Towards a model of understanding strategic decision-making in micro-firms : exploring the Australian information technology sector

This study explores strategic decision-making (SDM) in micro-firms, an economically significant business subsector. As extant large- and small-firm literature currently proffers an incomplete characterization of SDM in very small enterprises, a multiple-case methodology was used to investigate how these firms make strategic decisions. Eleven Australian Information Technology service micro-firms participated in the study. Using an information-processing lens, the study uncovered patterns of SDM in micro-firms and derived a theoretical micro-firm SDM model. This research also identifies several implications for micro-firm management and directions for future research, contributing to the understanding of micro-firm SDM in both theory and practice.

Positive design and construction of mechanisms for the sustainable development in microenterprises in Africa

Enterprise development and its contribution to societal and economic outcomes are well known. However, limited research into microenterprises and the practices of microfinance and microcredit in developing countries has been carried out. This chapter presents the findings of research based on six years of engagement with the microentrepreneurs of Beira in Mozambique and suggests a model for responsible and sustainable support for enterprise development in developing economies. Building on semistructured interviews, observation, and participatory action research, this research project articulates a new approach supportive of enterprise development, as a process of cocreation with local people and based on sustainability principles. These findings are part of a longitudinal study of the successes and failures of small enterprises and their impact on social and economic activity.

Frente Parlamentar Mista das Micro e Pequenas Empresas : lógica de funcionamento e resultados

Analisa o modo com que os parlamentares se organizam frente à estrutura institucional no Congresso Nacional. Tem como referências para discussão, contribuições de Barry Ames (2003) e Figueiredo e Limongi (2001) que apresentam dois modelos de funcionamento do Parlamento, o distributivista e o partidário. Analisa a atuação da Frente Parlamentar Mista das Micro e Pequenas Empresas. Enfatiza a segunda fase de funcionamento da Frente, os anos de 2008 e 2009, quando trabalhou pela regulamentação da Lei Geral das Micro e Pequenas Empresas (Lei Complementar nº 123/06) nos Estados e Municípios e seus aperfeiçoamentos por meio da aprovação de Leis Complementares nºs 127/07, 128/08 e 133/09.

Estudio empírico del endeudamiento, coste de la deuda y rentabilidades de la industria de calzado de La Rioja. Comparación por tamaño y sector

[ES] El presente trabajo tiene por objeto el estudio del nivel de endeudamiento, el coste de la deuda y las rentabilidades de la industria del calzado de la Comunidad Autónoma de La Rioja por sectores y tamaños. De acuerdo con la Economía Industrial, que considera el sector de actividad como el principal determinante de los resultados de las organizaciones, se analiza si las variables estudiadas son distintas en función de su pertenencia al sector del calzado en comparación con el de la industria agroalimentaria, por ser éste el más importante de la economía de la región. Por otro lado, de acuerdo con la Teoría de los Recursos y Capacidades, que considera que son los factores internos los que explican las diferentes rentabilidades, estudiaremos un recurso interno como es el tamaño, viendo su influencia sobre las variables comentadas. Por último, los resultados del estudio conjunto de la pertenencia a un sector de actividad por tamaños homogéneos nos permiten afirmar que el coste de la deuda de las pequeñas empresas es significativamente distinto en función de dicho sector de pertenencia.

O empreendedor e a contribuição do profissional de contabilidade: uma análise empírica sobre o processo decisório das micro e pequenas empresas

O crescente aumento da atividade empreendedora no país, e por consequência o aumento do número de organizações de micro e pequeno porte, fonte geradora de grande parte dos postos de trabalho no país motivaram este estudo que tem como principal objetivo contribuir para o entendimento do papel do profissional de contabilidade no processo decisório das organizações, assim como investigar o entendimento dos empreendedores em relação à contribuição do profissional de contabilidade no processo decisório das organizações de micro e pequeno porte. Buscou-se também identificar as ferramentas de controle gerencial utilizadas no processo decisório. Para isso foram realizadas entrevistas com dez empreendedores. Através de um questionário de pesquisa aplicado, verificou-se que para 9 dos 10 empreendedores entrevistados, os profissionais de contabilidade não os auxiliam no processo decisório. Para eles a contribuição dos profissionais de contabilidade se restringe ao cálculo e geração de guias de impostos, assim como prestar assessoria fiscal e trabalhista. A contabilidade como fonte provedora de informações confiáveis e seguras não é valorizada pelos empreendedores. Apenas um deles citou a utilização de demonstrativos contábeis como prática na organização para fins de tomada de decisão.

Um estudo comparativo entre os indicadores de inovação utilizados pelos métodos de scorecard para o cálculo de ativos intangíveis com os utilizados pelos fundos de capital de risco para investimentos em empresas spin-offs acadêmicas incubadas.

