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.

The goal of this thesis is to assess the link between labour productivity and firm competitiveness. An indispensable condition is to identify appropriate indicators measuring competitiveness. The link is examined in small and medium-sized companies active in manufacturing industry, specifically in section CZ-NACE 10. Manufacture of food products. First, an analysis of labour productivity and selected competitiveness indicators is made. Selected competitiveness indicators are Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Sales (ROS), Current Liquidity and index IN05. The relationship between labour productivity and competitiveness measured by selected indicators is examined by correlation and regression analysis. The significant positive link was found between labour productivity and competitiveness measured by ROA and ROS. Small and Medium-sized companies active in food industry can improve their ROA and ROS, and through this also competitiveness, by increasing their labour productivity. These indicators have also proved to be an appropriate tool for measuring the competitiveness of the company, especially in the food industry in the Czech Republic. The link between labour productivity and competitiveness measured by current liquidity and index IN05 was not explained in more detail.

Small and medium-sized enterprises perform important task in economy. To the category fall into enterprises to 250 employees. They supply social background and make for limitation of migration inhabitantes abroad or their inland. For development of small and medium-size enterprises in south Bohemia and Lower Bavaria serve programmes for their support. Entrepreneurs have possibility cooperation with organisations which offer facilities for sphere facilitation of bussines. Through these institutions happenes link-up including cooperation between Czech-German regions.

In recent times, the significance of fair value in financial reporting is gaining momentum and current debates are moving in the trend of full fair value reporting. Small and medium-sized entities are not let off in this instance. The move to new reporting standards results in numerous challenges for diverse interest groups such as auditors, preparers and regulators. The main objective of the study was to establish the fair value implementation challenges facing SMEs in the agricultural sector in Ghana. This study established that, in Ghana, commodity markets do not exist and that farmers do not have access to market information. The study also established that there is high IFRS implementation cost, inadequate training and education for preparers of financial statements and academic education not focusing on agricultural accounting. In light of these challenges, the study recommends improving capacity building through user training and education and establishment of commodity markets. / Financial Accounting / M. Phil. (Accounting Sciences)

In the context of human resource management can be argued that employee selection process is a major activity. This process is essentially based on competencies so job applicants including university graduates with an economic education, should have the desirable core and key competencies that result from job requirements. The aim of this doctoral dissertation is to build up a competency model of economically educated university graduates, according to the needs of employers from the South Bohemian Region's small and medium-sized enterprises and to identify the level of desirable key competencies of students of the Faculty of Economics, the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. Core and key competencies' preferences were collected through the questionnaire survey from the 189 human resource managers. The competency model creation was based on the statistical analysis of the identified results. Following the determined employers' preferences of the competencies, the skills of Faculty of Economics' students were also tested to find out their current level of key competencies.

Work to the theme "Analysis of insurance products for small and medium sized enterprises" tries to find the optimal variant of insurance of enterprise for the given company. These variants, also the given insurance companies, are compared by using of monocriteria and multicriteria evaluation of variants. It is possible to apprise basic concept in the first part, relating to insurance industry, insurance, enterprise, small and medium sized enterprises, mono and multicriteria evaluation of variants. There is a given company defined in the practical part, what are these variants evaluate for. There are also requests defined, that a company holder determines with a help of insurance broker, and then insurance offers are in this part defined. I used a method of monocriteria evaluation that supposes pessimistic approach for evaluation of variants. The aim of this evaluation was to determine which combination of insurances would be for the businessman and his company the optimal variant. Variants were evaluated with the help of multicriteria evaluation later, specifically Saaty´ method of weight determination and AHP method for order determination. Criteria, which were evaluated, are for example insurance premium over the discount that was offered through individual insurance companies, requirements for the security of buildings that provide insurance companies, etc. Four variants were evaluated. Today´s businessmen often solve problem, how they should protect themselves and their business against risks that can threaten. At this moment it is important to realize not only what type of risks threaten the business, but also the extent of its. When a businessman decides to one insurance option, it´s necessary to navigate himself through the offers of insurance companies and even get advice from an insurance broker. He can also for example decide based on personal experience with the insurance company. It´s definitely important to analyse the offers from different insurers.

These theses are focused on the analyses of a particular business center located in the boarder area supporting not only the business cooperation but the cross-boarder cooperation at all.

