The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.

Taiwanese small and medium enterprises always hold an important role in leading the Taiwanese economic to develop in globalization, creating many job opportunities in the country as the foundation for the social and political stability. But by the trend of worldwide business merging and expanding enterprises scale, small and medium enterprises in Taiwan have to face challenges of upgrading and changing the type of business. To be able to survive and grow, Taiwanese small and medium enterprises must modify their structure, improve technology, conduct automation, even to invest in less developing countries or lower-wage countries such as China and other countries in the region. Since 1988, Vietnam has become a strongly attracting investment destination to Taiwanese small and medium enterprises. Taiwan always leads in the top 3 investors in fields of number of investment projects as well as total investment capital. So the question is why so many Taiwanese enterprises choose Vietnam as an investing destination but not other countries in the Southeast Asian region? Questions such as what advantages and strengths in the Vietnamese investment environment are, what conveniences that they bring to Taiwan businesses, etc ... has become the most attractive themes in Taiwanese corps. This study used case-studied approach, combining direct observation methods to conduct data collection then analyzed to understand the motivation for investment in Vietnamese, investment state and competitive advantages of Taiwanese small and medium enterprises in Vietnam.

Since the early 1980, the economic development of Taiwan has mainly relied on the small and medium-sized businesses that steadily play the important roles in leading the development of globalization of Taiwan industries. However, under the trend of mergers and acquisitions between businesses and grandization of the enterprises, the operation of the small and medium-sized businesses has faced a tough challenge and competition from foreign businesses, especially the traditional metal processing industry, which forces the small and medium-sized businesses have to upgrade and transform themselves. Currently China has already become the global manufacturing plant and the international investment center in Asia. In 2002, Taiwan and China joined WTO at the same time; Taiwan metal processing manufacturing industry faces the serious cost competition from China and pincer attack of American-European brand advantage in global markets. Under this difficult situation, it is very important for Taiwan traditional manufacturing industries to find out the better way to survive in the competitive environment. For example, the metal processing manufacturers in Taiwan are facing tough competitions from foreign businesses in a bidding war for opportunity to do business in China. Is it important for Taiwan's economy that the small and medium-sized businesses can compete against those foreign competitors? The Taiwanese small and medium-sized companies must join force and work together to compete and stay competitive in global industries. Under the new structure of WTO and the agitation for industry globalization, it is important for Taiwan's metal processing industry to do research and come up with a solution to be more competitive in the international market so as to grasp its own transnational competition advantage. The relevant research institutes in Taiwan should make this issue a top priority since Taiwan resources are very limited compared to other countries like Europe, the United States and Japan. They must work together in all aspects of business and share with each other their resources and knowledge to stay competitive in the current situation. This research adopts the theoretical foundation approach and real cases study. Aiming to Taiwan's metal processing industry, I invited two top managers for the metal processing companies in south Taiwan to have deep discussion on the problems they have been facing. Through the interviews with the two managers, I learn their business plans on transnational investments, experiences in tactics planning and transnational management¡Ketc., by which this research will focus on the study of the advantage of transnational investment that would become the core target for the small and medium-sized businesses to create synergy. The points of the main theme include institutional framework, financing, industry development, technological innovation, and competition between China and foreign countries on the study and judgment upon advantage tactics, such as shutting and strategic alliance. Under the changeable situation that several new developing markets are open, and that the newly-developed countries join the global competition, this research consults the transnational enterprises about their overall arrangement of investment and experiences of management to make Taiwan numerous traditional industries and the small and medium-sized business have macroscopically global vision of management tactics. The forming of the market regional economy and trade competition directly influences the future fortune of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises in Taiwan. Taiwan small and medium-sized businesses must gradually adjust themselves to globalization trend and make corresponding strategies for it while Mainland China is positively expanding international trade and improving technology and quality through national economy projects.

In recent years, Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Fund(SMEG) has been actively promoting organization restructuring, boosted its business unceasingly, and impelled each innovation guarantee service actively, in order to display the best benefit. This paper combines C. J. Kuo.¡]2003¡^market-based risk neutral model with actuarial valuation principles, using above observable rate discrepancy¡]i.e. one for that guaranteed by SMEG, and the other for non-guaranteed portion¡^to evaluate the credit risk SMEG assumed from guaranteed schemes, then derives the optimal guaranty fees model. The major research finding shows fixed as follows conclusion: 1.The real prepayment in subrogation is close to the total guaranty fees estimated by proposed model. 2.Applying this model can help that the credit risk degree SMEG takes reacts to the guarantee premium, and that SMEG control risk balance revenue and expenditure. This indicates that the model can reflect market information, and thus is easily applicable and referable by SMEG to establish the structure of guaranty fees as well as to reach an integrated risk management.

