1. Information communication technology and supply chain efficiency in manufacturing SMES in Bulawayo Province in ZimbabweSithokozile Bafana, Simba Mutsvangwa, Felix Chari, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: There has been a global plummeting trend of failure in most manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) due to purported supply chain inefficiency. It is imperative for clothing manufacturing SMEs in developing nations like Zimbabwe, with reference to Bulawayo Province, which lacks digitization to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions into their supply chain operations to improving efficiency and maintain competitiveness in the global market. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate ICT and supply chain efficiency in the clothing manufacturing SMEs in Bulawayo Province. Employing the pragmatic approach, data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires from a sample of 107 from a total population of 147 that were triangulated with 15 interviews from clothing manufacturing SMEs in Bulawayo. A simple linear regression analysis through Ordinary Least Squares was conducted to test the relationship between ICT and supply chain efficiency. The results show that ICT has a positive and statistically significant effect on cost performance, agility and delivery performance in Bulawayo clothing manufacturing SMEs. By prioritizing ICT adoption, managers can achieve better cost management, increased responsiveness to market demands, and enhanced delivery capabilities. It is recommended that clothing manufacturing SMEs in Bulawayo should embrace the ICT. Further studies should examine the relationship between ICT and supply chain efficiency in manufacturing SMEs across different industries and nations.
Ključne besede: information and communication technology, supply chain efficiency, SMEs (small and medium enterprises), material requirement planning
Objavljeno v DKUM: 17.12.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 5
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2. The interplay of restaurant SMEs' entrepreneurial and environmental characteristics, management of the requisite assets, and operational efficiencyTanja Planinc, Marko Kukanja, Anja Žnidaršič, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background/Purpose: SMEs are subject to different factors in the business environments that influence their business performance. Considering the importance of restaurants’ environmental characteristics, entrepreneurs can also, through their entrepreneurial characteristics, influence SMEsʼ management of the requisite assets (MRA). Accordingly, this study examines the influence of restaurant SMEs’ entrepreneurial (self-efficacy, orientation, and demographics) and environmental (location, size, and competition) characteristics on MRA and, consequently, on SMEs’ operational efficiency.
Methods: Primary data relating to the environmental (location, size, and competition) and entrepreneurial (self-efficacy, orientation, and demographic) characteristics were obtained using a survey questionnaire, while the secondary data were obtained from SMEs’ official financial reports. The sample consists of 266 restaurant SMEs in the Republic of Slovenia. Efficiency was analysed using data envelopment analysis (DEA), and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the research model.
Results: The results indicate that environmental characteristics have a much more significant impact on MRA than entrepreneurial characteristics. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and most demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, and experience) proved not to influence significantly MRA and, consequently, SMEs’ operational efficiency.
Conclusion: SMEs’ external environment is generally not directly influenced by managerial decisions. Therefore, it is critical to strengthen the influence of the internal environment through an active development of entrepreneurial characteristics, which could result in a more effective MRA and higher efficiency. The conclusion provides suggestions for future research and valuable information for entrepreneurs, academia, and policymakers.
Ključne besede: SMEs, restaurant industry, Slovenia, efficiency, environmental and entrepreneurial characteristics, requisite assets
Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.06.2024; Ogledov: 418; Prenosov: 17
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3. Small and medium-sized enterprises in the digital age : understanding characteristics and essential demandsBarbara Bradač Hojnik, Ivona Huđek, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The article explores the implementation of digital technology in small and medium-sized Slovenian enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on understanding existing trends, obstacles, and necessary support measures during their digitalization progress. The surveyed companies mainly rely on conventional technologies like websites and teamwork platforms, emphasizing the significance of strong online communication and presence in the modern business world. The adoption of advanced technologies such as blockchain is limited due to the perceived complexity and relevance to specific sectors. This study uses variance analysis to identify potential differences in the digitalization challenges faced by companies of different sizes. The results indicate that small companies face different financial constraints and require more differentiated support mechanisms than their larger counterparts, with a particular focus on improving digital competencies among employees. Despite obtaining enhancements such as elevated operational standards and uninterrupted telecommuting via digitalization, companies still face challenges of differentiation and organizational culture change. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the different challenges and support needs of different-sized companies to promote comprehensive progress in digital transformation. Our findings provide important insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and SMEs to formulate comprehensive strategies and policies that effectively address the diverse needs and challenges of the digital transformation landscape.
