This report analyzes Small and Medium Enterprises and their use as a development tool. There is evidence to suggest that Small and Medium Enterprises can create jobs and offer wage premiums to employees. Because of these development benefits, in the last ten years, there has been a substantial industry built around supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in developing countries. The report examines the theory of change surrounding Small and Medium Enterprises and then explores the three main challenges that affect their growth and success: financing, human capital, and the enabling environment. For each challenge, the report examines how it affects Small and Medium Enterprises, solutions to the challenges, and the solutions' level of impact. Ultimately, the report offers a research agenda as well as policy recommendations for Small and Medium Enterprises in international development. / text

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The objective with this research was to investigate and understand the adoption of cloud computing and to find the process of adopting cloud services. The method used to collect data was interviews. To find both the users and the providers perspective two cases were investigated, one user case and one provider case. The results were divided into two parts, the first a number of categories that were found when comparing the user case to the provider case, the second a process that describes the adoption of cloud computing. The categories in the first part of the results are; decision process, definition of cloud computing, integration and security, adoption and future development. When analyzing the results we came to the conclusion that both users and providers are striving for simplicity, security and to move the responsibility away from the user. The adoption of cloud computing is not as complex as many organizations have thought and by moving the applications and hardware out of the organization the user can focus on its core strategies.

According to the 2010 Small and Medium Enterprise White Book published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the proportion of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan is 97.9%, which indicates that the SMEs is the foundation of Taiwan¡¦s economic development. However, the financing activity of the SMEs is limited owing to the lack of financing channels and the defects of finance, operation, and structure design. Hence, through the depth interviews, the paper investigates how the SMEs could make use of the internal and external resources to negotiate with the banks when applying for the credit line. The research indicates that the SMEs should recognize the useful resources from the producing and selling chains and provide them to the banks as the sub-gages. This would make it easier for the banks to control the repayment sources or secure their rights. On the other hand, the SMEs will acquire the appropriate credit line solutions, expand the business scale and reach the goal of sustainable management.

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.

Development in infrastructure limits the communication gap, speedy travel and low cost tariff barriers as well other drivers of globalization have made overseas markets easier to get small firms and gave more opportunities to SME´s internationalize. The market entry mode choice or selections have strong effect the success or failure of the company. For instance an insufficient or wrong entry mode selection can decrease opportunities and limit important choice for the firm and could lead to high financial loss as well as lose control on overseas market. The purpose of research study is to provide a deep and better understanding of the factors those effecting SME´s selection of market entry mode. Research question how can the influence of internal and external factors on the selection of market entry mode. A frame of reference led to the building of summary which in turn became the basis for data collection. Two qualitative case studies for Pakistani SME´s namely socks knitter Pakistan and RK International were undertaken. The main findings shows the clear link between the theories claim to be internal and external factors influencing market entry mode choice between SME´s. / C/O Kamran Anjum Norrekaer 14. 7 Tv 2610 Rodovre Denmark

This study investigated Zambia's current financial inclusion state with specific reference to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It also sought to determine the relationship between the age of the owner of MSME, size, literacy, gender, age, the period of operations, asymmetrical information, and financial inclusion in Zambia. The data collected from 70 respondents comprising MSMEs owners were analysed using multiple regression, correlation analysis and descriptive statistics. The research employed dependent variables, notably access, availability, and financial services, as the dependent variable. In contrast, independent variables included the size of MSME, literacy level, income level of the owner of MSME, the period of operations and asymmetrical information. On the one hand, the empirical findings indicate a positive relationship between usage and availability of financial services, and 'MSME's age of owner, size, literacy, gender, age, operation period, asymmetrical information in Zambia. On the other hand, findings, however, also show a negative relationship between gender and financial inclusion access. Whilst a positive relationship with the remaining independent variables. Accordingly, the study concluded that financial inclusion is evident in Zambia among MSMEs. However, the primary issue is that most MSMEs do not have access to formal funding from formal financial institutions. Therefore, the study calls for policies to be put in place to help MSMEs have access to formal financing. In addition, it also proposes formalising 'women's informal sector, financial literacy roadshows for women in the informal sector, training women in digital skills to enable them to have better access to financial services and giving financial institutions targets to onboard women-led MSMEs.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Communication Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2008. / Organisational communication in today‘s organisations has not only become far more complex and varied but more important to overall organisational functioning and success also, organisations can not operate without communication, organisations involve people and people cannot interact with each other without communication. However, different styles of management have an influence or impact over people, on the way in which people co-operate and on the results of changes because change is both inevitable (unavoidable) and necessary in any business and it is important for managers and employees to hone (sharpen) their skills in change management. This study investigates the communication strategies aimed at improving the success rate of small to medium business enterprises. The first part of the study reviews literature on communication, change management, different styles of management, change implementation, importance of planning and communication, kinds of changes and managers and power. Subsequent chapters describe the construction of a survey instrument employed to measure and evaluate on the communication strategies aimed at improving the success rate of small to medium business enterprises. Penultimate chapters blend the insights gained from this literature review to interpret the results, obtained through the quantitative research methodology, to describe a set of conclusions and recommendations in the context of the communication strategies aimed at improving the success rate of small to medium business enterprises.

