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Copyright of Carta Económica Regional is the property of Universidad de Guadalajara and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since many of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are unaware of the level of workload that their staff has, they do not know how to balance it; nor do they include among their responsibilities activities aimed at managing their knowledge, which ultimately affects the company and its competitiveness. The objective of this paper is to propose a methodology focused on SMEs for the analysis of workload oriented towards knowledge management. For this, a methodology consisting of three phases is developed: identification of activities carried out in each job, analysis of workload by task, and evaluation of the workload. To validate the methodology, it was implemented in a company located in the northwestern Mexico, dedicated to the production and distribution of natural beverages and the workload of the staff was analyzed through a series of values, which made it possible to determine the level of workload, better distribute the workload, and include activities related to knowledge management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on how the individual and community perceptions of workers in relation to their workspace, their community, and their work environment are related to their decision to stay in a job or start their own business in the context of Highly Specialized Communities (HSCs) in the garment industry in Mexico. We draw upon Mitchell et al. (2001) theoretical framework, which suggests that there are numerous threads that connect a company to its employees and their family in a social, physical, and financial network that includes friends, community, and environment where they live. Further, an extension to Mitchell and colleagues' construct was designed in order to characterize those workers who develop entrepreneurial capabilities in this particular social context and are more likely to set up their own businesses. The analysis was carried out through an empirical study of a sample of 400 workers in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the garment industry. The results show that the relationship with the employer and the sacrifice perceived by the subjects for losing their job are variables that significantly intervene in the decision to remain in their job. At the same time, ties with the community positively and significantly increase the probability of entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizations that efficiently complete a demand planning process gain a competitive advantage. The current demand planning literature mostly studies relatively large organizations. However, SMEs invest a significant amount of resources into improving demand planning practices. Moreover, the context of SMEs in Latin America, and specifically Mexico, has not been explored sufficiently by the current literature. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to understand demand planning in a Mexican SME. The paper involves a case study of a confectionery firm based in Jalisco, Mexico. To make sense of the empirical findings, the Kilger and Wagner (2008) theoretical framework of demand planning was utilized. This paper concludes that Mexican SMEs have a different context compared to larger firms in developed countries. Thus, how Mexican SMEs envision and implement demand planning is unique, specifically in demand planning structures and controlling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vulnerability of small firms to price shocks may partly explain why fossil fuel subsidy removals in developing countries are so difficult to implement. This paper analyzes the effects of fuel and electricity price increases on profits of micro- and small-sized enterprises in Mexico. Using representative cross-sectional data, simulations of profit losses hint at potentially large short-term effects. First-order profit losses of a 1 per cent price increase are 0.2 per cent for fuels and 0.07 per cent for electricity, but are higher than 1 per cent for fuels in the transport sector. These effects are larger for formal than for informal firms, with energy-using low-profit firms being most vulnerable. Second-order impacts – predicted using estimated input-demand elasticities – indicate that firms react to price shocks by substituting labor for energy, while the self-employed appear to increase their own labor input. Reduced-form regressions show that some firms pass on higher fuel costs to customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in sustainable development. Indeed, national and international governments call for urgent transformations into sustainable development, where firms are affected and affecting this situation. However, recent evidence has shown that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) present low interest, commitment and maturation levels on sustainability; they seem to neglect and question the actual impact of transforming sustainability as a priority in their operations. Thus, this paper aims to measure the impact of sustainability on competitiveness in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach: This is empirical research on sustainability and competitiveness in SMEs with a quantitative approach through structural equation modeling. Three hundred twenty-five surveys were applied to SMEs' manufacturing, construction, trade and services, operating in Mexico. Before measuring variables' multiple correlations, tests were carried out to establish the validity and reliability of the model. The data collection, validation and analysis were carried out with statistical package for social sciences and analysis of moment structures. Findings: The results indicate a significant positive effect of SMEs' sustainability on competitiveness. The adjusted measurement model shows validity and reliability through the various tests applied. Thus, firms should not view sustainability as detrimental to their competitiveness. Originality/value: Because firms are crucial in the urgent sustainability transformation, recent research has shown their low commitment and maturation to sustainability. This research's originality empirically measures and demonstrates sustainability's impact on SMEs' competitiveness. Therefore, empirically testing this impact becomes essential and original to provide better insights into SMEs' needs to be uncovered, prioritied and done in their specific and evolving contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore if and how micro and small firms apply management accounting (MA) techniques. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on 36 semistructured interviews with micro and small firm owners/managers in Mexico. Content analysis is used to identify how these enterprises use MA tools. Findings: Micro and small firms consistently use MA tools. Most of them have some sort of planning, set objectives, have a costing system – even if budgeting is unusual – and use one or two metrics to monitor performance. Research limitations/implications: This is exploratory research with a limited and nonrandom sample. Only a limited number of MA tools were studied. Practical implications: Micro and small firms' use of MA tools. This is arguably important because these enterprises use these techniques in a way that is different from the traditional approach used in bigger corporations. A relevant implication emerging from the findings, as a contribution to practice would be the need to include MA for micro and small businesses in formal training and textbooks. Originality/value: On top of providing and assessing empirical evidence on a debate that has been so far largely theoretical, and on the back of the relative weight of micro and small enterprises in any given economy, this paper aims at reinforcing awareness on the need to further the study of the decision-making process in such firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos, Revista de Ciencias Administrativas y Económicas is the property of Universidad Politecnica Salesiana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Firms must be constantly looking for markets and business opportunities and developing new products; to do so, they must find ways to increase their competitiveness, productivity so that it is noticed in their financial statements. The purpose of this paper is to establish the influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in business performance (BP) of small and medium-sized enterprises of the manufacturing sector in Mexico. Likewise, it is intended to demonstrate how absorptive capacity (ACAP) allows moderating this important relation. Design/methodology/approach: Analyzing important theoretical and empirical contributions as regards this topic, a survey was designed and applied to 165 manufacturing firms, and by means of partial least squares structural equation modeling resorting to SmartPLS, the research hypotheses were tried. Findings: The obtained results indicate that indeed, EO positively influences BP; in like manner, ACAP has a moderating effect on this relation. Thereby, it can be established that the manufacturing sector carries out the right practices that aim at increasing entrepreneurial competitiveness. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of the paper is its regional scale, not national; however, the typology of the manufacturing sector in the country is very similar, as the analyzed subsectors are the most relevant at a national level. Moreover, the existence of international value chains is also found in the rest of the country, so these chains are not exclusive to the region. Another limitation is that even if the analysis focuses on the main manufacturing subsectors, it would have been interesting to analyze if the behavior is similar in other subsectors. Originality/value: This paper contributes to broadening the studies on EO, ACAP and BP in a different context. Besides, it allows contrasting the results obtained in an eminently manufacturing country with other economies less dependent on this sector. It also contributes to broadening the multidimensional analysis of the manufacturing sector in Mexico, as the authors of the present paper have also performed studies over similar lines in the same sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the capital budgeting decision-making of Canadian and Mexican entrepreneurs in small businesses in the food sector. The objective is to understand the capital budgeting decisions through the lens of bounded rationality and how these decisions are affected by different (national) contexts. Design/methodology/approach: This is a comparative study in which the use of constructivist grounded theory allowed deep conversations about capital budgeting decisions. Data was collected from forty semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs/managers in two regions, Mexico and Canada. Findings: Insights from this study suggest that entrepreneurs' capital budgeting decisions are not only taken under conditions of bounded rationality but also suggest a prominent role of context in how bounded rationality is applied differently towards investment decisions. Research limitations/implications: While the findings cannot simply be generalized, exploring how capital budgeting decisions are made differently across two regional contexts adds to the understanding of the nexus of context, bounded rationality and capital budgeting decision-making. Practical implications: Using a bounded rationality lens, this study contrasts and explains similarities and differences in the entrepreneur's capital budgeting decision-making within small businesses. The insights add to the body of knowledge and help entrepreneurs to reflect on their approach to decision-making. Originality/value: The paper uses a less commonly applied approach to understand two under-researched regional contexts. We use constructivist grounded theory to explore entrepreneurs' capital budgeting decision-making in small businesses in two regions, Canada and Mexico. The comparative approach and the findings add to the understanding of decision-making, highlight the prominent role of context and also challenge some insights from previous research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informality often concerns policymakers due to its negative implications on productivity and poverty. In recent years, the extent of informal employment has diverged across Mexican states. Varying informal employment dynamics within a comparable institutional environment offers scope to identify policies that can reduce informality. This paper uses cross-state panel and individual data to examine the determinants of informal employment, exploiting the diverging outcomes across states, industries and time. The results suggest that there is no 'silver bullet' to combat informality, yet a package of policies promoting labour skills, encouraging foreign investment, enhancing tax enforcement and deterring corruption can reduce informal employment. Intriguingly, reducing the cost to start a business is found to have a non-linear effect on informal employment, conditional on the prevalence of microenterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using online channels is an opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry to reach new markets and reduce the dependency on distributors. The challenge remains that of integrating new online channels into existing networks effectively. This paper aims to identify to what extent multichannel integration is enhanced by the innovation capability of manufacturing SMEs and the subsequent influence on their performance. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected by means of a survey aimed at managers of small manufacturing firms in Mexico and were analysed through an advanced partial least squares (PLS) approach via SmartPLS. Findings: Manufacturing SMEs with more advanced innovation capability achieve higher levels of multichannel integration. In turn, when multichannel integration is more advanced, manufacturing SMEs enjoy better results with respect to sales, fulfilling marketing objectives and improving relationships with customers. Research limitations/implications: The model could be extended to accommodate other variables that may affect the effective integration of multiple channels. Practical implications: Manufacturing SMEs can improve their results by integrating online channels with existing offline channels with a commitment to innovating in the market. Originality/value: Analysing multichannel integration from the perspective of manufacturing firms, examining not only the positive consequences but also the underlying capabilities needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciencia Administrativa is the property of Universidad Veracruzana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Estudios Económicos is the property of El Colegio de Mexico AC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Circular economy (CE) principles have evolved in response to natural resource depletion as a set of guidelines for eliminating the linear take-use-dispose model of product consumption. The consequences of shifting from a linear to a circular supply chain are difficult to visualize in the long term. This study aims to design a methodology for building a simulation model to implement CE strategies in any small and medium-sized enterprise SME to prove policies before implementing them in the real world. This paper applied the methodology in a biological cycle case study: a confectionery factory in Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: This study evaluated service-dominant logic, ecosystem services, system dynamics, and agent-based modeling to design the proposed methodology. A series of interviews with stakeholders were performed to assess the simulation model during the development phase. The circular economy indicator prototype (CEIP) was used as a circular maturity measure of the confectionery factory. The simulator was executed in Netlogo software, implementing a four-scenario analysis based on two CE policies for the caramel recycling process. Five state variables were proposed in this analysis: confectionery waste, recycled glucose, recycling utilization, costs of recycled glucose, and profit. Findings: The CEIP score of the confectionery factory was 52%, rated as a "good" product. Regarding scenario analysis, the first scenario had the highest profit improvement. Practical implications: The simulator allowed stakeholders to understand the operation of the recycling process and visualize all variables involved in the system. Originality/value: In the CE literature, little attention has been paid to proposing a methodology for designing a simulation model to implement CE strategies in any industry. Thus, this study implements a nine-step methodology based on services context and dynamic simulation tools to design a platform to evaluate and visualize the consequences of CE strategies implementation in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nóesis: Revista de Ciencias Sociales is the property of Revista Noesis and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose Specific research related to the study of innovation barriers in service SMEs in the Latin American region is limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects that external environmental, financial and human barriers have on innovation activities, particularly, within the context of Mexican service SMEs.Design/methodology/approach Three hypotheses were formulated and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected through an instrument that was developed based on relevant constructs adapted from the literature. The instrument was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s α test and the composite reliability index to ensure reliability of the theoretical model. The instrument was distributed among service SMEs in the Aguascalientes state of Mexico, from were 308 valid responses were obtained.Findings In general, the results indicate that all the three barriers investigated (i.e. external environmental, financial and human) hinder innovation in service SMEs, with the external environmental barrier being the most significant of the three.Practical implications The findings of this research can inform managers of service SMEs and policy makers when formulating and implementing strategies to reduce innovation barriers.Originality/value Evidence suggests that specific research related to the study of innovation barriers in service SMEs in the Latin American region is limited. This paper fills this research gap by expanding the limited body of knowledge in this field and providing further evidence on this phenomenon. The study also enables the distinctive characteristics of innovation barriers to be understood within a particular context, expanding in this way the body of knowledge on this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecos de Economía is the property of Universidad EAFIT and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of the intellectual capital (IC) on the competitiveness in the manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mexico.Design/methodology/approach The approach of this investigation is