The negative effect of unfavorable working conditions and long-term work stress on health has been demonstrated in previous research. To address these challenges, systematic approaches such as ...psychosocial risk assessments (PRA) have been developed in many countries worldwide. Despite legal obligations, psychosocial risk assessments are rarely carried out in micro and small-sized enterprises (MSE). Even though those enterprises constitute a large proportion of the general workforce, this area remains largely untouched by research. In order to enable starting points for a greater dissemination in organizational practice, the present study explores barriers and drivers of psychosocial risk assessments in micro and small-sized enterprises.
A total of 18 owners and managers from 15 micro and small-sized enterprises in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany, were interviewed. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. A qualitative approach was applied: Content analysis was used to analyze the data, using deductive as well as inductive coding techniques.
The following barriers emerged from the interviews: Negative PRA image, stigmatization of mental health, lacking acceptance of employees, fear of excessive authority interference, ignorance of PRA, not understanding the necessity, inappropriate approach, and limited resources. The identified drivers were: Easy access to PRA material, external support from experts, renaming the term "workplace risk assessment", understanding content and benefit of PRA, simplify and revise PRA process, and noticeable consequences of PRA execution and non-execution. The results are comparable with those in larger companies. They emphasize the importance of mental health education, improving the process of psychosocial risk assessments, and the ongoing support in overcoming limited financial as well as human resources.
To improve implementation of PRA in organizational practice, a simplification of the process is proposed, accompanied by information campaigns and an improvement in the health literacy of owners and managers of MSE. In view of the results, the full revision of the PRA approach should also be considered.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Public enterprises and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have similar goals in the eyes of the state. SMEs that get government or public bodies funding can make it a public enterprise. These ...enterprises in Indonesia face challenges due to limited resources, low market reach, and low marketing expertise. They must leverage their marketing capabilities effectively and adopt strategic approaches such as entrepreneurial orientation and digital marketing. This study explores digital marketing mediation and marketing capabilities in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and marketing performance in public enterprises. Survey techniques were used for this study, and data were obtained from 176 respondents who are entrepreneurs who use social media in their marketing activities. Data are processed and analysed using smartPLS. The results of this study show that entrepreneurial orientation significantly affects marketing capabilities, digital marketing and marketing performance in MSEs. Digital marketing and market capabilities have a direct positive influence on marketing performance. In addition, digital marketing and market capabilities mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and marketing performance. Marketing capabilities mediate the relationship between digital marketing and marketing performance.
The energy transition is one of humanity’s most significant challenges. All micro, small, medium, and large enterprises will have to face it, and some are already making progress. This paper focuses ...on the involvement of the smallest actors in the energy transition. Micro and small enterprises comprise the largest part of the economy and significantly impact its development. Concerning the broad scope of their activities, these entities are characterized by a specific owner–manager relationship. This means that the final decision is influenced by business objectives, the manager’s approach, their awareness of change, and personal and other factors. Based on the analysis of data from 400 companies, it was found that the involvement of micro and small enterprises in the energy transition is related to their market and financial success.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
This paper exploits novel data on Italian manufacturing firms to investigate how mimetic isomorphism influences offshore outsourcing and backshoring decisions among micro and small enterprises ...(MSEs). The results show that offshore outsourcing by peers located in the same home region positively affects the likelihood that an MSE will engage in the same global sourcing strategy. When these dynamics emerge, firms are more likely to engage in long-lasting foreign subcontracting relationships. Mimetic isomorphism is only detected during the early stages of the internationalization process, while backshoring practices appear to be the result of more independent decisions.
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BFBNIB, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The research objective was to analyze the determninant factors of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) in the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) of the traditional food centers in Bandung. It used the EO ...dimension at the organizational level. Five dimensions were used to measure the EO level, namely risk-taking, innovativeness, competitive aggressiveness, proactiveness, and autonomy. The questionare’s was distributed to eight MSEs in Bandung. The sample size is 100 employee Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis techniques with Partial Least Square (PLS) was used to test the samples. This research shows that the EO level in the micro and small enterprises in the traditional food centers in Bandung is at a moderate level. Although EO of MSEs in the traditional food centers in Bandung is in the moderate category, the results of testing on the EO model find out that each EO dimension forms a significant EO construct. The four dominant and recommended dimensions forming an EO construct in MSEs are risk-taking, innovativeness, competitive aggressiveness, and proactiveness. Among the four dimensions, risk-taking is the dominant dimension. It indicates that courage in taking risks in MSEs is a natural characteristic of the EO in the traditional food centers in Bandung.
The recent history shows that computers have a significant effect in society. The benefits from Information Technology (IT) reach both enterprises and people. When small firms use IT resources to ...create unique capabilities, even indirectly they improve their conditions to meet Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). Considering this scenario, the aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of IT use on the CSR of small firms. We tested the relationships between the constructs using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, with a database comprised of 173 Brazilian small firms. Our results showed a positive and significant relationship between IT use and the four categories of CSR. In this way, we observed that IT contributes to companies, and also affects people that work in these enterprises. Corporate social obligations of firms and IT investments should be combined to generate unique capabilities, improving competitive advantage through the interaction of technology and people. The results of the paper extend the discussion about IT benefits to companies and to society.
