The Inter-American Foundation and the small and micro-enterprise sector /

Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-71).

The management of interdependence and the sharing of vision by micro-finance agencies for new and emerging SMEs

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise a theoretical model that clarifies the variations in both processes for sharing vision and interdependence of the lender and the SME owner in micro-finance. Processes for sharing vision and interdependence are possible predictors of the effective tacit and explicit knowledge generation/utilization of a micro-finance agency – SME owner relationship. For new and emerging SMEs the micro-finance agency can provide a critical role in their development. Micro-finance agencies can provide a mechanism in economic development that enables SMEs to have greater speed to markets. The focus of this paper is on the relationship between the micro-finance lending officer and the SME owner. Specifically, the model developed in this paper informs understanding the nature of knowledge generation/utilization between micro-finance agencies and SMEs. Effective generation/utilization facilitates the assessment of the risk for investment. The model clarifies the variations between interdependence and the development of processes for sharing of vision. When you have high interdependence (characterised by good cooperation) and effective processes for sharing of vision, an environment of effective knowledge generation/utilization is likely to be created between the micro-finance agency and the SME owner. The model proposes that the effective management of both tacit and explicit knowledge between the micro-finance agency and SMEs supports them to reach their markets. Implications of this research for SMEs and micro-finance agencies include the increase of knowledge and understanding of SME processes.

FATORES DETERMINANTES DA MORTALIDADE DE MICRO E PEQUENAS FARMÁCIAS DA BAIXADA SANTISTA: sob o olhar do farmacista

Esse trabalho estudou o segmento farmacêutico de micro e pequenas farmácias da região da Baixada Santista, em relação aos fatores determinantes da mortalidade no segmento, sob o olhar dos proprietários e gestores das farmácias, visto que nos últimos anos o segmento vêm sofrendo um encolhimento, além da migração das farmácias de micro e pequeno porte para as zonas mais periféricas das cidades da região da Baixada Santista. A metodologia utilizada para a pesquisa foi qualitativa, através de uma pesquisa exploratória e bibliográfica, tendo como instrumento de coleta de dados entrevistas, com roteiro semi-estruturado, aplicado a gestores e proprietários de sete farmácias na região da Baixada Santista. Cinco delas em atividade e duas fechadas, nos municípios de Santos, São Vicente, Guarujá e Praia grande. A análise dos dados foi feita com base em categorias analíticas criadas a partir da literatura que embasa esse estudo, chegando a dois blocos de análise: um relacionado diretamente aos fatores mercadológicos das farmácias, e outro relacionado a fatores administrativos e de custo. A análise dos dados comprovou existir fatores determinantes para a mortalidade das micro e pequenas farmácias da região, separados em dois blocos. No bloco mercadológico, estão relacionados os fatores determinantes que afetam diretamente a parte comercial das micro e pequenas farmácias, como o crescimento das grandes redes de farmácias, programa Farmácia Popular e falta de poder de compra por parte das farmácias. No bloco administrativo e de custos, estão relacionados a deficiência na gestão empresarial, custos operacionais, tributação e problemas pessoais. Através dessa pesquisa se conclui que esses fatores determinantes têm enfraquecido o segmento de micro e pequenas farmácias, ocasionando a mortalidade de diversas farmácias, não poupando nem mesmo as tradicionais da região da Baixada Santista.

LONGEVIDADE EMPRESARIAL: UM ESTUDO EM MICRO E PEQUENAS EMPRESAS DE SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO DO SETOR DE VAREJO