Globally, the social responsibility of business has become an important issue in recent years. In South Africa, it has assumed even greater significance given the enormity of the socio-economic problems besetting the country. There is an extensive body of literature pertaining to the social responsibility of large organizations, but little theoretical or empirical research has been undertaken within small and medium enterprises, notwithstanding the important role they play in the economy of a country. In cognizance of the aforementioned, this study wishes to expand the body of knowledge in respect of the social responsibility of small and medium enterprises, by examining the perceptions and behaviour of SMEs in KwaZulu-Natal regarding their social responsibility. The target population for the study was derived from the membership list of the three largest business organisations in KwaZulu-Natal, viz. the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business, and the Zululand Chamber of Business, and consisted of organisations employing no fewer than 20, and no more than 200 employees. In general, it emerged that the majority of SMEs in KZN are involved, to a large extent, in socially responsible activities related to their employees, but are minimally involved in socially responsible activities pertaining to the community and the natural environment. However, despite their low level of engagement in the latter, the majority of SMEs in KZN rated their businesses as being either successful or very successful. The most commonly cited reasons for a lack of greater involvement in CSR activities were a lack of time/manpower, and the costs/impact on profits resulting from engagement in CSR activities. The study recommends, inter alia, that the local Chambers of Business and sectoral bodies should play a more active role in fostering CSR among SMEs; that the strategies and initiatives used to foster CSR among large businesses should not be used for SMEs, and that the phrase 'small business responsibility' should be used instead of the term 'corporate social responsibility', as the latter might invoke fear and resistance on the part of SMEs. In light of the research findings, the study concludes by proposing a model/guide to assist SMEs in KZN to become (more) socially responsible. / Thesis (PhD.Comm.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

Since the democratization of South Africa, there has been a fundamental need for the creation of employment and economic growth. South African companies have, however followed international business trends through merges, acquisitions and the introduction of sophisticated technology. The result of the above policies, have significantly contributed to the counties high unemployment rate, with the current official unemployment rate of 30,5 (according to the 1996 census). Furthermore, the legacies of apartheid have left a large portion of the population to be unskilled and therefore unemployable. As a result of the above, the government has been burdened with the creation of employment, single-handedly finding innovative financing schemes for the small and medium enterprise sector, while simultaneously ensuring economic growth, despite prevailing economic conditions. In order to achieve economic growth and create employment opportunities, it is my opinion that primary focus needs to be given to the development of small and medium enterprises. In this regard emphasis should be given to the enhancement of potential and existing small and medium entrepreneurs, to enable them to become competitive forces. It has however, become common for good entrepreneurial ideas to "die as ideas" largely due to the inability of these entrepreneurs to secure adequate venture capital, to fund their ideas into successful businesses/innovations. This chronic shortfall of financial resources for SMEs is largely attributable to a financial strategy focused on larger firms with a perceived lower risk based on the belief that such firms were "to big to fail". The challenge is therefore, for government to create innovative ways to finance initiatives by existing and potential entrepreneurs, thereby stimulating economic growth and employment. It is also prudent to highlight the fact that in addition to the contribution SMEs make to a countries wealth and employment, they also serve as the primary vehicles by which new entrepreneurs provide the economy with a continuous supply of ideas, skills and innovations. Start-ups are estimated to have created 140 000 jobs in South Africa, between January 1999 and July 2002, while new firms are estimated to have created nearly one million. Furthermore, the 2002 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) places South Africa below the average rate of entrepreneurial activity when compared with 36 countries. S.A also ranks lowest of all developing countries including Chile, Brazil, India, Argentina and Thailand. These results show that SA is in the bottom quartile of all countries on measures of opportunity entrepreneurship and new firm activity - both critical gauges for economic growth potential. GEM 2002, which is an annual international research project coordinated by London Business School, found that the greatest obstacles facing entrepreneurship is a lack of/ ineffective financial support, education and training, government policies and programmes. The aim of this study is to identify innovative ways of funding small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the strategic implications of these initiatives on the South African economy. Furthermore, it is recommended that government big business and the select few wealthy individuals form strategic alliances, in order to promote the growth of this business sector, considering that the number of companies registered by the DTI has risen to 110 000 last year, of which 80 percent were small, black owned businesses. According to the National Small Business Act (1996), the small business sector absorbs nearly 44 % of the people formally employed in the private sector, and contributes to about 32.7 % to the country's gross domestic product. Given the significant increase in the number of registered enterprises since the 1994 General Elections, the sector holds further promises in order to generate economic growth and hence the need to develop and invest in this sector. Despite the existence of schemes, access to finance has been identified at the recent Job Summit as one of the problems and barriers to job creation and growth of small enterprises in South Africa. A recent media reports have highlighted the frustration of members of parliament, about the failure of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help SMEs, with the Director General, admitting that his department had not been doing enough, or visibly enough. While the DTI claims to have various loan assistance schemes in place, emerging Black entrepreneurs do not seem to have access to these facilities. A major concern is that the DTI continues to rollover massive amounts of unspent funds (from its annual budget of R2.2 million), that indicates that their target market is not being reached. Accordingly the focus in the future should be to increase the outreach of various programmes, targeting them more specifically at the SME sector. This research project therefore reviews the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at SMEs access to financial assistance in order to highlight barriers that hinder this process and recommendations to rectify the existing status quo. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2003.