•This paper analyzes the effect of IT use on Corporate Social Responsibilities of small firms.•We tested and analyzed a database comprised of 173 Brazilian small firms.•Results showed relationships between IT use and the four categories of Corporate Social Responsibilities.•Investments in IT presented a positive effect on legal obligations.•The most significant impact of the IT use was in the economic responsibility.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to examine the implications of social media and socio-economic activities on micro and small enterprises in India.
Theoretical framework: The study will be ...based on the theories of social capital, network effects, and digital divide.
Design/methodology/approach: The research will be conducted using a mixed-methods approach, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Surveys and interviews will be conducted with micro and small enterprise owners in India to gather data on their use of social media and their socio-economic activities.
Findings: The findings of the study will explore the ways in which social media and socio-economic activities impact the growth and success of micro and small enterprises in India. This includes the potential for increased connectivity and networking opportunities, as well as the potential for digital divide and limited access to resources.
Research, practical and social implications: The research will have implications for policymakers and small business owners in India, as it will provide insight into the potential benefits and challenges of using social media for small business growth and success. It will also contribute to the broader literature on the impact of digital technologies on small businesses in developing countries.
Originality/value: This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the specific context of micro and small enterprises in India, and by using a mixed-methods approach to explore the implications of social media and socio-economic activities on these businesses.
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a structured model based on a data mining algorithm that can calculate, based on business association (BA) attributes, the probability of micro and small ...enterprises (MSEs) becoming a new member of a BA. Another goal is the probability of a BA attracting new members.
Design/methodology/approach
As a methodological procedure, the authors used the Naive Bayes data mining algorithm. The collected data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively and then used to define the model, which was tested randomly, while allowing for the possibility of future validation.
Findings
The findings suggest a structured model based on a data mining algorithm. The model can certainly be used as a management tool for BAs concentrating their efforts on those businesses that are certainly potential new recruits. Further, for an MSE, it serves as a means of evaluating a BA, indicating the possible advantages in becoming a member of a particular association.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is not intended to be generalized, considering that it only analyzes the BAs of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In this way, when applying this model to other situations, the attributes listed here can be revised and even modified to adapt to the situation in focus.
Practical implications
The use of the proposed model will make it possible to optimize the time of BA managers. It also gives MSE greater reliability in choosing BA.
Social implications
Using this model will provide better decision-making and better targeting, thus benefiting both the BAs and the MSEs, which can improve their management and keep jobs.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature because it is the first to connect BAs, MSEs and Naive Bayes. Also, this study helps in better management for BA managers in their daily activities and provides a better choice of BA for MSE managers. Also, this study contextualizes BAs, MSEs and data mining in an objective way.
•Two clusters identified differ significantly as to management and innovation levels.•All clusters significantly improved innovation in a before-and-after self-comparison.•The high-level cluster ...improved innovation significantly more than the low-level one.•Marketing innovation dimensions improved similarly independent from management level.•Policymakers face a tradeoff between higher efficiency and lower program coverage.
This research aims to analyze management and innovation patterns among micro and small businesses (MSBs) that participated during 2015–2016 in the Local Innovation Agents (LIA) Program from the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE). Complemented by factor analyses, two-step cluster analysis was applied on 6674 MSBs’ management dimensions to identify group patterns and statistical tests explored further cluster differences regarding management and innovation dimensions, besides innovation improvement throughout the program. Results were multifaceted. First, complementary factor analyses showed that management dimensions compose one factor with similar loadings, thus in accordance with their predictive importance found in the cluster analysis. Second, two main clusters were identified in terms of management level, which also presented significant differences regarding innovation levels. Third, considering a before-and-after self-comparison, by and large, innovation was significantly improved by both clusters. Fourth, the highest developed cluster presented higher improvement rates in most innovation dimensions, thus benefiting more from the program, except for two marketing-related innovations, which improved similarly by both clusters. Overall, even though the LIA Program was effective to leverage MSBs innovation, higher efficiency rates would be bounded to fewer participating MSBs, and hence policy planners should be aware of this tradeoff.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Ethiopia, as a developing country has a higher level of youth unemployment combined with a higher level of growth in the economy, in the recent past. In Ethiopia, the youth entrepreneurship has been ...regarded as a tool for employment creation. However, the country is faced with the challenge of high youth unemployment rates. Still, the country is one of the lowest rates of youth entrepreneurial activity and business survival in the sub-Saharan African region. This research is supposed to fill the gaps by investigating the major effect of demographic variables with youth owned business performance. Further, the research employed both a descriptive survey and exploratory research design with a sample size of 350 youth entrepreneurs. The results obtained from a multiple regression model indicate that age, educational level and prior work experience of the youth entrepreneur were found to be positive and significantly important in explaining the perceived business performance. The implications of this study are that specific policy measures are necessary to encourage the many well trained but unemployed young people to engage in businesses. Additionally it also implies that specific training programmes are necessary to equip the practitioners with necessary theoretical and practical capacities to enhance performance of their firms.
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