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The exposure to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks can be effectively measured by companies to identify opportunities for long‐term sustainable growth, along with the social and environmental impact. This process is crucial for listed small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) wanting additional support in their ESG transition, and for European SMEs it will be required by the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), starting from 2026. In this contribution, we propose to apply a multicriteria decision aiding approach to assess the sustainability profiles of SMEs. The methodology, which allows the measurements of a firm's ESG efforts (ESGness), is applied to a sample of European‐listed SMEs, controlling for potential sector‐specific effects, in order to understand what is the situation on the ESG front, and to identify ESG leaders and laggards. The model can provide valuable information for the firm, and for a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including policymakers and investors. The obtained rankings show some degree of robustness across different model parameterizations. The benefits of voluntary disclosure of sustainability information are investigated under a prudential scoring framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike large corporations whose business patterns have been extensively studied and categorized, there is a lack of research on small business strategies, leaving them largely unexplored. The article explores the strategic behaviour of small industrial enterprises in Russia within the organizational and industry life cycle concept. The research methodology is based on strategic management theory and the concept of the life cycle. The research methods include panel data analysis, the Beta coef f icient calculation, and the matrix method. The information base is the reporting data of 134 small enterprises from industries at different stages of the life cycle: metal casting (growth) and newspaper printing (maturity). Statistics for analysis were obtained from the SPARK Interfax database for the period of 1999–2021. We identified three types of strategic behaviour (‘aggressive’, ‘de fender’, and ‘counterstrategy’) and assessed their prevalence among small enterprises in the two industries under consideration. The results showed that mature small enterprises with an ‘aggressive’ intuitively strategic behaviour are the predominant type of business in a mature industry, while for small enterprises in a growing industry ‘defender’ and ‘counterstrategy’ are the prevalent strategies at all the life cycle stages. This paradox additionally proves the validity of our idea of the intuitively strategic behaviour of small businesses. Our findings contribute to the development of the SME life cycle theory and strategic management, can be used to adjust industry policy and government support measures, and can also be of interest to managers of small enterprises.

The purpose of this study is to present a streamlined approach to calculating the gross margin of online stores, with a particular focus on addressing the specific requirements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the e-commerce sector. This research presents a comparative analysis between the traditional method of gross margin calculation and an express approach that utilises the average order value (AOV) as a central metric. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the express method, particularly in the context of SMEs that may lack the resources required for more complex financial analyses. Methodology. A quantitative research design is employed, utilising data from three online retailers specialising in the sale of home textiles and linens produced by an in-house sewing studio. The shops in question operate on a number of e-commerce platforms, including Rozetka, Etsy, eBay, and Prom.ua. The study encompasses a period of eight months, during which sales data was collected and analysed in order to evaluate the efficacy of both manual and express methods of gross margin calculation. The express method incorporates statistical analysis, including z-scores and normal distribution, to provide a probabilistic framework for the assessment of the likelihood of achieving target gross margin ranges under different pricing scenarios. Results. The findings of the study indicate that the express method suggests a probability of achieving a gross margin within the 25-30% range, with a 38.11% likelihood. A case study utilising tulle curtains demonstrates the practical application of the aforementioned method. Following the implementation of a 20% discount, the gross margin experienced a notable decline, from 33.9% to 17.36%. Furthermore, the results of the z-score analysis indicate that the probability of exceeding a 30% gross margin is 27.43%, while the likelihood of the margin falling below 25% is 34.46%. This analysis underscores the inherent risks associated with offering discounts and illustrates the potential for significant fluctuations in profitability contingent upon price adjustments. Practical implications. The express method offers invaluable insights that can inform decision-making in a range of retail contexts. To illustrate, an online fashion retailer may utilise the method to evaluate the influence of price increases on gross margin during seasonal promotions. Similarly, a home goods store could employ the method to ascertain the impact of a flash sale discount on profitability, thereby facilitating the balancing of margins with sales volume. Value / Originality. The express method introduces a novel approach by integrating AOV and probabilistic analysis into gross margin calculation. This offers a dynamic framework that accounts for variability in discounts and sales, which is a significant advantage over traditional methods that rely on fixed margin targets or historical averages.

