This study explored the acceptance of cloud computing (CC) services by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos, Nigeria, which has been missing from CC services literature. It aimed to understand the motivations for adoption, the uses of the services, and the benefits they derive from it. The uses and gratification theory was applied as the theoretic framework for this endeavor. An online survey with close-ended and open-ended questions was distributed to 1200 randomly selected participants through email. In total, 392 valid responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and categories. The results found that SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria had a low level of awareness and appreciation of CC services. The adoption rate was also low. Unlike their counterparts in other regions, SMEs primary concerns were service downtime, stable power supply, and better internet access. The study found that SMEs were not taking full advantage of the capabilities of CC services. Some sections, however, were doing better than others, such as the information and communications sub-sector. This study suggested that targeted interventions should be conducted to raise the awareness of CC services in SMEs, and to improve their efficient and effective use of CC services. The uses and gratification theory was appropriate for guiding this study to understand the acceptance and use of CC services by SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria.

The circular economy has become one of the most crucial business plans for organizations. There is rapid progress in using digital technologies, especially two-sided digital platforms as enablers for various businesses and start-ups to grow rapidly. However, these digital platforms are facing significant obstacles and barriers in advertising their products, growing sales, and improving profitability. There is not enough scientific research and scholarly work that has been undertaken or focused on the strategies to promote the circular economy from the aspect of information systems. The purpose of this research aims to explore the major possible contributing techniques that can be implemented to enhance the utilization of digital platforms as enablers for the circular economy. In this study, qualitative exploratory research has been considered as an adequate and suitable scheme for generating a contextual understanding of the phenomenon. 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were among individuals and within several organizations that are associated with the circular economy. According to the data collected from the survey, the most visible elements that affected the decision of the participants while using the digital platform are price, quality, sustainability, and location. Based on the findings, this study makes critical recommendations to tackle the problems that hinder the development of the circular economy among individuals, companies, and organizations. The recommended themes for circular economy strategies are to increase customer satisfaction, focus on opportunities, improve trustworthiness (online reviews), set up reliable return policies, and increase stakeholder engagement

Hållbarhetsarbete har blivit allt mer viktigt för företag i dagens samhälle. Denna typ av arbete kan vara väldigt krävande för små och medelstora företag, eftersom de inte har samma resurser som stora företag. För att lyckas med hållbarhetsarbetet behöver denna omställning till hållbarhet mötas upp med ett lärande för att underlätta processen. Tidigare forskning om hur rådgivare i projekt lär sig och andra kring hållbarhet är bristfällig. Därmed blir det intressant att skapa en förståelse för hur rådgivares lärandeprocesser i ett hållbarhetsprojekt kan stärka en omställning till hållbarhet i små och medelstora företag.  När syftet uppnås skapar detta en bild över hur de kan bidra till en omställning till hållbarhet inom företagen de arbetar med. För att uppnå syftet genomfördes en kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer. Respondenterna bestod av rådgivare och andra inblandade inom projektet Konkurrenskraft 2030 (K2030) som leds av Energikontor Norr. Metodvalet möjliggjorde att skapa en djupare förståelse för hur rådgivarnas lärandeprocesser kan påverka omställningen i små och medelstora företag.   Studiens resultat visar att rådgivarna i projektet har flera olika typer av lärande och detta är centralt för denna typ av projekt. Studien visar att rådgivarna kan underlätta omställningsprocessen för små och medelstora företag (SME), men att individerna i projektet behöver vara öppen för lärande för att projektet ska vara effektiv. Studien visar att ju mer rådgivarna lärt sig under projektets gång har de enklare kunnat hantera de olika typerna av företag och därmed har utbudet till företagen blivit bättre. / Sustainability work has become increasingly more important for companies in today’s society. This type of work can be very demanding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), as they do not have the same resources as large companies. To succeed with sustainability work, the transition towards sustainability needs to be met up with learning to facilitate the process. Previous research is inadequate on how advisors in projects learn and teach others about sustainability. Therefore it becomes interesting to create an understanding of how advisors’ learning processes in a sustainability project can strengthen a transition towards sustainability in SME. When the purpose of this study is achieved it creates an understanding of how advisors can contribute to a transition toward sustainability within the companies. To achieve the purpose a qualitative method was conducted with semi-structured interviews. The respondents consisted of advisers and others involved in the project Konkurrenskraft 2030 (K2030), which is led by Energikontor Norr. The method choice made it possible to create a deeper understanding of how the advisers’ learning processes can affect the transition process towards sustainability in SMEs.  The result of the study shows that the project involves several different types of learning and that this is central to this type of project. The study shows that the advisors can facilitate the transition process in small and medium sized enterprises, but it requires that the individuals in the project need to be open towards learning in order to be effective. The study also showed that the more advisors learned during the project, the easier they could handle the different types of companies. Thus making the offer better for the companies.