developing a theoretical construct to determine the correlation between IC and competitiveness and find the most relevant factors that impact it, where IC is independent variable and the competitiveness is dependant variable. Using the Likert scale to determine the degree of agreement or disagreement, the survey was applied to 420 SMEs. The results were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha and subsequently structural equation models.Findings The results show that the IC dimensions – the information obtained, IC developed and learning and feedback – have an effect on the competitiveness of SMEs. The paper presents the theoretical validation of the factors that impact on IC and competitiveness and hence they are the key elements that impact mostly on each analysed variable.Practical implications The results obtained measure the level of correlation between the variables in the study, helping to design strategies for the key factors needed to integrate the IC and to develop competitive synergies in the manufacturing SMEs.Originality/value This study shows the effects of the IC that are directly impacting the competitiveness of SMEs so that each factor of the dependent and independent variables should be analysed separately to propose improvements in implementing IC to seek higher level of competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the utility of a mixed methods approach in the examination of one of the best-known success factors of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): their structural flexibility (SF), and how this is related to their organisational life cycle (OLC). Previous research has proposed five factors to explain SF in large and medium-sized organisations. By adopting an explanatory sequential design, this study demonstrates why a mono-method approach is insufficient to explain this model when put into operation in SMEs. It also highlights a key aspect of mixed methods research: the integration challenge, which is illustrated with joint displays and using a weaving approach. In the first quantitative phase, data from 257 SMEs were collected, classified according to their OLC stage, and examined with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a two-step cluster analysis. The EFA revealed five factors, one of which, called "decision-making", presented unexpected statistical behaviour and an unclear explanation, indicating a contrasting approach was necessary for better results explanation. It was not until the qualitative phase that we realised this aspect would be better named "centralisation in decision-making". This term is associated with growing and declining SMEs, and it may constrain their flexibility and limit their growth. Additionally, a new theme emerged in this phase: "innovation", which had not been associated with the SF before. This paper provides evidence that the combined use of quantitative and qualitative approaches offers the possibility of exploring new dimensions and can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon in a way quantitative data alone may not allow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism has been the sector most affected by the current pandemic, resulting in job loss and the closure of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME's). This research paper aims to determine the factors that can help restaurants to be more competitive in the face of a health crisis. The study was carried out in the City of Zacatecas, Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the magical town of Guadalupe, located in the state of Zacatecas of the Mexican Republic. Based on the literature review, it was constructed the «resources» latent variable measured by five questions and «capabilities» through six items. For the hypothesis test, an analysis of structural equations of maximum likelihood was carried out. The results show that the businesses that promote food with authenticity and adherence to the customs of the region can increase their competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nova Scientia is the property of Nova Scientia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: This paper aims to shed light on the relationship between the entrepreneurial behaviour of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and their commitment to sustainable development (SD). In order to analyse the determinants of SD engagement at the organisational level, we draw on the resource‐based view of the firm and examine specifically the effects of entrepreneurial orientation and internationalisation, using survey data from Spanish and Mexican SMEs. Our results reveal that entrepreneurial orientation is positively associated with SD engagement, particularly regarding the environment, human resources, and community involvement. However, we could only observe a positive effect of SME internationalisation on SD engagement in Mexican but not in Spanish firms, suggesting that this effect is context‐dependent and related to institutional pressures. We discuss the implications of these findings for scholars and practitioners. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food industry in Mexico is a precarious sector and lags behind other manufacturing industries, it is made up mainly of small and medium-sized enterprises. Its importance in the food assurance of the country requires strategic monitoring of the yield and efficiency variables that allow successful interventions to improve results. Commonly, the efficiency in the agriculture sector is evaluated as a one-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) process using a specific set of variables. In this article, we applied a two-stage process to evaluate the efficiency in the Mexican food industry. The first stage evaluates the efficiency of the production, whereas the second stage evaluates the efficiency of investments in the sector. The process is demonstrated on a sample of 1 672 Mexican municipalities using data from 2014 and 2019 Census. The results indicate a growth in production efficiency with significant differences between regions. Moreover, the results also revealed very low investment efficiency in the whole food sector with a negative tendency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper questions the actions originated from Corporate Social Responsibility, implemented by companies carrying the ESR Badge during the National Day of Healthy Distance by Covid-19 in Mexico. The