Big Data (BD) has emerged as a pivotal tool for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering substantial benefits in enhancing business performance and growth. This review investigates the impact of BD on SMEs, specifically focusing on business improvement, economic performance, and revenue growth. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the drivers and barriers of BD adoption in SMEs and assess its overall impact on operational efficiency and business outcomes. A comprehensive systematic review of 93 research papers published between 2014 and 2024 was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. The methodology included detailed analysis of research approaches, addressing biases and gaps in the literature. BD adoption in SMEs led to significant improvements in operational efficiency, revenue generation, and competitiveness. However, the studies reveal persistent challenges, such as limited financial resources and technical expertise. The review identified a reporting bias, with 47% of studies using quantitative methods, 28% employing case studies, and mixed-method and qualitative studies underrepresented (22% and 17%, respectively). This imbalance highlights a potential overreliance on quantitative approaches, which may limit the depth of insights gained. While BD offers considerable potential for driving innovation and enhancing competitiveness in SMEs, addressing the current methodological biases and resource-related barriers is crucial to fully harness its benefits. Future research should focus on diverse approaches to provide a holistic understanding of BD’s impact on SMEs.

This paper examines the willingness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (EU) to implement Circular Economy (CE) practices, i.e. re-planning the use of water to reduce consumption and maximize reuse, using of renewable energy sources, re-planning energy consumption to reduce its use, reducing waste by recycling or reusing waste or selling it to another company, redesigning products and services to reduce the use of materials or using recycled materials. These aspects are conceived as indicators of the willingness to implement CE practices, which is explained by factors at the company and country levels. The dataset comes from a unique survey involving more than 10,000 SMEs in the EU. This hierarchical structure – companies within countries – was analyzed using a multilevel factor model that takes into account the heterogeneity between countries. The variables at the company-level are: company size (number of employees and total turnover in 2015), company foundation, sector of economic activity, type of clients and goods, and percentage of the turnover invested in R&D. Country-level covariates cover different dimensions of sustainability: per capita GDP, illiteracy rate, waste generation, and corruption perception index. At the levels of company and country, there are factors that explain the attitude towards CE. Finally, factor scores at both levels show a split between Western and Eastern European countries (with few exceptions) regarding the willingness of SMEs to implement CE activities that define the regional implications of EU policies towards CE, in particular in the context of the European Green Deal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, phishing attacks have gotten more complicated and harder to detect. Technology-based preventative approaches have become utterly ineffective. Users of electronic mails are eventually the most essential factor in identifying phishing scams. Small and mediumsized enterprise (SMEs) are more susceptible to spearphishing attacks as their reliance of internet-based services increases, yet most of them lack skills in implementing preventive measures against phishing. This study identified the characteristics of phishing emails and designed an instrument to assess the level of individual knowledge in detecting various phishing messages. This instrument is primarily designed for SMEs. The instrument is to be used not only as a testing tool for phishing detection skills, but also as the foundation for generating training materials or phishing detection guidelines for SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) form backbone of a nation's economy. Implementation of technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), however, is a challenge for majority of them as the conventional solution requires a lot of investment. Thus, financially restricted SMEs, especially in developing nations, remain aloof from leveraging the benefits of the technology. Resorting to affordable devices such as low-cost sensors, actuators, processors, servers, and network technologies etc., pose challenges like low memory, low computation power, less transmission power, low data transfer rate, and limited network bandwidth. Consequently, there arises a need to develop IoT based solutions that cater to these challenges so that low budget SMEs are also able to benefit from IoT's umpteen advantages. This paper proposes an affordable IoT based framework for health status monitoring of machines in SMEs keeping the limitations imposed by low cost IoT devices as centre of the solution. The scope of the present research is limited to monitoring the health status of the electromechanical rotating machines only. Four types of commonly occurring faults in the machines at different rotating speeds are investigated using acoustic signals generated within the machines. Mahalanobis distance and Gaussian mixture model (GMM) have been employed for the analysis of the acoustic signals for estimating the unique fault dependent signatures. GMM works satisfactorily with smaller datasets and requires lesser amount of computational power in comparison to machine learning based algorithms. The investigations have showed that GMM may be effectively used in resource constrained SMEs deploying affordable IoT devices for predictive maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big Data (BD) has emerged as a pivotal tool for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering substantial benefits in enhancing business performance and growth. This review investigates the impact of BD on SMEs, specifically focusing on business improvement, economic performance, and revenue growth. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the drivers and barriers of BD adoption in SMEs and assess its overall impact on operational efficiency and business outcomes. A comprehensive systematic review of 93 research papers published between 2014 and 2024 was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. The methodology included detailed analysis of research approaches, addressing biases and gaps in the literature. BD adoption in SMEs led to significant improvements in operational efficiency, revenue generation, and competitiveness. However, the studies reveal persistent challenges, such as limited financial resources and technical expertise. The review identified a reporting bias, with 47% of studies using quantitative methods, 28% employing case studies, and mixed-method and qualitative studies underrepresented (22% and 17%, respectively). This imbalance highlights a potential overreliance on quantitative approaches, which may limit the depth of insights gained. While BD offers considerable potential for driving innovation and enhancing competitiveness in SMEs, addressing the current methodological biases and resource-related barriers is crucial to fully harness its benefits. Future research should focus on diverse approaches to provide a holistic understanding of BD's impact on SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of rapid digitalization, firms in Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) countries face unique challenges in adopting and integrating digital technologies (DTs). This study investigates how firms in Ghana and Nigeria navigate digitalization, examining both the drivers of DT adoption and the critical factors influencing successful integration. Through in-depth interviews with 12 CEOs of digital SMEs, the research reveals that while experience/exposure and problem-solving imperatives are primary adoption drivers, successful integration depends heavily on efficiency, quality, and cost considerations. The findings demonstrate that DT benefits manifest differently in BOP contexts compared to developed markets. While operational efficiency gains are universal to both contexts, benefits like financial inclusion and bridging institutional voids are distinctly valuable in BOP settings. The study extends RBV theory by showing that DTs can fundamentally alter organizational path dependencies in resource-constrained environments, enabling firms to bypass traditional infrastructure limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, mobile payment technology has rapidly developed and gradually become an integral part of daily economic activities, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The widespread adoption of mobile payments has significantly transformed financial management and operational models in SMEs. As vital drivers of economic growth, the financial management efficiency of SMEs is crucial to their survival and development. The extensive application of mobile payments not only facilitates daily transactions but also provides additional data and information support, potentially enhancing financial management efficiency. However, although numerous studies focus on the impact of mobile payments on business operations, there is a gap in the specific examination of their effect on the financial management efficiency of SMEs. Existing research predominantly addresses the impact of mobile payments on the overall market, lacking detailed analysis targeting SMEs. Furthermore, research methodologies often overlook the heterogeneity of user behavior on mobile payment platforms, failing to comprehensively reflect the differential impact on various types of enterprises. This study explores how user utility, user scale, platform profit, and equilibrium price affect the financial management efficiency of SMEs by constructing a theoretical model. It consists of two parts: initially defining financial management efficiency in SMEs and analyzing its influencing factors to update their financial management models. Subsequently, it examines the impact of mobile payment platforms on these factors through empirical analysis and model derivation. The findings demonstrate that mobile payment technology significantly enhances the financial management efficiency of SMEs, offering useful insights for business management and policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart technology is essential for integrating circular economy principles. This research investigates how conflict management strategies (collaboration, accommodation, avoidance, compromise, and competition) impact the adoption of smart technology, particularly blockchain, in Jordanian SMEs. Additionally, the study explores the moderating role of customer-centric green supply chain management in the relationship between blockchain adoption and circular economy principles. This research addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on Jordanian SMEs, an under-explored context. Data were collected from 421 senior managers, department heads, and executives of Jordanian SMEs, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), to test the hypotheses and analyze complex relationships. The findings reveal that conflict management strategies are critical in blockchain adoption, with collaboration and compromise emerging as the most influential. Moreover, blockchain adoption positively impacts the implementation of circular economy principles. The moderating effect of customer-centric green supply chain management enhances the sustainability and competitiveness of SMEs through blockchain technology. This research contributes to theory and practice by providing valuable insights into the strategic role of conflict management in driving technological innovation and sustainability within the circular economy framework, particularly in the context of Jordanian SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of social networks on SMEs (Small- and medium-sized enterprises)' ambidextrous innovation and discusses the mediating effect of dynamic