This thesis paper discusses the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in the context of small and medium-sized companies. AI is a disruptive innovation currently leading a technological transition in many industries. Academic literature on its adoption in the context of SMEs is limited. This thesis aims to answer the research question "W hat are the main challenges of AI adoption in SMEs?". The authors use a qualitative research approach, interviewing 18 representatives of different Swedish organizations to answer the question. The authors identify six main challenge categories regarding AI adoption in SMEs via a coding process, which are Change Management, Education, Data, Hiring, Project Structuring, and External Help. The authors show similarities to challenges described in the existing literature on AI adoption. However, Hiring and External Help impact AI adoption in SMEs more significantly than in larger corporations, while Change Management can be easier for smaller organizations. Furthermore, a framework that helps to prioritize the above challenges is introduced. In comparison with literature on the adoption of other (non-AI) IT innovations in SMEs, some challenges are more salient to AI: the unclear definition of the term, false expectations as a result of the AI Hype, the uncertainty of project outcome, and the prerequisite of a previous digitalization process. The authors recommend further research in other contexts. / I denna avhandling diskuteras införandet av artificiell intelligens (AI) teknik i små och medelstora företag. AI är en disruptiv innovation som för närvarande leder en teknisk övergång i många branscher. Den akademiska litteraturen kring dess användning i små och medelstora företag är begränsad. Denna avhandling syftar till att besvara forskningsfrågan "Vilka är de största utmaningarna med att införa AI i små och medelstora företag?". Författarna använder en kvalitativ forskningsansats och intervjuar 18 representanter från olika svenska organisationer för att besvara frågan. Författarna identifierar sex huvudsakliga utmaningar områden avseende AI-adoption i små och medelstora företag via en kodningsprocess: förändringshantering, utbildning, data, anställning, projekt strukturering och extern hjälp. Författarna visar på likheter med de utmaningar som beskrivs i den befintliga litteraturen om AI-användning. Anställning och extern hjälp påverkar dock AI-användningen i små och medelstora företag mer påtagligt än i större företag, medan förändringshantering kan vara lättare för mindre organisationer. Vidare introduceras ett ramverk som hjälper till att prioritera ovanstående utmaningar. I jämförelse med litteratur om antagandet av andra (icke-AI) IT-innovationer i små och medelstora företag är vissa utmaningar mer framträdande när det gäller AI: den oklara definitionen av begreppet, falska förväntningar som ett resultat av AI-hypen, osäkerheten från projektresultatet och förutsättningen av tidigare digitaliseringsprocess. Författarna rekommenderar ytterligare forskning i andra sammanhang.