Ključne besede: digital transformation, digital technology adoption, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), digitalization challenges, digitalization support
Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.04.2024; Ogledov: 299; Prenosov: 30
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4. Enhancing the performance of high-growth small- and medium-sized enterprises through effective project- management processes and stakeholder engagement : a systems perspectiveIgor Vrečko, Polona Tominc, Karin Širec, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study examines the impact of project management practices on high-growth Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (HG SMEs) from a systems perspective, utilizing Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and data from a diverse SME sample. It investigates the intricate relationships among project management system support, project management processes, stakeholder involvement, project management success, project success, and HG SME growth. Our findings highlight the substantial positive influence of project management processes and stakeholder engagement on project management success. These factors subsequently contribute significantly to both project success and the overall growth of HG SMEs. Notably, project management system support does not exhibit a substantial influence on these success factors. Furthermore, our research uncovers important indirect effects. Project management processes indirectly impact both project success and HG SME growth, underscoring their central role. Similarly, stakeholder involvement indirectly influences HG SME growth through its impact on project success, emphasizing its significance. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by emphasizing the critical roles of project management processes, stakeholder engagement, and project success as drivers of SME growth. These insights have valuable implications for SME managers, project leaders, and policymakers, highlighting the essential nature of effective project management in shaping the growth trajectory of SMEs.
Ključne besede: project management, project success, SME growth, stakeholder engagement, projectmanagement processes, high-growth SMEs, systems perspective, SEM
Objavljeno v DKUM: 13.12.2023; Ogledov: 455; Prenosov: 30
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5. Factors influencing information and communications technology usageBojan Ćudić, Matjaž Klemenčič, Ivan Štefanić, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The paper investigates predictors of information and communications technology (ICT) usage in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) among European Union member states - developed countries (EU-28) - and the Western Balkans developing countries (WB-5) in the period 2010-2018. It aims to suggest measures for the improvement of ICT usage among SMEs in WB-5 countries. Primary data for a thorough qualitative analysis of ICT use by the WB-5 SMEs were obtained through interviews at the firms’ level. Secondary data were obtained from credible international business support organizations and relevant scholarly literature. The analyses were performed utilizing the regression analysis.The authors have identified many variables that influence ICT use through the literature review. From these, they selected ICT access, functional literacy, and gross domestic spending on research and development (R&D) as being vital to the improvement of ICT usage among SMEs in developing countries.
Ključne besede: ICT, digitalization, SMEs, South-Eastern Europe
Objavljeno v DKUM: 22.09.2023; Ogledov: 325; Prenosov: 25
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6. The interplay among restaurant SMEs' financial, quality, and managers' perceived business performance : a balanced scorecard approachMarko Kukanja, Tanja Planinc, Anja Žnidaršič, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The present study aims to test a simplified version of the balanced scorecard (BSC) model for restaurant industry SMEs. This study aims to determine if (I) restaurant managers' perceived business performance correlates to SMEs' (II) actual financial and (III) quality performance. A new variable, the manager's perceived business performance, was added in light of the unique characteristics of restaurant SMEs. We hypothesized that all three business perspectives are positively correlated since restaurant managers must have realistic perceptions of SMEs' business performance. A total of 266 questionnaires were obtained from restaurant managers, and 1,330 questionnaires were obtained from restaurant guests. SMEs' official financial reports served as the basis for the analysis of financial data. Exploratory factor analysis and correlation analysis were used to investigate the relationships among the three perspectives. Results indicate that managers' perceptions of business performance are not correlated to SMEs' actual financial performance, and managers have realistic perceptions about the quality of what restaurants offer. Interestingly, SMEs' financial performance is not correlated to guests' perceptions of quality. Introducing a new internal perspective indicates the incoherence among the three BSC perspectives. Furthermore, using selected variables highlights the necessity of raising the managerial perspective in future restaurant SME studies.
Ključne besede: restaurant industry, balanced scorecard, quality, SMEs, Slovenia
Objavljeno v DKUM: 01.08.2023; Ogledov: 562; Prenosov: 54
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7. Importance of business models in circular economy : bachelor thesisFernández Gómez Raquel, 2022, diplomsko delo Opis: This bachelor thesis studies and analyzes the importance of business models in the Circular Economy. The company studied is an SME, i.e. 10 to 250 employees. The smaller companies are mainly confronted with the problem of resources, and the larger ones with their strategic orientation.