Este trabalho pretende verificar o alinhamento entre os indicadores de inovação utilizados pelos métodos Scorecard de mensuração dos ativos intangíveis e pelas agências governamentais nacionais e internacionais com aqueles utilizados pelos fundos de capital de risco na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, para investimento em empresas spin-offs acadêmicas incubadas. A metodologia constou de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os métodos de mensuração e valoração dos ativos intangíveis, indicadores de inovação propostos por agências governamentais nacionais e internacionais e fundos de capital de risco que atuam na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Além de serem aplicados questionários nas empresas de fundos de capital de risco desta cidade. Foram levantados diversos métodos Scorecards na literatura com seus indicadores, além dos indicadores de inovação de agências governamentais nacionais e internacionais. Adicionando-se a isso, identificou-se o foco de investimento, o processo de seleção, o método utilizado de avaliação de oportunidades de investimento e indicadores relevantes para as empresas de capital de risco da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Observou-se que os ativos intangíveis, entre eles os de inovação, não são avaliados individualmente. A informação obtida com as empresas que receberão investimentos dessas empresas de capital de risco é utilizada para se entender a origem dos fluxos de caixa projetados e os principais fatores de risco. E esses dados aplicados ao método do fluxo de caixa descontado permitem que se estime o valor da empresa. Pela vasta experiência dos gestores dos fundos de capital de risco com micro e pequenas empresas inovadoras, espera-se que o estudo das práticas deste segmento traga importantes reflexões para as discussões relativas aos ativos intangíveis e a inovação.

Uma Análise da Utilização da Lei do Bem nas Micro e Pequenas Empresas (MPE)de Base Tecnológica Incubadas no Vale da Eletrônica, em Santa Rita do Sapucaí (MG)

A presente pesquisa objetiva analisar a utilização da Lei n 11.195/05, a Lei do Bem, por micro e pequenas empresas de base tecnológica - EBTs incubadas localizadas no polo tecnológico de Santa Rita do Sapucaí (MG), considerando para isto a interação da hélice tríplice, ou seja, a interação entre universidade-empresa-governo. Com intuito específico, objetiva identificar os principais motivos para a utilização da Lei do Bem, assim como dos motivos determinantes para a utilização ou não dos benefícios fiscais por ela proporcionados. A referida Lei proporciona benefícios fiscais voltados para a inovação e desenvolvimento de tecnologia, incluindo vantagens para a contratação de pesquisadores e na aquisição de equipamentos e maquinário para essas finalidades, entre outros. A pesquisa foi realizada pelo intermédio de uma estudo de campo na cidade de Santa Rita do Sapucaí (MG), que possibilitou a coleta dos dados mediante entrevistas estruturadas de maneira semiaberta com os empresários e órgão e instituições de apoio da região, possibilitando assim uma maior liberdade aos entrevistados para responderem dentro do roteiro estabelecido. O roteiro abrangia, de forma resumida, perguntas referentes à inovação, estrutura da região e do conhecimento e utilização da Lei do Bem. A análise dos dados coletados nas entrevistas constatou que o Arranjo Produtivo Local (APL) em que as empresas se encontram possui estrutura para a inovação e o desenvolvimento de tecnologia, entretanto, a interação entre os atores da hélice tríplice apresentou restrições em relação à utilização de financiamentos, fomentos e da utilização dos benefícios fiscais, em específico na dificuldade da utilização da Lei do Bem pelas empresas da região. Constatou-se nas as empresas pesquisadas, dificuldade para utilização de fomentos específicos para a inovação. Os fatores determinantes da dificuldade do uso da Lei do Bem apontados pela pesquisa foram o desconhecimento da Lei pelos empresários, falta de informação sobre a Lei e, o regime tributário escolhido. Esse estudo pode contribuir para aumentar o alcance da Lei do Bem às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (MPEs), e pela análise da citada Lei ao longo dos seus oito anos de vigência, sendo sete deles já reportados pelo Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (MCTI), que resultou em uma lista com 1456 empresas que já se utilizaram dos benefícios proporcionados pela Lei do Bem de 2006 a 2012.

The Islamic commercial crisis: Institutional roots of economic underdevelopment in the Middle East

During the second millennium, the Middle East's commerce with Western Europe fell increasingly under European domination. Two factors played critical roles. First, the Islamic inheritance system, by raising the costs of dissolving a partnership following a partner's death, kept Middle Eastern commercial enterprises small and ephemeral. Second, certain European inheritance systems facilitated large and durable partnerships by reducing the likelihood of premature dissolution. The upshot is that European enterprises grew larger than those of the Islamic world. Moreover, while ever larger enterprises propelled further organizational transformations in Europe, persistently small enterprises inhibited economic modernization in the Middle East.

