The restaurant industry plays an essential role in the U.S. economy. Approximately 26% of small- and medium-sized enterprise restaurants fail during their first year of business operation and 60% cannot sustain beyond 3 years. The objective of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that small- and medium-sized restaurant owners used to financially sustain business beyond 5 years. The purposive sample consisted of 4 successful restaurant owners who have been in operation for at least 5 years in the southern region of the United States. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework of this study. The data were collected from semistructured interviews, cash flow statement, and profit and loss statements. Member checking and transcript review were used to strengthen the credibility and trustworthiness. The 3 themes that emerged from methodological triangulation after completing the Yin's 5 steps of data analysis were market research, great customer service, and having passion. The findings of this study might serve as a guide for current and future SME restaurant owners to financially sustain business beyond 5 years. The findings of the study may contribute to social change as successful small- and medium-sized enterprise restaurant owners would help address unemployment issues by generating additional jobs and building wealth for themselves, their employees, communities, and the local economy.

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for all organisations in today’s digital landscape, butespecially for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This thesis investigates the maincyber threats currently relevant for small to medium sized companies as well as whatchallenges these types of companies face in implementing effective cybersecurity measures.Another aim was to identify strategies to help SMEs overcome these challenges and enhancetheir protection against cyberthreats.The data collection method chosen for this thesis was semi-structured interviews based on acomprehensive literature review and with a total of six knowledgeable people in the field. Theresults showed that social engineering and phishing, web-based attacks, malware, maliciousinsiders as well as denial-of-service attacks were the most common cyberthreats faced bySMEs in the last few years. Challenges SMEs face was related to a tendency to underestimatethe risk by management and personnel as well as a general lack of knowledge and awarenessat the companies. Other challenges were resource and technological issues. To protect theirbusiness, most interview participants recommended following a standard like the ones fromthe ISO/IEC 27000 family or an alternative like the SSF 1101. Inventory and risk assessment isrecommended as the first step to take along with hiring employees specifically qualified incybersecurity or taking help from consultants.

Strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses has not been given adequate focus in contemporary research. The main concern has been on exploring the phenomenon in large corporations, which means that the field remains fairly unexplored. The purpose of this study is two folded. Firstly we want to understand what obstacles boards of small and medium-sized businesses face for strategy involvement. Secondly we want to generate new insights and knowledge about how these obstacles can be tackled. In order to accomplish these goals we assume the following two research questions: Research Question 1: Are there any obstacles in the way for strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses? Research Question 2: What solutions are there to overcome these obstacles for strategy involvement of boards in small and medium-sized businesses? The first question aims to explore and map potential obstacles for strategy involvement, whereas the second question addresses potential solutions. By utilizing a qualitative approach and interviews we want to better understand the context. Our goal of using this method was to reveal motives and opinions to get a better understanding of how small and medium-sized businesses deal with strategy issues. The participants held various positions within small and medium-sized businesses in Sweden. CEOs, directors and busy directors participated in semi-structured interviews. This study is based upon two frameworks. Firstly we constructed an obstacle framework consisting of five obstacles derived from existing literature. Secondly we made a solution framework, which includes potential solutions connected to the obstacles, also derived from contemporary research. These two frameworks were then used to see what opinions our participants held about them. The data were analyzed by performing a thematic analysis. The idea of using this technique was to identify themes participants held in common. We found some patterns among the respondents which led us to revise both of the frameworks. The main finding of this study is that the presence of a board role conflict seems to be very limited in the context of small and medium-sized businesses. We furthermore found that there are differences in how to solve obstacles in regards to firm size. Two of the suggested solution in existing literature was found to be irrelevant for small and medium-sized businesses. Namely that it is not necessary to get CEOs to embrace strategy involvement, and stopping CEOs from handing over deceiving information is not solved by changing incentives. We also found patterns of two new solutions which were added in the revised solution framework. The first solution involves having regular strategy sessions and meetings. The second solution suggests that it can be advantageous to replace directors uncommitted to strategizing.