The aim is to generate a guideline or way of doing that serves as a model for the SMEs already created so that the transition from the Linear Economy, which is still predominant today, to a Circular Economy.
The idea is, after the study, a real case study of SMEs working with the premises of CE to establish a market model that follows the same.
To support changes, we have documented the different business models currently in use, choosing the Canvas Business Model for several reasons and making the various changes necessary to make this a sustainable and circular model.
In addition, it is established that the process of innovation and modification must be applied as a continuous cyclical process. If the company wants to be successful, it is a continuous cycle model, which should never stop.
Ključne besede: Business Models for Circular Economy, Business Model Canvas, Industrial symbiosis, Ressource efficciency, Synergies, Sustainable development, CE in SMEs, Circular Economy, Product Sustainable Design.
Objavljeno v DKUM: 12.07.2022; Ogledov: 707; Prenosov: 41
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8. Assessment of the innovation system in SMEs using innovation taxonomy and pondering methods : diplomsko delo univerzitetnega študijskega programa I. stopnjeAna Gallardo Gandarillas, 2021, diplomsko delo Opis: In this bachelor thesis, the different types of innovation within a company are studied and analysed. The companies studied are SMEs i.e. from 10 to 250 employees. Smaller companies are mainly confronted with the problem of resources and larger companies with their strategic orientation. We have studied the ten types of innovations according to Doblin (Doblin 2014), and we realise that they have a rather marketing-oriented focus, so we analyse five groups of innovations that we consider to be the key (marketing, product, organisational, business model and technological innovation). Five groups of innovations have been weighed on a scale from 0 to 100 % according to their importance to contribute to the economic success of the company. All groups have been weighted and ranked in order of priority to initiate the innovation process in the SME, starting with marketing, followed by product, technological, organisational and business model innovations. We found innovation process needs to be implemented as a continuous cyclical process. If the company wants to be successful, it is a continuous cycle model, which should never stop. Once a particular innovation is chosen, it will be studied and tested whether the investment can be successful. If so investment process will be executed, if not, the cycling process will start again until gives a positive result. This way one of the innovation is recognized as most important according to circumstances in SME involved at a certain moment.
Ključne besede: Innovation model, types of innovation, pondering of innovations, cycling innovation process, innovation in SMEs, ten types of innovation by Doblin, ranking of innovations, marketing innovations, product innovations.
Objavljeno v DKUM: 07.07.2021; Ogledov: 968; Prenosov: 33
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9. The challenges of SME business transfers : the evidence from Croatia and FinlandMirela Alpeza, Juha Tall, Petra Mezulić Juric, 2018, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Background and Purpose: In the life cycle of a firm, business transfer represents the critical stage of development. Underestimating the complexity and longevity of this process can have negative implications for firms, their owners and wide network of stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to compare the attitude towards business transfer of entrepreneurs aged 55 and more in Croatia and Finland and provide policy recommendations for improvement of the national business transfer ecosystems.
Methodology/Approach: Both surveys targeted entrepreneurs aged 55 and more using the same questionnaire, with some adjustments to Croatian business transfer ecosystem. Finish barometer was conducted through webbased survey among members of Federation of Finnish Enterprises. Survey in Croatia was conducted with combination of CATI and CAWI collection method by a professional data collection agency. Data collected was compared based on a demographic criterion, industry background, experience in business transfer, expected future of the company, support needed and biggest challenges.
Results: The research results indicated a growing number of entrepreneurs in Croatia who will be interested in selling their firm once they withdraw from the business and less than expected family business successions. In Finland the most important challenges are related to business valuation and finding a successor or a buyer.
Conclusion: For further development of business transfer ecosystem in Croatia it is recommended to focus on awareness raising activities, channels for matching sellers and buyers, promotion of takeover entrepreneurship and consultancy support for micro enterprises. In Finland results indicate the importance of investing continuous efforts in raising the effectiveness of the measures implemented.
Ključne besede: SMEs, business transfer, business transfer ecosystem
Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.10.2018; Ogledov: 1284; Prenosov: 164
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