Titel:                                  David vs. Goliath Författare:                        Henriksson, Johannes & Ågehäll, Adam Institution:                        Linnéuniversitetet, Ekonomihögskolan Program:                           Ekonomprogrammet inriktning Marknadsföring Kurs:                                 Företagsekonomi III – Marknadsföring, Examensarbete, 15hp Handledare:                      Leif Rytting Examinator:                      Kaisa Lund   Syfte:                                 Uppsatsens syfte är att undersöka huruvida mikroföretag kan skapa marknadsfördelar av att implementera Search Engine Marketing. Ytterligare en avsikt är att uppsatsen skall bidra med kunskap kring hur mikroföretag kan stärka sitt varumärke genom Search Engine Marketing.    Metod:                               Kvalitativ studie innehavande en mix mellan induktiv- och deduktiv forskningsansats. Även kallad abduktiv forskningsansats. Den empiriska datan är insamlad genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer bestående av tio respondenter.   Slutsats:                             Sökmotormarknadsföring är en grundkomponent i den digitala marknadsföringen. Mikroföretag skapas möjlighet att konkurrera mot större varumärken genom skapad synlighet. Marknadsföring via en nischad marknad visar sig fördelaktig. En sammanstrålad varumärkesidentitet och varumärkesimage bör avspeglas i content.   Nyckelord:                          Sökmotormarknadsföring, SEO, PPC, Google, mikroföretag, sökmotorer, sociala medier, varumärken.   Fördelning av arbete:         Båda författarna har varit lika delaktiga under alla delar av studien. / Title:                                   David vs. Goliath Authors:                             Henriksson, Johannes & Ågehäll, Adam Institution:                          Linnaeus University, School of Business and Economics Programme:                       Business Administration and Economics, specialization Marketing Course:                               Business Administration III – Marketing, Bachelor Thesis, 15hp Supervisor:                         Leif Rytting Examiner:                           Kaisa Lund   Purpose:                             The purpose of this study is to examine how micro enterprises can create market advantages by implementing Search Engine Marketing. Further intention is that the study will provide knowledge about how micro enterprises can invigorate they brand through Search Engine Marketing.    Method:                              Qualitative study using a mix of both inductive- and deductive research approach. Also known as abductive approach. The empirical data is collected using semi-structured interviews, with ten respondants.   Conclusion:                         Search Engine Marketing is a basic component in digital marketing. Micro enterprises creates the opportunity to compete against larger brands through visibility. Niche marketing is found valueable. A converged brand identity and brand image should be mirrored in content.   Keywords:                          Search engine marketing, SEO, PPC, Google, micro enterprises, search engines, social medias, brands.   Allocation of work:             Both authors have been equally involved in all parts of the thesis.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Internal Auditing in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / South African Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in the stimulation of the national economy. However, according to previous research studies, these business entities have one of the worst sustainability rates in the world as approximately 80% of South African SMMEs tend to fail after being in operation for only three years. Taking the weak sustainability rate of these business entities into account, further studies suggest that South African SMMEs operate in a harsh economic environment, which, in turn, creates a breeding ground for risks to realise in, including that of occupational fraud risk. According to scholarly literature, the occurrence of occupational fraud risk is believed to stem from the utilisation of inadequate and/or ineffective internal control activities – South African SMMEs, in general, are believed to make use of inadequate and/or ineffective internal control activities. For this research study, focus was placed on investigating the effectiveness of internal control activities used within South African fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) SMMEs to combat occupational fraud risk. This was achieved by conducting a literature review (see Chapter 2) to assist in the development of a survey to, in turn, conduct empirical research by collecting quantitative data from respondents (see Chapter 3). All relevant quantitative data gleaned were analysed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (see Chapter 4). Based on the analysed data, it was found that although implemented internal control activities in sampled South African FMCG SMMEs were customised, a few internal control activities assisted in the combating of occupational fraud risk while the bulk of internal control activities did not assist in combating occupational fraud risk. Stemming from the study conducted, the inference was made that the occurrence (realisation) of occupational fraud risk may be exacerbated by the implemented internal control activities in South African FMCG SMMEs due to their ineffectiveness.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2010 / Financial Management is one of the critical principles in the business enviromnent. This study was conducted to assess the impact of the use of financial statement by SMMEs on to the success of their businesses. ln Chapter one of the study, the researcher gives the background to the research problem. The objectives of the study are also discussed. The research questions are highlighted and the key concepts that are used in the study and defined. The researcher gave the fonnat of the study and concluded the chapter with summary chapter. Chapter two focused on the review of related literature where different sources who explained about the financial management in SMMEs were consulted. The research objectives were restated and intensely discussed. The researcher outlined the challenges he encountered during the research process. The chapter was concluded with a summary chapter. Chapter three discussed the research design and methodology. The rationale for the study was explained in this chapter. The research design, types of research, target population, sampling and the research instruments were all explained in this chapter. The questionnaire construction and questionnaire items were also outlined. The research process was explained in full and the chapter was concluded with a summary. Chapter four discussed the data analysis, where the differences between qualitative and quantitative data analysis were discussed. Findings from other documents were also discussed. The chapter was concluded with a summary. Chapter five summarized all the chapters by the giving conclusion and recommendations.