capabilities and the moderating effect of technological turbulence from the perspectives of social network theory and dynamic capability theory. Empirical data were garnered from a sample of 494 SMEs in China and structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed relationships. The results show that: (1) both dimensions of the social networks (relational and structural networks) have a positive impact on SMEs' exploratory innovation(ERI) and exploitative innovation(EII) – the relational networks(RNs) have a stronger impact on SMEs' EII while the structural networks(SNs) have a stronger impact on SMEs' ERI; (2) dynamic capabilities play a mediating role between RNs, SNs and SMEs' ERI, EII; (3) technological turbulence positively moderates the dynamic capabilities – ERI relationship, while not moderates the dynamic capabilities – EII relationship; (4) the indirect effects of RNs and SNs on ERI via dynamic capabilities is moderated by technological turbulence, while the indirect effects of RNs and SNs on EII via dynamic capabilities is not moderated by technological turbulence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The research examines the effects of the ongoing global crisis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It emphasizes the underlying causes and the resultant challenges stemming from the contraction of export markets, which include diminished export orders, escalating operational costs, reduced productivity, an increase in business closures, a significant rise in unemployment, eroded investment confidence, disrupted funding channels, and limited resources. Furthermore, the paper provides an initial evaluation of the countermeasures implemented by the PRC government, particularly its support initiatives for SMEs, while also addressing the challenges encountered in the execution of these policies. The research offers policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the growth of SMEs, proposing relevant strategies such as tax reductions for SMEs, the enhancement of service frameworks, and the fortification of self-development mechanisms within these enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research has focused on addressing the following research questions for the growth strategies of SMEs: (1) What are the stages of profitable growth, and what factors contribute to these growth stages? (2) Which critical factors must be addressed for an organization to progress to the next stages of growth? (3) What is the importance of management in identifying and addressing critical growth factors? We have utilized the Delphi method and emphasized the role of company managers who have experienced profitable growth process as experts. Based on our findings, we have developed a Six-Stage Model of Profitable Growth (SSMPG), which we explain in detail in the article. The SSMPG model is compared to the prevailing Death Valley and Startup growth company development models. The article identifies the most crucial factors for the profitable growth of SMEs at different stages of growth within the SSMPG model. This model emphasizes sales, profitability, the individual characteristics of the entrepreneur, and leadership, in contrast to the debt-driven growth models emphasized in the other approaches. Further research could explore developing a start-up business culture using the new phasing model in Europe and elsewhere. In the future, it is important to consider profitability at both the company level and within clusters and regions.

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

Digital technologies have revolutionized the business field, offering significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance sustainability and value creation. This study investigates the impact of digital technology adoption on economic and social value creation, as well as SME performance. Specifically, it examines how social media applications, big data analytics, IoT applications, blockchain applications, and AI-enabled applications influence economic and social value within SMEs. We employed a hybrid approach integrating Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) techniques using SmartPLs 4.0 Application; this research analyzes these relationships. For our analysis, data were collected from 305 SME managers operating in Upper Sindh, Pakistan, specifically from major cities like Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, and Khairpur. The findings reveal that social media applications, big data analytics, IoT applications, and blockchain applications significantly contribute to both economic and social value creation for SMEs. Conversely, AI-enabled applications show no significant impact on value creation. Importantly, economic and social value creation positively correlates with enhanced SME performance. This study enriches our understanding of how digital technologies influence SMEs in Pakistan, particularly in enhancing economic and social value creation. Through advanced methodologies and rigorous analysis, it bridges theory with practical applications in SMEs' digital transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the article is to comprehensively examine the application and adoption of blockchain technology in SMEs. Recently, blockchain technology has garnered substantial attention owing to its transformative potential across diverse industries. Blockchain represents a decentralized and distributed ledger system that ensures data transparency, security, and immutability. This unique set of attributes has garnered attention from various sectors, ranging from finance and healthcare to supply chain and beyond. While predominant attention has been directed towards its impact on large corporations and financial institutions, the application and adoption of blockchain technology in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains a relatively unexplored area. Research Design & Methods: This research utilized a narrative and critical literature review of the existing literature on blockchain technology and SMEs. Findings: We identified the key areas of application and drivers and barriers to SMEs' adoption of blockchain