Research

12 pages, 422 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Intensity of Relationships with Vocational Education Centres: A Typology of Spanish SMEs

by Cristina Lavía, Beatriz Otero, Eneka Albizu and Mikel Olazaran

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169287 - 18 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1782

Even though the availability of skilled labour and technological know-how is critical to the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the relationships between industry and the vocational education system have received little attention in the recent literature regarding social aspects of innovation. [...] Read more.

Even though the availability of skilled labour and technological know-how is critical to the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the relationships between industry and the vocational education system have received little attention in the recent literature regarding social aspects of innovation. The objective of this paper is to analyse the intensity of relationships between industrial SMEs and vocational education and training (VET) centres from the firms’ perspective. The study is based on a survey carried out with a sample of 1388 Spanish industrial SMEs with vocational education graduates among their employees. Multivariate hierarchical segmentation techniques were used in order to identify the main explanatory variables. As a result, we obtained a typology (“tree”) of eight organizational profiles associated to different intensity levels (from higher to lower) of relationships between firms and schools. The results show that most industrial SMEs maintain relations with vocational education centres, reflecting the importance of the latter for the companies. The organisational type having the highest level of relations refers to SMEs with experience in external cooperation (cooperation with other actors in innovation projects) which have vocational education employees (graduates) in technical areas and which are bigger in size. Likewise, the results suggest that fruitful collaboration between SMEs and vocational education centres depends on the existence of an established culture of innovation among the smaller firms. This work sheds light on economic and social sustainability. Its results and discussion are linked to the objectives of United Nations sustainable development goals and the recent communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament entitled “European skills agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness, and resilience”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

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24 pages, 543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effectiveness of Kano-QFD Approach to Enhance Competitiveness of Technology-Based SMEs through Transfer Intention Model

by Yun Hwangbo, Young-Seok Yang, Myung-Seuk Kim and YoungJun Kim

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7885; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197885 - 23 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2738

Abstract

Despite the value of QFD (Quality Function Deployment), it has been applied to individual industries, or only to large companies with sufficient QFD-related human resources and sufficient financial resources. Most SMEs, which account for 80% of the world economy, have not been able [...] Read more.

Despite the value of QFD (Quality Function Deployment), it has been applied to individual industries, or only to large companies with sufficient QFD-related human resources and sufficient financial resources. Most SMEs, which account for 80% of the world economy, have not been able to benefit from QFD, the tool designed to revamp the growth, due to the lack of financial and human resources to implement QFD and Kano Model. This paper is brought to assess the effectiveness of Kano-QFD approach for technology-based SMEs through the transfer intention model. In order to verify the effectiveness of the above approach, 860 technology-based SMEs in their establishment 3–7 years are researched for the learning transfer intention after the completion of Kano QFD education and training program. The results of this study are that the perceived content validity has the direct effect on learning transfer intention simultaneously with the partial mediating effect through the self-efficacy factor. The learner readiness does not directly influence the learning transfer intention and the self-efficacy completely mediates the learner readiness and the transfer intention. This research contributes to providing critical implications for the educators and training planners in in private sector as well as policy makers of technology-based SMEs in the public sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

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18 pages, 803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Media and IOT Wearables in Developing Marketing Strategies. Do SMEs Differ From Large Enterprises?

by Irina Maiorescu, Mihaela Bucur, Bogdan Georgescu, Daniel Moise, Vasile Alecsandru Strat and Ion Daniel Zgură

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7292; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187292 - 05 Sep 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4438

Abstract

The fast development of technologies shapes the way companies address and understand their customers’ needs, including the more and more pressing call for sustainability. If, by now, many organizations use the advantages of social media in their marketing strategies, newer technologies, such as [...] Read more.