Bakgrund och problem: Tidigare forskning kring CSR-implementering har i större utsträckning fokuserat på stora företag. Dock tyder tidigare forskning på att CSR är ett koncept som även förekommer inom små och medelstora företag. Det finns emellertid bristande forskning om hur små och medelstora företags tillämpning av strategi påverkar graden av CSR-implementering. Vidare är informell kontroll en aspekt som, enligt tidigare forskning, är väsentlig inom små och medelstora företag. Syfte: Studien syftar till att undersöka till vilken grad små och medelstora företag implementerar CSR och hur implementeringen påverkas av vilken strategi företaget tillämpar. Varför ett företag implementerar CSR kan förklaras med hjälp av intressentteorin samt legitimitetsteorin. Vidare är syftet att testa och förklara hur relationen mellan graden av CSR-implementering och den strategi som tillämpas, påverkas av graden av användning av informell kontroll. I enlighet med contingency teorin påverkas variablers samband av andra faktorer. Metod: Studien är genomförd med en kvantitativ forskningsstrategi med en deduktiv ansats. Hypoteser har formulerats utifrån vedertagna teorier och data har samlats in genom en tvärsnittsstudie. 108 svenska små och medelstora företag utgör studiens urval. Resultat och slutsats: Resultaten visar på att strategin prospector för SME har ett positivt samband med graden av CSR-implementering. Vidare visar studien på informell kontroll har en stark positiv relation till graden av CSR-implementering oberoende av vilken strategi små och medelstora företag tillämpar. Studien tyder även på att företag som tillämpar strategierna prospector för SME och reactor för SME i hög grad implementerar CSR. Det finns däremot inget samband mellan att tillämpa strategierna defender för SME samt analyzer för SME och graden av CSR-implementering i förhållande till användning av informell kontroll. Slutligen visar studien på att små och medelstora företag i hög grad implementerar CSR i sina verksamheter. / Background and problem: Previous studies on CSR to a large extend have so far focused on its implementation on large firms. However, other research also states that CSR is a concept that is provided in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well. There is, however, lack of research among SME companies and how their strategy affects the degree of the CSR-implementation. Furthermore, informal control is an aspect that according to earlier studies is essential within small and midsized companies. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate in what extent SMEs implements CSR and how this implementation is affected by the strategy these companies applies. The reason why a company implements CSR can be explained by using the stakeholder and legitimacy theories. Furthermore, the purpose is also to try to test and explain the correlation between the strategy applied and if this is affected when using informal control. In accordance to the contingency theory, variables in this equation are affected by other factors. Method: The study is conducted with a quantitative research strategy with a deductive approach. Hypotheses are based on established theories, and data has been added from a cross-sectional study. 108 Swedish SMEs constitutes the study´s collection. Results and conclusions: The result of the study shows that the strategy prospector for SMEs has a positive connection with the extent of CSR-implementation. Furthermore, the study shows that informal control has a strong positive correlation to the degree of CSR-implementation independently of what strategy the SMEs are applying. The study also shows that companies who apply the strategies prospector for SMEs and reactor for SMEs is very prone to implement CSR. However, there is no correlation between the defender for SMEs and analyzer for SMEs strategies, and the extent of CSRimplementation for the use of informal control. As final, the study also shows that SMEs implement CSR to a large degree in their businesses.

Pequenas e médias empresas têm grande importância na geração de emprego e renda, o que as qualifica como agentes capazes de impulsionar o crescimento e desenvolvimento econômico. O constante processo de mudança tecnológica tem imposto desafios que, ao menos parcialmente, têm sido enfrentados pelas firmas de pequeno e médio porte. Em resposta a esse processo, esta dissertação tem como referencial teórico a abordagem neoschumpeteriana da tecnologia e da mudança econômica, que propõe o processo inovativo e a “destruição criativa” como centrais ao desenvolvimento da atividade econômica. Considera-se a hipótese de que há relevante discrepância entre os resultados, esforços e atividades inovativas de pequenas, médias e grandes empresas, em países com sistemas nacionais de inovação e estruturas produtivas distintas, como Brasil e países da Comunidade Europeia. O objetivo geral é identificar as particularidades das atividades inovativas em empresas de pequeno porte, assim como comparar as diferenças dos esforços e resultados inovativos entre os países selecionados. Para tanto, é apresentado um conjunto de indicadores formulados a partir de dados extraídos da Pesquisa de Inovação Tecnológica (PINTEC), edições de 2008 e 2011, e da Community Innovation Survey (CIS), edições CIS6 e CIS8. Os resultados indicam que quando comparadas com as grandes firmas, as pequenas e médias empresas têm menor taxa de inovação, concentram seus esforços e gastos inovativos em poucas atividades inovativas, têm maior participação de inovações do tipo processo, além de cooperarem menos e com menor quantidade de parceiros. Esse padrão é verificado com mais intensidade no Brasil e em economias menos avançadas da Comunidade Europeia. Há forte presença de apoio do governo no Brasil, quando comparado com maioria dos demais países selecionados, havendo considerável melhora entre os períodos de análise. Esses resultados apontam para a necessidade de se ampliar políticas públicas com vistas a diminuir tais discrepâncias entre as pequenas e grandes empresas brasileiras. / Small and medium-sized firms have great impact in generating employment and income, which qualifies them as capable agents of boosting economic growth and development. The constant process of technological change presents a challenge that has been faced, at least partially, by small and medium-sized firms. In response to this process, this teses has as theoretical reference to the Neoschumpeterian approach of technology and economic change, which proposes the innovative process and "creative destruction" as central to the development of economic activity. It is considered the hypothesis that there is a significant discrepancy between the results, efforts and innovative activities of small, medium and large firms in countries with different national innovation systems and production structures, such as Brazil and European Community countries. The main issue is to identify the particularities of innovating in small enterprises, as well as compare the differences in innovative efforts and results among selected countries. To that, a set of indicators are formulated from data extracted from the Pesquisa de Inovação Tecnológica (PINTEC), editions of 2008 and 2011, and the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), editions CIS6 and CIS8. The results indicate that compared to large firms, small and medium enterprises have a lower rate of innovation, concentrate their efforts and innovative spending on few innovative activities, have a great participation in process type innovations, and cooperate less and with few partners. This standard is strongly verified in Brazil and in the less advanced economies of the European Community. There is a strong presence of government support in Brazil, when compared to most of the other selected countries, with considerable improvement between the periods of analysis. These results point to the need to expand public policies aimed at reducing such discrepancies between small and large Brazilian companies. / Dissertação (Mestrado)

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.