Zimbabwe's entrepreneur owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) comprise approximately 94% of business owners but contribute only 50% of the country's gross domestic product. Entrepreneur owners play an important role in strengthening Zimbabwe's economy because they create approximately 60% to 80% of employment opportunities. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies owners of SME in Zimbabwe use to sustain their businesses. The population consisted of 5 owners of SMEs who have successfully implemented the strategies to sustain their businesses for over 5 years. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework of the study. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and review of company financial documents. Member checking and methodological triangulation were used to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings of the study. The data analysis process was conducted using Yin's 5-phases of qualitative data analysis. Four themes emerged from data analysis, including passion and dedication, quality of products and services, customer satisfaction, and employing staff with the right skills. The results of the study could lead to positive social change for SMEs and the communities by helping owners of SME to create growth strategies, increase revenues for the country, and create long-term employment opportunities for the communities. The findings from the study could catalyze positive social change by improving workforce capabilities, creating awareness of the success of entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe, and increasing the interest of financial institutions in lending to SMEs.

About 70% of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies fail because the strategies employed do not integrate all the critical success elements, leaving SMEs without the needed capital to take advantage of strategic and market opportunities. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the M&A strategies SME owners in Ghana employed to raise capital. Seth's value creation theory was the conceptual framework adopted for this study. The population consisted of 5 SME owners in Ghana who had successfully raised financial resources through inbound M&As within the past 10 years. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of corporate annual reports and M&A documents. The data were organized and analyzed using Yin's 5-step data analysis and cross-case synthesis techniques to identify patterns and emergent themes. The 6 themes that emerged from the analysis were value creation, control and autonomy, entrepreneurial quality, leadership, trustworthiness, and effective negotiation. SME owners can integrate entrepreneurial quality and effective negotiations to achieve successful closure of M&A deals. The findings of this study might facilitate SME access to capital for expansion and growth that will contribute to positive social change through job creation and increased youth employment in emerging economies.

Purpose: This master thesis aims to investigate the SMEs' perceptions about digitalization and sustainability of the firm and distinguish the factors that affect them. Furthermore, it illustrates how the SMEs’ digitalization process is linked to their sustainability.  Theoretical approach: This master thesis is based on the previous research and literature on SMEs’ digitalization and sustainability of the firm. Additionally, it proposed a conceptual model that links SMEs' digitalization process to their sustainability. Methodology: This research followed the qualitative method in which the data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with eight SMEs. These SMEs are located in Sweden, France, and Iran. However, the responses were analyzed based on the secondary analysis method. Findings: The study's findings demonstrate that digitalization affects an SME's sustainability through growth, competitiveness advantages, value creation, internal efficiency, and saving costs. Regardless of where SMEs are located, they mostly have the same perception of digitalization and insufficient knowledge about the firm's sustainability, and mainly the same factors affect their digitalization process and sustainability. Practical implications: The results of this study could provide a perspective on adopting the new technology by SMEs. It could inspire SMEs to increase their digitalization capability by adopting new technologies to ensure long-term sustainability in their organizations. It also sheds light on confusing the firm’s sustainability with SDGs, which SMEs must investigate. Originality/Value: This study adds to the digitalization and sustainability of the firm literature by investigating SMEs' perceptions about digitalization and firm’s sustainability, factors that influence the digitalization and sustainability process of the SMEs and examining how SMEs' digitalization processes are linked to their sustainability

Climate change presents a significant global challenge, affecting various aspects such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and altered precipitation patterns. Climate adaptation and climate mitigation are two fundamental strategies for addressing climate change. While mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation involves adjusting to climatic changes and their consequences. Both strategies are essential for a comprehensive response to climate change. For construction SMEs in the Koronoberg region, recognizing the importance of this dual approach is vital when offering climate adaptation-related renovation services. The construction sector plays a crucial role in shaping the built environment and has a substantial impact on greenhouse gas emissions, making it a vital area for addressing climate change. This study focuses on assessing the readiness and challenges faced by construction small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Kronoberg region of Sweden in providing climate adaptation-related renovation services. The study aims to evaluate the current state of preparedness of SMEs, identify specific challenges, and develop strategies to support their transition towards sustainable and resilient climate adaptation renovations. The findings reveal a growing awareness among construction SMEs regarding climate adaptation needs, with strategies emphasizing the use of wooden materials, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices. The outcomes provide valuable insights and recommendations for construction SMEs operating in the Kronoberg region, facilitating their long-term viability in supporting sustainable and resilient communities. However, challenges such as limited resources, absence of regulations, and standardized guidelines hinder implementation. Despite these challenges, the study highlights opportunities for growth and innovation through stakeholder collaboration, technological advancements, and sustainable strategies. The implications for construction SMEs include the need for continued awareness, adoption of sustainable practices, overcoming challenges, stakeholder collaboration, and embracing innovation and technology. Overall, construction SMEs in the Kronoberg region have the potential to contribute to a sustainable future by prioritizing climate adaptation, engaging in knowledge sharing, and actively participating in collaborative efforts. Their actions can drive positive change in the construction sector, mitigating the environmental impact of buildings and fostering a more sustainable and resilient built environment. Moreover, this research lays the foundation for further investigation in other regions or countries, fostering the global transition towards sustainable and resilient built environment.

