Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, particularly In the information and communications technology (lCT) sector, are faced with an increasingly volatile environment. The Malaysian business scene has opened up their markets to the world where smaller businesses find themselves competing with newly launched multinational subsidiary and subdivision companies, along with the large local firms. The Malaysian Government has launched several campaigns and support for smaller local businesses to be more competitive and to continuously compete at par with these larger companies. This research project supports the Malaysian Government's objective of instilling a more structured approach towards a more competitive SME by focusing on the management of competitive information related to these companies. In recognising the rising need for competitive support, management and executives are increasingly relying on a concept called Competitive Intelligence (Cl), a systematic and ethical process for gathering, analysing, and managing information that can affect a company's plans, decisions, and operation. In managing competitive information, several companies have emerged especially to develop online tools and software that would enhance the Cl process and the value competitive intelligence brings to organisations. The success of these Cl software tools depends, however, on the sophistication of an organisation's understanding of the Cl process and scope of usage. Different companies derive different values from different approaches to competitive intelligence, and therefore require a flexible tool that is very specific to the company's needs. Therefore, this research investigated the structures and contexts of Malaysian Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs) based on competitive intelligence (Cl) concepts to derive a more customised approach to the use of Cl for SMEs in the ICT sector, as well as in the selection of appropriate Cl software. Mintzberg's approaches to analysing organisational structures and contexts, Bouthillier and Shearer's Intelligence Cycle, Herring's Key Intelligence Topics, and Davis' concept of effectiveness were used in two main stages. The first stage involved identifying the nature and range of SMEs, which exist under Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor, a government benchmarking body for local businesses. This gives an account, on the basis of cluster analysis, of a taxonomy of SME categories consisted of ten clusters. The relationships between the categories were also examined in the first stage of the research. The relationships and clusters found in the first part of the research offered the basis for the second part of the research, which constructs the criteria for evaluating online tools and software for competitive intelligence. The evaluation criteria are then used to evaluate eight Cl-ready software packages in finding suitable tools for the different categories of SMEs. Finally, the research concludes with a study of the prospective users' perceptions of effectiveness in SMEs drawn from the identified clusters. This 'multiple constituency' approach to understanding effectiveness evaluates both Davis' concept of effectiveness (usefulness), as well as the differential evaluations of perceived effectiveness. The research findings provide evidence of a range of SME structures in a variety of contexts. Levels of importance placed on different levels in the Cl process are identified, as well as aspects that need support, automation and/or augmentation. The software evaluation in the second part of the research provided ten recommendations of suitable software package(s) for each SME cluster. However, an initial review by SME managers of perceived effectiveness mostly did not reveal results that were parallel to the findings from the software evaluation study. All in all, the research confirms that SMEs can be analysed by clusters but further research would be necessary to confirm the effectiveness of using the recommended Cl software over a longer period of time.

<p>Predmet istraživanja ovog rada je ambijent ekonomije znanja i<br />poslovanje malih i srednjih preduzeća u tom ambijentu. Problem<br />istraživanja je analiza faktora koji utiču na uspešnost malih i<br />srednjih preduzeća. Cilj istraživanja je da se utvrde ključni faktori<br />uspešnosti malih i srednjih preduzeća u Srbiji kako bi se<br />definisale mere za povećanje konkurentnosti ovog sektora i razvio<br />model upravljanja malim i srednjim preduzećima u ekonomiji znanja na<br />bazi ključnih faktora uspešnosti. Vrednost dobijenih rezultata<br />proističe iz cilja istraživanja u okviru ove disertacije, koji u širem<br />smislu podrazumeva pružanje informacija naučnoj i stručnoj javnosti<br />koje mogu doprineti daljem razvoju sektora MSP i boljem upravljanju<br />na bazi ključnih faktora uspešnosti.</p> / <p>The subject of this work is the environment of the knowledge economy and<br />the business of small and medium enterprises in this environment. The<br />problem of this research is to analyze the factors affecting the performance<br />of small and medium-sized enterprises. The aim of the research is to identify<br />the key success factors of small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia in<br />order to define measures to increase the competitiveness of the sector and<br />developed a model of management of small and medium enterprises in the<br />knowledge economy based on the key factors of success. The value of the<br />results of this study arises from the research objectives within the framework<br />of this thesis, which in a broader sense means providing information to the<br />scientific and professional community that can contribute to the further<br />development of the SME sector and better management of SMEs on the<br />basis of the key success factors</p>

