Sammanfattning   Titel: Balanserat styrkort – vad skulle det kunna tillföra verksamhetsstyrningen i små och medelstora företag?   Nivå: Kandidatuppsats   Författare: Johan Björk                     Tommy Granath   Handledare: Stig Sörling och Tomas Källquist   Datum: 2014 - Maj   Problem: Tidigare forskning tyder på att verksamhetsstyrningen i små och medelstora företag kan behöva kompletteras och att ett balanserat styrkort skulle kunna vara ett lämpligt verktyg för detta. Trots det används inte ett balanserat styrkort i någon större utsträckning i små och medelstora företag vilket medfört att flertalet forskare efterlyst mer forskning kring hur ett balanserat styrkort skulle kunna påverka verksamhetsstyrningen i små och medelstora företag.   Syfte: Syftet med studien är att belysa vad ett balanserat styrkort skulle kunna tillföra verksamhetsstyrningen i små och medelstora företag.   Metod: Studien har genomförts med en hermeneutisk forskningsansats. En kvalitativ ansats har använts där data samlats in genom fjorton semistrukturerade intervjuer med respondenter som representerar olika företag. Dessa har sedan analyserats inom ramen för tre stycken teoretiskt framarbetade teman.   Bidrag: Studien belyser att ett balanserat styrkort skulle kunna tillföra verksamhetsstyrningen i små och medelstora företag följande aspekter: helhetsbild ur fyra perspektiv, kontroll över viktiga faktorer, som verktyg för strategi implementering, komplettera budgetarbetet samt ge underlag för välgrundade beslut.   Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Vi har genom vår studie tagit fram två förslag på vidare studier: -       Det vore intressant med en studie som studerar vilka specifika karaktärsdrag ledare i små och medelstora företag anser att de karakteriseras av för att med den utgångspunkten resonera kring vad ett balanserat styrkort kan tillföra verksamhetsstyrningen i små och medelstora företag. -       Nästa studie som vore intressant är en studie som fokuserar på hur generation tre av ett balanserat styrkort skulle kunna anpassas för att stämma överens med de för små och medelstora företag specifika karaktärsdragen.   Nyckelord: SMEs, balanserat styrkort, verksamhetsstyrning, prestationsmätning / Abstract   Title: Balanced scorecard – what could it bring to management accounting in small and medium enterprises?   Level: Bachelor Thesis   Author: Johan Björk                Tommy Granath   Supervisor: Stig Sörling and Tomas Källquist   Date: 2014 - May   Problem: Previous research suggests that management accounting in small and medium enterprises need to be supplemented and that a balanced scorecard could be a appropriate tool for this. Despite this it has shown that a balanced scorecard is not used to any significant extent in small and medium enterprises. Because of this many scientists called for more research about how a balanced scorecard could affect management accounting in small and medium enterprises.   Aim: The purpose of this study is to lighten what a balanced scorecard could bring to management accounting in small and medium enterprises.   Method: This study has been based on a hermeneutic research approach. A qualitative approach was used where data was collected through fourteen semi-structured interviews with respondents who represented different companies. These were then analyzed in the context of three theoretically derived themes.   Contributions: The study lighten that a balanced scorecard could bring an overview from four perspectives, control over key factors, as a tool for strategy implementation, to supplement the budget and to provide a base for informed decisions to the management accounting of small and medium enterprises.   Suggestions for future research: Through our study we have developed two proposals for further studies: -       It would be interesting with a study which studies the key characteristics that leaders in small and medium enterprises believe they are characterized of, and with that point of view discuss what a balanced scorecard could bring to management accounting in small and medium enterprises. -       Next study that would be interesting is a study that focuses on how to adopt generation three of a balanced scorecard to conform to the key characteristics of small and medium enterprises.   Key words: SMEs, balanced scorecard, management accounting, performance measurement