The fast development of technologies shapes the way companies address and understand their customers’ needs, including the more and more pressing call for sustainability. If, by now, many organizations use the advantages of social media in their marketing strategies, newer technologies, such as Internet of things (IoT) wearables, are not fully used to their whole potential. Thus, we conducted two research studies—a qualitative one in the form of a focus group where eight different companies’ representatives took part, followed by a quantitative one in the form of an online questionnaire, where 84 (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) SMEs and Large Enterprises answered. The main purpose of our research was to investigate companies’ attitudes and practices about using social media and IoT wearable technologies in developing organizational marketing strategies. The results indicate that, though there are some differences in the perception and use of social media and IoT wearables for developing marketing strategies, these differences are not marked between SMEs and Large Enterprises, but rather between micro enterprises and other companies with higher numbers of employees. Additionally, there are some differences noticed between companies operating in regional, national, or international markets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

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11 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender Diversity and the Choice of Conflict Management Styles in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

by Ovidiu Niculae Bordean, Dalma Szonja Rácz, Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu, Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu and Zenovia Cristiana Pop

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7136; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177136 - 01 Sep 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4515

Abstract

The current study investigates the relation between biological sex and gender role upon the choice of conflict management styles. The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) measured the gender role and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II) Form C measured the conflict handling styles. Participants [...] Read more.

The current study investigates the relation between biological sex and gender role upon the choice of conflict management styles. The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) measured the gender role and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II) Form C measured the conflict handling styles. Participants were employees of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The results found that biological sex has no correlation with the choice of conflict management style. On the other hand, the findings have shown that gender role is a predictor for the choice of conflict management styles as masculine individuals were highest on the dominating conflict style, whereas feminine individuals were highest on the avoiding style. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

18 pages, 589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eco-innovation Capability and Sustainability Driven Innovation Practices in Romanian SMEs

by Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu, Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu, Doina Popescu and Olguta Anca Orzan

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7106; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177106 - 31 Aug 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 3938

Abstract

This study examines the influence of eco-innovation capability on sustainability driven innovation practices in SMEs. In this study, eco-innovation capability is represented by four factors—internal setting, strategies, operations and structure—while sustainability driven innovation practices are represented by three types of practices—process, organizational and [...] Read more.

This study examines the influence of eco-innovation capability on sustainability driven innovation practices in SMEs. In this study, eco-innovation capability is represented by four factors—internal setting, strategies, operations and structure—while sustainability driven innovation practices are represented by three types of practices—process, organizational and product. The direct relationship between eco-innovation capability and sustainability driven innovation practices is statistically tested by using a sample of 397 Romanian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises using PLS–SEM and SmartPLS software. The results show that the development of eco-innovation capability has a direct and positive effect on sustainability driven innovation practices employed in manufacturing SMEs by encouraging them to get involved in cleaner production practices, waste handling and recycling on a regular basis or integrate eco-efficiency into their operations, develop new channels for sustainable products or integrate customers’ suggestions or complaints, implement environment management systems, use eco-friendly raw materials or focus on new product development, for instance. Therefore, the paper extends the literature dedicated to eco-innovation by shedding some light on what to focus on when building eco-innovation capability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

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18 pages, 333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Value Creation Attributes—Clustering Strategic Options for Romanian SMEs

by Alin Stancu, Alina Filip, Mihai Ioan Roșca, Daniela Ioniță, Raluca Căplescu, Andrei Cânda and Laura Daniela Roșca

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7007; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177007 - 27 Aug 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2669

Abstract

Value proposition can be an important source of competitive advantage for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Unlike large companies which follow a rational and sequential process, developing a value proposition in an SME is instead a trial and error process. Therefore, those [...] Read more.

Value proposition can be an important source of competitive advantage for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Unlike large companies which follow a rational and sequential process, developing a value proposition in an SME is instead a trial and error process. Therefore, those companies are experimenting with various options. The purpose of this paper was to identify the value strategies used by SMEs based on value dimensions and attributes and to find specific groups of SMEs with a similar market approach. We present a theoretical framework on customer value creation and customer value communication, followed by a quantitative research on 399 Romanian SMEs. We used a principal component analysis to reduce the number of choices and afterwards we ran a cluster analysis to identify the distinct groups of SMEs using specific value propositions. We found that there are three major strategic options based on customer experience, affordability and customization, and four distinct clusters: customer delight (A), multiple sources of differentiation (B), one-to-one marketing (C) and cost—effectiveness (D). Three groups use distinct value propositions—A focuses on customer experience, C on customization, D on affordability—while B mixes all of them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

8 pages, 454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Economic Impact of a New Type of Ripening Chamber in Traditional Cheese Manufacturing

by Nuno Teixeira, Maria Clara Pires, Paulo Ferreira, Graça P. Carvalho, Rute Santos, Francisco M. Rodrigues, João Dias, João C. Martins and José Jasnau Caeiro

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166682 - 18 Aug 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2160

Abstract

A new prototype of a ripening chamber was proposed in the CFD4CHEESE project aiming to evaluate the application of computational fluid dynamics in the optimization of traditional cheeses ripening conditions. With the purpose of evaluating the possible impact on the energy cost of [...] Read more.

