Understanding how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) support their growth strategies through the development of management capacity (MC) is of fundamental importance, particularly given the central role SMEs play in the economies of their respective countries, and the fact that there is a lack of research and useful theories in this specific field. The objective of this study is to develop a framework for MC development (MCD) in growth-oriented SMEs. This study builds on grounded theory by conducting 14 interviews with key informants: 12 founders/CEOs and 2 top managers of German SMEs (and former SMEs). Data analysis was performed by using the qualitative data analysis software ATLAS.ti. The major findings of the study are that, contrary to previous SME HR research, most companies in this study had formal processes for HR practices in place, and there was clear evidence of certain forms of strategic plans, the pursuit of strategic objectives and the taking of strategic decisions manifested itself. In addition, most participants considered their organisation to have an alignment between growth strategy and MCD strategy. However, implementing it into business practice was perceived as extremely challenging. This study thus contributes to the field of SHRM literature by showing how MC is instantiated in SMEs. Furthermore, there is, arguably, a valuable practical application of the research study as it provides growth-oriented SMEs with a clear and logical framework from which to develop MC pro-actively as a major facet of their growth strategy.

In modern conditions, from the point of view of the reform of control and supervisory activities, a comprehensive assessment of the control and supervisory measures impact on the functioning of small and medium-sized businesses becomes increasingly important. The purpose of the master's thesis is to develop a methodological approach to assessing the impact of the state control and Supervisory activities on the functioning of small and medium-sized businesses. The analysis was based on the study of scientific and periodic literature, the study of existing approaches to assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of control and supervisory activities of public authorities. Scientific and methodological publications on the research topic, normative legal acts, data of official statistics on the research subject were used as sources of information. In the course of writing a master's thesis was proposed methodological approach, involving three ways to assess the control and supervisory activities’ impact of the state on business. First, it is an analysis of the dynamics of the complex economic indicator. Secondly, the statistical study of the correlation between the indicators of control and supervisory activities and the performance of small and medium-sized businesses, the dynamics of which can be determined by the activity of control and supervisory bodies. Third, a sociological study of small and medium-sized businesses in order to obtain subjective assessments of the control and supervisory activities’ impact on their functioning. As a result of testing the proposed methodological approach, objective (economic and statistical) and subjective (sociological) assessments of the impact of state control and supervision on small and medium-sized businesses were obtained. / В современных условиях с точки зрения реформы контрольно-надзорной деятельности всю большую значимость приобретает всесторонняя оценка влияния контрольно-надзорных мероприятий на функционирования субъектов малого и среднего бизнеса. Целью магистерской диссертации является разработка методического подхода к оценке влияния контрольно-надзорной деятельности государства на функционирование малого и среднего бизнеса. Анализ основывался на изучении научно-периодической литературы, изучении существующих подходов к оценки эффективности и результативности контрольно-надзорной деятельности органов государственной власти. В качестве источников информации использовались научные и методические публикации по теме исследования, нормативно-правовые акты, данные официальной статистики по тематике исследования. В ходе написания магистерской диссертации был предложен методический подход, предполагающий три способа оценки влияния контрольно-надзорной деятельности государства на бизнес. Во-первых, это анализ динамики комплексного экономического индикатора. Во-вторых, статистическое изучение корреляционной взаимосвязи показателей контрольно-надзорной деятельности и показателей функционирования малого и среднего бизнеса, динамика которых может быть детерминирована активностью контрольно-надзорных органов. В-третьих, социологическое исследование субъектов малого и среднего бизнеса с целью получения субъективных оценок влияния контрольно-надзорной деятельности на их функционирование. В результате апробации предложенного методического подхода были получены объективные (экономико-статистические) и субъективные (социологические) оценки влияния контрольно-надзорной деятельности государства на малый и средний бизнес.

Современное общество всё больше усваивает ценности постиндустриального развития, поэтому в основу принципа функционирования субъектов экономики ложится инновационное развитие, которое направлено на максимальное использование накопленного интеллектуального капитала и человеческих ресурсов в процессе создания ценности. Малые и средние предприятия в большинстве развитых стран играют ключевую роль в развитии экономики, создавая значительные количество рабочих мест и объем валового внутреннего продукта. / Modern society more and more assimilates the values of postindustrial development, therefore innovative development is based on the principle of functioning of economic entities, which is aimed at maximizing the use of accumulated intellectual capital and human resources in the process of creating value. Small and medium-sized enterprises in most developed countries play a key role in the development of the economy, creating a significant number of jobs and the volume of gross domestic product.

В работе были проанализированы основные подходы, применяемые для оценки кредитоспособности в сфере малого и среднего бизнеса, даны рекомендации по ее совершенствованию. / The paper analyzes the main approaches used to assess the creditworthiness in the sphere of small and medium-sized businesses, gives recommendations for its improvement.