<p> </p><p><strong>Bakgrund: </strong>Sedan 1988 har alla svenska aktiebolag oavsett storlek varit tvungna att ha en kvalificerad revisor som granskar företagets räkenskaper. Idag är Sverige ett av två länder i EU som fortfarande har kvar revisionsplikten för små företag. Inom EU finns bestämmelser som medger medlemsländerna att undanta små företag från revisionsplikt. Utifrån undantagsbestämmelserna har en utredning gjorts i Sverige och ett lagförslag har lagts fram som innebär att 96,5 procent av alla företag i Sverige kan välja om de vill bli reviderade eller inte. Revisionspliktens vara eller inte vara har diskuterats flitigt i Sverige och studier har gjorts avseende vilken relation företagen har med revisorn, vilken nyttan är med revisionen och vilka faktorer som spelar in vid frivillig revision. En inriktning som inte närmare undersökts är hur nystartade mikroföretag ser på revisionsplikten, vilket leder fram till uppsatsens frågeställning.</p><p><strong>Frågeställning:</strong> Vilka förväntningar hade mikroföretag på revisionen och revisorn när företagen startades? Efter första revisionen, uppfylldes förväntningarna på revisionen och revisorn? Hur kommer mikroföretagen att handla om revisionsplikten försvinner?</p><p><strong>Syfte:</strong> Att beskriva nystartade mikroföretags förväntningar och uppfattning av revisionen och revisorn samt att beskriva vad mikroföretagen får ut av revisionstjänsten.</p><p><strong>Metod: </strong>För att uppnå uppsatsens syfte har en kvalitativ studie genomförts. Insamlingen av data har skett genom personliga intervjuer med fem företagsledare i mikroföretag hemmahörande i Skellefteå. Intervjuerna har skett med utgångspunkt från en intervjuguide. Övrig information har insamlats från artiklar, avhandlingar, tryckta verk och internetsidor.          </p><p><strong>Slutsats: </strong>Mikroföretagen verkar vara nöjda med vad revisorn presterar och majoriteten tror att de kommer att behålla revisorn om revisionsplikten tas bort. Företagen efterfrågar då att revisorn har en mer rådgivande roll. En faktor är dock priset som avgör hur mycket revisorn kommer att anlitas.        </p> / <p> </p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Since 1988, all Swedish limited companies, regardless of size have been obliged to have a qualified auditor to examine the accounts of the company. Today, Sweden is one of two countries in Europe that still has the auditing duty for small businesses. In the EU, there are provisions, which allow Member States to exempt small companies from auditing duty. Based on the exemption provisions, an investigation has been made in Sweden and an act proposal has been presented where 96.5 percent of all enterprises in Sweden can  choose if they want to be revised or not. The auditing duty's be or not to be has been discussed widely in Sweden and studies have been made concerning the relationship that the companies have with the auditor, the use of the audit and the factors that might come into play if audit is made voluntary. A focus that is not thoroughly explored is how newly established micro-enterprises view the audit duty, which leads up to the research questions.</p><p><strong>Research questions:</strong> What expectations had micro-enterprises on the audit and the auditor when starting their businesses? After the first audit, were the expectations of the audit and the auditor met? How will the micro-enterprises deal if the auditing duty disappears?</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong><strong> </strong>To describe newly established micro-enterprises' expectations and perceptions of the audit and the auditor, and to describe what the micro-enterprises benefit from the audit service.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>To achieve the purpose of the paper, a qualitative study has been done. Data collection was done through personal interviews with five managers in micro-enterprises in Skellefteå. The interviews have been done on the basis of an interview guide. Other information was collected from articles, dissertations, printed works and homepages on internet.                   </p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Micro-enterprises appear to be satisfied with what the auditor is performing and the majority thinks that they will keep the auditor if the auditing duty removes. Companies are demanding that the auditor will have a more advisory role. One factor, however, is the price that determines how much the auditor will be hired.</p>

No description available.

