate strategy in their business performance management initiative. Gaps were identified by analysing current As-Is state of BI assets and the To-Be state. This thesis aims therefore to contribute in the understanding of problems and potentials regarding the process of aligning BI with corporate strategies in SMEs.

Youwin es un proyecto que busca ayudar a los microempresarios en aspectos de marketing digital. Para ello, se le ofrece un servicio integrado que abarca la creación de un logo o portada, en caso no lo tuviera, así como la planificación y ejecución de un sorteo en redes sociales. Adicional a ello, durante el proceso se dan recomendaciones que puedan ayudar a sostener esta estrategia de promoción, así como algunos detalles tributarios a tomar en cuenta que permitan crecer el negocio del microempresario. Difundirse en redes sociales en esta época de confinamiento social es clave para los pequeños negocios, pues ya no podrán ofrecer sus servicios presencialmente como lo solían hacer ni con la frecuencia de antes cuando la cuarentena termine. Con recientes estudios estadísticos y entrevistas propias realizadas se determinó que alrededor del 50% de microempresas no tienen redes o son incipientes en estas. En este contexto nace Youwin, que busca a largo plazo posicionarse como un aliado del microempresario y ser reconocidos como una ventana para ofrecer sus servicios o productos. / Youwin is a project that seeks to help microentrepreneurs in aspects of digital marketing. For this, an integrated service is offered that covers the creation of a logo or cover, in case it does not have it, as well as the planning and execution of a draw on social networks. In addition to this, during the process recommendations are given that may help sustain this promotion strategy, as well as some tax details to take into account that allow the microentrepreneur´s business to grow. Spreading on social networks in this time of social confinement is key for small businesses, since they will no longer be able to offer their services in person as they used to do or as often as before when the quarantine ends. With recent statistical studies and own interviews, it was determined that around 50% of microenterprises do not have networks or are incipient in these. In this context, Youwin was born, which seeks in the long term to position itself as an ally of the microentrepreneur and to be recognized as a window to offer its services or BLABproducts. / Trabajo de investigación

Small business manufacturing enterprises represent viable means of creating employment, stimulating economic growth, and accelerating development. Many newly formed small business enterprises do not continue beyond 5 years after formation. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies used by small business manufacturing leaders in Lagos, Nigeria to sustain their businesses, using general systems theory as the conceptual framework. The sample comprised 3 small business leaders who have sustained their business enterprises beyond 5 years after formation in Lagos, Nigeria. The data collections were through semistructured, in-person interviews and the review of business feasibility and planning documents, handbills and contract documents. The results from computer-aided qualitative data analysis, methodological triangulation of the data sources, and Rowley's 4 step analysis led to the emergence of 10 major themes: minimizing debt and overhead expenses, proper record keeping, skills, and expertise are essential for small business success. Small business leader participants in the study achieved longer-term successes by engaging in research, strategic planning, and preparation before launching their business ideas. Applications of findings from this study might influence positive social change if future and current small business leaders' implementation of the strategies identified leads to the longer-term success of their business enterprises. Successful business enterprises provide continued employment for the business leaders and their employees, better living standards for the community by offering goods and services, and enhanced quality of life for the community because the government can now provide improved social amenities with increased tax revenues.

Zimbabwe's entrepreneur owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) comprise approximately 94% of business owners but contribute only 50% of the country's gross domestic product. Entrepreneur owners play an important role in strengthening Zimbabwe's economy because they create approximately 60% to 80% of employment opportunities. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies owners of SME in Zimbabwe use to sustain their businesses. The population consisted of 5 owners of SMEs who have successfully implemented the strategies to sustain their businesses for over 5 years. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework of the study. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and review of company financial documents. Member checking and methodological triangulation were used to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings of the study. The data analysis process was conducted using Yin's 5-phases of qualitative data analysis. Four themes emerged from data analysis, including passion and dedication, quality of products and services, customer satisfaction, and employing staff with the right skills. The results of the study could lead to positive social change for SMEs and the communities by helping owners of SME to create growth strategies, increase revenues for the country, and create long-term employment opportunities for the communities. The findings from the study could catalyze positive social change by improving workforce capabilities, creating awareness of the success of entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe, and increasing the interest of financial institutions in lending to SMEs.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management, specialising in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation Johannesburg, 2016 / The main thrust of this study was to investigate and explain the influence of human, social and financial capital on the internationalisation of SMMEs in South Africa in the context of women entrepreneurs. A cross-sectional quantitative study was employed on a sample of 135 women-owned SMMEs, by way of an online survey. This tested the association between social, human and financial capital, and the degree of internationalisation of women-owned SMMEs. This study revealed that women entrepreneurs in South Africa do not view international social ties and business networks, and financial capital availability as significant barriers to determining the degree of internationalisation. On the other hand, the study showed that women within this context believe that international education, knowledge and experience all play key roles in inducing the degree of internationalisation. The study suggests that the results may have deviated from widely accepted theories, due to emerging markets being different from developed economies, in which the majority of empirical studies have thus far been conducted. The findings strengthened the emerging, but sparsely researched second approach to the resource-based theory, which suggest that SMMEs internationalise to gain access to entrepreneurial capitals. The study further revealed that women entrepreneurs that had internationalised did so, through industries in which women are typically under-represented. Although not pervasive in literature, women entrepreneurs within South Africa were motivated to internationalise mainly due to external growth prospects and not by poor domestic demand. / MT2016