[ES] Esta investigación mantiene como hipótesis la necesidad de establecer la figura del diseñador como un agente articulador dentro de la empresa capaz de crear pequeñas y grandes innovaciones en toda etapa del proceso empresarial, para facilitar la interacción entre el cliente/usuario y los productos/servicios. Para ello, este estudio busca consolidar el Diseño como motor de la innovación para pequeñas y medianas empresas en Chile a través de una investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa. Esta noción se apoya en un marco teórico que valida la innovación como la base del crecimiento económico de los emprendimientos. Sin embargo, para llegar a la innovación, es necesario hacer uso del Diseño como herramienta empresarial por sobre una asistencia estética y comunicacional. Con esto en mente, esta investigación presenta una puesta en escena de los elementos que componen el entorno de las actividades de producción, la sociedad y la economía del conocimiento global, y el ecosistema del emprendedor, específicamente, en Chile. También se esclarecen los conceptos del desarrollo sostenible, la innovación, el Diseño y las políticas de fomento del Diseño en Chile. Luego, se realiza un estudio sobre el emprendedurismo en Chile, enfocado en pequeñas y medianas empresas que participan en tres Centros de Desarrollo de Negocios del Servicio de Cooperación Técnica (SERCOTEC), de tres comunas representativas de tres niveles socioeconómicos del país (Estación Central, La Florida, y Ñuñoa), en la ciudad capital de Santiago; el Fondo de Solidaridad e Inversión Social (FOSIS); la Asociación de Emprendedores de Chile (ASECH); y, el Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología, Conocimiento e Innovación (MinCiencia), a través de entrevistas a los directores de cada institución y encuestas a emprendedores de los Centros de Desarrollo de Negocios. Los resultados principales de este estudio se dividieron en categorías: perfil del emprendedor, urgencias del emprendimiento, la función del diseño y ecosistema del emprendimiento e innovación. Estas categorías descubrieron que la figura del diseñador suele estar limitada a funciones básicas de estética y comunicación y se conoce muy poco sobre los beneficios empresariales del Diseño. Por ello, es crucial educar y difundir conocimiento en torno al rol del diseñador y su función desde la gestión empresarial del Diseño que lo sitúa más allá del orden creativo en el área formal y artística en una posición estrechamente vinculada al área de la economía. / [CA] This investigation maintains the need to establish the figure of the designer as an articulating agent within in businesses, capable of creating small and large innovations at all stages of the entrepreneurial process, to facilitate the interaction between the client/user and the products/services. To this end, this study seeks to consolidate Design as a driver of innovation for small and medium-sized businesses in Chile through qualitative and quantitative research. This notion is supported by a theoretical framework that validates innovation as the basis for the economic growth of entrepreneurship. However, in order to achieve innovation, it is necessary to make use of Design as a business tool over an aesthetic and communicational assistance. With this in mind, this research presents the current state of the elements that make up the environment of production activities, society and the global knowledge economy, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Chile. It also clarifies the concepts of sustainable development, innovation, design, and design promotion policies in Chile. A study on entrepreneurship in Chile is conducted, focusing on small and medium businesses that participate in three Centers for Business Development (Centros de Desarrollo de Negocios) of the Technical Cooperation Service (Servicio de Cooperación Técnica) of three communes that characterize three distinct socioeconomical levels of the country (Estación Central, La Florida and Ñuñoa), in the capital city of Santiago; the Solidarity and Social Investment Fund (Fondo de Solidaridad e Inversión Social), the Association of Entrepreneurs in Chile; and, the Ministry of Science, Knowledge, Technology and Innovation, through interviews with the directors of each institution and forms to entrepreneurs of the Centers for Business Development. The main results of this study were divided into categories: entrepreneur profile, entrepreneurship urgencies, the role of design, and entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. These categories found that the figure of the designer is often limited to basic aesthetic and communication functions and very little is known about the business benefits of Design. Therefore, it is crucial to educate and disseminate knowledge on the role of the designer and its function of Design in business management that places him or her beyond the creative role in a formal and artistic area and into position closely linked to the area of economics. / [EN] Aquesta investigació manté com a hipòtesi la necessitat d'establir la figura del dissenyador com un agent articulador dins de l'empresa capaç de crear petites i grans innovacions en tota etapa del procés empresarial, per a facilitar la interacció entre el client/usuari i els productes/serveis. Per a això, aquest estudi busca consolidar el Disseny com a motor de la innovació per a petites i mitjanes empreses a Xile a través d'una investigació qualitativa i quantitativa. Aquesta noció es recolza en un marc teòric que valguda la innovació com la base del creixement econòmic de les emprenedories. No obstant això, per a arribar a la innovació, és necessari fer ús del Disseny com a eina empresarial per sobre una assistència estètica i comunicacional. Amb això en ment, aquesta investigació presenta una posada en escena dels elements que componen l'entorn de les activitats de producció, la societat i l'economia del coneixement global, i l'ecosistema de l'emprenedor, específicament, a Xile. També s'esclareixen els conceptes del desenvolupament sostenible, la innovació, el Disseny i les polítiques de foment del Disseny a Xile. Després, es realitza un estudi sobre l'emprenedoria a Xile, enfocat en petites i mitjanes empreses que participen en tres Centres de Desenvolupament de Negocis del Servei de Cooperació Tècnica (SERCOTEC), de tres comunes representatives de tres nivells socioeconòmics del país (Estació Central, La Florida, i Ñuñoa), a la ciutat capital de Santiago; el Fons de Solidaritat i Inversió Social (FOSIS); l'Associació d'Emprenedors de Xile (ASECH); i, el Ministeri de Ciència, Tecnologia, Coneixement i Innovació (MinCiencia), a través d'entrevistes als directors de cada institució i enquestes a emprenedors dels Centres de Desenvolupament de Negocis. Els resultats principals d'aquest estudi es van dividir en categories: perfil de l'emprenedor, urgències de l'emprenedoria, la funció del disseny i ecosistema de l'emprenedoria i innovació. Aquestes categories van descobrir que la figura del dissenyador sol estar limitada a funcions bàsiques d'estètica i comunicació i es coneix molt poc sobre els beneficis empresarials del Disseny. Per això, és crucial educar i difondre coneixement entorn del rol del dissenyador i la seua funció des de la gestió empresarial del Disseny que el situa més enllà de l'ordre creatiu en l'àrea formal i artística en una posició estretament vinculada a l'àrea de l'economia. / Moreno Muñoz, C. (2022). El diseño como motor de innovación e infraestructura para pequeñas y medianas empresas en Chile [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/182166

