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Full-Text Articles in Business

Social Entrepreneurship In Smes: A Note On Three Essential Questions, Andrés Felipe Cortés, Younggeun Lee Jan 2021

Social Entrepreneurship In Smes: A Note On Three Essential Questions, Andrés Felipe Cortés, Younggeun Lee

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Purpose – This research note discusses three essential and practical questions related to social entrepreneurship and social activities in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): What motivates SMEs to undertake social activities? What are the obstacles faced by SMEs when undertaking social activities? What are the types of social activities that SMEs undertake? The article presents preliminary answers and provides research suggestions related to these questions. Design/methodology/approach – The authors search and review articles that study social entrepreneurship and social activities of SMEs and synthesize their findings based on the three main topics of interest. Findings –The authors synthesized findings based …


Knowledge Transfer And Boundary Conditions: A Study Of Smes In Business Incubation Centers In China, Juana Du, Rong Wang Jan 2019

Knowledge Transfer And Boundary Conditions: A Study Of Smes In Business Incubation Centers In China, Juana Du, Rong Wang

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine innovative practices and emphasize the mechanism of knowledge transfer across knowledge boundaries. By comparing and discussing the emerging boundary issues in knowledge transfer among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered in the incubation centers in China, this paper identified the main knowledge transfer approach and several contextual and organizational factors impacting knowledge transfer. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conduct 39 semi-structured in-depth interviews with employees working within business incubation centers in China. The study uses thematic analysis for data analysis. Findings – Our results contribute to the literature of knowledge transfer …


Relational Ties In Emerging Markets: What Is Their Contribution To Sme Growth?, Natalya Totskaya Jan 2015

Relational Ties In Emerging Markets: What Is Their Contribution To Sme Growth?, Natalya Totskaya

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Prior studies argue that social capital is vital for firm growth. Adding to this line of research, this paper provides more evidence regarding the contribution of bonding and bridging social ties to various aspects of small-l and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development. Building on the original data from Russia, this paper investigates the effects of firm-internal and firm-external relational ties on SME performance and geographic expansion. The findings indicate that horizontal bridging ties facilitate specific strategies of SME growth. Thus, this paper supports prior research conducted in the Asian context, and allows for extending the outcomes of bonding and bridging social …


Understanding Sme Intention To Use The Internet For Managing Supplier Information, Kevin Celuch, Anna Walz, Carl Saxby, Craig Ehlen Jan 2011

Understanding Sme Intention To Use The Internet For Managing Supplier Information, Kevin Celuch, Anna Walz, Carl Saxby, Craig Ehlen

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

There is strong consensus that the Internet has the potential to positively impact firms, and SMEs in particular; however, not all firms have realized benefits from adoption. The present study extends research in the area by addressing the need to examine the “chain” of variables explaining Internet adoption. We do this by exploring SME owner/manager Internet-related usefulness and ease-of-use cognitions and intention to use the Internet for supplier information management. We also explore the influence of behavioral norms and two broader strategic perspectives, market and learning orientation, on the Internet-related cognitions. Findings have implications for researchers and practitioners by identifying …


Corporate Parents, Initial Legitimacy, And Resource Acquisition In Small And Medium Firms: An Empirical Examination, Gregory Murphy, Neil M. Tocher Jan 2011

Corporate Parents, Initial Legitimacy, And Resource Acquisition In Small And Medium Firms: An Empirical Examination, Gregory Murphy, Neil M. Tocher

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) commonly struggle to acquire needed financial, human, and technological resources. The above being stated, recent scholarly research argues that SMEs that are able to successfully navigate the legitimacy threshold are better able to gather the resources they need to survive and grow. This article provides an empirical test of that claim by examining whether the presence of a corporate parent positively influences SME resource acquisition. Results of the study show that SMEs with corporate parents, when compared to like-sized independent SMEs, have higher credit scores, have more complete management teams, use more computers, and are …