objective is to contribute to the theoretical discussion and studies developed around CSR based on its analysis in the light of the dominant paradigm and the emerging paradigm, that in a context of maximum crisis allow to evaluate the exercise of the CSR through the actions carried out to manage the relations with the workers. The research was based on qualitative methodology, through an instrumental case study. It is concluded that the exercise of CSR during the National Day of Healthy Distance in the company studied responds to the interest of the organization to generate a positive impact on its workers through social responsibility initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico's tax regime can best be described as haphazard and uncoordinated, as indirect levies were often assessed to satisfy short-term needs, irrespective of the economic capacity to pay of the local population. When compared to other members of the OECD, Mexico reports a relatively low taxto-GDP ratio. This may be attributable to the vast presence of small to medium size companies conducting business in the informal market, the comparatively minor percentage of individuals and companies that regularly pay tax, and proliferation of tax benefits historically enjoyed by the wealthy. This Article covers the more salient features of Mexican tax legislation since the conquest by Spain in 1521 until the nation obtained its full independence three hundred year later, and all throughout the political and economic upheavals the young republic experienced right up until the end of the twentieth century. Levies enacted by the Spanish Crown to extract revenues are examined, along with indirect assessments on consumption promulgated after independence. Also addressed are alternative levies enacted since the early twentieth century that failed to raise revenues and/or were administratively burdensome, ultimately leading to their extinction. The author recommends streamlining Mexico's tax system by expanding the base, and eliminating the various exclusions, preferences, and credits currently available under the income tax law. By increasing revenues from income tax, the federal government should be better able to reduce indirect levies on the sale of goods and services. Simultaneously, political leaders should lessen the country's century-old dependence on non-fiscal revenues derived from oil production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to propose a methodology to develop an organizational memory to benefit from team knowledge and to make the design of electromechanical devices processes more efficient.Design/methodology/approach Different frameworks and methods were analyzed from literature, obtaining key ideas to be included in the methodology developed and considering other approaches to apply in team knowledge about design processes. The research was conducted as a case study in a Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises dedicated to the manufacturing and installation of electromechanical devices where the methodology was implemented.Findings A five-stage methodology was developed which consisted of preparation, identification, capture & storage, dissemination & application and finally the evaluation & feedback stage. An implementation of the described processes was carried out, which was materialized into a technological tool that represents the organizational memory where knowledge was captured, organized and disseminated.Practical implications This study offers guidelines that can be applied in other organizations where team knowledge on design processes have not been adequately used for company’s improvement. The application of this methodology could be a strategy that enabled team knowledge to store their experience. This knowledge could then be consulted and recovered by the workgroup in an effective manner to solve new problems.Originality/value A methodological proposal to develop an organizational memory about team knowledge was developed. To evaluate the impact of the methodology implementation, a variety of indicators were proposed, which were classified as economic, organizational and performance indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software process improvement (SPI) has become one of the main strategies employed by small software enterprises to reduce their development costs or to increase the quality of their products and their development speed. Recent studies show that many small organizations still struggle to implement SPI initiatives successfully. One of the main problems with small organizations is that they usually lack the knowledge and practical experience about the human, social, and organizational phenomena associated with SPI initiatives and their effects. The objective of this paper is to present a grounded action research study that investigated SPI initiatives conducted by 10 Mexican small enterprises. The main product of this study is an initial theoretical framework that attempts to explain the effects of SPI initiatives in small organizations. We concluded that SPI initiatives affect organizational elements (i.e., structure, culture, organizational climate, projects) and human resources (i.e., employees and managers), and vice versa, and these elements are highly interrelated. Therefore, small enterprises need comprehensive SPI strategies that consider, in an integrated way, changes in processes, organizational elements, and human resources. SPI practitioners can use the results of this study to define more efficient and effective strategies to implement SPI initiatives in small organizations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a leading role in most of the world's economies. For this reason, they seek technological competitiveness and improvement of their innovation activities. In this context, open innovation and eco-innovation are important elements to achieve these goals. With this background, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between technological capability, open innovation, and eco-innovation in corporate performance, testing a structural equation model using SmartPLS in a sample of 684 small and medium-sized companies in Mexico. The main results show that technological capability significantly influences open innovation and eco-innovation practices, not directly in corporate performance, but through open innovation or eco-innovation. Our results also confirm the positive effects that eco-innovation