Only one third of the French SMEs are going abroad. However, this option can be an opportunity for the enterprises to extend their growth. The Chinese market is often designated to be the best place to invest. Nevertheless, it is far from France geographically and culturally. Russia and Central/Eastern Europe represent for French SMEs huge and frequently unknown markets, closed to France with all the benefice of their accession to the European Union. These regions have economic and demographic potentials because of their singular history. The study of these countries will show the possible market development in which the French companies and specially SMEs have competences and know-how highly valuable in these markets. Furthermore, the European and French incentives for SMEs and the support of different organizations are additional assets to facilitate the internationalization.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze role of Small - Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey's Integration to EU. SMEs have a strategic importance in providing sustainable development, employment and value added in the economies. So that, European Union and Turkish Goverment have carried out several policies in order to support SMEs. These policies facilitate the process of creating, maintaining and improving business skills and opportunities of SMEs. They play significant role in Turkey's accession to EU. One of the purposes of the research is to explore indicators and effects of Turkish SMEs in EU integration. Also, it explores the effects of strategic alliances of Turkish and European SMEs all over the world. In this research, chapter 1 aims to describe SME definitions for EU, Turkey and other countries. In addition, the factors that determine these definitions in Turkey and EU have been discussed. Chapter 2 examines current policies of SMEs in Turkey and their strengths, weakness, problems accordingly. In chapter 3, current European SME policies have been described and their impacts to Turkish SMEs have been mentioned. Funds and incentives for SMEs from EU and their contribution to Turkish SMEs have been also explained in this chapter. In the last chapter, importance of SMEs in Turkish and European economies has been mentioned. Influence of Turkish SMEs has been indicated on the EU integration and in response to this influence; effect of European SMEs in Turkish Economy has been pointed out. After all, it has been exposed to worldwide effects after strategic alliances of European and Turkish SMEs.

The aim of the thesis was to examine the basic technical and technological requirements of photovoltaic technology in terms of economic characteristics, analyze the current situation in the use of renewable energy sources, especially photovoltaics in the Czech Republic with comparing to the world's situation. The thesis also provides an overview of laws and legal norms applicable in the Czech Republic and the European Union with regard to photovoltaics. The crucial part is dedicated to investment evaluation of the renewable energy (photovoltaic) projects. The author supports presented ideas with a comprehensive investment analysis of a specific rooftop photovoltaic project realized by medium sized company. In addition to evaluation process the investment recommendation is provided and the most significant risk factors of the project are identified. The conclusion of this thesis includes a single-factor sensitivity analysis of a net present value of the project.

Most Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana are notparticularly anxious about the consequences of inadequacy or lack of anyform of vulnerability management operation in their normal businesspractices. This case study research explores how a local Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) in Ghana and its local client-base can manage vulnerabilitieswith a targeted patch management practise integrated into their operations.To answer the research question “How can a SME local Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) in Accra, Ghana, assist their local customer base to integrateeffective cybersecurity vulnerability management into their operations?“,This case study comprised the Subject Matter Expert of one local ISP as well as4 other technical Subject Matter Experts of the ISP’s clients about their patchmanagement operations. This case study research revealed that most SMEs donot consider vulnerability management as a key concern in the operation oftheir organisation and therefore, proposes a way to highlight the importanceof vulnerability management whiles doing so at a cost-effective manner. Theimplications of targeted cybersecurity patch management for the local ISP andtheir client-base is also addressed by this thesis research.

