Literature in a discipline generally represents the advancement of knowledge and a richer understanding of associated phenomena, factors, and context. However, an unplanned growth in literature can ...impede advancement by introducing the possibility of complex, competing, and occasionally counterintuitive arguments in the ongoing scholarly dialogue. The exponential growth of literature in small business and entrepreneurship research in recent years has made salient just such risk. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing a clear understanding of advancements and state of knowledge stock in the discipline to inform and guide future researchers aiming to advance the field. The Journal of Small Business Management's first special issue on review articles intends to contribute to the advancement of small business and entrepreneurship literature by informing researchers on the current state of research.
Economies in the Mediterranean Middle East and North Africa (MED economies) are engaged in proactive policies to support SMEs. This is a relatively recent development and a significant shift from ...past policies that focused on supporting strategic enterprises and sectors. An important factor behind this shift has been the unrelenting pressure to generate more and better jobs: the region's labour supply is rapidly expanding while new entrants to the labour market have higher education levels than those of previous generations. This certainly represents a major opportunity for development, but also a potential liability for social and political stability if that opportunity does not materialise. SME policy is a key instrument for economic growth and development through enterprise creation, expansion and increased productivity. This report points to significant constraints for SME development in the MED region such as poor incentives for entrepreneurship; high entry barriers for new enterprises; restrictive market access; lack of quality vocational and managerial skills to support SME growth; rigid regulations favouring incumbents; high levels of economic informality and limited access to finance due to weak creditor rights, underdeveloped collateral registries and weak bank competition. Constraints are counterbalanced by significant opportunities, notably growing domestic markets resulting from demographic growth and decreasing dependency rates; a progressive integration and opening up of MED economies to the Euro-MED region and the global economy; new prospects for entrepreneurship derived from the opening up of societies and demand for transparency and economic participation, including for women; and progressive improvements in literacy rates and education levels. The intensity of these challenges and opportunities differs among MED economies. The challenges are stronger in economies with lower levels of institutional and economic development and economic diversification.
This article examines the impact of a crisis on small firms. Taking a phenomenological research approach, qualitative interviews were conducted to capture the experiences of small businesses directly ...affected by looting, vandalism and/or arson in the London 2011 riots. This study adds to the literature on crisis management by highlighting the different types of losses encountered by small businesses following a crisis and the role individual owner–managers, businesses and the wider community play in enhancing or minimizing losses. A model is developed to capture those factors that influence which small businesses were vulnerable or resilient to the riots.
A complete, winning approach to the number one small business solution Do you have 75 or fewer users or devices on your small-business network? Find out how to integrate everything you need for your ...mini-enterprise with Microsoft's new Windows Server 2008 Small Business Server, a custom collection of server and management technologies designed to help small operations run smoothly without a giant IT department. This comprehensive guide shows you how to master all SBS components as well as handle integration with other Microsoft technologies. Focuses on Windows Server 2008 Small Business Server, an integrated server solution for small business, and part of the new Windows Essential Server SolutionsCovers the essentials of SBS deployment and setup, as well as integration with Windows Server 2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Windows Update Services 3.0, Web Server technologies, and Windows Live OneCare for ServerWalks you step-by-step through instructions and practical applications and provides plenty of real-world examples to reinforce concepts Get the very most out of Windows Server 2008 SBS with this comprehensive guide.
Este estudo descreve um modelo de logística reversa que pode ser utilizado para o descarte de resíduos de equipamentos elétricos e eletrônicos (REEE) de pequenas empresas, que inclui sua coleta, ...desmontagem, triagem, armazenamento e destinação por um operador logístico. O operador logístico só recolherá REEE depois de acumulado o volume mínimo que estipula, o que se tem revelado um entrave para os pequenos negócios. Isto poderia ser resolvido através da criação de uma estrutura intermédia de gestão pública ou privada que assumisse a responsabilidade pela recepção, armazenamento e transferência dos REEE para o operador logístico em troca de uma taxa. Este modelo de negócio traz benefícios sociais, ambientais e econômicos.
We use loan-level data to study how the organizational structure of banks impacts small business lending. We find that decentralized banks—where branch managers have greater autonomy over lending ...decisions—give larger loans to small firms and those with “soft information.” However, decentralized banks are also more responsive to their own competitive environment. They are more likely to expand credit when faced with competition but also cherry pick customers and restrict credit when they have market power. This “darker side” to decentralized banks in concentrated markets highlights that the level of local banking competition is key to determining which organizational structure provides better lending terms for small businesses.
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