Forskningsfråga: Hur hanterar och utvecklar entreprenörer sina förmågor och kompetenser för tillväxt i svenska SME-företag, och vilka utmaningar står de inför i processen med kompetensutveckling? Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva och analysera fenomenet kompetensutveckling i tillväxt- och förändringsprocesser i svenska SME företag. Detta genom att undersöka hur entreprenörer, hanterar samt utvecklar sina förmågor, kompetenser och eventuella utmaningar (vid) vid företagets tillväxt.   Metod: Studien har utgått från ett abduktivt orienterat tillvägagångssätt med fokus på att kombinera förkunskaper med relevanta teorier. Med det abduktiva förhållningssättet kom den kvalitativa metoden naturligt. Data samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer och observationer för att förbättra resultatens tillförlitlighet. En systematisk analysmetod användes utifrån identifierade nyckelteman och färgkodad data baserat på dessa teman. Slutsats: Studien undersöker hur entreprenörer i svenska SME-företag hanterar och utvecklar sina och företagets kompetenser för att åstadkomma tillväxt, samt vilka utmaningar de möter i denna process. Resultaten visar att deltagande iaffärsutvecklingsprogram såsom Tillväxtmotorn är en gemensam strategi för att förbättra färdigheter och möta marknadens krav. Entreprenörerna balanserar ofta resursbegränsningar och strategiska frågor med affärsmiljöns krav. Utmaningar inkluderar att integrera kompetensutveckling utan höga kostnader och att hålla sig ajour med teknikutvecklingen. För att lyckas krävs en djup förståelse för branschtrender och en dynamisk företagskultur. Studien betonar vikten av kontinuerlig kompetensutveckling och nätverkande för att främja långsiktig framgång och tillväxt i SME-företag. Begränsningarna i studien inkluderar ett begränsat antal respondenter och specifika kontexten för svenska SME-företag, vilken framtida forskning kan vidare utforska genom bredare studier och jämförelser mellan olika länder och regioner. / Research question: How do entrepreneurs manage and develop their abilities and competences for growth in Swedish SMEs, and what challenges do they face in the process of competence development? Purpose: The purpose of the study is to describe and analyze the phenomenon of competence development in growth and change processes in Swedish SME companies. This by examining how entrepreneurs manage and develop their abilities, competences and possible challenges during growth. Methods: The study has started from an abductively oriented approach with a focus on combining prior knowledge with relevant theories. With the abductive approach, the qualitative method came naturally. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations to improve the reliability of the results. A systematic analysis method was used based on identified key persons and color-coded based on these themes. Conclusion: The study investigates how entrepreneurs in Swedish SMEs manage and develop their own and their companies' competencies for growth, as well as the challenges they face in this process. The results show that participating in development programs like Tillväxtmotorn is a common strategy for improving competences andmeeting market demands. Entrepreneurs often balance resource constraints and strategic issues with the demandsof the business environment. Challenges include integrating competency development without high costs andkeeping up with technological advancements. Success requires a deep understanding of industry trends and a dynamic company culture. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous competence development andnetworking to promote long-term success and growth in SMEs. The study's limitations include a small number orrespondents and the specific context of Swedish SMEs, which future research can further explore through broaderstudies and comparisons between different countries and regions.

While it is acknowledged that CI is important to SMEs, it is not being practiced optimally in SMEs. The study of CI in SMEs has not been as well documented as it has been in larger enterprises. Moreover, there is no evidence of CI awareness and practices in SMEs. The purposes of this study are to, establish the level and extent of awareness and practices of CI in SMEs, identify the challenges SMEs face in implementing CI, and equip SMEs for decision making in order to help SMEs to gain competitive advantage in a turbulent global market and to enhance their economic growth. This research indicates that SMEs are aware of CI. It also indicates that while SMEs practice CI, they do so informally. It also shows that CI provides competitive advantage to SMEs. / Business Management / M.Comm. (Business Management)