There is growing interest in studying management control practices as a package of interrelated mechanisms, yet few empirical examinations exist to date. This is particularly true for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There is a wide gap in knowledge regarding the use and choice of control practices that constitute SMEs’ management control systems (MCSs). These gaps limit our understanding of how SMEs gather and interpret accounting information for decision-making and control purposes. This thesis contributes to the management control literature by researching MCSs in SMEs, examining their MCS configurations, the diversity of practices that constitute them, and similarities and differences in their composition and use across organizations. Moreover, the research integrates two theoretical perspectives (evolutionary and behavioural) to examine the alignments between MCSs and organizational characteristics, manager characteristics, and organizational environment. This thesis also contributes to the firm interrelations literature by examining how asymmetric relationships between large buyers and SME suppliers influence the MCSs of SMEs. I undertake a multi-case study of seven SMEs that are suppliers in the Chilean mining industry. Data collection included surveys and in-depth semi-structured interviews with general, financial and operations managers. A combination of deductive and inductive approaches was used in data analysis. Intra-case analysis was followed by inter-case contrast and comparisons. Several steps were followed to ensure rigour. The findings provide insights into the role of MCSs in information and control for decision-making and illustrate how MCSs are constituted of diverse control practices whose use is tailored by firms. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to MCSs in SMEs, as each firm has its unique MCS configuration. I identified three primary forms of MCS configurations across cases, including a comprehensive configuration that has not received attention in the literature. Moreover, the findings show that the MCS serves multiple purposes and is essential for ensuring a firm’s survival. While the overall set of controls may not be a well-integrated system, but rather a package of loosely connected parts, it provides a satisfactory basis for decision-making. There is little evidence to suggest that a more integrated system would be an improvement, as firms aim for MCSs to provide the necessary flexibility and adaptability. The results also indicate that managers influence both the control configurations utilized by firms and the design of their control practices. The cases studied further illustrate how powerful clients can create market mechanisms that influence information and control practices of suppliers through transactions and contracts. The study provides evidence of how control practices support SMEs in undertaking complex management decisions to deal with environments characterized by high uncertainty, unfavourable information asymmetries, and rigid market conditions. This research contributes to the academic literature on MCSs by comprehensively examining MCS configurations and their sources of influence in its contexts. It also brings theory closer to practice by inquiring firsthand from managers and accounting professionals on how their firms develop, design, and implement their MCSs. The results will be informative for policymakers, institutions pursuing the development of SMEs that are suppliers in a natural resources-based industry, as well as accounting and management professionals.

Aim – The aim of this study is to investigate the role that business strategy plays in theimplementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This research will enable us to answerthe questions of why SMEs get involved in CSR and How is CSR implemented/incorporated inthe business strategy of the company?Method – The study is based on an abductive research approach, which enables the theoreticalframework, empirical data as well as the analysis to evolve simultaneously. Information wascollected through semi-structured interviews from four representatives of three companies. Apurposive sampling is used to select the studied companies. Axial coding is used to analyze thedata and draw conclusions.Findings – The study shows SMEs are also very interested in CSR practices. There are severalmotivations behind SMEs involvement in CSR practices. These motivations include: theirinterest in doing good to other stakeholders (fulfillment of personal values), their image andreputation, an increase in employee involvement, and a stronger market position etc. The studyalso shows that business strategy has a significant role in the implementation of CSR.Conclusion – The results of this research show that CSR practices have an explicit noteworthyconnection with SME reputation. Incorporating your CSR strategy and your business strategyhas a positive effect in the implementation of CSR practices.