Aim: The overall aim of the thesis is to describe and understand how Vietnam-based management consulting SMEs retain organizational knowledge in cases of employees’ departure and further develop strategies for knowledge retention. Methodology: Qualitative research via semi-structured interviews in 2 Vietnam-based management consulting SMEs (1 medium-sized company and 1 small company) was conducted. Findings: Knowledge retention is still a rather new concept in the Vietnamese context, interestingly, however; some knowledge retention initiatives have been unconsciously implemented by Vietnam-based management consulting SMEs. Small-sized companies, which suffer more from resource scarcity in terms of human, finance, time, tend to be less active in knowledge retention than medium-size companies. More efforts have been put in retaining tacit knowledge by management consulting SMEs in Vietnam. Among the factors influencing knowledge retention, leadership is seen to be the key factor to decide the successful implementation of knowledge retention of Vietnam-based management consulting SMEs. Vietnamese culture is also found to have indirect impacts (either positive or negative) on knowledge retention through other factors (leadership, organizational culture, personal attitudes), however the effect of national culture on knowledge retention varies from firm to firm, largely depends on SMEs’ leadership. Practical implications: Considering the important roles of leaders in the implementation of knowledge retention, training on leadership skills is highly recommended. Furthermore, trainings on interpersonal skills and personal attitudes towards knowledge retention also need attention. On top of that, it is essential to build up an organizational culture that facilitates knowledge retention and provides appropriate organizational supports (affordable IT systems that suit SMEs’ needs, extrinsic together with intrinsic rewards). Last but not least, knowledge retention activities are recommended to be integrated into daily operations to cope with the issues related to time constraints faced by management consulting SMEs.

The study at hand investigates innovation systems at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) focusing on innovation culture, organization and company goals at the early stages of innovation process. Past research studies suggest the early stages of innovation process are critical for the overall innovation ability, however, there is a lack of literature on the specifics of innovation systems at SMEs. Case studies of 3 companies provide an overview of characteristics of innovation systems at a typical SME as well as a solid basis for drawing business implications relevant for establishing or improving its innovation system. Furthermore, the findings reveal that people management at the early stages of innovation process is missing, and that a foreign subsidiary of an international SME is relevant for an effective corporate innovation process. Implications for further research on the topic are also discussed.

Bakgrund och problem: Det som står klart tidigt i problematiseringen och bakgrunden är vikten av att utveckla adekvat ekonomistyrning när organisationer växer. Med utgångspunkt i att ekonomistyrning utvecklas i takt med att företag växer problematiseras kring ämnet och hur det påverkar SMEs i stark tillväxt. Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att öka och fördjupa förståelsen för hur ekonomistyrningen utvecklas i snabbt växande företag. Syftet är därtill att identifierade kritiska händelser och faktorer som skett under tillväxtresan som gett upphov till förändringar i ekonomistyrningen. Metod: Studien är av en kvalitativ karaktär i form av en flerfallsstudie. Den primära datainsamlingen har skett med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Intervjuer har genomförts med såväl ledande befattningshavare som medarbetare för att skapa en uppfattning kring hur styrningen har utvecklats över tid i de båda fallföretagen. Slutsats: Det som karaktäriserar ekonomistyrningen i fallföretagen är dels en rad kritiska händelser som påverkat beslut och framtida utveckling av företagen. Därtill har både externa och interna effekter varit bidragande till de kritiska händelserna och utvecklingen av företagen. Avslutningsvis har företagen agerat för att anpassa ekonomistyrningen i takt med att de har haft en snabb tillväxt, ett arbete som genomgående präglats av en successiv utveckling för att möta de behov som uppstått. / Background: What is clear early in the problem discussion and background is the importance of developing adequate management accounting when organizations grow. Based on the assumption that management accounting develops as companies grow we problematize on the subject and how it affects SMEs in strong growth. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to increase and deepen the understanding of how management accounting develops in rapidly growing SMEs. The purpose is also to identify the critical events and factors that have taken place during the growth which have caused changes in their respecitive management accounting. Method: The study is of a qualitative nature in the form of a multiple-case study. The primary data collection has been made using semi-structured interviews. Interviews have been conducted with both leading people and employees to create an idea of how the management has developed over time in the two companies. Conclusion: What characterizes management accounting in the case companies is partly a series of critical events that has affected decisions and future development of the companies. In addition, both external and internal effects have contributed to the critical events and development of the companies. Finally, the companies have acted to adapt their management accounting as they have had rapid growth, a work that is consistently characterized by a gradual development to meet the needs that have arisen.