Medidas adotadas com o objetivo de resolver problemas e desafios relacionados ao transporte urbano de carga, podem não ter o efeito esperado, uma vez que não levam em conta toda a complexidade envolvida nos espaços urbanos. O processo de urbanização, em especial os aspectos diversos que advém da diferença entre os tamanhos das cidades, afetam significativamente o Transporte Urbano de Carga (TUC). Nesse sentido se faz necessária a abordagem do transporte de mercadorias nas cidades à luz do contexto urbano no qual o mesmo está inserido. Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar o transporte urbano de carga em cidades médias brasileiras com base na revisão da literatura e em survey aplicada a transportadores e varejistas da área central do município de Juiz de Fora. Aqui são identificados os atributos que caracterizam e diferenciam as Cidades Médias (CM), bem como os fatores que influenciam o TUC. Também são apresentados os resultados de pesquisa de opinião entre especialistas e agentes públicos de cidades de porte médio acerca do nível de interação entre atributos que caracterizam as CM e os fatores de influência do TUC. O trabalho traz uma proposta estrutura para análise do TUC em CM, além apresentar a estatística descritiva dos dados da survey aplicada na cidade de Juiz de Fora e análise fatorial exploratória para verificação da proximidade das variáveis atribuídas aos projetos e medidas adotadas pelas autoridades locais. Como principal conclusão o trabalho identifica os Projetos e Medidas adotados pelas autoridades locais como o fator de maior influência no TUC em CM, bem como corrobora a necessidade de se levar em conta os atributos de diferenciação das CM brasileiras no estudo do TUC. / Measures adopted to solve problems and challenges related to urban freight transport may not have the expected effect, since they do not take into account all the complexity involved in urban spaces. The urbanization process, especially the diverse aspects that come from the difference between sizes of cities, significantly affect the Urban Freight Transport (UFT). In this sense, it is necessary to approach freight transport in cities in the light of urban context in which it is inserted. This article brings an analysis of UFT in Brazilian medium-sized cities based on literature review and survey applied to carriers and retailers in the central area of the Juiz de Fora city. Here we will identify the attributes that characterize and differentiate the Medium-sized Cities (MC), as well as the influence factors in UFT. We also present the results of opinion research among specialists and public agents of medium-sized cities about the interaction level between attributes it characterize the MC and the influence factors in UFT. This article brings a UFT framework it describes the urban freight in Brazilian medium-sized cities; besides presenting a descriptive statistical analysis of survey applied to Juiz de Fora city and an exploratory factor analysis to verify the proximity of variables related to Projects and Measures Adopted by Local Authorities. As a main conclusion this paper identifies the Projects and Measures adopted by local authorities as the most influence factor in UFT, as well as corroborates the need to take into account the attributes related to Brazilian MC in UFT studies.

Master thesis deals with the application of international financial reporting standard for small and medium-sized enterprises. The object of this thesis is to define the conceptual framework for financial reporting under IFRS for SMEs, to analyze the differences between CZ GAAP and reporting under IFRS for SME and then apply the acquired knowledge within practical part of master thesis along with the definition of the costs and benefits associated with the transition to IFRS for SMEs.