A proposed method for evaluating the artisanal production of recycled plastic paving blocks in West Africa

Plastic wastes, and particularly plastic bags and sachets, are a major concern for urban and rural environment in African countries. In the last years some actions have been started for the plastic recycling like the artisanal production of paving blocks with melted plastic bags and sand, albeit with differences in production processes. Nevertheless, the environmental and economic impact of such activities is still to be confirmed. The aim of this study is to propose a methodology for assessing and comparing the environmental and energetic performances of artisanal methods, and for defining the overall quality of the produced blocks. This methodology has been shaped through the analysis of
production processes operated by artisans/small enterprises in West Africa and through physic-mechanical tests on the blocks. A questionnaire which allows an insight into the process and on the product has been developed and tested over five processes. Results show that a high input energy level is observed through all the processes, while considerable savings of energy could be achieved. Moreover, tests results confirmed the importance of the utilised plastic concerning thermal dilatation, mechanical resistance at higher temperature and cooling-shrinkage effects. In conclusion, doubts remain about the technical and environmental effectiveness of the sampled experiences, durability of the products and sustainability of this approach. Nevertheless, being the collection and recycling of plastic wastes a potential income generation activity for marginalised social groups in urban environment, a process optimisation could improve the impact of blocks production. Alternative recycling activities should also be considered.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding, as we know it today, is a very recent activity that was born almost accidentally in the end of the 90’s decade. Due to the advent of the internet and the social networks, entrepreneurs are now able to promote their projects to a very large community. Whether it is composed by family, friends, acquaintances or simply people that are interested in the same topic or share the passion, the community is able to fund new ventures by individually investing modest amounts of money. In return, the entrepreneur can offer symbolic rewards, shares or other financial returns. New crowdfunding platforms are born almost every day all over the world, offering a new way of raising capital for their projects or a new way to invest their money in innovative ventures. Although crowdfunding is still finding its place in the financial services, successful cases such as Kickstarter demonstrate the power of the crowd in boosting creativity and productivity, financing thousands of projects by raising millions of dollars from thousands of investors. Due to regulatory restrictions, the most prominent model for now is reward-based crowdfunding, where the investors are prized with symbolic returns or privileged access to the products or services offered by the entrepreneurs. Other models such as peer-to-peer lending are also surging, allowing borrowers access to capital at a lower cost compared to so-called traditional financial institutions, and offering lenders a higher rate of return. But when it comes to offering shares to investors, i.e. using equity-based crowdfunding, entrepreneurs face regulatory obstacles in almost every country, where legislation was passed decades ago with the objective of promoting financially-capable ventures and protecting investors. Access to capital has become more difficult after the global economic recession of 2008, and for most countries it will not get easier in the near future, leaving start-ups and small enterprises with few options to start or expand their operations. In this study we attempt to answer the following research questions: how has equity-based crowdfunding evolved since its creation? Where and how has equity-based crowdfunding been implemented so far? What are the constraints and opportunities for implementing equity-crowdfunding in the world, and more particularly in Portugal? Finally, we will discuss the risks of crowdfunding and reflect on the future of this industry.

Las mipymes artesanales como un medio de desarrollo para los grupos rurales en México

La actividad artesanal sigue teniendo vigencia a nivel regional en muchos países, no sólo subdesarrollados, sino también del primer mundo, lo que permite a algunos grupos sociales tener una fuente de ingresos única o complementaria. En este trabajo se hace una descripción de este sector, comenzando con conceptos de los términos relacionados con la artesanía, su importancia económica y social dentro de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas, los tipos de productos artesanales en el mundo y en México. Se establecen, igualmente, las problemáticas y los retos que habrá de enfrentar, así como las contribuciones posibles desde los ámbitos gubernamental y académico.

Imitation, entrepreneurship and the informal/formal economy nexus: an African perspective

This paper explores a segmentation of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in developing countries within the formal/informal economy nexus that has wide-ranging implications for the targeting of base-of-the-pyramid initiatives and entrepreneurship theory. This proposed segmentation emerges from the analysis of a sample of Kenyan MSEs utilising current and prior business models; the antecedent influences shaping the business model; barriers to entry associated with knowledge, capital and skills; the degree of innovation or imitation evident in the business model linked to the nature of opportunity recognition; and their relationship with the formal institutional business environment.

Attractive Work Process

Many companies both in Sweden and other parts of the world are since the beginning of the 21st century faceing a lack of work force (1,2,3). The ability to recruit and retain skilled employees is seen as one of the most important questions for the survival and development of the companies (4,5). Labour shortage is seen as the biggest obstacle for expansion for small enterprises in Sweden (5). There is a need for workplaces to be attractive, but how can the attractiveness be increased? Researchers at Högskolan Dalarna have during almost a decennium conducted research concerning attractive work. Based on a modell of qualities that contributes to make a work attractive (6) has a method aiming for raised attractiveness been developed for SME:s. All employees participate by answering a questionnaire about the importance of different qualities and to what degree they are fulfilled. Further discussions at the workplace on what to preserve and what to develop make the base for an action plan.Important experiences:• Discuss and establish the aim of the method with management and employees. • The company must be prepared to follow up and realize the action plan.• Agree about expectations – they must be realistic and practicable.• Reserve time to start the process and to end up in an action plan. • Avoid negative thinking and put problems away. • Take all the time small steps in the right direction.• Keep employees engaged and avoid the manager or process leader to take the command.• Use the strategy with small work groups; it gives better possibilities for participation and outspokenness.• Follow up studies are necessary to keep up the motivation.The most positive aspects of the method is its promoting perspective and that it engages all the employees.1.Rauhut, D. (2002). Arbetskraftsbrist och arbetskraftsinvandring: hot eller möjlighet för ekonomisk tillväxt? Östersund, ITPS, Institutet för tillväxtpolitiska studier.2.Funch, M. and C. Ehrnooth. (2008, 08-10-2008). Labour shortage despite financial crisis? Retrieved 2008-12-16, 2008, from www.norden.org/webb/news/news.asp?id=8113&lang=6. 3.Manpower (2008). Talent Shortage Survey 2008 Global Results: 10. 4.Bakker, A. B. and W. B. Schaufeli (2008). Positive organizational behavior: Engaged employees in flourishing organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior 29: 147-154.5.Kennemar, J. and L. Jagrén (2008). Småföretagsbarometern. Stockholm, Swedbank Företagarna: 23.6.Åteg, M., A. Hedlund, et al. (2004). Attraktivt arbete. Från anställdas uttalanden till skapandet av en modell. Stockholm, Arbetslivsinstitutet.

O uso do poder de compra do estado como instrumento de política pública: a lei complementar nº 123/2006, sua implementação

This study aims to bring back the debate on the use of the purchasing power of the State as instrument to boost other public policies established by federal entities. Besides putting it in a context of innovation in the public sector, the study of this issue must consider all its variables and questions, whwther of legal, economic, social or political order, starting with the one I consider the most important: the possibility of the State to assert its power of puchasing in order to design and promote markets, searching to achieve other objectives rather than those traditionally accepted. Thus, in the analysis of a direct application of a new practice, this study evaluates the implementation of the Additional Law number 123/06, which gives a differentiating treatment to micro and small enterprises in public contracting. By means of interviews, information was collected with the relevant actors in in this phase. The conclusion was that aspects such as the heterogeneity of the segment of the MPE`s and their low capacity of articulation, along with the endogenous obstacles of the instituion of the bidding, contribute decively to the low stage of the implementation that occurs at this moment.

A influência da exportação no desenvolvimento de arranjos produtivos locais de moda no estado do Rio de Janeiro

In recent years, clusters have become a central part in discussions about local and regional economic development, as well as in the elaboration of public policies for generating jobs and income. Concurrent with the discussions about clusters, the subject globalization has also received growing attention from the media in the academic and government fields. Different aspects are considered in the discussions regarding globalization and one of the subjects is the insertion of local economies into international commerce. One of these ways of insertion is by global value chains. This term began to be used at the end of 90s, and refers to the productive value chains dispersed throughout the world, but with integrated production and commercialization. The aim of this thesis is to understand how the exportation process influences the development of fashion clusters, this being done by the insertion of these clusters into the global value chains. Each year, the Brazilian fashion sector seeks to broaden their participation in the global economy by means of insertion into the global value chains. This insertion, however, has caused impacts in specialized clusters of garment manufacturers, such as beach fashion, jeans and women¿s clothing. As a way of identifying these impacts, three cluster manufacturers were studied in the state of Rio de Janeiro, namely Cabo Frio, São Gonçalo and Niterói. The impacts of internationalization on the companies integrated into these three clusters were explored by means of a six-month field study, including semistructured interviews. This internationalization occurs either by direct exportation or by means of inserting these companies into the global value chains. The results of the study points out the opportunities and threats to these companies, as well as shows the importance of more adequate public policies for the development of Brazilian fashion clusters. Among these threats, the possibility of inserting these cluster companies into the global value chains in a captive manner (Gereffi, Humphrey, Sturgeon, 2005) was singled out, placing them ¿under control¿ of the exporting companies. As for opportunities, the participation of government support agencies and improvements in fashion show good alternatives for inserting these companies into the global value chains, making possible autonomous and competitive performance.