The future survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is inextricably linked to their implementation of e-commerce systems. The lack of e-commerce strategies among SME business owners has contributed to a low level of e-commerce adoption by SMEs. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that Nigerian SME business owners used to implement e-commerce systems. The population consisted of retail SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria, that have functional e-commerce systems. The conceptual framework supporting the study was dynamic capabilities framework. Data for the study were derived from semistructured interviews of 4 SME business owners/managers and documentation from the case companies. Data analysis entailed coding of the interview transcripts and analysis of documentary data to identify themes. Member checking and triangulation ensured the credibility of the study. The main themes that emerged from data analysis include service delivery strategies, dynamic marketing strategies, and learning and adaptation. The implications for social change include the potential to contribute to increased wealth creation opportunities for the business owners, their employees, and the local communities in Nigeria.

Owing to their gigantic participation in global economic growth, the phenomenon of SMEs internationalization has become the centre of attention for numerous researchers. Starting from Uppsala model (1977) to born-global approaches today, scholars have been coming up with several theories and models time to time. An in-depth study of literature concerning SMEs internationalization, however, reveals that extant literature has primarily focused on firms that are operating from metropolitan or core regions of the world. It has largely ignored the vast peripheral and non-metropolitan regions of the world from where a great number of SMEs are operating in foreign markets. Particularly increasing number of small high-tech firms with ‘low to no demand’ in domestic market coupled with higher returns available in global markets are induced to internationalize despite intimidating challenges of periphery. Consequently, internationalization phenomenon from said locations, even in face of daunting challenges that hinder SMEs growth, turns out to be an attention-grabbing area – hence worth-investigating! The purpose of this study is to investigate the phenomenon of internationalization that is being pursued by SMEs located in non-metropolitan regions that offer unique constraints and challenges. More specifically, the objective is to explore the kind of entrepreneurial skills and talent that is required to develop networking relations with key players and to eventually internationalize from a peripheral location. To carry out this research, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted informally with key individuals from five small high-tech international firms located in North region of Sweden – a non-metropolitan region. Based on the findings, a conceptual model is developed which underlines that an entrepreneur in non-metropolitan regions should: possess global mind-set, social and team formation skills, and, industry experience; develop social, business and incessant snowball networks by efficiently utilizing his social skills; understand the peripheral challenges like: lack of financial resources, scarcity of non-tech professionals, being far away from core markets, absence of agglomeration advantage and travelling time and cost; and on the same time exploit the peripheral advantages which include loyal, hardworking, less salaried and easily retained employees, and, easy life and exotic climate that exclusively prevail in non-metropolitan regions. Having possessed skills, developed networks, and exploited the opportunities, the entrepreneur is now able to build a pool of potential and strength which minimizes the effect of constraints that he has already understood . As a result he can successfully pursue internationalization from a non-metropolitan region. We believe that this study has contributed both theoretically and practically and will inspire future empirical or conceptual research regarding this important topic. / CiiR(Centre for Interorganizational Innovation Research)

This research aims to explore the borrower-specific financial constraints that prevent black youth entrepreneurs in Tshwane from accessing finance to for their own start-ups. To achieve its goal, the research seeks to explore whether there are significant differences between black youth entrepreneurs in Tshwane in terms of their personal demographics, business information and personal factors towards business. The empirical results and theoretical literature are examined to facilitate a better understanding of the borrower-specific financial constraints preventing access to finance for start-ups by youth entrepreneurs. These learnings contributed to the body of knowledge relating to entrepreneurship development in South Africa. The literature review revealed that although youth entrepreneurial activity is vital to sustained economic growth, access to finance is the challenge that negatively impacts youth entrepreneurial activity globally. More specifically, the literature indicates that borrower-specific factors to a large extent prevent youth entrepreneurs from accessing finance for their start-ups. The borrower-specific financial constraints are described. During this research, data was obtained by way of a judgment sample using a structured questionnaire consisting of 40 questions. A total of 110 useable questionnaires were returned. The findings of the study reveal that there are no significant differences for respondents in relation to factors for personal savings, business acumen and credibility differences. There are significant differences to certain factors for borrower-specific financial constraints, such as the intention to commence business start-up, gender and the educational level of respondents in relation to their attempt to access finance. Finally, significant learnings from the research are that the poor attitude of black youth towards saving are similar to youth reviewed in the literature, and the culture of South African black youth towards entrepreneurship has improved. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Acquisitions are a powerful tool to achieve growth, enter new markets, and expand capabilities. Yet research into the decision to acquire, and its implementation process, has predominantly focused on large established firms. Little is known about what a small high-growth firm requires to pursue an acquisition, what is it looking for in a target firm and when is acquisitive growth first expected to occur. The firms were not older than five years, and at a company stage at, or earlier than, series A funding round. The investigation revealed that small high-growth firms require organizational strategies, available resources and organizational systems. These types of firms are looking for targets that can provide knowledge, human resources and customer bases.  The earliest moment a small high-growth firm expects to acquire a target is in the seed round, only if the target has a low price and could bring a lot of value, otherwise the series A funding stage is when an acquisition will most likely take place. This observation opens the door to new ideas regarding how such firms may try to behave like large firms, yet are restricted in their capacity, due to a conscious lack of resources to do so.