This study was undertaken to investigate the motivation, intention, self-efficacy, culture, business support,entrepreneurial orientation and business performance of South African and immigrant entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Gauteng province. The performance of the SMEs was investigated, and the reasons and gaps that have led to the assumed low competitive ranking and poor performance of South African entrepreneurs compared to immigrant entrepreneurs were analysed. A structured research instrument (questionnaire) was used to collect data through interviews and a self-administered survey. A total of 466 questionnaires out of 500 questionnaires that had been distributed to respondents by six fieldworkers were returned (93.2%) for analysis.A number of hypotheses were postulated to address the study aims and the collected data were analysed to answer the hypotheses. The results of the study showed a significant correlation between motivation and business performance (a motivated entrepreneur is more likely to succeed in business than an unmotivated entrepreneur) and a significant positive correlation between culture and motivation to start a business (a culture that is supportive of entrepreneurial activities, lowuncertainty avoidance, high individualism and lowpower distance relates positively to a high level of entrepreneurial self-efficacy).The results also showed a significant difference between the mean values of business performance and the education of the owner. It is suggested that the government creates a favourable climate to allow entrepreneurs to release their potential. The government can help by making complex legislation easier for start-ups and reducing the tax burden on new entrepreneurs. / Business Management / D. Comm. (Business Management)

Digital competence used to be a confusing concept, until recently when some researchers coined a comprehensive definition of digital competence and formulated a conceptual framework in an SME context. However, the framework was only at a conceptual level and required to be tested with the empirics of a qualitative or quantitative study. By an abductive qualitative approach, this research explored existing theories on digital competence and formulated a new digital competence framework in Swedish manufacturing SME perspective. Moreover, with cross-sectional study design, this research explored the role of digital competence in the internationalization process of six Swedish manufacturing firms, which is unprecedented in academic literature. Our findings indicate that digital competence is an evolving concept which develops gradually with technological advancements and requires a combination of three integral components: i) Digital technologies (basic and advanced level digitalization), ii) Automation of organizational processes, iii) Human resources who have the latest digital skills and are duly motivated to use these skills. This research affirms that after attaining digital competence Swedish manufacturing SMEs can sustain a competitive advantage in their international markets and it successfully facilitates in the firm’s internationalization process. / Digital kompetens brukade vara ett förvirrande koncept fram till nyligen när vissa forskare utarbetade en omfattande definition av digital kompetens och formulerade en konceptuell ram i ett små och medelstora sammanhang. Ramverket var dock endast på en konceptuell nivå och krävdes att testas med empiriken i en kvalitativ eller kvantitativ studie. Genom ett abduktivt kvalitativt tillvägagångssätt undersökte denna forskning befintliga teorier om digital kompetens och formulerade en ny digital kompetensram inom svenskt tillverkningspolitiskt perspektiv. Vidare undersökte denna undersökning rollen som digital kompetens i internationaliseringsprocessen av sex svenska tillverkningsföretag, vilket är enastående i den akademiska litteraturen. Våra resultat tyder på att digital kompetens är ett utvecklande koncept som utvecklas gradvis med tekniska framsteg och kräver en kombination av tre integrerade komponenter: i) Digital teknik (grundläggande och avancerad digitalisering), ii) Automatisering av organisationsprocesser, iii) Personal som har de senaste digitala färdigheterna och är vederbörligen motiverade att använda dessa färdigheter. Den här forskningen bekräftar att svenska tillverkare små och medelstora företag efter att ha uppnått digital kompetens kan upprätthålla en konkurrensfördel på sina internationella marknader och framgångsrikt underlättar företagets internationaliseringsprocess.

A new model was developed to enhance the understanding of the full context of work associated hazards, to explore the connection between OHS performance and a systematic approach to safety, and to simplify approaches to OHS management. This Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems model was derived from the literature and used as the basis for the development of a framework, consisting of 60 elements which was transformed into an assessment tool. This assessment tool was trialled with a pilot study on a medium sized manufacturing plant in the plastics industry, and the tool and Preliminary Report peer reviewed by an expert panel using the Nominal Group Technique. After refinements were made to the assessment tool it was applied to eight case studies that were drawn from advertisements. This qualitative study consisted of two parts: firstly the assessment using the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework; and secondly a controlled self assessment exercise to target improvements to three of the elements over a period of four months. The study illustrated that the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework could be successfully applied in a range of industries to promote OHS improvements and to provide a systematic, planned approach to fulfilling OHS responsibilities. The application of this framework highlighted that: there is a need for further education on the correct application of the risk assessment process and the responsibilities owed to contractors; techniques such as dynamic risk assessments are more suitable where the place of work is variable and hazards are unpredictable; more focus is needed on the appropriate management of hazardous substances with long term health consequences; and that the level of formality invoked for treating hazards does not necessarily equate to improved risk reduction outcomes. The Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework was found to be applicable to small, medium and large organisations provided the assessment was scoped to a small division of relatively homogeneous activity to ensure a more representative hazard profile. This approach has provided a way forward to simplify OHS management and also offers practical direction for implementing a targeted OHS improvement program.