Маркетинг является важнейшим направлением в деятельности любого современного предприятия. В целях совершенствования маркетинговой деятельности и повышения конкурентоспособности, предприятиям необходимо регулярно осуществлять оценку эффективности маркетинга. Целью магистерской диссертации является разработка научно-методических рекомендаций по совершенствованию оценки эффективности маркетинговой деятельности на предприятиях малого и среднего бизнеса. В работе рассматривается подходы и методы к оценке эффективности маркетинговой деятельности на предприятиях малого и среднего бизнеса. В качестве источников использовалась учебно-методическая и научно-исследовательская литература, результаты эмпирических исследований автора и данные корпоративной статистики. В магистерской диссертации был разработан алгоритм оценки эффективности маркетинговой деятельности на предприятиях малого и среднего бизнеса, который основан на интегральной оценке как финансовых, так и нефинансовых показателей эффективности маркетинговой деятельности, что позволяет выделить проблемные места и наметить зоны роста, как отдельного мероприятия, так и всей маркетинговой деятельности компании. / Marketing is the most important direction in the activities of any modern enterprise. In order to improve marketing activities and increase competitiveness, enterprises need to regularly assess the effectiveness of marketing. The aim of the master's thesis is to develop scientific and methodological recommendations to improve the assessment of the effectiveness of marketing activities at small and medium-sized businesses. The paper discusses approaches and methods to assess the effectiveness of marketing activities at small and medium-sized businesses. The sources used were educational, methodological and research literature, the results of the author's empirical research and corporate statistics. In the master's thesis, an algorithm was developed for assessing the effectiveness of marketing activities in small and medium-sized businesses, which is based on an integral assessment of both financial and non-financial indicators of the effectiveness of marketing activities, which allows you to highlight problem areas and outline growth areas, both for an individual event and for the whole marketing activities of the company.

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka och analysera rollen som artificiell intelligens (AI) spelar för tillväxten och framgången hos små och medelstora tech-företag. Syftet är att undersöka hur dessa företag effektivt kan utnyttja AI i en ständigt utvecklande miljö samt att identifiera de utmaningar och möjligheter som är förknippade med integrationen av AI. Studien strävar efter att bidra till kunskapsutveckling inom området och underlätta tillväxten inom tech-sektorn. Studien bygger på tre semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer och teori insamling. Intervjuerna gav detaljerade insikter, medan teori insamlingen kompletterade resultaten. Dessa metoder säkerställde en omfattande ansats för datainsamling. Resultaten från intervjuerna, som stöds av relevant teori, visade att AI hjälper företag att bli mer effektiva och framgångsrika. Dock identifierades vissa hot, såsom bristande förtroende för AI att fatta fullständiga beslut, oro för integritet och etik, samt informationssäkerhet. / The objective of this research is to explore and evaluate the function that artificial intelligence (AI) has in the growth and success of small and medium-sized technological enterprises. The aim is to examine how these organizations can optimize the use of AI in a continuously changing environment, and identify both the opportunities and challenges related to the integration of AI. The research intends to enrich knowledge in this domain and facilitate progress within the technology industry. It is grounded in three qualitative interviews conducted in a semi-structured format, and theory collection. The interviews provided extensive insights while the theory collection supplemented the findings, resulting in a comprehensive data collection approach. The outcomes of the interviews, supported by pertinent theories, disclosed that AI is a key factor in enhancing efficiency and success in companies. However, certain threats were identified, including a lack of trust in AI to make complete decision-making, concerns regarding privacy and ethics, and information security.

The rapid changes in the global economy have imposed high pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their operations. Many SMEs have realized how important it is to integrate all units in the business by introducing Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP systems).    The adoption decision phase in ERP systems is an early phase and is often confused with implementation, which is a major cause of failure. This confusion can especially hit hard on small and medium-sized companies that may lack sufficient resources. The adoption decision phase can be particularly crucial in such case. The purpose of this study is to investigate which driving forces that influence the adoption decision phase of ERP systems within SMEs. The Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) theoretical framework was used to create a theoretical foundation for finding drivers from previous research.   Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with six ERP consultants. Respondents' responses were analyzed thematically, and 12 themes were identified as driving forces. These could then be compared with previous research. The driving forces identified were management and decision makers, benefits and efficiency, functionality, regulations and security, competition and the future, industry type and complexity, education and competence, finance and resources, supplier and solutions, integration with existing systems, maintenance and support, and challenges and uncertainty. The driving forces that were identified but could not be linked to previous research were functionality, and challenges and uncertainty.   Keywords: Adoption decision, driving forces, Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP system), small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE).