A quantidade de micro e pequenas empresas que encerram suas atividades no Brasil, antes de dois, três ou cinco anos, chega a taxas de mortalidade que se aproximam dos 75%. O presente estudo buscou analisar dez empresas de micro porte do setor de varejo na cidade de São Bernardo do Campo que estão em atividade e que conseguiram superar e vencer as taxas de mortalidade empresarial e de concorrência mercadológica. A investigação iniciou-se pelo ABC paulista, efetuando um levantamento no SEBRAE (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas) e na JUCESP (Junta Comercial do Estado de São Paulo) para descobrir a quantidade de micro e pequenas empresas que estavam em atividade e que inauguraram entre 2006 e 2007. Posteriormente o foco foi para a cidade de São Bernardo do Campo onde foram inauguradas 744 MPE´s (Micro e Pequenas Empresas), sendo que 49 delas estavam categorizadas no setor de varejo do vestuário e por fim definiram-se dez empresas que atenderam aos pré-requisitos metodológicos do estudo. A discussão sobre o tema da longevidade empresarial, ou seja, entender quais foram às capacidades que algumas empresas tiveram de manter-se operante por tantos anos, foi fator essencial para o estudo. O objetivo central deste trabalho foi de verificar a forma de administrar e de tratar de seus negócios destes dez empresários que fizeram com que tivessem sobrevida no mercado. Este estudo valeu-se dos métodos qualitativos, de recorte transversal com amostra não probabilística e por cota para poder efetuar todo processo metodológico e construir a análise final da pesquisa.

UM ESTUDO SOBRE A IMPORTÂNCIA DO USO DAS FERRAMENTAS DE CONTROLE GERENCIAL NAS MICRO, PEQUENAS E MÉDIAS EMPRESAS INDUSTRIAIS NO MUNICÍPIO DE SÃO CAETANO DO SUL

O objetivo desse estudo foi evidenciar o uso das ferramentas de controle gerencial que auxiliam no processo de tomada de decisão nas Micros, Pequenas e Médias Empresas, no município de SCSul. Entende-se, que na atualidade esses instrumentos devem ser alinhados com a realidade dessas organizações e as informações extraídas por estas devem ser a base para a tomada de decisão que perpetuem a riqueza dos investidores. O procedimento metodológico aplicado na escolha das empresas pesquisadas foi o critério de conveniência, utilizando o método de raciocínio dedutivo, através de aplicação de um questionário em 296 empresas, pelo a qual 18,6% destas se depuseram a responder o questionário. As empresas foram classificadas de acordo com o faturamento bruto anual estabelecido pela Receita Federal. Após a análise dos resultados, foi possível detectar que cerca de 41% dessas organizações estão a mais de 20 anos no mercado, o que demonstra uma boa consolidação no mercado. Detecta-se, também, que estes empresários-gerentes possuem uma forte formação superior: 31,27% pós-graduados e 22,22% graduados, o que pode ser um diferencial na gestão desses negócios. Como o pressuposto dessa pesquisa foi de analisar: se as MPME s industriais no município de SCSul estão utilizando as ferramentas de controle gerencial em seu processo de gestão para tomada de decisão, diante das análises efetuadas, tanto pelo o estudo de campo com bibliográfica, conclui-se que a tomada de decisão nessas empresas está baseada nas ferramentas de controle e que estas possuem um bom controle dos seus negócios contrariando o que se esperava.

Comunicação nas Micro e Pequenas Empresas: uma análise das práticas e estratégias comunicacionais

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar as práticas e estratégias de comunicação organizacional das micro e pequenas empresas brasileiras. Buscou-se investigar como as empresas se comunicam com os vários públicos e se utilizam de práticas comunicacionais para favorecer a manutenção e o crescimento dos micro e pequenos negócios. Para tanto, a pesquisa, de cunho exploratório e descritivo, se pautou em uma abordagem qualitativa, utilizando como principal instrumento entrevistas em profundidade com cinco pequenas empresas, que servirão como subsídio para entender as práticas e estratégias comunicacionais das empresas de menor porte. Com o apoio da literatura existente da área, foram averiguadas as tipologias e funções tradicionais da comunicação organizacional, dedicando atenção especial às mudanças ocorridas com o advento da web e das mídias sociais.

Developing a framework to evaluate business networks:the case of Ireland's industry-led network initiative

Business networks have been described as cooperative arrangements between independent business organisations that vary from contractual joint ventures to informal exchanges of information. This collaboration has become recognised as an innovative and efficient tool for organising interdependent activities, with benefits accruing to both firms and the local economy. For a number of years, resources have been devoted to supporting Irish networking policies. One recent example of such support is the Irish government's target of €20 million per annum for five years to support the creation of enterprise-led networks. It is imperative that a clear rationale for such interventions is established, as the opportunity cost of public funds is high. This article, therefore, develops an evaluation framework for such networking interventions. This framework will facilitate effective programme planning, implementation and evaluation. It will potentially show how a chain of cause-and-effect at both micro and macro-levels for networking interventions can be established.