No atual ambiente competitivo das empresas, é necessário que elas utilizem artefatos para manter a sua continuidade. A Gestão Estratégica de Custos é um desses artefatos e, portanto, é necessário que haja um sistema de custeio que oriente as decisões dos gestores dentro de uma organização, que passam a demandar informações cada vez mais elaboradas e com maior agilidade. A implantação desses sistemas, que são cada vez mais complexos, é comum a grandes empresas e, somando-se à importância do mesmo, entende-se o motivo de ter sido muito estudado no decorrer do tempo. Com as mudanças decorrentes da evolução tecnológica, sua diminuição nos custos, e o aumento de competitividade, as pequenas e médias empresas também perceberam a necessidade de se ter um sistema de custeio para suportar suas decisões. Porém, as características dessas empresas são distintas das demais, podendo supor que suas necessidades de informação, assim como as dificuldades de implantação desse tipo de sistema também sejam diferentes. Este estudo tem como objetivo principal identificar as dificuldades de implantação do sistema de custos em uma empresa de médio porte analisada através de estudo de caso. Como objetivos secundários estão: a categorização em grupos do material encontrado na revisão bibliográfica; verificar se as dificuldades encontradas no estudo de caso estão de acordo com a literatura. As dificuldades encontradas pelos diversos autores foram inicialmente segregados em dificuldades e fatores críticos para a implementação de sistemas. Posteriormente foram categorizados em comportamentais, administrativos e de escassez de recursos, sendo que os dois últimos foram novamente classificados em subgrupos. A empresa analisada no estudo de caso é uma indústria de médio porte do ramo de embalagens plásticas. O estudo mostra que as principais dificuldades encontradas pela empresa estavam relacionadas com insuficiência de treinamentos, limitações de linguagem e critérios contábeis, uma vez que o modelo implantado foi determinado pela matriz situada em outro país. Além destas, a maioria das dificuldades constantes da literatura também foram identificadas pela empresa em sua implantação, em menor ou maior escala. Considerando as categorias utilizadas, a maioria está relacionada com o grupo de dificuldades administrativas e com o de escassez de recursos. As soluções utilizadas pela empresa não tiveram um projeto específico para suas realização, sendo aplicadas de acordo com as possibilidades que o contexto da época permitia. / In the current companies competitive environment, it is necessary that they use tools to keep their continuity. The Strategic Cost Management is one of these devices and, therefore, a cost system is necessary to guide the managers decision of an organization, which starts to demand faster more elaborated information. These systems implementation, which are more and more complex, are usual in big companies and, also considering its importance, it is understandable the motive of why it has been studied along the time. With the changes from technology evolution, the lower costs, and the higher competitiveness, the small and medium companies also seemed the necessity of having a cost system to support their decision. But these companies characteristics are different of the others, supposing that their needs of information, as their system implementation difficulties are also different. This studys main objective is to identify the difficulties of cost system implementation in one medium size company through a case study. As secondary objectives are: the categorization of the material found in the bibliographical revision in groups; verify if the difficulties founded in the case study are similar with the literature. First, the founded difficulties by the many authors were separated between difficulties and critical factors for the implementation of systems. They were after categorized in behavior, management and insufficiency of resources, and the last two were reclassified in other subgroups. The analyzed company is a medium size industry in the branch of plastic packings. The study shows that the mainly difficulties of the company were related with lack of training, language limitations and accounting standards, once the implanted model was ordered by the headquarter located abroad. Beyond these, the most of difficulties in the literature were also identified by the company in its implementation, in different levels. Considering the used categories, most of them are related with the management difficulties group and with the insufficiency of resources group. The solutions utilized by the company hadnt a specific project for its realization, been applied in agreement with the possibility that the context allowed in that time.

As operações de usinagem viabilizam a construção de máquinas e equipamentos que proporcionam a manutenção do bem estar da sociedade e a sua evolução. Com o estudo das tecnologias e a adequação dos sistemas de produção ao paradigma desenvolvimento sustentável, é possível discutir as operações de corte com ferramentas de geometria definida e oferecer suporte ao desenvolvimento destes processos nas pequenas e médias empresas (PME). Estas unidades do sistema produtivo estão sujeitas ao rigor do mercado e suas transformações, devendo ter condições de oferecer respostas à altura de sua função. O acesso ao conhecimento e à tecnologia leva ao fortalecimento da empresa através dos ganhos de competência e competitividade. A tecnologia proporciona condições de maior produtividade, qualidade e controle dos processos e o novo paradigma de produção conduz à eliminação dos impactos ambientais, racionalização e redução do consumo de recursos não renováveis, para a preservação e manutenção do planeta e seus sistemas naturais. No trabalho desenvolvido na presente pesquisa foi possível conhecer e avaliar as instalações e corpo técnico de onze empresas (PME), com processos de usinagem, no município de São Carlos, São Paulo. A organização dos dados permite a construção de um cenário onde são evidenciados potenciais e carências. Na etapa seguinte foi eleito um processo, em uma das empresas, que recebeu intervenções para melhor desempenho nos aspectos econômico, social e ambiental. Os resultados alcançados permitem que se faça projeções de ganhos para todo o parque industrial estudado. O mecanismo de apoio às pequenas e médias empresas em uma avaliação final sugere um salto de qualidade, referendando o modelo que pode ser facilmente reproduzido. / Machining operations make possible the construction of machines and equipment which provide the maintenance of society welfare and its evolution. Studying the technology directions and the production systems adequacy to the sustainable development paradigm enables the discussion of machining and the fostering of the processes at the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Because of the vulnerability to the market and its transformations these companies should have conditions to respond to the demands at the importance level of their function. The access to the knowledge and technology brings a gain in competence and competitiveness. Technology provides conditions for higher productivity, quality and processes control, as well as the new production paradigm leads to the elimination of the environmental impacts, rationalization and reduction in the use of non renewable materials preserving and maintaining the planet’s natural systems. In this research it was possible to know the facilities and the technical staff of eleven metalworking companies (SME), in São Carlos city, São Paulo state. The gathered data allows to draw a portrait that puts in evidence the potentials and deficiencies. On a next stage a specific machining operation was chosen to be improved in the economic, social and environmental aspects. The achieved results allow projections of gains in the industrial park. In a final evaluation of the small and medium-sized enterprises support mechanism it suggests a quality improvement assuring the availability of the model that is easily reproducible.