This study has the objective of arguing the fact that the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) lending is developing, relevant to the evolution of the business environment and banking sector, during the period between 2001 &amp / #8211 / 2006 years. The thesis is testing this claim on two data sets. First / the financial data of CBRT during the period of 2001 - 2006 is evaluated. Then, the SME data of a Bank is evaluated. The thesis also covers the arguments on SME definition, the literature survey for SME development policies, SME lending infrastructure, the banking sector, as the main source of finance for SME, and the SME profile of Turkey. The thesis concludes on two things: The share of SMEs in the total credit volume is rising during the period between 2001 &amp / #8211 / 2006 years. And the share of medium-term credits is rising, while the short-term credits&amp / #8217 / is decreasing. In addition to these, the study criticizes the recent SME definition of KOSGEB.

This research is about how ERP system affects the strategy of a company. The paper use strategy matrix as a measurement tool for the changes of strategy changes. We use resource-base view as the base of theory. In this case study, we can learn how small and medium enterprises use information technology for better preference. The implementation of ERP system will changes the allocation of resources and ability of the company. In this process, it will also changes strategy of the company. The implementation also affects value chain for the company; the company, which instills such a system, must evaluate those changes before the implementation. With the data collected from the case, we have some findings about the relation between the implementation of ERP system and strategy of a company. First, ERP system can provide the company an intergraded platform for all it¡¦s business. Second, the implementation of ERP system will help company relocate it¡¦s activities. Third, ERP system will also changes the relations between companies. At least, ERP system will help company accumulate different resources and develop new ability for new strategy. We suggest company which want to instill such system must well planning their relation between other companies and effects of organization changes.

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Current theoretical frameworks for assessing policy implementation have been developed almost exclusively in the context of market-based, pluralist democracies. The lack of applicable implementation theory outside this ‘western’ setting inspired this research to investigate policy processes in more diverse contexts. This research thus applied existing implementation theory to the post-Soviet sphere, utilising current frameworks to test conditions in a post-communist context. This policy lens approach was applied through two in-depth case study policies within the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, in order to improve practical understanding of the ongoing transitional complexities in the region. The choice of SMEs as policy targets shed particular light on the development of the middle class, which in turn contributed insights regarding post-Soviet nations’ continued transition towards more liberal democracies. This research examined implementation effectiveness through fieldwork conducted in Ukraine (2012), using an amalgamated list of criteria for ‘perfect’ policy implementation as a theoretical framework (Allison & Halperin, 1972; Gunn, 1978; Mazmanian & Sabatier, 1983). Empirical data was collected through both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews (141), surveys (178) and primary source collection. Data was analysed through a combined approach of interview coding, process-tracing and cross-tabulation. Findings confirmed that incorporating certain socio-economic features, specific to a post-Soviet environment, into existing implementation models resulted in a more accurate picture of actual policy processes. Research conclusions thus included a new theoretical model for assessing policy implementation effectiveness in the region (Fischer-Smith Policy Implementation Measurement for Post-Soviet States). For theoreticians, this research may inform structural considerations when conducting policy research outside of a pluralist democracy. For practitioners, it may allow for better identification of implementation obstacles, in order to more effectively target mitigation efforts. Ultimately, the new considerations presented in this thesis may inform the wider field of policy implementation studies, both in transition regions and developing nations, as well as in the western pluralist societies where implementation theory originated.

Micro-finance institutions are leading a revolution in the financial sector, particularly in banking. This provides a renewed focus on the way financial credit is provided to the marginalised society of the developing countries. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, small and medium enterprises constitute almost 80% of the entrepreneurial population. There is therefore, considerable urgency to advance the performance and competitiveness of these small and medium enterprises. The aim of this study is to establish the effect of micro-finance institutions, on the performance of small and medium enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Literature reviewed for this study provided insights into the effects of micro-finance institutions on the performance of small and medium enterprises that accessed micro-loans. This study comprises of 77 small and medium entrepreneurs that participated in the empirical research. The performance of small and medium enterprises was assessed through the use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of statements on socio-demographics, the functioning of micro-finance institutions and the performance of small and medium enterprises. The study revealed that the largest group of respondents were male entrepreneurs, married, in the age group category of 30 to 50 years, have a household size of 1 to 5 people and have 1 to 5 years of experience in business. Entrepreneurs mostly utilized financial services such as saving accounts, money transfers and training and technology. Furthermore consulting services in the areas of leadership finance and operations were mainly received from micro-finance institutions. The study revealed that micro-finance institutions principally play the role of facilitator of growth, tool for social change, provider of banking systems and instrument for empowerment to SMEs. The two sources of financing utilized mostly by small and medium enterprises were loans from micro-finance institutions and from commercial banks. The borrowed finance was used principally to start a new business, expand an existing business and for working capital. The amounts of money borrowed from micro- loans were as follow: 5 000,00 (US $) or less, between 6 000 and 10 000,00 (US $) and 11 000,00 to 15 000, 00 (US $) The interest rates paid were from 11% to 20%, 21% to 30% and 51% and above. The collateral provided was in the form of physical assets such as a car or a house. The results of the mean score factor indicated that on average, responses for questions 14 to 19 were above 2.5 on the scale of 1 to 4. The mean score above 2.5 was the indication that respondents agreed to a larger extend to these statements. This leads to the conclusion that overall, the effect of micro-finance institutions on the performance small and medium enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo was positive, as proved by the mean score factor. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Os administradores de pequenas e médias empresas (PME) buscam práticas de desenvolvimento de produtos e conhecimento que auxilie a permanência delas e o crescimento no mercado. Uma forma de incorporar práticas consagradas é através da sistematização do Processo de Desenvolvimento de Produto (PDP). A representação desse processo pode ser realizada por meio de modelos referenciais os quais incluem atividades, ferramentas, conceitos e melhores práticas. Apesar disso, no que se refere à estruturação do PDP, de um modo geral, as empresas não incorporaram facilmente essas práticas à sua realidade. Em decorrência desse fato, há a necessidade de um modelo de transição entre a prática atual e aquelas propostas pelos modelos de referência disponíveis na literatura. No caso das empresas do setor farmacêutico, essa realidade não é diferente. A maioria das empresas, principalmente pequenas e médias, não considera fácil a tarefa de entendimento e implantação de um modelo referencial para o PDP. Contribuindo com a resolução dessa problemática, esse trabalho objetiva a elaboração de uma proposta de intervenção em empresas farmacêuticas de pequeno e médio porte. Essa proposta apresenta etapas para guiar a implantação de um modelo referencial adaptado ao setor e à empresa. Para tal, a proposta desse trabalho incorporou as melhores práticas de intervenção encontradas na literatura, como aspectos concernentes à engenharia do método e ao PDP. Foram analisados o ambiente de aplicação dos mesmos, o contexto do setor farmacêutico brasileiro e a estrutura organizacional das empresas de pequeno e médio porte, através de revisão bibliográfica e estudos de caso. Um modelo preliminar de intervenção foi elaborado considerando esses aspectos e guiado pelas teorias de gestão da mudança e engenharia do método. O modelo foi aprimorado através da sua aplicação em uma empresa, através de pesquisa-ação. O modelo de intervenção resultante desse trabalho contempla as características de PME do setor para auxiliar como guia para a melhoria dos processos de desenvolvimento de produtos e apresenta os princípios norteadores do processo de intervenção contemplando ferramentas que podem ser utilizadas para a realização do mesmo, além dos passos e etapas a serem seguidas. / The small and medium enterprises (SME) managers search for best practices and knowledges that help growing on the competitive world. The product development process (PDP), systematization and organization importance are largely diffused. The reference models are the PDP representation and include activities, tools, concepts and best practices. Nevertheless, the corporations do not easily incorporate those practices on their routine to improve their PDP. Then, a transition model from the real practice to the proposed literature reference model is needed. The pharmaceutical companies’ reality is not different. The enterprise’s managers, especially small and medium ones, do not consider easy to understand and implement the reference models. This research considered the theory of Method Engineering dominium applied to the Organizational Engineering dominium to compose an Intervention Model for the Pharmaceutical SME’s PDP. The model incorporated the intervention’s best practices found in the literature. The method and PDP dominium was discussed. The review of Brazilian Small and Medium Pharmaceutical Industry and their enterprise’s organizational structure characterizes the environment of intervention. Case studies performed at a company with typical characteristics of the studied group complemented the information of literature review. Useful tools and practices for the Pharmaceutical PDP and Intervention were identified from literature. The consideration of Change Management and Method Engineering theory led to the elaboration of the Preliminary Intervention Model. This model was evaluated by its application in a medium-sized pharmaceutical organization by action-research. The researcher’s observation supported the model improvement. This improvement generated the Intervention Model. The Intervention Model considers the pharmaceutical small and medium enterprises characteristics and can guide to the Pharmaceutical PDP improvement. The Model presents the processes, practices, principles and tools for the intervention process.