and open innovation have on SMEs' corporate performance. These results have important implications in the literature on dynamic capabilities that have not been previously tested. For companies and decision-makers, it shows why these practices in small and medium-sized companies should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mercados y Negocios is the property of Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Economico Administrativas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Universitaria is the property of Universidad de Guanajuato/Acta Universitaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Contaduría y Administración is the property of Facultad de Contaduria y Administracion-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Several empirical studies indicate that the lack of financing is one of the main barriers that affects the economic growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The main objective of this investigation was to determine to what extent the economic sector, the enterprise size, the characteristics inherent to the enterprise, the legal status, the variables linked to the performance of the enterprise, and the attributes of the owner influence the access to the bank financing of SMEs in Mexico. Using a discrete-response probit regression model, the impact of enterprise characteristics on the probability of obtaining a bank loan was determined. The data collected are from the Enterprise Surveys of Mexico, carried out by the World Bank. The sample of 1480 enterprises is representative by enterprise size, by economic sector, and by region. The research has a quantitative approach with a correlational scope, and a nonexperimental and transectional design. One of the main results highlights that the determinants with the greatest influence on access to bank financing are: the age, the small size, foreign participation, and the manufacturing sector. These results are consistent with other empirical studies, as well as with the pecking-order theory and the financial life-cycle theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Universidad & Empresa is the property of Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A key part of the Mexican economy are the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) because they represent a great part of the industrial universe in the country, they are more than 90% of the total companies. Their contribution is remarkable, in the labor and economic aspects, for this reason their progress contribute to the wellness of the people. One of the main tools of the State to improve continuously the productive conditions is the planning and implementation of public policies that strengthen and develop the key aspects of MSMEs. Through these policies there are presented economic support programs that can focus on different aspects and needs they have. The objective of this paper is to analyze if the financial reforms that were carried out in Mexico during 2014 have facilitated the access to credit and the financing of MSMEs. The methodology that was used to elaborate this study was through a multivariate analysis by two methods: a) hierarchical methods (dendogram) and multidimensional scaling techniques (MDS), ten variables were applied to all the entities of The Mexican Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New development structures and competitiveness are based on using information as raw material and knowledge as a strategic resource, and it is necessary to rethink organizational strategies to add excellent value to the organization through knowledge management. Through knowledge management, organizations encourage individuals to develop their work by contributing ideas and, simultaneously, avoid "knowledge leakage" when people leave the organization. The study examines the relationship between knowledge management and the level of competitiveness of manufacturing SMEs in the automotive parts industry in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara. From the results, it is found that knowledge management increases the competitiveness of SMEs in the automotive parts industry. The limitations and future studies are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, the concept that companies commit to society has had to be perfected, mainly to protect and defend society, and there have been voluntary actions taken by the companies for positive social, economic, and environmental development. Faced with this dynamism, everyday more people are interested in demanding transparency from companies in their accounts. It is no longer enough to respond only to their shareholders and the state in fiscal matters. Companies must aim to generate welfare for their stakeholders, which naturally generates welfare for other groups, such as society. This research explored the relationship between CSR and organizational performance in manufacturing SMEs in the Guadalajara Metropolitan, considering dimensions such as philanthropy, value creation, organizational identity, organizational image, product quality and image, market share, customer satisfaction, and personal satisfaction, as well as productivity, profitability, and efficiency. For this purpose, samples from manufacturing SMEs in agribusiness, footwear, rubber, metal mechanics, and furniture businesses were taken and measured through 87 indicators. The methodology is applied through a structural equation model (SEM). In general terms, the result supports a positive and significant relationship between the implementation of CSR and the organizational performance of manufacturing SMEs, as adopting these practices results in a positive course of action for the firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper assesses the importance of the composition of business tissue in the evolution of the economic activity and job creation in Baja California in the context of the global crisis of 2008-2009, highlighting the behavior of micro and small enterprises. The method consists of two parts: a correspondence analysis as an exploratory tool and a confirmatory econometric analysis with confirmatory purposes in which a collection of economic census variables is used, and once reviewed population, migration and production structure indicators. As results, we found a direct and significant relationship of micro enterprises with turnover and employment during the crisis period, however, in the post-crisis period (2010-2014) the