No / This paper reports on empirical work recently conducted about the use and effectiveness of HRM practices in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). A telephone survey was conducted with 100 senior managers of SMEs to ascertain their use of a range of human resource practices and the extent to which they had found those practices successful in aiding the achievement of company objectives. Additionally in-depth interviews were conducted with senior managers from a further 22 SMEs. Findings suggest that there is considerable diversity amongst SMEs in relation to their use of HR practices. A model is provided that identifies the key criteria that underlie the adoption of HRM practices, and the implications of the model are discussed.

Yes / Research on the correlations between design leadership, work values and ethics, and workplace innovation is lacking, especially in non-Western regions. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of design leadership in the relationship of work values and ethics with workplace innovation in Asian small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs). Five hypotheses were established to explore the proposed model. Data were obtained from 995 SMEs in Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam and were examined using partial least squares analysis. The findings indicated a correlation between work values and ethics and design leadership, with the latter influencing workplace innovation across its four dimensions. This demonstrated the significant association between work values and ethics and workplace innovation. Design leadership was also shown to fully mediate the relationship between work values and ethics and workplace innovation in Asian SMEs. This study provides a deeper understanding of the emerging literature on the associations of design leadership, work values and ethics, and workplace innovation. It emphasizes the importance of design leadership and its correlations with various aspects of workplace innovation and work values and ethics, which have not received adequate attention in the existing literature. Asian SME entrepreneurs can improve the innovation capabilities of their organizations by focusing on and implementing design leadership behaviors, which may thereby help their organizations establish a competitive advantage and promote long-term sustainability.

Yes / Entrepreneurs need to be more resilient. As economic disruptions are inevitable, organizations need to have resilient leaders. Resilient organizations possess the capacity to sustain favorable transformations and successfully navigate numerous hurdles during periods of crisis or adversity. The purpose of this research is to develop a new measurement tool for resilient leadership within the context of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Despite vast empirical evidence on the topic of leadership toward sustainable performance, validated assessments of resilient leadership are still underexplored. Therefore, the researchers initiated a quantitative research approach by gathering data from 100 SME leaders across various industries. The newly developed resilient leadership questionnaires were electronically distributed to the respondents. The data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0. The data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and exploratory factor analysis. The results revealed and verified six- dimensions of resilient leadership, which include adaptability, emotional intelligence, visionary, spiritual intelligence, growth mindset, and internal ecosystem. The measurement scale developed, and the factor structure produced can be used to assess and develop more resilient leaders that could help to sustain business performance among SMEs. The inclusion of a spiritual element into the model adds value and provides a holistic view of a resilient leadership model that is not only applicable to the context of SMEs in Malaysia but also across borders.

yes / Purpose – Cost reduction through the use of technology has become the competitive strength of companies. The benefits of technology integration are quite credible and have been effective in business competition. The purpose of this paper is to describe an integrated manufacturing strategy for the deployment of a CAD/CAM system in a small, medium manufacturing enterprise (SMME). Design/methodology/approach – A case study of a SMME is utilised in deploying an integrated CAD/CAM system for practical application of manufacturing technology for achieving sustainable growth through lean systems design (LSD). The paper presents a techno-economic and technology change management framework, with an application of a holistic set of lean deployment tools that include establishing a strategic and operational plan for implementing CAD/CAM systems as a means to achieving world-class performance. Findings – The paper shows that the CAD/CAM integration within the case company increased knowledge of CAD/CAM technology, productivity, and flexibility whilst reducing throughput times. Based on the literature review and the current case study, a framework for ideal CAD/CAM implementation has been proposed. The paper also shows that management and organisational structures are key inhibitors for successful implementation of technology integration. Research limitations/implications – The paper uses a single case study to validate deployment of the integrated manufacturing strategy in SMMEs. Hence there is a limitation to its generality. Practical implications – ThepaperprovidesanopportunitytofurtherunderstandCAD/CAMsystem implementation protocols within a well structured framework and its configuration within SMMEs. Social implications – The CAD/CAM implementation framework will allow the SMMEs to achieve Lean manufacturing (thereby minimising wastes) leading to improved growth and employment rates. Originality/value – The presentation of conceptualisation, development and implementation of an integrated CAD/CAM system in support of organisational wide Lean manufacturing initiative in SMMEs is an originality of this paper.