technology. Supply chain and finance have emerged as primary domains witnessing heightened blockchain implementation. The intricate nature of supply chain operations involving a multitude of stakeholders and the centralized nature of financing with inherent information asymmetry have propelled blockchain adoption within these sectors. However, the complex nature of technology, regulatory uncertainty, and lack of technological capabilities of SMEs have been the barriers inhibiting the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in SMEs. Implications & Recommendations: The insights derived from this study can facilitate the successful design and implementation of blockchain-based solutions for SMEs. Blockchain solution providers must understand and tailor the solutions to SMEs. Blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) can accelerate flexible application development, expediting blockchain integration in SMEs. Government, regulatory bodies, and SME groups are urged to collaborate in enhancing technological literacy among SMEs, facilitating their capacity to harness the advantages offered by blockchain technology. Contribution & Value Added: This research contributes to the field by shedding light on the underexplored realm of blockchain technology in SMEs. The created taxonomy, examination of adoption drivers and barriers, and the formulated opportunities-challenges framework provide valuable tools for understanding and navigating blockchain technology's application and adoption-related challenges in SMEs. The identified gaps and proposed areas for future research further contribute to the ongoing discourse in this evolving field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodologyFindingsResearch and practical implicationsOriginalityThe study seeks to address the influence of different facets of business-to-business (B2B) relationship marketing on internationalization effectiveness, by taking into account the turbulent environment generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus falls on the factors that generate, frame, catalyze, sustain and strengthen international business relationships between managers from organizations with converging interests.B2B relationship marketing in the international arena is analyzed by means of various angles such as business convergence, business context, interpersonal compatibility, business credibility and network interconnections as availed by the “new normal” triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire-based survey with 158 business owners and managers from European industrial companies was carried out during November 2023 to investigate the configuration and dynamics of B2B relationship marketing in the unprecedented and systemic COVID-19 crisis. Data was analyzed via structural equation modeling using SmartPLS 4.The findings showed that while business convergence remains a strong influencer of all the other relational dimensions, the restrictions and limitations engendered by the pandemic have also altered international B2B relationship marketing to such an extent that the only significant factor for internationalization effectiveness relies on business networking.The study has both theoretical and practical implications, bringing forward a topical perspective on international B2B relationships during COVID-19 disruptions and their impact on the effectiveness of international operations.The study advances a phenomenological view of the unprecedented changes and their influences on the overseas operations of SMEs in a particular field. It complements and adds to the literature by stressing a more articulated relationship-centric architecture, which probed relevance during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the factors influencing Small and Medium Enterprises' (SMEs) Facebook Shop retail businesses in Madagascar. Amidst the global rise in internet usage, social media platforms play a critical role, particularly in online shopping. Employing a comprehensive methodology, including surveys and validated questionnaires, data were collected from SME owners leveraging Facebook features for e-commerce. Utilizing a dual approach with quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the study employs statistical techniques such as exploratory and confirmatory studies, hypothesis testing, and structural equation modeling using SPSS and AMOS 26 software. The findings reveal that perceived usefulness significantly influences the adoption of Facebook online store, playing a pivotal role in driving Small Businesses' uptake. Conversely, both limited payment options and trust and security concerns are found to negatively impact the adoption of Facebook online store. Surprisingly, perceived ease of use, flexibility adaptability, interaction, and larger businesses do not appear to have a significant positive effect on the adoption of Facebook online store, contrary to expectations. This research is investigating the key drivers affecting the adoption of Facebook Shop Retail Ventures and provides insights for both organizations and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the strategic dimensions influencing the adoption of environmental innovations (EIs) in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Mexico City. The study aims to understand the fundamental strategic dimensions defining eco-innovation and examine how SMEs manage the complexities of incorporating these practices. Employing a mixed-methods approach with documentary analysis and expert interviews, the study identifies key factors influencing EI adoption through causal maps and the viable system model. Findings highlight the significance of external and internal factors such as competitive pressure, economic constraints, technological capabilities, political support, and social influence. This integrative approach emphasizes the importance of adaptability and responsiveness, presenting eco-innovation as a source of sustainable competitive advantage for SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China's rapidly evolving economic landscape, small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) have emerged as pivotal