contribution of small enterprises was noticeably higher. Meanwhile, large enterprises, showed lower sensitivity and a reduced ability to create jobs even during the post-crisis period. Limitations: However, due to the limited number of observations the results should be treated with some caution because of the high segregation. It is concluded that it is not possible to reject the hypothesis that micro but especially small enterprises, played a strategic role in generating employment and economic dynamism during the crisis, even helping to reduce their impact. Therefore, it is appropriate to strengthen industrial policy that promotes training and innovation for micro and small enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Business competitiveness has long been a subject of study and debate in the economic literature, which has pointed to various drivers of business development. Drawing on the Industrial Economics, the New Industrial Economics, and the Theory of Resources and Capabilities approaches, this paper sets forth a panel data econometric model with 2 671 Mexican micro-enterprises over four time periods, detailing the relationship between the competitive advantages of micro-enterprises and external and internal factors, such as the sectoral structure and the tangible and intangible assets of the economic unit. The principal results obtained suggest that the synergies needed for the development of the small-scale productive sector are primarily generated by way of intangible capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-enterprises have traditionally been considered a burden for development, from both the theoretical perspective of social sciences as well as policy praxis. However, for some years now, some of the specialized literature has presented evidence that despite their low productivity, the contribution of the informal economy to job creation and income in less-developed economies is significant. Given that other countries have begun to develop policies to encourage productivity in the informal sector, the main purpose of this paper is to understand, through a review of the regulations that support micro-enterprises, as well as new decrees and regulations, the current position of Mexico in this debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Businesses carried out worldwide have been influenced by the phenomenon of Globalization 4.0. has allowed us to make various changes in all aspects and activities of the human being in different countries where an essential interdependence of markets was reflected. However, they allow reflection on all economic activities. In the particular case of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this phenomenon creates an uncertain environment and opens the opportunity to develop a competitive environment and identify challenges and opportunities. Many elements are considered incident factors caused by Globalization 4.0 that affect Mexican SMEs. This work shows what factors affect the economic aspects and how the cultural factor is significant; the challenge of teamwork, cooperation, unity, and management of existing resources is also considered. Although Mexico has an influential business culture, it is not implemented in these companies; some seem unaware of a situation limiting their participation in conducting international business and improving their global competitiveness. This article shows the results of qualitative research based on the grounded theory proposed by Glaser and Strauss in 1967; the results obtained show how it is necessary to develop cultural aspects so that SMEs can achieve development and permanence over time. Globalization 4.0 is a phenomenon that affects international companies and represents actions and strategies to have an advantage over other companies, but what happens with SMEs is different; these types of companies do not have economic resources, and globalization 4.0 becomes a disadvantage. In our study, 80 % of SMEs do not have a business culture and are not prepared for globalization 4.0, and we also found that time is wasted on bad practices in 35 % of Mexican SMEs; training was lacking in 32 % of educational cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we argue that racial discrimination exists in the credit markets in Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico, despite the subject of ethnicity being taboo. We have designed and conducted an experiment to verify the existence of racial discrimination in the access to the credit market in Mexico. In particular, because of the nature of the experiment, we have concentrated on the first step of the credit application process, namely, the inquiry process. We hired three professional pairs of Mexican actors that consisted of one white, Spanish member and one dark-skinned, mestizo member. These pairs impersonated small entrepreneurs with the same qualities and creditworthiness. The actors visited close to 300 randomly selected commercial banking branches in Mexico City to apply for credit. The results provide evidence of discriminatory behavior against dark-skinned Mexicans even after controlling for features such as their creditworthiness, annual sales, and industry as well as loan officers' demographics and styles, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the determinants of bank loan survival time in an emerging economy for 'micro', 'small' and 'medium'‐sized enterprises. We use proprietary data from the Central Bank of Mexico for approximately 1.5 million company loans between January 2010 and May 2017. Our results show that firm' characteristics at the time of loan origination, and lagged macroeconomic factors have a significant impact on the loan survival times. Further tests on model validation show that our fitted survival model performs reasonably well in out of sample forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the implementation of a regional public policy that favors the development of micro and small enterprises in Baja California's economy to mitigate a gloomy employment situation. Using estimated regression models, it was found that in a global economic crisis scenario where production and employment in large companies are constrained and workers are replaced by more technology-intensive processes, the proliferation of micro and small businesses is a compensatory mechanism to minimize the ef fects of unemployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]