• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.23-49
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• 2017

This paper is part of the dissertation for an MSc in Project Management and Innovation of Strathclyde Business School The research aims at understanding how IT-SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Information Technology Business) implement and use Flexible Work Arrangements and Flexible Working Hours (FWH/FWA) in their organisations. In-depth interview data was collected from managers and business owners of 31 companies whose needs for Work-Life Balance varied. Results show that many factors positively influence IT-SMEs to use FWH/FWA. For example, customers and partners working at different work-hours, traffic congestions between home and office, and the general stereotype of IT personnel. However, the results also found several concerning factors that may hamper the success of FWH/FWA implementation. They include the inadequacy of management skills in tracking, monitoring, and assessing employee's real performance, contextual factors for Thai IT-SMEs, i.e. conflict resolution culture, IT people's protocol of communication exchanges, and shortcoming of technology infrastructure. The findings also show that many companies that had used FWA eventually stopped. Thus, a four-phase cyclical framework called PLIC (Purpose-Limitation-Implementation-Consequence) has been developed as an approach to FWH/FWA implementation.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

IT SMEs' product planning, product design, and manufacturing capabilities are of importance to creating their sustainable competitive advantages in the context of digital convergence. However, there have been few empirical studies investigating the relationships among them, which has made this research attempt to model the relationships and empirically test them. Especially, this study divided IT SMEs' product design capability into the product exterior and interior design capabilities and focused on the mediating effects of the product exterior and interior design capabilities between the product planning and manufacturing capabilities. By analyzing the 310 samples of Korean IT SMEs with the ordinary least squares regression analysis, this study has empirically revealed that IT SMEs' product exterior and interior design capability jointly and fully mediate the positive relationship between their product planning and manufacturing capabilities.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.127-152
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• 2008

This study sought to explore how SMEs are utilizing EC. Drawing on existing research on IT and EC related field, this study presented the framework of EC utilization level and analyzed its affecting factors in the point of organizational perspectives; strategy and competency. The impact of EC utilization on firm performance was also examined by employing BSC. Structural equation model was applied to test the relationships among the theoretical constructs with data from 171 SMEs. The results showed that the rate of EC utilization in SMEs is growing quite rapidly. However, manufacturing related firms still remain at a lower level compared to service related firms. As for the two affecting factors of EC utilization level, it was found that the level of EC utilization appeared to be driven not by strategy but by competency. This result implicates that EC utilization in SMEs doesn't reach to strategic purpose yet, while it is dependent on firm's competency. As far as the impact of EC utilization on firm performance, the study showed that the level of EC utilization has significant relationship with all perspectives performance indicators of BSC. This study can provide the managers with current EC utilization pattern and the guidelines as to where to put the efforts in the EC utilization and how to get an effective EC utilization strategy in the future.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.20-24
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• 2006

Recently, utility network is becoming more and more complicated and huge due to IT and OA devices. In addition to, demands of power conversion devices which have non-linear switching devices are getting more and more increased. Consequently, because of the non-linear power semiconductor devices, current harmonics are unavoidable. Sometimes those current harmonics flow back to utility network and become one of the main reasons which can make the voltage distortion. Also, it makes noise and heat loss. On the other hands, voltage sag from sudden increasing loads is also one of the terrible problems inside of utility network. In order to compensate the current harmonics and voltage sag problem, AF(active filter) systems could be a good solution method. SMES is a very good promising source due to it's high response time of charge and discharge. Therefore, the combined AF and SMES system can be a wonderful device to compensate both harmonics current and voltage sag. However, SMES needs a superconducting magnetic coil. Because of using this superconducting magnetic coil, quench problem caused by unexpected reasons have always been unavoidable. Therefore, to solve out mentioned above, this paper presents a decisive method using shunt and series active filter system combined with SMES. Especially, authors analyzed the change of original energy capacity of SMES regarding to the size of resistance caused by quench of superconducting magnetic coil.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Purpose: This study attemptsto investigate the moderating effects of environmental turbulence (ET) between learning orientation (LO) and SMEs' performance. Research design, data, and Methodology: To gain insights and provide implications for manufacturing SMEs in Pakistan, this study adopted simple random sampling to collect 379 valid responses. Data were collected through a self-administrative questionnaire from manufacturing SMEs owners/managers. Partial least squares of structural equation modeling have been used to test research hypotheses by using SmartPLS® 3.0 software. Results: The study's primary finding is that LO has a significantly positive effect on SMEs' performance and this relationship is strengthened under the moderating influence of environmental turbulence (ET). Conclusion: Environmental turbulence (ET) enables SMEs to focus on learning capability to get a more competitive advantage. Moreover, SMEs owner/managers ought to emphasize continuous learning that accentuates the capability to compete with environmental changes. Findings support notifying Pakistan's Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) in dealings with Manufacturing SMEs in terms of improving their internal capabilities. This research contributes to the literature as it provides a more detailed and in-depth explanation of distribution management-related issues faced by SMEs. This research carries a significant influence on literature and relevant Resource-based view and contingency theories.

• Fourth Industrial Review
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2022

Purpose - With the rapid development of information technology, the digital economy has become an important grip of the new development pattern, and the digital transformation of enterprises is a major trend. As SMEs are the mainstay of the economy and employment, it is important to study the digital transformation of SMEs to promote the development of the digital economy. Research design, data, and methodology - Based on a resource-based view, this report analyses the current situation and issues of digital transformation of SMEs from the perspective of digital orientation as well as the breadth and depth of technological capabilities of enterprises, using data from a survey of 200 manufacturing enterprises in China. Result - The results show that SMEs generally have a digital transformation mindset, but a weak digital foundation. In order to execute a digital strategy, companies need digital transformation capabilities. These behavioral capabilities are guided by the strategic direction of the business, and companies with strong capabilities are always trying to tap into the full digital potential. Conclusion - In order to effectively promote the digital transformation of SMEs, we suggest that SMEs pay attention to digital capability building, make good use of digital platforms and network resources, and lay a solid foundation for digital transformation; meanwhile, we suggest that government departments play a guiding and supporting role to build a cross-industry and cross-sector digital synergy system to help promote the development of SMEs' digital transformation. This paper presents some suggestions from both the internal and external environment of the enterprise, with the expectation of contributing to the digital transformation practices of SMEs.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.199-204
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• 2017

Good product quality is so essential to enabling firms to succeed that how to make the product quality better through technology development is one of the most important issues that many CEOs think over. With regard to the product quality improvement from firms' technology development, this study has made an attempt to empirically investigate the effect of the external information network diversity on the product quality improvement of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the information technology (IT) sector, mediated by their production process improvement. This research illuminates the following two points by empirically analyzing the 310 IT SMEs through the ordinary least squares regression analysis. First, IT SMEs' external information network diversity has a positive influence on their product quality improvement from technology development. