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The generation of attractive innovations is one of the most important and complex tasks companies undertake, the process of open innovation is being used to support this endeavour. SMEs often face difficulties applying and commercialising external sources’ technologies for their own purposes due to liability of smallness and related lack of capability of co-ordination. In particular, small and medium-sized system integrators of electronic consumer products (SIs) are (1) highly dependent on close collaboration with external organisations, (2) have to cope with turbulent technology markets, and have to manage (3) the continuous shortening of innovation cycles. These factors necessitate small and mediumsized SIs of electronic consumer products to increase their dynamic capability to innovate, which subsequently forms the basis for the SIs’ sustainable competitiveness. The effective embedding of the Purchasing Organisation (PO) into the innovation outside-in process can potentially become a major driver in improving the overall innovation process and company performance. However, given academic research does not provide sufficient insight concerning relevant Enabling Factors (EFs) and related drivers. Therefore, academics allude to a demand for further research in the field of early purchasing involvement in the innovation process. In addition, purchasing practitioners point to the low maturity of Purchasing Organisations with regard to securing innovations. To explore relevant Enabling Factors for purchasing integration into the innovation process, the qualitative study design was based on an embedded case study inquiry with multiple units of analysis. Data collection and analysis was realised through a sequential qualitative  quantitative mixedmethod approach. For this reason, interviews were conducted with 7 purchasing experts from the medium-sized German television set manufacturer Loewe. To obtain insights as to the generalisability of the findings, a purposive selected sample of 11 purchasing experts from other SIs with high dependency on innovation suppliers were interviewed via webbased questionnaires. The study identified: EF1: External Interconnectedness EF2: Preferred Customer status Process EF3: Management Commitment to the PO EF4: External Interconnectedness EF5: Early Integration into Product Planning EF6: Degree of Professionalisation of the PO EF7: Innovation Management System and EF8: Open-minded Relations based on Trust as a relevant Enabling Factor. Furthermore, the study suggests direct relations between the EFs and 32 drivers that are formative to the related Enabling Factors. Based on the study findings, 14 strategic measures were defined via focus group interviews. In this way, the study contributes to given academic knowledge in the field of early purchasing involvement into new product development processes (NPD). With regard to such new product development processes, this study suggests integrating the PO, as a third element, into the R&D and marketing interface.

This thesis proposes an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation model for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the discrete manufacturing industry sector in Iran. Three discrete manufacturing SMEs, in two different geographical locations in Iran (Isfahan and Tehran), were used as the case studies for primary qualitative research and data analysis. The proposed model identifies ERP implementation phases, three main dimensions of change and a range of related change elements that influence ERP project success in the discrete manufacturing sector in Iran. The three main dimensions of change are technology deployment, people competencies, and process improvement; and these are evident in this study's three implementation phases: pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation. Being exploratory in nature and adopting an interpretivist epistemology, the research pursues a qualitative approach, consisting of a survey (with follow-up interviews), questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and documentary evidence for data collection. The case study approach allowed the researcher to gain an in depth understandings of the nature of ERP implementation in discrete manufacturing SMEs and the degree of success they have achieved. The first set of data was collected through a literature review and qualitative survey of 75 manufacturing SMEs in Iran in order to understand the extent of IS/ERP systems implementation in Iranian manufacturing SMEs. The findings from the literature were used to develop a provisional conceptual ERP implementation model. The second set of data was collected from three discrete manufacturing SMEs through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews conducted with various employees. The conceptual ERP implementation model was further improved based on findings drawn from the case study research. The final model was developed to represent ERP implementation phases, dimensions and elements of change in the context of SMEs in the discrete manufacturing sector in Iran. The model is a contribution to knowledge in this field, and affords IT practitioners and professionals a better understanding of the potential challenges they may face during such ERP projects. The model enables them to balance the three dimensions of change, providing a roadmap of change elements that need addressing as an ERP project progresses from phase to phase.

Six sigma is a statistically based, project-oriented process improvement strategy with documented successes of its usage in both large and small to medium sized enterprises. Although six sigma has been successful used by some small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), a number of SMEs have cited the lack of resources as a factor impeding the use of six sigma. This research aims to develop an experimental plan to aid manufacturing SMEs implement six sigma at low cost. A statistical technique used with six sigma which can be resource intensive is the factorial technique used in the design of experiments. As the number of factors in a full factorial experiment increases, so does the number of experimental runs needed to conduct the experiment. This can lead to a considerably high amount of experimental runs when the factors to be studied are each represented in three levels (3-level experiments). To aid the implementation of six sigma in SMEs, this research developed an experimental plan referred to as a Segmented Fractional Plan (SFP) for fractionating 3-level full factorial experiments when 3 and 4 factors are to be studied (33 and 34 full factorial experiments). The SFP was tested using published data on designed experiments and its performance was compared to Orthogonal Arrays (OAs) using the aforementioned data on designed experiments and a laboratory experiment. The findings from the comparisons show that to identify the process setting that produces the desired product quality, with a reduced number of experimental runs, the SFP can perform as well as or better than some OAs thus, providing an option for economic experimentation when fractionating 33 and 34 full factorial experiments.

This thesis contributes to a field of scholarly research that seems to be receiving increasing attention, especially in recent times, although one has to acknowledge that there is still a severe lack of understanding. It is generally believed that the vast majority of research is still focused on large corporations, given their visibility and individual impact on the society, and this is particularly true in the re-search on sustainability and responsibility. In the course of this work, an extensive review of the relevant literature was conducted, including a holistic systematic analysis of a sample of leading small business and entrepreneurship journals, fol-lowed by an in-depth, narrative review based on a much broader selection of articles from various sources. The review revealed that there is little research on sustainability and responsibility in SMEs in Germany and that the vast majority of this research is quantitative in nature. The aim of this research is to, thus, develop an in-depth understanding of the sustainability and responsibility engagement of manufacturing SMEs in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg and, hence, also present and analyse the views of the participants in this research. Manufacturing SMEs were selected as the focal sample as the sector is very important to the regional community and it can be assumed that, given the nature of their operations, they are in some ways engaged in sustainability activities. For this reason, an interview-study with 30 participants from the SME sector was conducted, underpinned by an interpretive research paradigm. The interviewees included owner-managers (OMs) and managing directors (MDs) from a purposively created sample of SMEs. It must be noted that the focus is not on addressing some CSR role models, but on the ‘ordinary’ SME in-stead. The findings of this research are multifaceted. It was found that many SMEs in the sample tend to follow an extreme, long-term perspective based on a special ethos or values, such as fairness, honesty and trust. There seems to be a consider-able reservation towards the business principles of large corporations. The re-search provides an in-depth discussion on various sustainability dimensions identified in the data. This includes embeddedness in the local community, which varies considerably between the participating firms; focus on employees, which tendsto be seen as the most important resource, and caring for them is for most participants an essential point; and engagement in environmental issues, which tends to be of lower importance for participants except in the case of practices that directly lead to positive economic results. Overall, the research identifies that economic considerations dominate the worldview of participants. However, firms are not considered instruments of short-term profits; instead, natural, long-term development of firms is the overall goal. The research additionally finds that some SMEs in the sample are motivated to find a balance between informal and formal management approaches. In total, one can conclude that the behaviour of SMEs can-not be directly considered to be related to the principles of sustainable development. However, the sample firms and their behaviour are definitely closer to a responsible way of doing business in comparison to many large corporations which also tend to affect many SMEs negatively through their market power and price pressure. This research provides an insight into the world of (owner)-managers of SMEs, thus contributing to a field that is currently dominated by descriptive quantitative research in Germany.

The purpose of this research study is to investigate how the strategising of growth-oriented Small Business Owners (SBOs) influences the strategy in their businesses. This thesis describes a ‘Strategy-as-Practice’ (S-as-P) investigation of ten Small Business Owners (SBOs) in Northeast England. Each SBO participated in a confidential ‘one-to-one’ strategy workshop with the author. The workshop format required each SBO to create a strategy map during the videoed session. The research design was intended to be minimally intrusive for members of the small businesses community. The theoretical underpinning in this interpretive study was informed by Structuration Theory (ST). The video data were analysed with CAQDAS software. A template analysis approach was used based upon the symbiotic relationship of agency and structure proposed by ST. Cross-cutting themes were sought across the case companies. The author found that the methodology attracted participation by growth-oriented SBOs. At the meso-level growth-oriented SBOs can be characterised as “strategically aware”, even if their strategy has remained unchanged for a considerable time. This strategic awareness is a manifestation of strategising praxes within the business. SBOs that are not actively changing strategy tend to articulate aspects of their business model which are visible in the firm, the others find difficulty in expressing their strategy in words. The “one-to-one” strategy workshop format used in this study facilitates the articulation of tacit knowledge and hence aids such discussion. This research was focused upon SBOs that had a history of organic-growth, and had been relatively unscathed by the 2008 Banking Crisis aftermath. The participation group were all based in the North East of England. This study contributes to existing S-as-P knowledge by extending the contextual boundary beyond large organisations into the small business domain. The author contrasts, and compares, the S-as-P findings in this study with the extant field that has almost exclusively been devoted to larger scale enterprise. The videoed “one-to-one” strategy workshop design is a methodological contribution that has proven efficacious in both recruiting and studying SBOs with the minimum of intervention disruption for these busy people. The author creates a synthesised model of small business strategising based on findings from this study that may assist future researchers to better engage and understand the strategising of SBOs.

Creative SMEs face a number of limitations that can hamper their ability to develop and establish original content in digital environments. These limitations include a lack of resources, struggles for visibility, limits of engagement, audience pressures and free culture. The constant pressures from growing competition and fragmented audiences across digital environments amplify these limitations, which means SMEs can struggle in these highly competitive, information rich platforms. Research sought to explore how creative SMEs may circumvent these limitations to strengthen their positioning in digital environments. Two areas of focus are proposed to address these issues; firstly a study and development of audience engagement, and secondly an analysis of the monetisation options available for digital content and their links to engagement. With a focus on audience engagement the theoretical grounding of this work is based within the engagement literature. Through this work a new Dynamic Shaping of Engagement is developed and used as a foundation of analysis, which informs the development of practical work in this study. Findings present insight into the methods and practices that can help creative SMEs circumvent their limitations and strengthen their positioning within digital environments. However, the findings continue to emphasise the difficulties faced by creative SMEs. These companies are hampered by paradoxes that arise due to their resource limitations that limit their ability to gain finances, develop audiences and produce content. It is shown that those with the ‘key’ to audience attention are the ones best positioned to succeed in these environments, often at the expense of the original content creators themselves. Therefore, visions of a democratic environment, which levels the playing field for SMEs to compete, are diminished and it is argued digital environments may act to amplify the positioning of established media. Therefore, greater support is required to aid these companies, which must look beyond short-term solutions that focus on one-off projects, towards broader, more long-term support. This support can then enhance creative SMEs ability to not only deliver, but also establish and potentially monetise content in digital environments, which in turn can make continued production more sustainable.

This study addresses public sector intermediaries and their role in facilitating innovation in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea. The primary aim is to understand and address the informational and relational barriers that SMEs face during the innovation process and how these are resolved through interaction. Although the government has been implementing SME support policies for several decades, the Korean National Innovation System (KNIS) has been characterised with six words: ‘strong large firms, weak small firms’. Korean Government policies for R&D have not been effective in enhancing the economic performance and innovative capabilities of SMEs and the ‘low level of competitiveness’ of SMEs obstructs knowledge interaction between firms. Policies directed at SMEs mainly focus on direct support and do not reflect the interactive nature of the innovation process. This mismatch between policy and desired outcomes has led this study to go beyond examining the informational and relational constraints. It analyses the factors influencing successful (or less successful) innovation and asks whether public intermediaries have provided an effective mechanism in resolving innovation barriers (i.e. system failures). Yet, there has been a lack of research into public intermediaries and SMEs within the National Innovation Systems (NIS) framework. The NIS approach is a loosely configured framework and the intermediary literature is fragmented and has rarely been integrated with the NIS literature. Research has tended to focus on specific functions of private intermediaries and far less on the public intermediaries, which have been playing a crucial role in facilitating innovation in Korean industry for several decades. The central focus of this study is on the knowledge interaction process between public intermediaries and SMEs occurring at multiple levels of interaction in the Korean NIS. This study therefore attempts to integrate the NIS concept and the intermediary approach to provide a robust way to explore the knowledge interaction process at meso- and micro-levels. Four functions of the intermediary are constructed to explore how they might influence SME innovation: knowledge facilitation, learning facilitation, knowledge enabling and managing interfaces. Through in-depth analysis of five case studies encompassing firms in mechatronics and IT, this study explicates the knowledge interaction process and influential factors of successful innovation. The analysis addresses a series of issues that the generic NIS concept cannot fully explain: (1) knowledge interaction at meso- and microlevels; (2) multiplicity of relationships and their evolving nature; (3) the role of public intermediaries in a specific cultural context; and (4) the heterogeneity of SMEs with their pre-existing resources and routines. Sociological perspectives especially provide insights for investigating not only the dynamic nature of interactions but also micro-level factors that determine successful interactions and innovation that are largely neglected in both NIS and intermediary studies; e.g. productive combination of competing rationalities, social learning, and the importance of reflexive individuals. Focusing on a modulated NIS concept for public sector intermediaries and SMEs in a Korean context, the study opens the ‘black box’ of knowledge interaction and learning that resolves the barriers, shapes the successful innovation environment and hence strengthens the innovation system. The findings have implications for policy, including the need to establish new policy measures aimed not simply at achieving a set goal but rather at facilitating the interaction process with a long-term view. The study recommends that public intermediaries need to focus on monitoring activities that integrate and support the knowledge interaction process by facilitating ‘associativeness’ among actors. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of the local contexts and SMEs in the innovation process need to be taken into account in designing the programmes, moving away from one-size-fits-all type services.

How does the SME internationalisation network develop across institutional distance and why? In order to understand and explain the process of SME internationalisation network development between a developed economy (the UK) and an emerging one (China), a conceptual research framework was first developed from the integration of theories of small firm internationalisation (Child and Hsieh 2014; Coviello 2006; Jones and Coviello 2005), social networks (Burt 1995; 2011; Jack 2010; Slotte-Kock and Coviello 2010) and institutions (North 2009; Peng 2003; Scott 2008). Welch et al.'s (2011) 'contextualised causal explanation perspective’ was then applied in an empirical context, through the in-depth study of three cases of SME network development between Scotland and China, which resulted in findings that underline the interconnectedness between formal and informal institutions and their effects on the phenomenon. The thesis ultimately offers a causal explanation process model of SME internationalisation network development across institutional distance, answering calls from the internationalisation literature (Jones et al 2011) for a greater understanding of how and why institutions (Eden 2010) - and informal institutions (Sartor and Beamish 2014) in particular – matter.

Despite the government's recognition of the importance to our economy of this business sector, there has been relatively little research commissioned regarding the importance of the educational level of managers employed to manage this business sector, alongside outlining the challenges facing SMEs that are committed to a strategic path of growth. This thesis sets out to explore the complex characteristics surrounding UK manufacturing SME growth, with specific focus on education with particular focus on managers who hold a Post-Graduate Business qualification (PGB). A quantitative survey and qualitative interviews converge to explore characteristics surrounding the businesses under investigation. Educational qualifications differentiated the two management groups explored, one management group hold a PGB qualification the other does not. Purposeful sampling was utilised to ensure the sample businesses met specific criteria, based on location, business size and trading sector. Statistical and thematic analysis are utilised to examine the collated data. Results highlight that the PGB qualification holders achieve improved business results when results are measured using typical growth measures; revenue generation, profit and numbers employed. The results demonstrate that the theoretical under-pinning of this thesis is strong. The PGB holders realise improved results. The conclusions focus on several key areas; improved business results, access to education, staff retention, educational clubs, subsidiary businesses, key performance indicators, enhanced self-esteem and confidence, reflective learning alongside the need, or not, to generate profits. The research identifies that managers who do not hold a PGB qualification can lack confidence. Employees that attain PGB qualifications often advance their careers and find new employment. PGB appear to be valued to those that hold them but not necessarily to those that do not. SME managers are fully conversed with the deployment of a vast array of strategic business tools, irrespective of the qualifications they hold. This research contributes to knowledge in several ways, to include; adding weight to the debate surrounding the appropriateness of the current PGB curriculum, the relevance of management experience prior to undertaking a PGB qualification, family businesses and their employment strategies, and finally the researcher's personal knowledge and understanding about UK manufacturing SMEs. The outcomes of the research combine to form a creative framework, referred to as the "Grafton Gearbox" the functionality of the gearbox is detailed in chapter five. The research concludes by recommending improved training routes for governments to explore, these new routes engage business owners more favourably to realise improved performance from our nation's SMEs.

This research contributes to bridging the gap in the existing knowledge on sustainability of family businesses. It provides understanding that enables engagement with the theoretical processes underpinning transition. It is grounded in the context of Iranian family businesses, a field in which generational issues have not really been considered before. Furthermore, this research provides understanding of the process of transition from the perspectives of different generations. It thereby enhances family businesses' knowledge of how to grow their business across generations. In both advanced and developing economies, the vast majority of business enterprises are family owned and together they account for most of the jobs created in the economy. Furthermore, scholars have indicated that most family businesses are dysfunctional in transferring the business to the next generation. Hence, transition of family businesses to the next generation involves crises that threaten the sustainability of family firms. The literature on family business and entrepreneurship has not fully investigated the sustainability of family business. This is especially true for firms outside of Western Europe and North America. To address this gap, the study examines a set of eight Iranian entrepreneurial family firms to understand how the family businesses in this region can sustain to the next generation. Therefore the purpose of this thesis is to understand how SME family businesses manage and overcome their generational issues to transit successfully to the next generation. The findings aim to inform family businesses and the practitioners how the conflicts and issues among young generation and senior generation family members can be managed in a way which will result in sustainability of the family business. This study explores the common conflicts that exist between first, second and third generation family members which obstruct the continuity of family businesses in Iran. A qualitative approach was conducted to gather empirical data through in-depth semi-structured interviews with CEOs, family managers and non-involved family members from different generations at the selected SMEs. A purposive sampling technique and general analytical induction approach were used for data collection and analysis respectively. The analysis of the data produced three main themes: Sustaining Governance, Family Trust and Family Integration. The findings of this research identified that, generational issues in Iranian family businesses are related to three main areas. These areas, categorised as sustaining governance, family trust and family integration, have not been explicitly identified in previous research or identified as the main areas of conflicts in family businesses. Furthermore, the findings of this research suggest how to consider and manage each area of conflict. This research also identified participative commitment as a factor linking the derived three main themes in order to resolve issues and support sustainability of family businesses. Accordingly, the research reveals the importance of family members' engagement and participation in every stage of the continuity model. For instance, in developing plans and policies, it is essential to manage family members' expectations, build long term trust among family members and enhance family integration. These are recognised as important elements for the continuity of family business to the next generation. Therefore, participative commitment is recognised as a key concept supporting the sustainability of family businesses. The main outputs from the present research are two practice-based models of 1) continuity process and 2) initiating and building a family business sustainability model. These conceptual models are discussed in chapter 4 (Figures 4.9 and 4.10). The models include elements which can help predecessors and successors in SME family businesses to define their strategy in sustaining to the next generation.

The aim of the study is to investigate how owner-managers of Chinese SMEs explore and exploit knowledge while growing SMEs in the spirit of Wu Wei. SME growth has been an increasingly important topic, where there is an important link between SME leadership, knowledge and growth. However, a large body of existing research treats knowledge as a static or reified asset or resource such that these studies are mainly concerned with how to create, acquire, transfer or manage knowledge. Following that, the research methods tend to be dominated by quantitative analysis, and weighs towards large organizations in developed economies. Drawing on the data collected in China, this study employs a mixed-methods approach by administering 103 surveys, wherefrom nine owner-managers are isolated for in-depth interviews at three business stages of SMEs (micro, small and medium). By attending to three dimensions (genuine Wu Wei, You Wei and Wu Bu Wei) of a Chinese Daoist Wu Wei perspective, it re-examines the link between SME leadership, knowledge and firm growth. This empirically-derived work shows evidence of subtle changes embedded in the growing process: While owner-managers stress keeping inherent openness to explore knowledge (genuine Wu Wei) and strategically exploit knowledge deployed in their everyday leadership practice (You Wei), growth evolves as a spontaneous and continuous accomplishment (Wu Bu Wei). By adopting a Wu Wei perspective, this study makes distinctive contributions to the understanding of leadership, knowledge and growth, where leadership and knowledge co-evolve and disseminate in the dynamic processes of growing as ‘leadership becoming’ rather than ‘knowledge leadership’. Whilst fostering the co-flow and co-evolution of leading, knowing and growing, the owner-managers undertake the role of knowledge generalist, knowledge supervisor and knowledge mentor within micro, small and medium firms.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have long been established as an effective mechanism to generate employment and promote economic growth. However, there is still no unifying theory on SMEs success with knowledge development being more fragmented than cumulative. Even though business literature features a wide range of critical success factors (CSFs), their importance appears to be relative and varies with the business environment, that is the country and industry SMEs operate in. Therefore, developing a better understanding of the factors that contribute to small business success, especially within a specific country and industry context, becomes crucial. Notably, SMEs have a strong presence in the UK chemical distribution industry and play an important role in its overall growth and performance. The chemical distribution sector is a developing, well-established, fragmented, subject to strong consolidation, significant part of the chemical industry and a major contributor to the UK economy and employment. However, there is limited bibliography and research both on an academic and a professional level on this industry and equally on the small businesses operating in it, creating a need for more empirical research. Therefore, identifying and exploring the critical factors underpinning SMEs success in the specific industry becomes of great importance. The aim of this study is to identify the factors critical to the success (CSFs) and sustainable growth of SMEs in the UK chemical distribution industry. Following an in-depth literature review, twenty two (22) factors critical to small business success are identified and their impact is investigated. These are categorised in entrepreneurial (relating to the personal characteristics of the owner/manager), enterprise (relating to the firm) and business environment (external) factors. This research follows a positivistic philosophy, is deductive in its approach, uses a concurrent embedded mixed methodology and utilises a survey strategy involving the use of self-administered questionnaires. The survey is based on the opinions of owners and very senior managers (Managing Directors, Directors, CEOs and CFO’s), an approach extensively used by other researchers. A total of 180 SMEs fulfilling the criteria of this study are identified in the UK chemical distribution industry with 118 owners/managers participating, generating a very satisfactory response rate of 65.5%. This study establishes a positive relationship between eight (8) factors and SMEs success in the UK chemical distribution industry. Regulatory Compliance, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Customer Relations Management, Market and Product development, Prior Work Experience and Management Skills, Human Capital, Economic Environment and Strategic Planning are, in order of importance, the critical success factors for the specific industry. Findings strongly suggest that success is a multidimensional phenomenon, where both firm-internal and firm-external factors need to be optimal simultaneously. Considerable variations between SMEs in this industry based on their size are also found, suggesting that these are not a homogeneous group and as such different strategies are needed for different sized businesses. This research addresses the gap in small business success in the UK chemical distribution industry as it is the first study to provide an integrative perspective of CSFs for SMEs in this sector. The original and significant contribution of this thesis lies with the identification of the factors critical to the success and sustainable growth of UK chemical distribution SMEs. This study does not only fulfil the need for more empirical studies in the specific research area but also contributes to the knowledge and expands the literature on SMEs success and entrepreneurship. It further improves the understanding of the chemical distribution industry and of the small businesses operating in it. This study also provides guidelines and recommendations to various stakeholders so as to improve their strategy formulation and decision-making process in order to support chemical distribution SMEs in being successful, achieving sustainable growth and strengthening them against failure.

SMEs are slow adopters of new technologies and understandably so because they are entangled in a vicious cycle of poverty. It is even more so for SMEs located in developing markets such as the sub-Saharan Africa. SMEs in these areas are faced with several difficult institutional and cultural bottlenecks which often impede their access to and use of new technologies. In Nigeria, the recently introduced cashless policy is one of many strategies intended to enhance SMEs' chances in the global e-commerce market as much as the general Nigerian economy. Studies reveal that Nigerian SMEs are slow to adopt and use this new technological innovation called the e-payment system (EPS) even when it can improve their chances to participate successfully in e-commerce. However, there is little in the literature to understand why and what is needed to be done to encourage and facilitate their participation in adopting and using this technology. This area of study has not been sufficiently explored. Thus, this thesis fills the void and explores the factors influencing EPS adoption and extent of use by SMEs in Nigeria. The study develops an integrated model drawing from the Technology-Organisation- Environment (TOE) framework and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) model. We employed the mixed methods. 239 respondents were served the questionnaire. Also, 4 SMEs and two stakeholders were interviewed as a follow-up to the statistical analysis. We employed the Logistic regression analysis in addition to the personal interviews analysis. The results revealed that technological, environmental and owner/manager's factors majorly influenced the adoption of EPS among SMEs in Nigeria. The study finds that perceived benefit is the single major factor positively influencing the decision to adopt and use EPS in Nigeria. Others are owner/manager's educational level and knowledge in IT. The study also finds that perceived complexity, perceived insecurity and lack of government policy are major barriers to the adoption of EPS. Age, perceived benefits, and perceived trust facilitated frequent EPS usage while age, perceived complexity and competitive pressure positively influenced the number and type of EPS channels used by SMEs in Nigeria.

This research is based on an explorative study of cultural factors and their impact on people management strategies of Pakistani-owned SMEs in the UK. The topic of the research has been investigated through in-depth literature review, case studies and questionnaire-based field survey. The literature review provided theoretical insights to the study and empirical investigation generated a wide range of information about practical scenario of these companies. The triangulation approach of the study helped in offsetting weaknesses of a specific method by strengths of other methods. Keeping in view nature and requirements of the research topic, the researcher preferred inductive approach (theory building) instead of deductive approach (theory testing). The deductive approach is usually linked with natural sciences; whereas, inductive approach works well with social sciences. The current area of the research was purely subjective (closely linked with social sciences) requiring qualitative data through case studies and field surveys, therefore the researcher preferred interpretative philosophy and inductive approach which proved very effective in data gathering and analyzing process. The empirical investigation discovered a range of cultural factors such as religion, values, beliefs, traditions, cross-culture imperatives, languages and communication patterns playing a pivotal role in evolving and shaping HR related strategic frameworks of Pakistani-owned SMEs in the UK. The study emphasised the role of entrepreneurs as cross-cultural mediators seeking to develop their multiple identities to deal better with their multi-ethnic employees and customers. The triangulation of integrating the findings emerged out of case studies, field survey and literature review reflect a close resemblance between results of case studies and questionnaire survey; however, some dissimilarities have been found between empirical results and the results derived out of the literature review. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by furthering our substantive understanding about HRM, culture and cultural influences on HR strategies and practices of SMEs. It provides some practical lessons to SMEs in the UK in general and ethnic minority SMEs in particular. Also the study paves the way for students and researchers to conduct further research in the area to overcome any limitations found in the findings.

Micro, Small and Medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) represent 99.9% of businesses in the UK and they face significant challenges with regards to start-up, survival and growth. Their ability to deal with these challenges is assisted, in some cases, by the provision of business support funded by the public sector. Unfortunately, despite the volume of such businesses, there remains a significant lack of qualitative data into the MSME sector, and their use of university led business support. This thesis examined the business support agenda, the support needs of MSMEs, the role of universities in the provision of business support, and the needs of public funding bodies, with regards to economic sustainability and growth in the West Midlands. The choice to focus on the West Midlands region was largely pragmatic; the researcher has existing relationships with the small business community and University networks within the region allowing for a comparable study of stakeholders with similar environmental, political and economical challenges. Whilst the findings are therefore in relation to the West Midlands region, they have been compared to secondary data and theoretical frameworks in order to propose a contribution, which is applicable to a wider audience. The thesis adopted an exploratory, interpretivist methodology with an emphasis on the practical importance of the research results. Through an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach, surveys were used to collect data from MSME business owners, followed by in-depth interviews with university staff in order to produce institutional case studies. The surveys with MSME owners identified a need for support that was free, local, face-to-face and delivered by an organisation with a good reputation for delivering business support. The survey data also indicated confusion amongst MSME owners about the availability of support from universities, as well as questions around the quality of support provided by universities and its impact. The interviews, and case studies, revealed a significant level of interest, and a feeling of responsibility, from universities towards supporting the MSME community. However there were consistent challenges around funding, sustainability, resources, flexibility of delivery, and the longevity of any enterprise strategy. The research makes a useful contribution to knowledge through the development of multiple case studies and the development of a conceptual framework for a sustainable system of university led, MSME business support. The model, and analysis, considers the detailed experiences, challenges and opportunities from the stakeholders and proposed a sustainable support system. This contribution to literature provides a unique perspective for both practical application and for the research community to utilise further.

This research seeks to deepen the understanding of the causes of obstacles to bank lending to the smaller businesses in Nigeria, and to contribute to the literature aimed at finding solutions to this persistent problem. Smaller firms report access to finance as a major obstacle to their growth. With bank credit contributing up to 50% of their external financing, the research focuses on banking institutions. Perceived as a credit market failure, the economics literature ascribes these credit shortages to problems of informational asymmetry and institutional failure, and in turn, these two issues have dominated the applied research on the subject. This thesis contends that small business credit shortage is a complex phenomenon which needs to be understood within the context of the specific operating environment. This research is a qualitative case study of a commercial bank in Nigeria that newly entered into the SME credit market using semi-structured interviews and documentary data to explore the obstacles to SME lending and possible solutions. Based on a thematic analysis of the data, the research found that a well-regulated finance industry within the growing economy stimulated opportunities for lending to SMEs. Attracted by these perceived lucrative opportunities, the commercial bank established a successful lending programme developing proprietary credit scoring techniques and innovative devices to overcome institutional barriers and informational obstacles. To encourage more banks to increase lending to the sector, the research concluded with proposals towards removing impediments to SME business lending. These included improving banks' knowledge of specialised techniques to lend to SMEs, business friendly policies to improve the business environment for smaller businesses to reduce their risk of failure, lower interest rates on loans and capacity building to improve management skills of business owners.

The UK Fashion Industry (FI) is both volatile and fast-changing. Notably, the clothing and jewellery industry contributes £16 billion annually to the UK’s revenues. However, small and medium-sized (SMEs) fashion companies are stressed to survive the harsh global competition. The companies have to manage their routine projects, thinking constantly about keeping their market position and how to develop further in their industry. Thus, the FI requires an in-depth understanding of the success factors to survive in this competitive marketplace. A detailed literature review has been conducted to discover the background of the FI and also to understand the basic requirements of daily operations and strategies used for development and growth. As there is not much empirical study available in the area of FI, a qualitative exploratory study has been chosen as the research methodology for this particular research. A multiple case studies approach was chosen to cover eight case studies located in Leicester, Luton and London. The study is interpretative and social constructionism is its philosophical approach; and hence, the context of the study has to be interpreted in its own ethnographical setting, why and how participants construct the meaning of project management (PM). This data triangulation provided the study qualitative credibility of the findings. The data analysis found four main themes, comprising fifteen sub-themes. ‘PM capabilities’ is the most important theme for completing the daily routine operations; these are also highly utilised in the UK FI SMEs. ‘Sensing new opportunities’ is the second important theme for advancing further; these are utilised by SMEs to remain up-to-date with the market environment. ‘Manufacturing capabilities’ is the third theme found helping SMEs with their routine manufacturing base in the UK: how they extended their trade through manufacturing. ‘Jewellery industry (JI) capabilities’ is the fourth theme helping the JI to outsource and deal with trust and relations in their trade. The study contributes to the UK FI SMEs by suggesting Dynamic Project Management (DPM) approaches specific to each industry, namely, the clothing, jewellery and designer industries. Research findings also suggest that new dynamic strategies need to be sensed, adopted and learned for the development and survival of these SMEs. The benchmarking tool, provided through status categories, will guide any company in the FI to compare its progress and take steps for further development. PM tools and techniques suggested for use by these FI SMEs will also help them with further improvement in project operations.

Innovative high-technology SMEs have become a major influencing factor in the success of any modern economy and they increasingly compete in the globalised world with limited resources. Previous research on SMEs at firm level has always taken into consideration the constraints of the resources that an SME faces and the implications of this on their performance and business growth. SMEs have to develop their own unique skills and capabilities, allocating their limited resources appropriately to be able to respond to the changes in the external business environment that pose risks to the success of their innovation and its commercialisation. Having an innovation strategy is very important: to have a clear goal and a path to achieve the set goal. This helps high-technology SMEs to decide which factors can influence the success of their innovations, leading to business growth by developing dynamic capabilities to respond to the external changes by allocating their resources at their disposal. This thesis is an empirical analysis of innovation strategy and its role in the business growth of high-technology SMEs. This research study is carried out at firm level. It draws on Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capability theory to explore innovation strategy factors contributing to the better performance of the firm. Four hypotheses were proposed based on the theoretical framework developed through the literature review. They were tested using empirical data. The primary data were collected using quantitative methods through survey questionnaire. Data was collected from 106 high-technology SMEs in the UK. Technological factor, marketing factor, entrepreneurial factor and risk from the business environment were identified as four important factors which are part of an innovation strategy. The results of the study suggest three revised factors: technology, entrepreneurial and government-related risk factors. The initial risk related to business environment was amended to government-related risk factors based on the measurement variables which were loaded to the factor. However, one hypothesis based on the marketing factor failed to support the proposed positive influence on business growth and hence rejected. This calls for further research on the marketing factor in high-technology SMEs. This study recognises the reason behind this paradoxical result, which could be the nature of the high-technology firms participating in this study, which are more dependent on technology-push rather than marketing pull and they do not confirm with the established norms of marketing for the business growth of their firm. This study contributes to the development of knowledge and practice at multiple levels. The research developed a theoretical framework to establish the innovation strategy factors and its influence on business growth and this is validated through empirical data. At the practice level, the results of the study could be used by high-technology SMEs in the UK, and any other high-technology SMEs which are based in a similar economy and business environment, to have better information about innovation strategy. The study could also help policy makers, propose better policy to support innovation of high-technology SMEs in UK.

Mobile technology is a next step in the expansion of opportunities made available by information technology (IT). It remains questionable as to whether mobile technology differs from fixed networks and stationary IT, while the role of mobile technology deployment in service innovation practices still needs to be established. In this thesis service innovation practices and mobile technology deployment are studied in a creative industry setting – in-depth interviews with 31 SME managers are analysed using a grounded theory approach. A capability approach, wherein capabilities imply a use-in-practice analysis of a firm’s assets and competences deployment, assists in conceptualising the process of mobile technology deployment and understanding qualitative results. As a result, this study concludes that accessing or acquiring mobile technology resources and developing mobile technology capabilities underpin mobile technology deployment. Primarily, this thesis’s main theoretical contribution is in introducing and defining a new concept named ‘mobile technology capabilities’, namely a firm’s unique practices employed in orchestrating mobile technology resources to create a competitive advantage. Mobile technology capabilities consist of five distinct practices that firms perform to combine and integrate mobile technology resources into organisational processes, namely learning, leading, transforming, leveraging mobile technology resources and solving problems. Moreover, this study concludes that interaction between mobile technology resources and mobile technology capabilities stimulates and facilitates both process and product service innovation practices, where organisational commitment towards mobile technology deployment determine the innovation practices with which a firm is going to engage. Hence, three clusters of creative service SMEs were identified in this study, which reflect on diverse practices of mobile technology deployment. The understanding of mobile technology deployment process that derives from this thesis is particularly significant in showing SMEs’ managers the real value in embracing mobile technology.

Almost 40 to 57% of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects fail to realise any benefit, run over budget or time. Only a few published works explicitly focus on ERP Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in Make-to-Order (MTO) manufacturing small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). A dynamic Decision Support System (DSS) is developed for selecting and managing CSFs including production strategy and their interrelationships during and after completion of ERP projects in MTO SMEs. The research work carried out was based on a 30 month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) ERP implementation project. Based on the research objectives and the characteristics of the challenges facing the case company, action research method was assessed to be the most appropriate. Two Discrete Event (DE) simulation based DSS were developed. The first DSS studies the interrelationships of over thirty CSFs as an ERP system is being implemented. Users can determine the attributes of the CSF from real-time data and visualise the interrelationships of CSFs during phases of the ERP project. After the ERP system was implemented, a three stage DSS was developed to manage production strategy to realise benefits of ERP system. A prototype production planning and scheduling system (PPSS) using Microsoft Excel formed an ERP linkage for manufacturing lead-time analysis, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) activities and planning. The final stage involved managing the job release decisions based on Work Load Control (WLC) logic in purely manual assembly lines requiring high skill levels. This research contributes to limited research data available on managing ERP related CSFs in Make-to-Order (MTO) manufacturing firms. Also, a unified approach has ensured that a number of strategies that are not currently synchronised can be implemented successfully. The proposed methodology will enable small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) realise ERP benefits by focussing on CSFs during and after ERP implementation.

In the late nineteen eighties, Hills proposed that marketing scholars should pay far more attention to entrepreneurship and the smaller enterprise. He founded an annual research symposium and associated proceedings published under the title of Research at the Marketing/Entrepreneurship Interface. The symposia and proceedings still flourish and both the Academy of Marketing in the UK and the American Marketing Association have special interest groups for this area. This thesis is concerned with the contribution that entrepreneurship can make to understanding this interface. Without a robust definition of entrepreneurship, the interface simply becomes a study of a very common and disparate organisational form - Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). There is no shame in this for they deserve our interest, support and help. Without an understanding of the entrepreneurship component of the interface that help and support might be less effective than we, and they, would desire. Small business is not a little large business, they operate in very different circumstances with very much fewer resources to hand, and, because of who they are may have very different motivations and skill sets. Not necessarily worse but different. So entrepreneurial marketing might offer different insights, and help, compared to a standard academic approach to small business. This is a PhD by published work and twenty-three submissions are organised into four themes and form a core for discussion. The first theme considers appropriate definitions of entrepreneurship and the role they play in conceptualising the interface. The second theme considers how adopting an entrepreneurial marketing approach could guide and inform the SME in two particular respects: addressing critical situations and developing and maintaining appropriate relationships. This theme is considering entrepreneurial marketing within the SME. The third theme considers firstly entrepreneurial marketing extended away from the SME to larger organisations in both public and private ownership and to a particular form of public art where participants can be small or large and in either public or private ownership. Secondly the experience of organisations within a cluster and SMEs within a conflict zone are considered. The distinguishing focus of this third theme is that it extends the interface away from the traditional focus on SMEs. Whilst it was natural for the interface to arise out of a desire to understand a neglected organisational form in marketing – it can be applied in other contexts. The final theme considers how the author’s conceptualisation of the interface has informed their teaching and the implications for practical business support. A fundamental argument that is made in respect of understanding the role of entrepreneurship within entrepreneurial marketing is that we should not treat entrepreneurship as an absolute attribute which would direct us into classifying people simply into entrepreneurs as opposed to non-entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs range from the exceptional ‘stellar’ entrepreneur to those who are imitative of current market offerings and we should work across this range appropriately. Having discussed both an appropriate definition and role for entrepreneurship within the marketingentrepreneurship interface the implications of such a view are illustrated through considering the different contexts discussed in themes two and three above and reflecting upon the delivery of teaching programmes based partly or wholly on the notion of the marketing-entrepreneurship interface. The work is a critique of the role of entrepreneurship within the interface. The contexts selected and discussed draw out practical lessons for a wide range of individuals from undergraduates through SMEs to larger organisations in either private or public ownership.

This thesis explores the interaction between Micros (<10 employees) from non-creative sectors and website designers ("Creatives") that occurred when creating a website of a higher order than a basic template site. The research used Straussian Grounded Theory Method with a longitudinal design, in order to identify what knowledge transferred to the Micros during the collaboration, how it transferred, what factors affected the transfer and outcomes of the transfer including behavioural additionality. To identify whether the research could be extended beyond this, five other design areas were also examined, as well as five Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in website and branding projects. The findings were that, at the start of the design process, many Micros could not articulate their customer knowledge, and had poor marketing and visual language skills, knowledge core to web design, enabling targeted communication to customers through images. Despite these gaps, most Micros still tried to lead the process. To overcome this disjoint, the majority of the designers used a knowledge transfer strategy termed in this thesis as ‘Bi-Modal Knowledge Transfer’, where the Creative was aware of the transfer but the Micro was unaware, both for drawing out customer knowledge from the Micro and for transferring visual language skills to the Micro. Two models were developed to represent this process. Two models were also created to map changes in the knowledge landscapes of customer knowledge and visual language – the Knowledge Placement Model and the Visual Language Scale. The Knowledge Placement model was used to map the placement of customer knowledge within the consciousness, extending the known Automatic-Unconscious -Conscious model, adding two more locations – Peripheral Consciousness and Occasional Consciousness. Peripheral Consciousness is where potential knowledge is held, but not used. Occasional Consciousness is where potential knowledge is held but used only for specific tasks. The Visual Language Scale was created to measure visual language ability from visually responsive, where the participant only responds personally to visual symbols, to visually multi-lingual, where the participant can use visual symbols to communicate with multiple thought-worlds. With successful Bi-Modal Knowledge Transfer, the outcome included not only an effective website but also changes in the knowledge landscape for the Micros and ongoing behavioural changes, especially in marketing. These effects were not seen in the other design projects, and only in two of the SME projects. The key factors for this difference between SMEs and Micros appeared to be an expectation of knowledge by the Creatives and failure by the SMEs to transfer knowledge within the company.

Building on the stepping stone of the KBV and incorporating building blocks from dynamic capabilities and the competitive strategy perspective, this thesis extends previous research on export marketing by developing a theory-based model to examine the relationships of export market knowledge, international experience, and specialized marketing capabilities with niche marketing strategy, which in turn leads to export performance. Using data from 201 UK exporting SMEs, this study shows that specialized marketing capabilities play an important role in enhancing export venture business strategy. The theoretical model and results show that export market knowledge and aspects of international experiential knowledge (i.e. psychic dispersion, duration, multinationality) influence specialized marketing capabilities differently. The direct influence of export psychic dispersion on specialized marketing capabilities is positive, while the results indicate that there is a negative effect of export duration on specialized marketing capabilities. Further, the results do not support the relationship between multinationality and specialized marketing capabilities. The study finds that a high level of export niche strategy would strengthen the association between export differentiation strategy and export performance. Export niche strategy has no moderating influence on export cost leadership strategy and export performance nexus. Finally, implications for managers and public policy makers of these findings are discussed and useful future research avenues are proposed.

The concepts of E-Business and Supply Chain Management (SCM) have been broadly investigated in the last 10 years. However, there have been limited insights into the integration of the two concepts - Electronic Supply Chain Management (ESCM). Also, there is limited information about the implementation of E-Business practices in the supply chain management of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Adopting an exploratory approach, this thesis investigated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and E-Business as practical and innovative approaches towards supply chain management. Following Tornatzky and Fleischer's (1990) 'Technology-Organisation-Environment' (TOE) theory, which has recently been used by Ifinedo (2011) in investigation of E-business in organisations, this research has attempted to provide a comprehensive view towards the adoption of ESCM. Having explored and extracted key factors influencing the adoption and implementation of ESCM from a literature review, a comprehensive ESCM model was developed. The model is focused towards understanding of the significance of various technological, organisational, environmental and strategic factors on successful adoption of E-Business technologies in supply chain management. Additionally, the advantages of the application of Information Technologies (IT) in supply chain management of SMEs, and possible obstacles are investigated in depth. Using a deductive approach, a questionnaire was designed to explore the research objectives. Consequently, 6 hypotheses were proposed and tested using data from 67 manufacturing SMEs in the UK. The findings of this study will enable comprehensive understanding of the concept of ESCM in SMEs, through exploring the integration of E-Business and supply chain management, and through an investigation of key elements of ESCM adoption. It is hoped that the developed model offers a better and stronger understanding of implementation of IT in SMEs, allowing managers of SMEs to evaluate the level of success and appropriateness of E-Business capabilities and IT strategies in their supply chains. Key words: Supply Chain Management (SCM), E-Business, E-Business capabilities, Electronic Supply Chain Management (ESCM), SMEs, Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The risks and opportunities that climate change presents for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have been largely overlooked by previous research (Schaefer et al. 2011, Williams & Schaefer 2013). The subsequent lack of knowledge in this field makes a meaningful, profitable and sustainable engagement of SMEs with climate change challenging. Current research has difficulty explaining (1) why SMEs rarely engage with climate change (2) how climate change is currently communicated to SMEs and (3) how SMEs overcome the knowledge gap between business practice and climate change science (cf. Hoffman 2004, 2006, Hart 2007, Goodall 2008). In this thesis I critically examine 31 SMEs which engage with climate change knowledges, 5 Innovation-Support-Organizations (ISOs) which communicate climate change knowledges and 2 business-led communities of practice that discuss climate change-related business practices. Over a three-year period, I explore why and how business leaders approach the knowledge gap between climate change science and business practice, drawing on a variety of ethnographic research methods: (1) in-depth semi-structured and open interviews; (2) participant observations; (3) practitioner's workshops; and (4) an online survey. My research demonstrates that the participating ISOs communicate climate change in an overly simplistic way. The participating ISOs focus on persuading business leaders to engage with climate change. The participating business leaders who hear this persuasive message are already willing to engage with climate change. Their motivations to engage are lay-knowledge-dependent, derived from personal values, space and place identity. What the participating business leaders require is practical advice on how to mitigate the impact of, and adapt to, climate change, and they therefore try to overcome the limitations of current climate change communication through forming and joining communities of practice. By doing this, they can make sense of climate change in specialist niche communities and benefit from social belief systems. To enhance the number of SMEs engaging with climate change, I recommend that the participating ISOs target the personal values of business leaders and actively use these specialist niche communities niches within which the participating business leaders develop business practice to learn about climate change-related business practices themselves. Overall, my PhD shows that to create meaningful, profitable and sustainable engagement with climate change, business leaders and ISOs, as well as governments and society, need to address their "confusion and anxiety about the goals, ambitions and destinies [they] foresee" for themselves (Hulme 2013: 298).

This research builds upon the firm growth literature, by developing a new model that details the factors that influence firm growth, how these factors develop over time, how and why they influence the firm and to what level they need to be developed to in order for growth to occur. The research adds to the firm growth literature through the creation of a holistic, process based model of firm growth that combines complimentary theories to create a new unified theory of firm development. A case study methodology was implemented, utilising a grounded theory approach. Two case companies were the subject of this research, one that is at an early stage of development and one that has already achieved high growth. 25 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, with 12 different participants, as well as analysis of company documentation. Participant observation was also employed in one of the cases. An interpretive approach was taken consisting of iterations between data collection and data analysis. Data analysis followed the recommendations of grounded theory research methodology. The research contended that firm growth could only be fully understood through a process oriented, dynamic approach in which multiple theoretical and conceptual positions were considered and that this was neglected in existing research. The research finds that factor specific firm growth processes can be identified and that there are similarities in the way in which firms develop through these. From this it is possible to reach an explanation as to how these factors influence firm development and to what level they need to be developed to for growth to occur. The research concludes that: 1) The factors influencing firm growth cannot be considered in isolation but need to be analysed holistically; 2) In order to explain how factors influence firm growth and development it is important to consider how each factor influences all other factors. It is this complex interaction which enables firm growth; 3) In order to generate a model which is succinct, able to be disseminated practically and which provides practitioners, academics and policy makers with guidance as to how to achieve high growth it is vital to trace the developmental processes of firm growth factors; 4) The combination of existing theories and models with new concepts and phenomenon are vital in the development of new growth theory; 5) Firm growth is enabled through a combination of resources, mediating factors and output factors working together in a cyclical manner.

This thesis sets out to explore factors external to the individual that encourage creative idea generation in SME environments, understanding their importance in a variety of organisational contexts. The original contribution to knowledge made by this thesis is the creation of a framework which aids understanding by splitting the various factors into those responsible for initiating and sustaining idea generation. Literature concerning creative idea generation is continuously developing and contains a broad spectrum of topics and understandings. Key amongst these are leadership, the nature of creative idea generation, theories such as the ‘strength of weak ties’, collective creativity and the concept of ‘flow’. Fieldwork followed a primarily qualitative, inductive approach, using exploratory surveys, semi-structured interviews and participant observation to develop rich narrative ‘stories’ of idea generation for ten different organisations. Data was analysed in accordance with the principles of grounded theory and resulted in numerous novel findings such as the importance of internal organisational contacts to the development of ideas, the notion that organisational visions can be used to guide idea generation and the effect that physical distance has on the development of interpersonal ties. Leadership also featured heavily within the analysis process with it being found that a combination of transformational and servant qualities best enables idea generation in SME contexts. These and other findings were reflected in the final framework produced by this thesis. From a practical perspective findings from this study arguably have implications for both organisational and leadership development in SME contexts, although overall generalisability is hindered by the chosen sample. Future studies could potentially focus on applying quantitative methodologies to verify the final framework or extend understandings by interlinking organisational factors discussed by this thesis with individual characteristics, mental process and/or experiences that are also known to drive creative idea production.

As business organisations, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) constantly strive to achieve success in the form of good financial performance, expansion and growth, and positive corporate reputation. However, growing concerns about climate change and other environmental and social issues require companies to have a socio-environmental response as well. The term 'Environmental Business' describes the concept of a commercial organisation that provides environmental goods and/or services in such a way that it addresses intended environmental and social problems whilst avoiding the creation of new ones. The built environment is a major location of energy conservation and carbon emissions reduction efforts, and companies are expanding to take advantage of this market. To expand as environmental businesses, these companies need to develop their business capacity whilst minimising environmental and social problems caused by their operations. This requires a significant adjustment of the traditional capacity development process in order for companies to become more environmentally and socially inclined. In order to study this adjustment, research was conducted on SME business organisations that provide sustainable energy services for the built environment. This involved an investigation of these companies' approach to capacity development in relation to their realisation of being an environmental business. The research first investigated via participant observation and interviews the values, consequences and barriers associated with the development of capacity in this manner. Using these results, scenario planning cases for major capacity development situations were created, and the extent to which companies were willing and able to function as environmental businesses in these scenarios explored. The research findings show that companies that provide sustainable energy services implement environmental business values and practices mainly due to potential economic benefits, rather than out of particular regard for environmental protection and social accountability. Companies were found to view capacity development as a singular, economic-led process. Nevertheless, these companies were found to have latent socio-environmental potential in a number of capacity development activities. To exploit this potential, the research utilises systems modelling to describe how companies can adjust traditional capacity development to become more inclusive of environmental business values and practices. Activities that aid adjustment include the localisation of supply chains, sharing of capacity development to similar organisations through collaboration, and using partnerships in their supply chain that pay similar attention to socio-environmental responsibility. The research proposes that an adjusted capacity development process can be achieved by companies understanding these actions better (e.g. through the use of the systems model produced in the research), thus presenting social and environmental business practices as a strategy, rather than simply as a symbolic, goodwill or publicity gesture.

Entrepreneurial capital has recently emerged as an important facet of entrepreneurship and new venture creation. Much of the evidence to validate such claims emerged from research that focussed upon large businesses and multinational corporations. Despite this newly acquired status and the rise of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the top of the socio-economic and political agendas of policy makers in both industrially developed and developing nations, there exists a marked paucity of empirically rigorous research on entrepreneurial capital and convertibility dynamics in SMEs, with a focus on the practical measurement and management of owner-manager experience and knowledge. Fairchild (2002) notes that the practical management objectives of measuring owner-managers' knowledge are to find out how well an SME can convert human capital like individual learning/team capabilities to structural capital like organizational knowledge or aspects like documented processes and knowledge bases and thereby moved from tacit to explicit knowledge, and reduced the risk of knowledge lost with the constant changes in such businesses. To bridge this knowledge gap, this research study investigates the dynamics of entrepreneurial capital convertibility in UK SMEs. For the purpose of this thesis, an innovative mixed-method approach was developed, to include 17 face-to-face interviews capturing both quantitative and qualitative data with owner-managers and eight case studies of SMEs located in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom. The quantitative data generated was analysed using SPSS. This was harmonized with qualitative data obtained from focussed case studies. Developing results presents a rich and in-depth insight into entrepreneurial capital convertibility in SMEs, specifically from the owner-manager's perspective. The role and centrality of owner-managers in the process of entrepreneurial capital convertibility in SMEs was illustrated and confirmed. The results suggest that a mixed approach provides an informative and powerful method to explore entrepreneurial capital convertibility dynamics in SMEs, reflecting owner-managers' capital in terms of knowledge management development, strategic thinking, design thinking, leadership styles and entrepreneurial types. Thus, an owner-manager's personality is mostly shaped by their environment (ba) and past and/or shared experiences which, in turn, influences the way SMEs are disposed to entrepreneurial capital convertibility. An original model of entrepreneurial capital convertibility dynamics is outlined, that reflects perceptions of SME owner-managers' mental 'mind maps'. Suggestions are made to extend and validate the entrepreneurial capital convertibility model in future research in a national and international context. Through a process of testing and validating the model, knowledge audits may aid SMEs in adopting knowledge management practices leading to strategic thinking. A process of continuous reflection, experimentation and organising to withstand environmental turbulence is also recommended. Furthermore, if SME owner-managers adopt knowledge management practices and their implications in terms of flexibility and adaptation, they will be better positioned to interact, learn and co-produce with strategic stakeholders, re-design internal and external business processes and survive in a dynamic environment.

This thesis intends to explore the process of foreign investment and entry mode choices of small firms from Pakistan. Pakistan being an epicure of global terrorism and ethnictension is an economy that is driven by small sector. The small sector is facing extreme difficulties to expand their international operations. This needs a comprehensive research to see beyond basic infrastructural impediments to small firms in Pakistan. What are the major behavioural and analytical impedimentsto their international expansion? Cognitive biases are the behavioural impediments and so far there is no research in Pakistan in general and in advanced countries in particular, to see how cognitive heuristics and biases affectthe foreign investment decision process? Entry mode is said to be the building block of internationalisation, and due to their small size, resource limitations and lack of international knowledge, small firms often try to obtain first-mover advantages through strategic alliances or joint venture operations abroad. Post entry speed is the international development of small firm, once the process of entry mode choice is completed. Entrepreneurial managers perceive cooperative modes and other equity investments as high-risk oriented strategies due to the legal and moral hazards associated with co-operative modes of entry. This creates a dilemma as to how to maintain a sustainable post-entry international speed? The absence of a unique set of enduring dispositional preferences is striking. There is no research that explores the role of entrepreneurial cognition/biases in small firm entry mode choices process. This applies particularly when small firms expand their international operations from emerging to developed economies. Based on the integration of cognitive capabilities and the Dunning eclectic framework, this study develops a rigorous model by introducing the new resource value generation taxonomies, and explores the impact of cognitive biasness in small firm entry mode choice process and cognitive dynamism in post-entry speed. A sub-modal for the enquiry of cognitive biases in foreign investment decision process is also introduced. This sub model by qualitative enquiry found the significant role or heuristics and biases in foreign investment decision process. The data was collected from a stratified sample of three major provinces of Pakistan through postal and drop-off survey/personal visits. Ten in-depth personal and telephonic interviewswere conducted to triangulate the entry mode choice process with speed model. Triangulation of positivist and interpretivist approach confirms the validity and reliability of the research findings. The dependent variable is dichotomous for post-entry speed. Logistic regression for post-entry speed is used to analyse the quantitative data set. Foreign investment and/or entry mode choice process are the simultaneous terms used in the entire thesis. The findings support the central role of biases in foreign investment decision process and ownership, location and cognitive advantages in the post-entry speed. The new value generation entry mode choice taxonomies (high and low value generation modes) and cognitive biases during the three stages of foreign investment decision process introduced in this research, contributes significantly to present literature. Complexities associates with IB research highlight the need for further empirical, cross-cultural and longitudinal studies. One of the most important challenges that the managers in small firm in developing economies face is to find new ways to enhance the probability of their exports‘ success through a suitable entry mode choice process (foreign investment decision process). This research through careful deliberation presents useful implications that will enhance the international activity of small firms from developing economies in general and advanced economies in particular. The findings are generalizable because the cognitive biases emerge as behavioural and analytical impediments in any event, process and/or in any system of relationships. The dispositional tendencies of managers identified in this thesis are the source of mitigating the negative effects of the biases. Thus this study is unique in its nature that contributes to both economic and behavioural theories.

There is no moral pedestal for being a fair trade SME, when it comes to building value or competitiveness. The original concept of fair trade may not have changed, but today it has evolved beyond simply ‘black and white/in or out’. Indeed, the UK SME, just as their larger competitors, may not be Fairtrade© exclusive, whether that be in niche or mainstream markets. Furthermore, to trade using fair trade credentials alone will be insufficient, when their larger rivals can achieve economies of scale and through availability and convenience, target the ‘feel good’ consumer. Whilst Fairtrade© brings the poor farmer and shopper together and arguably ticks the box for large retailers, it is less clear ‘what is in it’ for the UK fair trade SME. The purpose of this thesis is to critically explore the tangible and intangible push-pull factors that enable them to grow and build resilience within a dynamic, but highly competitive ‘virtuous’ market. It will consider how SMEs balance their human, values based decisions with the pressure to remain viable and whether in reality, they simply make pragmatic mental trade-offs to secure their future. The research is exploratory, inductive and qualitative from the epistemological and ontological position of interpretivism and social constructivism; drawing upon grounded theory to support data coding and analysis. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 SMEs in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and London between December 2012 and June 2013. A coding framework was designed to classify those significant and interconnected factors and a typology of fair trade SMEs that reflects that one size ‘does not fit all’, within this growing and strategic market. Furthermore, through a values based orientation which extends across the supply chain, it will also show how ‘responsible business’ is a reality, through the creation of ‘shared value’.

Launched in October 2009, ChiNext provides finance for hi-tech and innovative SMEs from China's Strategic Emerging Industries. SMEs with families, individuals and groups of individuals as controlling shareholders dominate listings. Employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods with a socio-legal approach, this thesis examines the legal and regulatory framework and practice at company level emerging in a market dominated by private 'owner-managers'. The research makes three main contributions as follows. Firstly, the thesis finds that social norms such as Chinese networks (guanxi) and Confucian filial piety (xiaoshun) play an important role in internal governance privately listed SMEs in ChiNext. Interestingly, large individual pre-IPO subscriber who hold non-executive directorships have the potential to and do constrain controlling shareholders through the use of guanxi arising from being key start-up or early investors in the company. Their effectiveness as a corporate governance mechanism may depend on how aligned their interests are with minority shareholders. Equally, filial piety plays a key internal governance role in (conflicting and complementary) parallel to the legal and regulatory corporate governance framework, not only in family-run listed companies but also in other private and State listed companies. Secondly, the thesis finds that bottom-up corporate governance innovations occur in privately listed companies on ChiNext by adapting existing institutions or adopting nonmandatory requirements to their corporate framework. Results of the research demonstrates the emergence of a new category of supervisors sitting on the supervisory board at company level not expressly provided for under Chinese Company Law or corporate governance regulations. Finally, the research observes two key mechanisms in support regulatory enforcement in the private listed sector, namely the media as a corporate governance watchdog on ChiNext based on its state role as public opinion supervisor (yulun jiandu), and China's public whistle-blowing system (jubao) as a voice for investors and stakeholders alike.

A quality management (QM) model is broadly accepted as a tool of managerial approaches in order to measure and improve the performance of the organisation. However, the existing QM models, such as the Thailand Quality Award (TQA), may not be appropriate to employ in Thai Small, Medium and Large Enterprises (SMLEs). Due to the TQA‟s vigorous requirements, there are only a few Thai companies that have achieved the TQA. Moreover, recent research studies on the QM model have focused on other Thai industries and not directly Thai SMLEs, whereas Thai SMLEs generate a lot of income for the country and require an effective QM model in order to improve their organisational performance continuously. The aim of this current research is to develop and evaluate a QM model for assessing organisational performance in Thai SMLEs. The research methodology used in this research involves two main studies. Firstly, the theoretical study aims to develop a conceptual QM model and a conceptual Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) model. Secondly, the empirical study aims to validate a conceptual QM model to be an implemented QM model and to assess a conceptual CFA model to be an implemented CFA model in order to determine the weights of quality elements. An implemented QM model integrated with the weights of quality elements becomes a finalised QM model according to the aim of the research. The important findings of this research are the finalised QM model named as the Thai Small Medium and Large Enterprises Quality (TSMLEQ) model. The TSMLEQ model is composed of 14 elements and their weights: Leadership (53), Strategic Planning & Policy (75), Human Resource Management (71), Partnerships & Resources (69), Knowledge Management (71), Innovation Management (76), Technology Management (66), Process Management (81), Customer Satisfaction (78), Employee Satisfaction (70), Society Results (67), Business Performance Results (76), Continuous Improvement (78), and Measurement & Analysis (69). The main originality of this research compared to the previous study is the determination of the most and least important quality elements, which are Process Management and Leadership, respectively. In order to improve the performance of the organisation, the companies can use the TSMLEQ model as a self-assessment tool to evaluate the level of the quality management implementation. The self-assessment can engage the TQM programme within the companies because it supports as a baseline and path of continuous improvement. The criteria of self-assessment (or quality elements) of the TSMLEQ model are based on the concepts of TQM that are similar to the world-class performance criteria such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). The contributions of this research comprise three aspects. Firstly, Thai industry can be benefitted by adopting the results of this research in order to implement quality management effectively. Secondly, academics in quality management can deploy research methodology used in this research in order to develop a QM model for their research objectives. Thirdly, the findings of this research can be the source of the study of quality management in Thailand and other countries. Keywords: Quality management model, quality elements, Thai small medium and large enterprises, weights, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis

Value based performance measurement has become popular in modern day financial practices. Of the many value based measurements, the EVA® framework has gained much notoriety. It became the focus of much research because it has been widely implemented in many large organisations with professed benefits in maximizing shareholder wealth. Much of the previous work on the EVA® framework focused on the performance metric; conclusions differed as to whether the EVA® performance metric resulted in better information or whether it was better at indicating performance, and ultimately shareholder wealth. Conclusions were similar when compared to other value based measures and with traditional measures. EVA®’s management and compensation framework was also investigated, again resulting in conflicting results. Other studies focused on the theory behind EVA® and concluded that it is financially sound and was agreed to be based on established theory on residual income. This study investigates growth and value creation in SMEs within the context of the EVA® framework. The investigation was conducted using and integrating a mixed method approach. Using purposive sampling, a range of SMEs was selected; senior management interviewed and financial reports for a 5 years period were collected. Practitioners are included for their expert views which were utilised when comparing and contrasting evidence obtained during the investigation. The study reveals some correlation between the characteristics of SMEs and the theory for the implementation of EVA®. However, it was found that SMEs lack vital information on value and value creating elements within their businesses for successful implementation of EVA®. The study fills a major gap in identifying and resolving the issue of the value drivers employed in the EVA® performance metric. The study concludes that it may be practical to implement EVA® in SMEs as it can provide information on progress and value creation.

This exploratory research aimed to understand the barriers to growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the business support provided and required and the effectiveness of such support. The findings showed that the main barriers to growth for Bahraini SMEs were the scarcity of qualified human resources, lack of finance, and fierce competition. To a lesser extent, other barriers were fees applied by many governmental organizations such as Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), bureaucracy in procedures, and the imposition of the Bahranisation percentage where owner-managers struggling to find relevant Bahrainis to accommodate the percentage required. The political instability of the country since February 2011 has affected the growth of SMEs in terms of sales and employment. The research showed that many supporting organizations exist in Bahrain, such as lending organizations, specialised government organizations, international organizations, societies (for example, professional bodies), universities, training institutions, accountants and consultants. The study found that supporting organizations provided many programmes that benefited SMEs; however, many supporting organizations were not known to SMEs, suggesting that awareness raising and promotion is required. Another finding of the study related to universities and training institutions where a bigger role was needed to close the gap in human resources, knowledge and skills and to provide qualified human resources that are ready for SMEs. Research activity needed to be encouraged, as was export support for SMEs – inevitable to overcome the barrier created by Bahrain‟s small market size. Societies need to enhance their work through specialised programmes that would suit sector-specific requirements and not just general business sessions. Lending organizations need to provide more creative packages to support SMEs growth. The efforts of support were scattered and need to be organised under one official umbrella. Government initiatives need to be promoted such as preferential procurement policies and reducing bureaucracy. Finally, an index has been developed to attempt to measure the effectiveness of supporting organizations.