Business implications of manufacturing innovation : the experience of increasing automation in smaller to medium sized companies.

Despite the considerable potential of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) for improving the economic performance of many firms, a growing body of literature highlights many instances where realising this potential has proven to be a more difficult task than initially envisaged. Focussing upon the implementation of new manufacturing technologies in several smaller to medium sized enterprises (SME), the research examines the proposition that many of these problems can be attributed in part to inadequate consideration of the integrated nature of such technologies, where the effects of their implementation are not localised, but are felt throughout a business. The criteria for the economic evaluation of such technologies are seen as needing to reflect this, and the research develops an innovative methodology employing micro-computer based spreadsheets, to demonstrate how a series of financial models can be used to quantify the effects of new investments upon overall company performance. Case studies include: the development of a prototype machine based absorption costing system to assist in the evaluation of CNC machine tool purchases in a press making company; the economics and strategy of introducing a flexible manufacturing system for the production of ballscrews; and analysing the progressive introduction of computer based printing presses in a packaging and general print company. Complementary insights are also provided from discussion with the management of several other companies which have experienced technological change. The research was conducted as a collaborative CASE project in the Interdisciplinary Higher Degrees Scheme and was jointly funded by the SERC and Gaydon Technology Limited and later assisted by PE-Inbucon. The findings of the research shows that the introduction of new manufacturing technologies usually requires a fundamental rethink of the existing practices of a business. In particular, its implementation is seen as ideally needing to take place as part of a longer term business and manufacturing strategy, but that short term commercial pressures and limited resources often mean that firms experience difficulty in realising this. The use of a spreadsheet based methodology is shown to be of considerable assistance in evaluating new investments, and is seen as being the limit of sophistication that a smaller business is willing to employ. Several points for effective modelling practice are also given, together with an outline of the context in which a modelling approach is most applicable.

Agents for change and changed agents:the micro-politics of change and feminism in the academy

This article explores gender politics and processes in the academy and investigates change from the perspectives of feminist academics. In particular, it explores the experiences of women academics attempting to effect change to the gendered status quo of their own institutions. Focusing on micro-politics, the feminist movement is empirically explored in localized spaces of resistance and in the small but significant individual efforts at making changes in academic institutions. The analysis is based on interviews with female academics working in business and management schools and focuses on the challenges for change and how change attempts affect their personal and professional identities. The article explores the range of change strategies that participants use as they try to progress in their academic career while staying true to their feminist values and priorities through both resisting and incorporating dominant discourses of academic work. The analysis highlights such tensions and focuses on a contextualized, bottom-up perspective on change that, unlike more totalizing theorization, takes into account mundane and lived experiences at the level of the individual. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

3D reconstruction of the complex dielectric function of glass during femtosecond laser micro-fabrication

We report on a new technique to reconstruct the 3D dielectric function change in transparent dielectric materials and the application of the technique for on-line monitoring of refractive index modification in BK7 glass during direct femtosecond laser microfabrication. The complex optical field scattered from the modified region is measured using two-beam, single-shot interferogram and the distribution of the modified refractive index is reconstructed by numerically solving the inverse scattering problem in Born approximation. The optical configuration suggested is further development of digital holographic microscopy. It takes advantage of high spatial resolution and almost the same optical paths for both interfering beams, and allows ultrafast time resolution. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2011.

Tsunami disaster recovery experience:a case study on micro, small and medium scale enterprises in Southern Sri Lanka