Les pays en développement, notamment en Afrique subsaharienne, sont confrontés au défi de réduire la pauvreté alors que peu d'entre eux ont réellement amorcé leur transition démographique. Les micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) sont un des principaux leviers de création d'emplois et de revenus. Cependant, elles font face à des obstacles importants, au premier lieu desquels le manque de financement.Depuis les années 1970, les institutions de microfinance (IMF) jouent un rôle central pour diminuer la contrainte financière qui affecte les populations exclues du financement bancaire. Dans cette thèse, nous utilisons des données sur des MPME clientes d'une IMF à Madagascar pour étudier trois aspects de la relation entre les IMF et leurs clients.Premièrement, nous nous intéressons à l'influence que peut avoir la contrainte financière sur le choix d'activités des micro-entrepreneurs. Nos résultats suggèrent que le manque de moyens financiers peut amener des individus à créer une activité dans un secteur différent de celui qu'ils souhaitaient initialement en raison de coûts d'entrée trop importants. Ce phénomène pourrait se traduire par une allocation sous-optimale des compétences entrepreneuriales. Dans notre second chapitre, nous suggérons que la stratégie de "montée en gamme" initiée par certaines IMF, c'est-à-dire le fait de proposer des crédits d'un montant de plus en plus élevé, peut conduire IMF et banques commerciales à entrer en concurrence pour attirer les MPME à plus fort potentiel. L'impact de cette stratégie demeure incertain selon qu'elle conduit les IMF à négliger les populations les plus pauvres et qu'elle détourne certains entrepreneurs du financement bancaire. Enfin, dans notre troisième chapitre, nous mettons en lumière le faible niveau d'éducation financière des entrepreneurs et ses éventuelles conséquences en termes de choix de prêteurs (entre IMF et banques).En conclusion, nos travaux soulignent le rôle que peut jouer la microfinance dans le développement des MPME, tout en suggérant certaines pistes pour optimiser son impact économique et social. / Developing countries, especially countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, are confronted with the need to reduce poverty while their populations are stillincreasing at high rates. Micro small and medium-sized enterprises hold the highest potential for job creation and income generation. However, lack of financing, among numerous other obstacles, significantly impedes their development.Microfinance institutions have played, and continue to play, a significant role in meeting the growing financing needs of MSEs excluded from the formal financial sector. In this dissertation, we attempt to illustrate some points to pay particular attention to in order to increase microfinance impacts. Firstly, we highlight that initial financial constraints may prevent entrepreneurs from investing in their first-choice sector and that ultimately, this misallocation of talent could be detrimental for growth. This result emphasizes the need for start-up financing, which is one of the riskiest and most critical aspects of running a business. Secondly, we draw attention on the fact that up-scaling strategies implemented by MFIs may lead to competition with banks. The net economic impact of up scaling strategies will depend on how much MFIs neglect the poorest clients (mission drift) and to what extent clients with the highest growth potential can in fact resort to commercial banks. Finally, we shed light on the fact that the lack of financial knowledge among entrepreneurs may actually skew their financing choices and ultimately prevent them from obtaining more affordable sources of financing.As a whole, MSEs need special attention to foster their growth and contribution to job creation. MFIs are a powerful tool to help MSEs meet growth objectives, but optimal development may require other forms of financial assistance and better suited funding.