Smes And Poverty Alleviation In Nigeria: Marketing Resources And Capabilities Implications, Olalekan U. Asikhia Jan 2010

Smes And Poverty Alleviation In Nigeria: Marketing Resources And Capabilities Implications, Olalekan U. Asikhia

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This article seeks to identify the mediating role of marketing resources and capabilities in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—poverty alleviation relationship. A qualitative approach of conceptualization of the interconnectedness of the major variables of the study is undertaken. Despite several development programs of SMEs and poverty alleviation, the poverty level of Nigerian SMEs has dragged with incidence of high SMEs failure. Marketing resources and capabilities are suggested as probable missing links between SMEs and profitable exchanges that lead to wealth creation, thus alleviating and eradicating poverty. While empirical study in this direction is vital, the current conceptual model shows that …


Strategic Flexibility And Smes: The Role Of Information Technology For Managing Internal And External Relations, Stephen K. Callaway, Kevin Celuch, Gregory B. Murphy Jan 2009

Strategic Flexibility And Smes: The Role Of Information Technology For Managing Internal And External Relations, Stephen K. Callaway, Kevin Celuch, Gregory B. Murphy

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

The purpose of the current study was to assess the impact of information technology on strategic flexibility for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Results of the study show that under conditions of low environmental dynamism, IT capabilities are associated with greater reactive strategic flexibility. Specifically, IT capabilities enabling the management of internal activities was significant. Under conditions of high environmental dynamism, IT capabilities are associated with greater proactive strategic flexibility. Specifically, IT capabilities enabling the management of competitor information was significant. Managerial as well as future research implications are discussed.


Collaboration Among Smes As A Mechanism For Innovation: An Empirical Study, Mario J. B. Franco Jan 2003

Collaboration Among Smes As A Mechanism For Innovation: An Empirical Study, Mario J. B. Franco

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

The interest for collaboration among small and mediumsized enterprises and innovation has been highlighted, in recent times, due to the acceleration of technological changes and to increasing international competitiveness. Many small firms, with rigid structures and weak entrepreneurial dynamics, experienced difficulties in becoming innovators. Some of these firms can adopt collaborative agreements because these relationships enable them to get the necessary innovative activities, know-how, and exploit opportunities, which they cannot achieve alone. This study examines the motives for the formation of collaborative agreements in industrial Portuguese SMEs and presents some empirical evidence concerning collaboration as an important vehicle for the …


The Region And The Smaller Enterprise: A Discussion Of Appropriate Investigative Methodologies, Ian Pownall Jan 2003

The Region And The Smaller Enterprise: A Discussion Of Appropriate Investigative Methodologies, Ian Pownall

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Regional policy instruments are typically driven by economic rationales, from either a firm or industrial perspective. Yet too often, these rationales are taken as ex ante to the contexts within which firms and industries compete. Recent regional development research has urged a better link be developed between the individual, the firm, and their context, so as to understand the role of regions in supporting effective competitiveness of organizations. In this article, recent research themes are explored that may shed light on the nature of this relationship and that can be developed into an investigative methodology that could aid policy practitioners …


Marketing Orientation In Smes: Effects Of The Internal Environment, Richard C. Becherer, Diane Halstead, Paula J. Haynes Jan 2003

Marketing Orientation In Smes: Effects Of The Internal Environment, Richard C. Becherer, Diane Halstead, Paula J. Haynes

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Marketing orientation refers to a culture in which organizations strive to create superior value for their customers (and superior performance for the business) by focusing on customer needs and long-term profitability. Some studies have found that firms with a high degree of marketing orientation experience improved performance; others have found mixed or nonsignificant results. The marketing orientation of small businesses has not been thoroughly investigated, however. This study of more than 200 small business CEOs examines the marketing orientation levels of small to medium-sized firms (SMEs) as well as the impact of various internal variables (sales/profit performance, company characteristics, and …