The key to an organization's long-term success is a sustainable competitive advantage. In a global market characterized by fierce competition, organizations differentiate themselves no longer through their competitive position or technological or human resources but through knowledge. Such a decisive economic resource needs to be managed, giving rise to the theory of Knowledge Management (KM). Because knowledge is created and shared through social interactions, knowledge transfer is the most critical part of KM. Especially in tourist destinations, the diversity of stakeholders, each with unique skills and knowledge, represents great opportunities for innovation and the sustainable development of destinations but also great challenges. Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) are responsible to maintain the attractiveness of a destination by encouraging competing and complementary organizations to collaborate to exchange knowledge. Ultimately, the tourist experience and image of a destination are created interdependently by the tourism stakeholders. By conducting a case study in the destination of Kalmar, this paper aimed to explain to what extent a DMO manages inter-organizational knowledge transfer within a tourist destination. An explanatory sequence was used to gather primary data in three steps. First, a survey was conducted with local tourism stakeholders. Then, the local DMO and the university were interviewed. The data collected from 32 local tourism stakeholders suggest that tourism stakeholders, primarily SMEs, are lacking the resources to engage in knowledge transfer and overlook the value of external sources of knowledge. The findings of the interviews point to that there is a need to support tourism stakeholders with digitalization, to encourage tourism stakeholders to join a destination network and to close the knowledge gap through research produced by universities. This study contributes to gaining a broader understanding of the opportunities and challenges of inter-organizational knowledge transfer within the destination of Kalmar.

Föränderlig, ofullständig eller osäkerhet kring informationen från företagslåntagare kan skapa betydande utmaningar med kreditrisker för bankerna. På grund av detta ser banker de små och medelstora företagen (SMF) som högre risk. Tidigare forskning tyder på att följder av informationsasymmetri är att banker försvårar företagens tillgång till finansiering. Utifrån detta är syftet med denna studie att beskriva och analysera hur de svenska storbankerna hanterar kreditriskerna vid utlåning till SMF, samt vilka likheter och skillnader det finns mellan bankerna. Med användningen av en kvalitativ datainsamlingsmetod genomfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer med relevanta bankanställda på SEB, Handelsbanken och Swedbank från vilket en tydlig empiri kunde sammanställas. Detta analyserades sedan utifrån teorin om negativt urval och minskad kapitalkostnad samt signaleringsteorin.  Studien fann att de svenska storbankernas strategier för kreditriskhanteringen vid utlåning till SMF utgår från liknande delar. Detta för att både kunna identifiera, förebygga och åtgärda eller minska påverkan från kreditrisker. Skillnaderna mellan bankernas strategier i kreditriskhantering ses i hur de genomför vissa processer och vad de främst fokuserar på vid utlåningen till SMF. Dessa skillnader ses inom vilka externa källor storbankerna använder för informationsinsamling, vilka som har ansvaret för beslutet om kreditvärdighet och om banken använder standardiserade lånevillkor eller inte. / Changing, incomplete or uncertain information from corporate borrowers can create significant credit risk challenges for banks. Because of this, banks see the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as higher risk. Previous research suggests that consequences of information asymmetry are that banks make it more difficult for companies to access financing. Based on this, the purpose of this study is to describe and analyze how the major Swedish banks manage credit risks when lending to SMEs, as well as what similarities and differences exist between the banks. Using a qualitative data collection method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant bank employees at SEB, Handelsbanken and Swedbank from which a clear empirical record could be compiled. This was analyzed based on the theory of adverse selection and reduced cost of capital, as well as the signalling theory.  The study found that the major Swedish banks strategies for credit risk management when lending to SMEs are based on similar elements. This is to be able to both identify, prevent and remedy or reduce the impact from credit risks. The differences between the banks strategies in credit risk management are seen in how they carry out certain processes and what they mainly focus on when lending to SMEs. These differences are seen in which external sources the big banks are using for information gathering, who is responsible for the decision on creditworthiness and whether the bank uses standardized loan terms or not.

This study investigates how small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and other resource-lacking organisations can utilise automated machine learning (AutoML) to lessen the development hurdles associated with machine learning model development. This is achieved by comparing the performance, cost of usage, as well as usability and documentation for machine learning models developed through two AutoML frameworks: Vertex AI on Google Cloud™ and the open-source library AutoGluon, developed by Amazon Web Services. The study also presents a roadmap and a time plan that can be utilised by resource-lacking enterprises to guide the development of machine learning solutions implemented through AutoML frameworks. The results of the study show that AutoML frameworks are easy to use and capable in generating machine learning models. However, performance is not guaranteed and machine learning projects utilising AutoML frameworks still necessitates substantial development effort. Furthermore, the limiting factor in model performance is often training data quality which AutoML frameworks do not address.