Background:  The introduction of the EU-taxonomy for sustainable activities in 2020 aims to create a shift in investments to foster sustainable growth. It classifies an organisation as “green” or not based on a predetermined set of categories and criteria. However, not all organisations are included. Small to medium enterprises are not included, and do not need to report on their activities. However, there exist SMEs which decided to still, to the extent possible, voluntarily comply with the EU-taxonomy. This form of voluntary compliance has not been explored in the prior literature.    Purpose:  The purpose of this study is to investigate the “Why” and the “How” of SMEs voluntarily compliance with the EU-taxonomy sustainability regulation.   Method:  In order to fulfil the purpose an interpretive qualitative approach has been adopted in this study. A comparative case study is used to develop an understanding of the individual cases but also their comparative aspects through a cross analysis. The information from the cases was collected through semi-structured interviews as well as from secondary data such as annual reports.    Conclusion:  This study concludes that while there are a multitude of reasons why an SME voluntarily complies to the EU-taxonomy, such as reputation and environment. “How” an organisation voluntarily complies is highly dependent on the industry and resources of an organisation.

Bakgrund: Sponsring är en väsentlig del för företag och ett sätt för dem att nå ut till sina konsumenter genom varumärkesexponering. Genom idrottssponsring har företag därmed möjligheten att bemöta en större publik under en längre period. Det som styr kostnaden för sponsring bygger på den nivå av mediebevakning som den sponsrade enheten besitter. Problematiken bygger påen kunskapslucka där forskning inte har studerat SMEs sponsring i större utsträckning. Syfte: Syftet är att undersöka sponsring av av elitidrott, för att urskilja vilken nivå av dessa som ger SMEs största mängd exponering i förhållande till sponsringsinvesteringen. Teori: De teorier som används och presenteras är utgångspunkter och centrala begrepp inom ämnesområdet sponsring som ska bidra till att förstå och analysera materialet. Metod: Studien har formats utifrån en kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer där val av studieobjekt utgått från ett mål och kriteriestyrt urval. Slutsats: Sponsring av lägre mediebevakad elitidrott ger SMEs större mängd exponering i förhållande till sponsringsinvestering än vad högre mediebevakad elitidrott. / Background: Sponsorship is an essential part for businesses and a way for them to reach out to their consumers through brand exposure. Through sports sponsorship, companies thus have the opportunity to meet a larger audience for a longer period. What governs the cost of sponsorship is based on the level of media coverage the sponsored entity possesses. The problem is based on a knowledge gap where research has not studied SME sponsorship to agreater extent. Purpose: The aim is to investigate the sponsorship of elite sports, to discern which level of these gives SMEs the greatest amount of exposure in relation to the sponsorship investment. Theory: The theories that are used and presented are starting points and central concepts in the subject area of sponsorship that should contribute to understanding and analyzing the material. Method: The study has been designed based on a qualitative method with semi-structured interviews where the choice of study object was based on a goal and criteria-driven selection. Conclusion: Sponsorship of elite sports with lower media coverage gives SMEs greater amount of exposure in relation to sponsorship investment than elite sports with higher media coverage