players, driving growth and fostering innovation. However, the dynamics of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) and job satisfaction within these enterprises, and their subsequent influence on an employee's innovative performance, remain underexplored. By focusing on the interplay between OCB, job satisfaction, and innovative performance within Chinese SMEs, This study aims to fill the existing knowledge gaps and provide insights for both academia and industry. A total of 412 questionnaires were disseminated to respondents of SMEs. Using PLS-SEM as an instrument to analyze statistics, the result showed that organizational citizenship behaviour has a significant influence on SMEs employees' innovation performance. This study implies that SMEs in China can enhance their innovative performance by prioritizing and fostering positive employee behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an in-depth examination of the impact of public support to small and medium Italian enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s banking system was entrusted a key role in implementing extraordinary measures of financial support, such as moratoria and public guarantees. This support prevented the sudden drop in revenues and cash flows — caused by the pandemic and the related severe restrictive measures adopted by the Italian Government — from compromising the liquidity and solvency of a huge number of firms, thus preventing the occurrence of a chain of insolvencies, which would have seriously deteriorated Italian economy. To perform these tasks, Italian banks had to cope with commitments which severely tested their organizational structure, due to a large number of operations and the complexity and urgency these tasks entailed, especially in the first months of the emergency period. The study, in a five-year perspective, analyses — in terms of intensity and pervasiveness — the set of such initiatives, both at the entire Italian banking system level and at the specific cooperative banks level, the latter characterized by greater proximity to potentially more fragile customers. The aim of this work is to verify whether the effectiveness of the Italian banking system in this key role of accomplishing the transmission of economic policy decisions, aimed at promoting and sustaining real economy during a particularly difficult period, can be confirmed.

There is a growing need for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to employ Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) components to develop a robust brand-focused communications strategy given the present uncertain market circumstances and the consequent market volatility. For SMEs, the IMC pillars are crucial for building a robust strategic presence, which in turn improves company success. A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed to establish the link between IMC components and business performance. Data from 845 SME managers or owners were collected from India and were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results show a strong correlation between the five dimensions of IMC performance and enhanced company performance. The results of the moderation analysis also show that Market Orientation has little effect on the connection between IMC features and Business Performance. In this article, we’ll look at how SMEs can improve their company performance plans by incorporating market orientation and integrated marketing communication (IMC). SMEs, especially those in the service industry, would benefit greatly from this study’s findings regarding the need to use this managerial approach to boost SME performance.

Collaborations, as a natural selection of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the business environment, have been extensively studied. However, the core theoretical underpinnings, as well as recent research directions and themes have not been investigated. This study aims to holistically review the extant body of knowledge pertaining to SME collaboration, thereby clarifying these instances. Drawing upon a corpus of 978 scholarly articles retrieved from the Scopus database, spanning the years 1982 to 2022, this study implements a bibliometric analysis utilizing the VOSviewer software to map the intellectual landscape and discern patterns within the literature. The co-citation analysis depicted four primary theoretical constructs: those pertaining to relationship, open innovation, capability, and performance. The bibliographic coupling analysis depicted the prevailing trends in collaborative endeavors, encompassing supply chain, R&D, coopetition, Industry 4.0, internationalization, and open innovation. Furthermore, the application of co-occurrence analysis facilitated the delineation of five distinct research themes within this domain. The investigation extends to a critical discussion on the prospective orientation and concludes with an examination of the its implications, offering insights for the research, managers, and policymakers.

We investigate non-financial variables for predicting bankruptcy in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The variables encompass management, board and ownership structures and are sourced from universally accessible information, rendering them available to all stakeholders and allowing for the analysis of all SMEs within a market. Using a large and recent sample of SMEs, we empirically examine the variables that predict bankruptcy over time horizons of one, two and three years. Our analysis incorporates state-of-the-art discrete hazard models, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), bagging and random forest. We also test robustness using balanced datasets generated using the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE). We find that including non-financial variables enhances bankruptcy predictions compared to using financial variables alone. Moreover, our results show that among our variables, the most significant non-financial predictors of bankruptcy are the age of chief executive officers (CEOs), chairpersons and board members, as well as ownership share and place of the board members’ residences.