Bakgrund: Sedan 1988 har alla svenska aktiebolag oavsett storlek varit tvungna att ha en kvalificerad revisor som granskar företagets räkenskaper. Idag är Sverige ett av två länder i EU som fortfarande har kvar revisionsplikten för små företag. Inom EU finns bestämmelser som medger medlemsländerna att undanta små företag från revisionsplikt. Utifrån undantagsbestämmelserna har en utredning gjorts i Sverige och ett lagförslag har lagts fram som innebär att 96,5 procent av alla företag i Sverige kan välja om de vill bli reviderade eller inte. Revisionspliktens vara eller inte vara har diskuterats flitigt i Sverige och studier har gjorts avseende vilken relation företagen har med revisorn, vilken nyttan är med revisionen och vilka faktorer som spelar in vid frivillig revision. En inriktning som inte närmare undersökts är hur nystartade mikroföretag ser på revisionsplikten, vilket leder fram till uppsatsens frågeställning. Frågeställning: Vilka förväntningar hade mikroföretag på revisionen och revisorn när företagen startades? Efter första revisionen, uppfylldes förväntningarna på revisionen och revisorn? Hur kommer mikroföretagen att handla om revisionsplikten försvinner? Syfte: Att beskriva nystartade mikroföretags förväntningar och uppfattning av revisionen och revisorn samt att beskriva vad mikroföretagen får ut av revisionstjänsten. Metod: För att uppnå uppsatsens syfte har en kvalitativ studie genomförts. Insamlingen av data har skett genom personliga intervjuer med fem företagsledare i mikroföretag hemmahörande i Skellefteå. Intervjuerna har skett med utgångspunkt från en intervjuguide. Övrig information har insamlats från artiklar, avhandlingar, tryckta verk och internetsidor.           Slutsats: Mikroföretagen verkar vara nöjda med vad revisorn presterar och majoriteten tror att de kommer att behålla revisorn om revisionsplikten tas bort. Företagen efterfrågar då att revisorn har en mer rådgivande roll. En faktor är dock priset som avgör hur mycket revisorn kommer att anlitas. / Background: Since 1988, all Swedish limited companies, regardless of size have been obliged to have a qualified auditor to examine the accounts of the company. Today, Sweden is one of two countries in Europe that still has the auditing duty for small businesses. In the EU, there are provisions, which allow Member States to exempt small companies from auditing duty. Based on the exemption provisions, an investigation has been made in Sweden and an act proposal has been presented where 96.5 percent of all enterprises in Sweden can  choose if they want to be revised or not. The auditing duty's be or not to be has been discussed widely in Sweden and studies have been made concerning the relationship that the companies have with the auditor, the use of the audit and the factors that might come into play if audit is made voluntary. A focus that is not thoroughly explored is how newly established micro-enterprises view the audit duty, which leads up to the research questions. Research questions: What expectations had micro-enterprises on the audit and the auditor when starting their businesses? After the first audit, were the expectations of the audit and the auditor met? How will the micro-enterprises deal if the auditing duty disappears? Purpose: To describe newly established micro-enterprises' expectations and perceptions of the audit and the auditor, and to describe what the micro-enterprises benefit from the audit service. Method: To achieve the purpose of the paper, a qualitative study has been done. Data collection was done through personal interviews with five managers in micro-enterprises in Skellefteå. The interviews have been done on the basis of an interview guide. Other information was collected from articles, dissertations, printed works and homepages on internet.                    Conclusion: Micro-enterprises appear to be satisfied with what the auditor is performing and the majority thinks that they will keep the auditor if the auditing duty removes. Companies are demanding that the auditor will have a more advisory role. One factor, however, is the price that determines how much the auditor will be hired.

No description available.

For several years, the number of South Africans starting new business enterprises, has declined. According to the findings of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, in 2003, South Africa ranked 22nd out of 31 countries for new entrepreneurial activities. One of the greatest challenges for South Africa, is to find a solution for its huge unemployment problem, which is responsible for many of South Africa's other problems, like poverty, crime and brutality, which discourage global investment in South Africa. The development of small-, medium-, and microenterprises (SMMEs) is seen as an important ingredient of economic development. The population for this study is therefore comprised of SMMEs in South Africa. Any enterprise is dependent on the environment it operates in. The environment consists of the macro-environment, which includes the demographic, technological, economical, social, institutional and international environment, the market environment, which includes consumers, suppliers and competitors, as well as the micro-environment, which includes the organisation, its mission, goals and objectives, management functions, business functions and business resources. The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of applying cost- and management accounting methods and techniques for the development and profitable running of SMMEs. These include choosing an appropriate costing system, implementing a management information system, effectively executing the management functions of planning, organising, coordination and control, through the application of cost- and management accounting methods and techniques, including forecasting, budgeting, accurate and appropriate costing methods, performance management techniques like total quality management, benchmarking etcetera. Data on the current use of cost-and management accounting by SMMEs in South Africa, and the performance of these concerns, were collected by means of a structured questionnaire from a sample of 37 SMMEs. It was found, that although several cost- and management accounting methods and techniques are used by some SMMEs, many are not used effectively, while many SMMEs are not aware of the many advantages that the application of these methods and techniques hold. It is recommended that entrepreneurs make an effort to gain the knowledge needed for them to apply the cost- and management accounting methods and techniques that will improve the performance of their businesses, ensuring the attainment of their goals and objectives, ensuring their survival and prosperity, and leading to job creation, economic growth, and the prosperity of the people of South Africa. To assist with this, the researcher has developed a model and a manual that can be used by entrepreneurs to assist them in starting a new enterprise, as well as running a successful enterprise. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Business and Management Accounting))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