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Family businesses have unique dynamics and success stories but at the same time face unique challenges. Intergenerational small and medium-sized family businesses in South Africa play an increasingly important role in creating jobs together with wealth distribution. This study attempts to explore the complicated relationship and inimitable characteristics of family business surroundings against the added challenges of family business perceived success and family business continuity. Notwithstanding family businesses being a prevalent phenomenon in the economies of most countries, insight into this form of enterprise is still limited. Topics such as commitment, entrepreneurial orientation, job satisfaction, satisfaction with life and perceived success of the family business, among others, were investigated. In order to achieve the primary objective of this study, a survey was undertaken using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficient, which indicated that the questionnaire used in this study conformed to the criteria of acceptable reliability and can be regarded as internally consistent. The survey yielded 143 usable questionnaires from 42 family businesses restricted to Gauteng province and the North West province in South Africa. The nature of this study was investigative and descriptive statistics was therefore used to analyse the statements of all the participating respondents. The selected determinants influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business was then measured and regressional analyses were further conducted. Conclusions were drawn from this study on the outcomes of the selected factors influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business. Finally, a critical evaluation was done and practical recommendations are suggested to improve family business wellness and, subsequently, increase the sustainability of such business. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The objective of this study is to assess the role that succession planning plays in family businesses in the Sedibeng region of the Gauteng province in South Africa. According to Netsiande (2008:1) family businesses should anticipate, recognise, understand and work pro-actively on issues, learn from other businesses and find their own unique solution.to ensure sustainability. Management succession and succession planning is very important and it has a significant impact on family members, society and the business and economic sectors. This research study was conducted by means of a literature and empirical study. The aim of the literature studies was to gain insight into family businesses and the importance of succession planning. Topics covered in the literature study on family businesses includes a definition of family businesses, family business success, uniqueness of family businesses, characteristics of successful family businesses, advantages and disadvantages of family businesses, challenges facing family businesses. Topics covered in the literature study on succession planning includes a definition of succession, the importance of succession in family businesses, factors that influence succession, succession planning, selecting and choosing a successor as well as mentoring and preparation of the successor(s). The study was concluded on the basis of the findings of the empirical study, that the aspects that needs more attention to help with successful succession planning in family businesses in the Sedibeng district of the Gauteng province in South Africa, are the relationship between owner-manager and successor(s), willingness of the successor(s) to take over the business, willingness of the successor(s) to hand over the business and the preparation level of the successor(s). Lastly practical recommendations were suggested to support the family and the business to effectively manage succession planning in family businesses. / MBA (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Family businesses have unique dynamics and success stories but at the same time face unique challenges. Intergenerational small and medium-sized family businesses in South Africa play an increasingly important role in creating jobs together with wealth distribution. This study attempts to explore the complicated relationship and inimitable characteristics of family business surroundings against the added challenges of family business perceived success and family business continuity. Notwithstanding family businesses being a prevalent phenomenon in the economies of most countries, insight into this form of enterprise is still limited. Topics such as commitment, entrepreneurial orientation, job satisfaction, satisfaction with life and perceived success of the family business, among others, were investigated. In order to achieve the primary objective of this study, a survey was undertaken using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficient, which indicated that the questionnaire used in this study conformed to the criteria of acceptable reliability and can be regarded as internally consistent. The survey yielded 143 usable questionnaires from 42 family businesses restricted to Gauteng province and the North West province in South Africa. The nature of this study was investigative and descriptive statistics was therefore used to analyse the statements of all the participating respondents. The selected determinants influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business was then measured and regressional analyses were further conducted. Conclusions were drawn from this study on the outcomes of the selected factors influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business. Finally, a critical evaluation was done and practical recommendations are suggested to improve family business wellness and, subsequently, increase the sustainability of such business. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The objective of this study is to assess the role that succession planning plays in family businesses in the Sedibeng region of the Gauteng province in South Africa. According to Netsiande (2008:1) family businesses should anticipate, recognise, understand and work pro-actively on issues, learn from other businesses and find their own unique solution.to ensure sustainability. Management succession and succession planning is very important and it has a significant impact on family members, society and the business and economic sectors. This research study was conducted by means of a literature and empirical study. The aim of the literature studies was to gain insight into family businesses and the importance of succession planning. Topics covered in the literature study on family businesses includes a definition of family businesses, family business success, uniqueness of family businesses, characteristics of successful family businesses, advantages and disadvantages of family businesses, challenges facing family businesses. Topics covered in the literature study on succession planning includes a definition of succession, the importance of succession in family businesses, factors that influence succession, succession planning, selecting and choosing a successor as well as mentoring and preparation of the successor(s). The study was concluded on the basis of the findings of the empirical study, that the aspects that needs more attention to help with successful succession planning in family businesses in the Sedibeng district of the Gauteng province in South Africa, are the relationship between owner-manager and successor(s), willingness of the successor(s) to take over the business, willingness of the successor(s) to hand over the business and the preparation level of the successor(s). Lastly practical recommendations were suggested to support the family and the business to effectively manage succession planning in family businesses. / MBA (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015