A new prototype of a ripening chamber was proposed in the CFD4CHEESE project aiming to evaluate the application of computational fluid dynamics in the optimization of traditional cheeses ripening conditions. With the purpose of evaluating the possible impact on the energy cost of cheese ripening in three Portuguese regions (Setúbal, Évora, and Beja), we demonstrated the potential economic benefits of the prototype. The proposed automation process would imply higher productive efficiency, reducing the consumption of water and electricity. The simple consideration of the reduction of electricity costs is enough to recover the investment needed to have the new ripening chambers, meaning that the investment is economically viable. In addition to the economic impact in firms, which are mostly small and medium firms, our results also contribute to an increase on the sustainable use of natural resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

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14 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cloud Computing Usage in SMEs. An Empirical Study Based on SMEs Employees Perceptions

by Andra-Ileana Neicu, Anamaria-Cătălina Radu, Gheorghe Zaman, Ivona Stoica and Florian Răpan

Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 4960; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124960 - 18 Jun 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4756

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the perception of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employees regarding the usage of cloud computing services in their activities. The quantitative study was conducted on a sample of 315 respondents employed in Romanian SMEs. Testing of the conceptual [...] Read more.

This paper aims to determine the perception of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employees regarding the usage of cloud computing services in their activities. The quantitative study was conducted on a sample of 315 respondents employed in Romanian SMEs. Testing of the conceptual model was performed with the WarpPLS 3.0 software. The study aimed to test how several constructs—the perceived benefits, disadvantages and risks, communication process, overall experience of using cloud computing services, perceived image, and empathy regarding the cloud computing services—influence the perception of the cloud computing service quality among SMEs employees. Moreover, employees’ perception regarding the satisfaction of using cloud computing services based on the perceived quality was also tested. We concluded that the perceived benefits and disadvantages of cloud computing service usage, the perception of both the communication process and users’ experience regarding cloud computing service use, empathy, and cloud computing service image positively influence the perceived quality of the cloud computing service usage in SMEs. We did not find evidence that the perceived risks significantly influence the perceived quality of cloud computing services. Finally, we demonstrated that the perceived quality of the cloud computing services positively influences the satisfaction regarding cloud computing services among SMEs employees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

14 pages, 1474 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does an Innovative Climate Help to Sustain Competitiveness? The Moderating Effect of Government Support and Market Competition

by Ang Gao, Yuying Lin and Yuanyuan Zhou

Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 2029; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12052029 - 06 Mar 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2575

Abstract

Innovation has become a key source of competitive advantage that supports companies in achieving sustainable development. Organizational innovations usually start from employees’ innovative ideas, irrespective of the company’s size. If there were no specific rules to restrain employees from generating novel ideas, innovation [...] Read more.

Innovation has become a key source of competitive advantage that supports companies in achieving sustainable development. Organizational innovations usually start from employees’ innovative ideas, irrespective of the company’s size. If there were no specific rules to restrain employees from generating novel ideas, innovation could happen anywhere in an organization. The quest for innovation calls for a broad range of management strategies that are far beyond the research and development (R&D) investment. How can managers integrate intra-organizational management and external factors to incentivize people for innovations? Drawing on the interactional theory of organizational innovation, this study adopted a systematic perspective and tested the effect of the innovative climate on sales and manufacturing department innovation while examining the moderating effects of government support and market competition. Our findings from a survey of 482 companies showed that: (1) an innovative climate has a positive effect on both sales and manufacturing department innovation, (2) government support strengthens the positive effect of an innovative climate on department innovations, and (3) market competition enhances the positive moderating effect of government support on the relationship between an innovative climate and department innovation, such that the innovative climate exerts a stronger influence on department employee-driven innovation when government support and market competition are both high. Our study provides companies with an effective and low-cost approach to enhance competitiveness. We discuss the theoretical contributions and practical implementations of this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitiveness of SMEs)

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