This research work shows how the financing for micro and small businesses in Peru has increased and has greatlyexpanded in the last few years, not only in institutions specialized in this field, focused their efforts in giving financialservices to businesspeople of micro and medium-sized business, but most of the so-called traditional banks havefocused their attention to this emerging sector using the know-how of microfinance lending technology, banking seekto work with people of low income sectors, that were not subject for credit opportunities to develop their business andas a consequence not able to improve their quality of life .Throughout this investigation, we make a diagnosis of macro and micro environment of the microfinance field, itsdevelopment and expectations for a strong presence in the Peruvian financial market. We consider the development oflending technology, where the analysis of the ability and willingness to pay are the fundamental basis for the evaluationof credits in specialized companies in this sector. / El presente trabajo de investigación nos muestra cómo el financiamiento a la micro y pequeña empresa en el Perú seha estado desarrollando en forma creciente y escalonada en los últimos años, donde no solo las entidades especializadasen este segmento focalizan sus esfuerzos para dar servicios financieros a los empresarios de la micro y pequeña empresa,sino que la mayoría de los denominados bancos tradicionales han redireccionado su atención a este sector emergente y,utilizando el know how de la tecnología crediticia microfinanciera, buscan la bancarización trabajando con personas delos sectores de bajos ingresos, que hasta hace poco no eran sujetos de crédito con posibilidades de desarrollar sus negociosy, consecuentemente, mejorar su calidad de vida. Así, a lo largo de esta investigación, se realiza un diagnóstico delmacro y microentorno del sector microfinanciero, su evolución y expectativas para una mayor presencia en el mercadofinanciero peruano; asimismo, se examina el desarrollo de la tecnología crediticia, donde el análisis de la capacidad yvoluntad de pago son la base fundamental para la evaluación de créditos en las empresas especializadas en este sector.

Bakgrund: Socialt företagande är en slags organisatorisk hybridform som växt fram under de senaste decennierna. Dessa organisationer bygger sina affärsmodeller med syfte att både generera vinst och skapa nytta för samhället. I och med detta står organisationer inom socialt företagande för utmaningar som berör prestationsmätning och beslutsfattande. Det finns därför ett behov att öka förståelsen för hur dessa typer av organisationer arbetar med prestationsmätning och vad beslutfattandet grundas på. Syfte: Studien ämnar bidra med ökad förståelse för prestationsmätning och internt beslutsfattande inom socialt företagande. Metod: Denna studie har en kvalitativ forskningsansats där utgångspunkt tagits i det konstruktivistiska perspektivet. Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre olika företag har ett empiriskt material uppnåtts som bidragit till en nyanserad bild av det studerade området. Slutsats: Socialt företagande arbetar med prestationsmätning, men på olika sätt. Prestationsmätning och beslutsfattande genomsyras främst av de sociala värderingar som finns inom dessa organisationer. Det finns dock en komplexitet vad gäller prestationsmätningen och det interna beslutsfattandet på grund av organisationernas hybridkaraktär. Till exempel kan det vara svårt för dessa organisationer att uppfylla socialt värdeskapandet samtidigt som de finansiella målen måste tas hänsyn till. / Background: Social enterprises are a kind of organisational hybrid form that has emerged in recent decades. These organisations build their business models with the purpose of both generating profits and making benefits for society. As such, social enterprises face a variety of challenges, which affect performance measurement and decision-making. There is therefore a need to increase the understanding of how these types of organisations work with performance measurement and what factors underpin their decision-making. Aim: The aim of the study is to contribute to an increased understanding of performance measurement and internal decision-making in social enterprises. Methodology: This study has a qualitative research approach based on the constructivist perspective. Through semi-structured interviews with three different companies empirical material has contributed to a nuanced aspect of the studied area. Conclusion: Social enterprises work with performance measurement, but in different ways. Performance measurement and decision-making are predominantly influenced by the social values found within these organisations. However, complexity arises in terms of performance measurement and internal decision-making due to the organisations' hybrid character. For example, it may be difficult for these organisations to fulfill social value creation while taking the financial goals into account.