A globalização dos mercados e a crescente competitividade internacional nas duas últimas décadas proporcionaram a entrada de empresas no mercado, dentre as quais estão as pequenas empresas. Notadamente reconhecidas por sua importância social e econômica, as pequenas empresas dos setores da indústria, do comércio e de serviços são, em termos numéricos, a grande maioria das empresas no Brasil. Dada a importância deste objeto de estudo, a presente pesquisa possui como objetivo geral explorar a relação entre a orientação para a inovação e os padrões de internacionalização de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs). Para a concretização deste objetivo principal, três objetivos específicos são traçados, sendo estes o estudo das capacidades dinâmicas para a inovação de PMEs de base tecnológica brasileiras, o estudo do processo e dos padrões de internacionalização deste grupo de empresas e o estudo da relação entre estes dois objetivos específicos. As capacidades dinâmicas para a inovação direcionam o desenvolvimento de inovações tecnológicas, quais sejam, inovações em produtos, processos e serviços, e também sustentam o desenvolvimento de inovações não-tecnológicas, em outras palavras, as inovações de Marketing e organizacionais. As capacidades dinâmicas também impactam positivamente na competitividade das pequenas empresas nos mercados domésticos e internacionais. A fundamentação teórica desta pesquisa reside nas Teorias de Internacionalização, fundamentando-se nos Modelos de Internacionalização, e nas Teorias de Inovação, referindo-se às Capacidades Dinâmicas para a Inovação. Com o intuito de melhor compreender o objeto de pesquisa, para cada um dos temas existem tópicos que apresentam as PMEs. A diversidade setorial das empresas participantes da pesquisa contribuiu para a magnitude de resultados sobre as capacidades dinâmicas para a inovação de PMEs brasileiras, assim como para a identificação de seus padrões de internacionalização. A partir de um estudo qualitativo, as análises mostram que as PMEs brasileiras buscam se diferenciar através da inovação em seus mercados de atuação internacionais. Com relação aos padrões de internacionalização das PMEs brasileiras, estes se diferem, em alguns parâmetros, ao apresentado na literatura. Portanto, a análise das capacidades dinâmicas para a inovação mostra que as pequenas empresas brasileiras possuem elevado potencial para o desenvolvimento da inovação. Sobre a internacionalização, as PMEs do estudo apresentam padrões específicos de internacionalização, necessitando, assim, de aproximações em relação aos parâmetros apresentados na literatura. Como contribuições acadêmicas, a pesquisa apresenta a análise das capacidades dinâmicas para a inovação relacionadas ao padrão de internacionalização das PMEs brasileiras, apresentando variáveis emergentes aos temas de pesquisa. Por fim, como contribuições gerenciais, a análise dos casos permite verificar como as PMEs buscam se posicionar competitivamente nos mercados internacionais. / The globalization of markets and the growing international competitiveness in the last two decades have provided the entry of firms in the market, among which are small businesses. Notably recognized for their social and economic importance, small businesses from the industry, the commerce and the services sectors are, in numerical terms, the vast majority of companies in Brazil. Given the importance of this object of study, this research has as general objective to explore the relationship between the innovation orientation and the internationalization patterns of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To achieve this general objective, three specific objectives are set, which are the study of dynamic capabilities for innovation of Brazilian technology-based SMEs, the study of the internationalization process and the internationalization patterns of this group of firms, and the relationship between these two specific objectives. The dynamic capabilities for innovation drive the development of technological innovations, namely, innovation in products, processes and services, and support the development of non-technological innovation, in other words, Marketing and organizational innovations. Dynamic capabilities also impact positively on the competitiveness of small businesses both in domestic and international markets. The theoretical basis of this research lies in the Internationalization Theories, based on the Internationalization Models, and in the Innovation Theories, referring to the Dynamic Capabilities for Innovation. In order to understand better the object of research, for each of the themes there are topics presenting the SMEs. The sectoral diversity of the survey participants companies contributed to the magnitude of results on the dynamic capabilities for innovation of Brazilian SMEs, thus as the identification of their international patterns. From a qualitative study, the analysis show that Brazilian SMEs seek to differentiate through innovation in their international operating markets. Regarding the patterns of internationalization of Brazilian SMEs, these differ in some parameters, as presented in the literature. Therefore, the analysis of dynamic capabilities for innovation presents that Brazilian SMEs have high potential for the development of innovation. About the internationalization, the SMEs of this study present specific international patterns, thus requiring approaches in relation to the parameters presented in the literature. As academic contributions, the research presents the analysis of dynamic capabilities for innovation related to the patterns of internationalization of Brazilian SMEs, with emerging variables to the research topics. Finally, as managerial contributions, the analysis of cases allows verifying SMEs seeking to position themselves competitively in international markets.