Post-disaster recovery of Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) remains an issue of interest for policy and practice given the wide scale occurrences of natural disasters around the globe and their significant impacts on local economies and SMEs. Asian Tsunami of December 2004 affected many SMEs in southern Sri Lanka. The study was developed to identify the main issues encountered by the Tsunami affected SMEs in Southern Sri Lanka in the process of their post-tsunami recovery. The study: a) identifies tsunami damage and loss in micro and SMEs in the Galle district; b) ascertains the type of benefits received from various parties by the affected micro and SMEs; c) evaluates the problems and difficulties faced by the beneficiary organizations in the benefit distribution process; and d) recommends strategies and policies for the tsunami-affected micro and SMEs for them to become self-sustaining within a reasonable time frame. Fifty randomly selected tsunami-affected micro and SMEs were surveyed for this study. Interviews were conducted in person with the business owners in order to identify the damages, recovery, rehabilitation, re-establishment and difficulties faced in the benefit distribution process. The analysis identifies that the benefits were given the wrong priorities and that they were not sufficient for the recovery process. In addition, the many governance-related problems that arose while distributing benefits are discussed. Overall, the business recovery rate was approximately 65%, and approximately 88% of business organizations were sole proprietorships. Therefore, the policies of the tsunami relief agencies should adequately address the needs of sole proprietorship business requirements. Consideration should also be given to strengthen the capacity and skills of the entrepreneurs by improving operational, technological, management and marketing skills and capabilities.

Metformin:effects on micro and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes

Introduction: The antihyperglycaemic agent metformin is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Data from the UK Prospective Diabetes Study and retrospective analyses of large healthcare databases concur that metformin reduces the incidence of myocardial infarction and increases survival in these patients. This apparently vasoprotective effect appears to be independent of the blood glucose-lowering efficacy. Effects of metformin: Metformin has long been known to reduce the development of atherosclerotic lesions in animal models, and clinical studies have shown the drug to reduce surrogate measures such as carotid intima-media thickness. The anti-atherogenic effects of metformin include reductions in insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia and obesity. There may be modest favourable effects against dyslipidaemia, reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines and monocyte adhesion molecules, and improved glycation status, benefiting endothelial function in the macro- and micro-vasculature. Additionally metformin exerts anti-thrombotic effects, contributing to overall reductions in athero-thrombotic risk in type 2 diabetic patients. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Ideological aspects of the translation of business annual reports in Oman (English-Arabic)

The socioeconomic context in the renaissance era in Oman has resulted in the development of new forms of discursive prastises and thus, in the introduction of new genres. One of these new genres is the business annual report, which in Oman exists in English and Arabic. This thesis examines the role of translation in the production of annual reports. This research makes a contribution to the field of Translation Studies by examining institutional translation in order to gain insights into translation agents, processes, practises and underlying policies with reference to national business institutions in their sociopolitical and historical and institutional contexts .Business reports are still largely under-researched as a genre in Translation Studies. The thesis starts with an overview of relevant aspects of Translation Studies to arrive at a theoretical framework which informs the analysis. The empirical analysis is based on sixty seven reports produced by different Oman-based companies which vary in size and organisational patterns. Annual reports are characterised as a genre in terms of function and structure at the macro-level as well as the micro-level. They have an informative and a persuasive function, as they are produced by different companies in their attempt to promote and fulfil their respective business interests and objectives.The thesis presents the sociocultural and political contexts of the production of the English and Arabic versions of the annual reports, focusing on the underlying functions and principles of institutions and agents. The next chapter illustrates the textual profiles of the English and the Arabic versions, identifying typical translation strategies. The discussion here operates within the framework of product-oriented Descriptive Translation Studies (Lambert and van Gorp 1985). It is argued that the two language versions reflect aspects of ideology, political affiliation and power relations at both the macro and micro- structural levels. These ideological aspects can be seen in particular in the addition, omission and change of specific expressions which refer to religious or interpersonal aspects. These strategies signal the aim to appeal to wider Arab readers and to fulfil the agendas of different agents (government, companies, chairpersons, directors, etc.). The description of the texts is followed by an account of these aspects in terms of sociopolitical and institutional conditions in the production of the translations. For this explanation, reference is made to sociological approaches to translation, mainly building on the work of Bourdieu (1991). This thesis emphasises that the translation of annual reports is a collective effort which takes place in a particular institutional context. Consequently, the translation strategies are regulated by the objectives of the institution within which translators and other agents operate. The translations are prepared in order to meet the expectations and needs of the intended Arabic language addressees; in addition, the generic features of the reports reveal a progression of transmission and development over the course of time in the spheres of business and economy in Oman. This thesis demonstrates that business companies too can be seen as institutions which contribute significantly to disseminating business terms and concepts and promoting investment opportunities domestically and internationally through translation work.