Graduate recruitment in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is largely neglected, overshadowed by larger enterprises more traditionally associated with graduate employment. This thesis addresses this oversight by exploring graduate employment in small firms located in the West Midlands, with a specific focus on small Business and Professional Services (BPS). The thesis examines whether attitudinal barriers deterring graduates from small firm employment, and small firm employers from recruiting graduate employees, as summarised by the concept of mutual unattractiveness, is supported by the experiences of graduates currently employed in smaller firms, and by the experiences of owner-managers that have employed them. The research specifically explores employer interpretations of graduate contributions and skills deficiencies, and graduate interpretations of training delivery and developmental practices. A qualitative approach enables the study to gain a deeper understanding of manager-graduate relations in small firms, while supplementary interviews with careers service, large firm and intermediary organisation representatives generates a multi-perspective approach appreciative of wider regional graduate employment access and engagement. The study finds that whilst graduate and employer experiences in many ways reinforce factors that deter both parties from engaging in such employment, their experience also demonstrates the positive rewards ensuing for both parties. This thesis illustrates how small firm graduate employment is complex and informed by comparative decisions. It also shows how recruitment decisions concerning small firm graduate employment require a more informed approach such that expectations may be managed accordingly.

This thesis comprehensively explores the credit risk of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) using transactional characteristics, financial variables and market information. It contributes SMEs credit risk modelling by exploring a range of soft features, such as management capability, industrial sectors, entity type, etc. It is the first study of investigating the concept of management capability through quantitative transactional information. Firstly, models are proposed to assess the credit risk of SMEs by identifying the significant factors. To fulfill this, two studies are carried out. In the first study, logistic regression, survival analysis and ordinal regression are used to model the relationship between transformed financial variables and probability of default. Both the traditional AUROC measure and Hand Statistic are used to evaluate the performances of the models, and they both indicate that logistic regression on weights of evidence transformed data yields the best prediction. Survival model takes an extra element of the time dimension into consideration. Ordinal regression performs poorly possibly due to impact of sample sizes. The factors appeared with highest frequencies are ratios associated with liquidity and growth. The other study predicts the credit risk (‘good’ ‘bad’ and ‘indeterminate’) of the SMEs using transactional characteristics. 35000 SMEs are clustered by different clustering algorithms. It is notably found that most ‘indeterminate’ observations are clustered with ‘bad’ observation, which is different from industry habit of combining ‘indeterminate’ and ‘good’. Logistic regression performs better than ordinal regression according to AUROC measure. In addition, some key points raised in focus group interview with bank managers are seen in the modelling process as significant variables, such as sector belonging to, entity type, region/location, time associated with bank, and account conduct. Secondly, the informational bases of two major models, which are accounting based credit scoring models and Merton type models, are explored to figure out aspects which affect SMEs’ credit risk. 33 financial variables covering nine financial categories are considered. It employs other modelling frameworks rather than the often-used linear regression, which are linear regression with interactions and the Cox proportional hazard model. It is found that weak relationship exists between these two models. The two major models capture different aspects of corporate information, it is suggested that a hybrid model, which incorporate both sources of information, might be considered to predict SMEs financial health. Thirdly, management capability of SMEs is elicited by applying principal component analysis to their transactional characteristics. Management capability is a qualitative idea, and its manifestation in quantitative variables was not explored in previous research. This study indicates some success in determining management capability. It is found that financial measure (credit turnover and debit turnover) and the performance measure (number of days in excess of the account) could be considered as reflecting management capability. Good management can identify trends at a very early stage and take action to mitigate the issue.

This study is about the author as a business owner manager and events surrounding my buy-in of a small business and its subsequent development. The nature of the research evolved from a proposed causal approach concerning the growth of small businesses in general, to become an enquiry into the evolution of my own company and the development I experienced as the researcher and owner over the course of the enquiry. It is a reflexive study, presented in the form of a self-narrative covering a span of around fifteen years. Literature within the dominant paradigm is examined for its usefulness in describing the expected characteristics of small businesses and their owner managers but the lack of explanation behind these descriptions prompted the move to a more appropriate and effective research design. Inspired by complexity theory the study moves beyond the notion of systems thinking, to adopt a view of the company as a social construction of complex responsive processes. The importance of emotions and the pressure of family issues in influencing decision making in a nascent entrepreneur form the starting point from which the story of the buy-in and subsequent management of my small businesses develops. The story is constructed around four themes of Entrepreneurship, Culture and Leadership, Strategy and Growth. Interspersed within the narrative are appropriate contributions from the literature, which serve as a framework within which to analyse my experiences as they occurred. By observing one small business and its owner and contrasting these experiences directly with the literature, the findings confirm the complex and contextual nature of the subject. The dominant theories are useful in retrospectively describing the characteristics of a business and its owner manager but not in explaining the driving forces behind these characteristics. The original contribution to knowledge of this research results from the deep insight into these forces using a reflexive methodology and the application of complex responsive process concepts, which forms a new approach to the study of small business development. Individual entrepreneurs may use these methods and findings to reflect on their own experiences and approach to managing their businesses.

How to best understand and facilitate growth of SMEs has been an important and long-standing subject for academics and management practitioners in China and abroad. This dissertation joins this effort, reporting an empirical study on the growth of HR service firms (SMEs) in Guangzhou City, China, which have been playing an increasingly important role in fast economic development of the country. The study aims to gain a better understanding on how and why these service firms were able to grow so as to identify ways to facilitate their growth. To achieve the objectives, this study first reviewed the theories of the growth of the firm, in particular, theory of Penrose (1959), from which research gaps were identified and research questions were raised. Next, using multiple-case (embedded) design, the researcher of the study carried out two phases of empirical research on growth of the HR service SMEs in Guangzhou City. Findings from the research were then thoroughly discussed in view of extant literature on firm growth and conclusions were drawn on the research questions as to how and why these firms in the city were able to grow. Based on the findings, it is concluded in this dissertation that HR service SMEs studied were in dialectical relation with their market (mainly their customers and competitors), with market constantly challenging these SMEs which in turn, continuously taking up and quite often overcoming these market challenges; it is this dialectical process of continuous forming and resolving conflicts between firm capabilities and market demands that led to spiral growth of these SMEs; thus, it could be said that causes of growth were the increase in market demands and the development of firm capabilities; both forces interacted constantly in a dialectical manner to produce forces driving firm growth.

This research focuses on developing a framework for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) technology adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). WiMax has emerged as a technology to overcome the limitations of traditional and existing broadband technologies and support a great number of organisations and consumers/citizens in providing a higher speed over substantial distances i.e. in areas that are difficult for wired infrastructure to reach. Despite all the interest in the types of broadband adoption as demonstrated by SMEs in several countries, there seems to be slow progress and lack of information supporting the decision making process for WiMax technology adoption by SMEs specifically in the context of KSA. This may illustrate that SMEs adopt WiMax technology solutions at a slower pace and make them characterised as laggards in terms of new technologies adoption. This research takes into consideration this literature gap and makes a step forward and investigates on WiMax technology adoption by SMEs in KSA with an organisational cultural view, vendors’ commercialisation strategies and government policies by analysing the normative literature related to this research. The data collection of this study was carried out in two phases including quantitative and qualitative approaches. The first phase of the research provided results indicated that, the Saudi SMEs who participated in this research are strongly dominated by clan culture and adhocracy culture. These cultures also have a positive impact on the Internet technologies adoption such as WiMax by SMEs. It is found that, the combination of clan and adhocracy cultures in Saudi SMEs is making them more likely to adopt latest Internet technologies. In the second phase, the results showed a wide difference in views among SMEs, WiMax vendors and government agencies involved in WiMax technology diffusion to SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Although WiMax technology started as an innovation that has the potential to be disruptive and could replace the widely diffused fixed wire line Internet connection, the research findings showed an interesting deviation from this path. In particular, the WiMax technology market analysis in Saudi Arabia highlighted the vendors’ tendency to treat WiMax technology as a sustaining innovation. Research findings also indicated that, the Saudi government provided funds for Information and Communications Technology‘s diffusion in the country. However, the level of awareness displayed by SMEs is persistently low. Knowledge deployment, mobilisation, innovation directive and subsidy have been emphasised by SMEs as the most important government interventions that might have an impact on WiMax adoption by them. Finally, further important issues have been uncovered by the research such as taxation, experience exchange, herd culture/bandwagon, consumer right protection and customer service in relation to the adoption of WiMax by SMEs. The perceived future prospect of these additional issues has been considered as an influence on adoption of WiMax technology by SMEs. The findings of this research can be useful to guide analysts and researchers in determining critical aspects of the complex issues involved in technologies adoption, and lead to suggestions for further valid research.

With the advent of the internet and the development of Information and Communication technology, new reinvented forms of Trade Promotion Organizations have emerged. The globalization of today’s trading environment has forced economies to prioritize the development of the export competitiveness of their SMEs sector, as to be able to survive amidst the fierce global competition. The digital economy has created new means and channels of overcoming barriers of trade faced by SMEs due to their size and limited resources. To this end the International trade center has launched the Global Trade Point Network in 1993. The objective of this new electronic form of TPO is to assist firms in developing countries to explore business opportunities effectively by providing them with targeted market information and facilitating exporting procedures at a relatively low cost. With the expanding number of interconnected Trade Points, The GTPNet is rising to be the main global network for trade-related information streams. This study explored the extent of usefulness of these trade points in providing SMEs with real export opportunities as well as boosting their export competitiveness in Egypt, due to it being the one country with the highest number of operating trade points. The study used a mixed sequential methodology, combining both a semi structured interview based qualitative analysis followed by a questionnaire based large scale survey. This study was built around the theory of stages of internationalization, to reflect the fact that SMEs in the new evolving digital environment, are still in need of acquiring export market knowledge throughout the different stages of the internationalization process through secondary sources. Export market-knowledge as a firm resource boosts its competitive position and in turn to increased commitment to the export operation. On a theoretical level, a perceived usefulness construct for International trade points has been developed using exploratory factor analysis that paves the way to empirical tests of the different recommendations in the export promotion literature. The domain incorporates a new factor pertinent to the unique nature of International trade points, as being dependent on an electronic matching system supported by a global network, the proposed definition and usefulness of International trade points provides a conceptual framework in an area where little prior research has been conducted. Based on the findings, Egyptian Small and Medium Enterprises did not appreciate this new developed service due to their lack of e-readiness and resilience to engage in this process. From a practical perspective, the study has supported the findings of previous empirical studies, that pointed out that Export promotion Organizations are not targeting the real potential disadvantaged firms as committed exporters with high export intensity were the main recipients of successful trading opportunities through International Trade Points, as well as the ones that perceived these governmental sponsored organizations to be more useful. Moreover, the study revealed the shortcomings in the performance of International trade points, which are to a great extent attributable to their inefficient governmental organizational and managerial structure.

Training plays a key role in bridging employer skills needs and in raising the productivity of employees and individual firms. Many large organisations have long established in-house training programmes and the means for progressive personal development for employees. However, Smaller to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) have not mirrored the same. SMEs are less likely to provide off the job training to employees because of operational demands. There is a lack of structured approach to training within a SME. Despite the vast array of training programmes available to SMEs, very little has been done to tailor the training to the specific learning needs of SMEs. Web Based Training Environment (WeBTiE) is a tailored online training solution specific to a SMEs’ training needs. The portal within which online training is provided is the collaborative efforts of the Employer, Employee and Training Vendor. The portal encapsulates not only the learning content, but provides the learning support necessary to guide employees through the training and reinforce work-based practises with the use of a Community of Practice. Unlike many other training models the originality of this model is that it combines Pedagogy principles in the development of the training programme, along with e-learning model, Etivities for Structured On The Job Training. The generic nature of this model allows it to be adaptable for SMEs in a variety of industries and the tailoristic feature provides the flexibility necessary to permit the adaptability. This thesis focuses on the barriers SMEs face when attempting to train employees. By determining employee learning and training needs and establishing a ‘Learning Foundation’, can we move forward with the development of a training programme commissioned for SMEs. The work in this research is underpinned by learning theories and online learning and the application of these (adapted if necessary) in the context of the day-to-day constraints typical of SMEs.

SMEs in the 21 century have to cope with an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment. In order to work effectively within this environment, SMEs have to collaborate with other enterprises in forms of virtual organisations. Despite the increased interest in the area of virtual organisation collaboration, useful information is still lacking about the risk sources of virtual organisation, where the enterprise face more complicated risk threats than those in traditional enterprise due to the new form of relationships between partners. The aim of this research was to identify a risk management contribution where this research has identified key areas of risk that SMEs are likely to face when working collaboratively in VO. It also enables SMEs to understand the relative importance of these risks. A further contribution is made by use of tools (ISM and ANP) to enable SMEs to understand the inter-relationships of risk sources. Multiple analysis techniques provide triangulation of analysis results, leading to validation of results. The secondary research showed all of the risk sources identified in the relevant literature and some of the relationships between them, whilst the primary research addressed all of the direct and indirect relationships using the Interpretive Structural Modeling. Also the primary data sources from the questionnaires and the case study shed light on the relative importance of these sources using the Analytical Network Process. Areas for further research are suggested to close the gaps and to continue enriching the research.

Despite culture being a core focus of the study of organisations for over 30 years, the concept is marked by disagreement. The literature on culture tends to present a series of dualisms with each side displaying different meta-theoretical assumptions. Notwithstanding these differences the characterisations of culture are fundamentally the same. For those who view culture as corporate, culture is a shared set of values, beliefs and attitudes devise and disseminated by management. For those who view culture as organisational, culture is a more or less shared set of values, beliefs and attitudes produced through social construction. The production of these discrete sets of values implies that, from either perspective, culture is a normative structure. The only difference being in the derivation of that structure. This normative structure means that, from the perspective of corporate culture, the ways in which people think and act are guided by the meta-theoretical assumptions which found the functional paradigm. In contrast, from the perspective of organisational culture, the ways in which people think and act are guided by the meta-theoretical assumptions which found the interpretive paradigm. This thesis argues that the framing effect of these meta-theoretical assumptions strongly influences research outcomes. This is demonstrated through a bi-paradigmatic analysis of a single organisation's culture. The bi-paradigmatic approach is produced by sets of research methods consistent with the functionalist and the interpretive paradigms. The analysis generates two distinctive contributions. First a deeper understanding of how research outcomes are shaped by paradigmatic assumptions. Second a re-conceptualisation of organisational culture. Here the move away from a mono-method approach reveals contradictory views of culture. Rather than a unitary set of values, attitudes and beliefs culture is seen as consistent of disparate value sets in need of reconciliation. Culture is re-conceptualised as the rubric which guides that reconciliation.

Why of the population of small owner-managed firms, some choose to sell a portion of their sales abroad while seemingly similar others facing similar market conditions remain focused on their domestic market? Various explanations to this question have come from the extensive literature looking at the export behaviour of the firm, the internationalization process of the firm and international entrepreneurship. The results from these literature however, are generally fragmented, inconclusive and limited in geographic scope with the majority focusing on the US or European firms. Moreover, despite this large body of work, there is only a comparatively limited amount of information addressing the issue from the perspective of the small owner-managed firm. This therefore leaves a gap in our knowledge regarding the internationalization behaviour of these firms especially those from developing countries. For indeed, because of the context specific nature of most of the studies looking at internationalization, it becomes increasingly difficult to generalize findings across geographic borders especially from developed to developing countries where socio-economic conditions are different. Recognizing the drawbacks in the literature, we have proposed to shed light on the issue from a non US/European perspective. Seeing the theoretical limitations in the field, we have developed a theoretically rigorous but parsimonious conceptual model to capture the export behaviour of small owner-managed firms from a developing country perspective. Theoretical insights from the Resource-based theory, Process theory of Internationalization, Network theory, Entrepreneurship theory and International New Venture theory among others were drawn upon in building our theoretical framework. The basic argument behind the model is that: the decision to initiate exporting is a function of stimuli (latent or manifest) inducing entry into international markets. However, stimuli alone cannot result in the firm becoming an exporter. The resources and capabilities which the firm possess will determine how it interprets these stimuli in making the decision to initiate exporting. Importantly, we argue that these stimuli have to be brought to the attention of the entrepreneur before a decision can be made of whether to export or not. To empirically validate our theoretical model, data were collected from exporting and nonexporting small owner-managed firms in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors in the Jamaican economy. Data were analysed using quantitative techniques and descriptive mini-case studies. Our quantitative techniques involved econometric models of the qualitative genre (logistic regression) and descriptive statistics such as the mean and chisquare. Mini-case studies were also used to provide further empirical validation to our findings based on qualitative responses. The results from the analysis indicate that the model matches well with the empirical data. Firms possessing the following resources: a standardized product, a high quality product, foreign travel experience of the entrepreneur and the previous professional experience of the entrepreneur are more amenable to export. Firm size is also found to be a significant variable in determining export initiation. We also found that non-exporters do not respond to export stimuli because of their preoccupation with their domestic market. They also have a strong perception that their product is not for sale in the export market. Our major contribution is the building of the integrated model and empirically validating it using data from a non European/US context which is a departure from the general trend in the literature.

African countries have recently experienced an extraordinary and largely unanticipated boom in the uptake of mobile phones, and increasing rates of access to the internet. This thesis investigates how and why these information and communication technologies (ICT) are being adopted for use in Tanzanian micro and small enterprises (MSEs), and explores the changes they are bringing about to the existing business culture of marginalised economies. The study covers three sub-sectors of the Tanzanian economy: perishable foodstuffs trading, the informal construction industry and the export of African blackwood carvings. The analysis is based on fieldwork undertaken over a total of 15 months in 2002 and 2003, during which time business networks were revealed by physically following entrepreneurs and their contacts operating in different locations throughout the country. Entrepreneurs were asked to draw their own comparisons between the traditional pre-ICT situation and the improved ICT access of today. The discussion is informed by the findings of semi-structured interviews with these individuals, excerpts of which are presented in the text to give voice to the entrepreneurs. Various ingenious and at times unconventional methods of access to, and appropriation of, ICT is uncovered. Together these suggest that official indicators underestimate the thirst for digital consumption, especially for mobile phones, and help explain the flourishing informal economy of handset acquisition. Internet penetration and uptake for use in business, on the other hand, is revealed to be far slower. Nevertheless, the research does reveal that a sizeable amount of poorer entrepreneurs are using a triumvirate of hired or shared ICT – mobile phones, the Internet and the ‘old’ ICT of fax – to create what can appear to be a more formal enterprise than it may actually be. The ‘mobile office’ effectively allows poorer entrepreneurs to operate without premises, thereby saving costs on rent and allowing the enterprise to remain informal. This heralds a considerable change in the working practices of a significant branch of informal sector operators who have gone unnoticed, and calls for a reconstruction and redefinition of this crucial source of entrepreneurship in developing economies. Despite the huge uptake of mobile phones in particular, the work also cautions that some traditional pre-ICT aspects of the African business culture look set to remain for some time. It becomes clear that where entrepreneurs do decide to use ICT, reputation and recommendation are still very significant. This information is usually passed on when an entrepreneur meets in person with contacts from his very fluid informal networks of knowledge. Trust, and the need for direct, personal interaction through face-to-face contact – one of the most pervasive features of African MSE economies – emerge as a common theme across the case study industries and are likely to remain a crucial aspect of the way most MSE business is conducted. Mobile phones are seen to play a crucial role in improving the exchange of supply-anddemand information domestically, while a combination of applications (particularly e-mail) appear to act as tools with which to refresh relationships with sources of market information outside the country. It is suggested that ICT may be able to help entrepreneurs in moving from the personal to the impersonal exchange – a challenge that many other African businesses will also have to come to terms with as the Internet becomes an ever more important global trading tool.

This thesis focuses on those factors which foster the long-run survival, or continued existence, of the small firm. Using fieldwork methods, new data were gathered in face-to-face interviews with 63 owner-managers of mature small firms in Scotland (average age of 251/2 years). An instrument incorporating novel ways of calibrating organisational change and performance was designed specifically for this study. The unique body of data enabled a number of new hypotheses to be tested in structural econometric models of small firm performance and growth. A mix of quantitative and qualitative data was also used to construct illustrative case studies of seven enterprise profiles. New measures of flexibility and firm-specific turbulence are used to explain the performance of mature small firms, and Heckman sample selection estimation is undertaken of this performance equation. Performance was measured using an index constructed fi-om Likert scales over 28 distinct attributes. It was found that firm- specific turbulence had a large negative effect on performance. Measures of flexibility (viz. agility and speed) enhanced the long run prospects of the mature small firm. Evidence of a trade-off relationship was found between measures of flexibility. Real options logic was found to be useful in interpreting the results. This evidence indicated that entrepreneurs should be alert to precipitators of organisational change, but should not act impulsively in responding to them. The tendency of the long-lived small firm to remain small is considered using structural modelling techniques. In a three-equation simultaneous model, performance, size and a third variable (viz. market extent and size of competitive strategy space) are jointly determined. An array of system estimation techniques (e.g. 2SLS, SSLS, H3SLS) was employed to estimate the behavioural models. A trade-off is found between firm size and performance, thus embedding this result in a larger structural model. It is found that small firms need to adjust downwards in size, and to cultivate a varied competitive strategy in niche or localised markets, to attain higher equilibrium values of performance and to promote longevity.

SMEs are considered to be an engine for growth in both developed and developing countries, by generating employment opportunities, strengthening industrial linkages, securing home markets and earning valuable export revenue. Government-backed loan schemes play a major role in many countries, by enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access credit facilities. The Credit Guarantee Corporation in Malaysia has been charged with this key role in assisting SMEs, and its main financing instrument is the New Principal Guarantee Scheme CNPGS). The overall aim of this thesis is to examine the extent to which the NPGS is appropriate to the financing needs of Malaysian SMEs. The primary objective is to identify the factors that determine the utilisation of the NPGS; utilisation depends upon a number of demand and supply factors, as well as the characteristics of firms and owner-managers COMs). An important secondary objective is to investigate the effectiveness of the NPGS, by exploring the generation of finance and economic additionality, as well as the net cost of the Scheme to the Treasury.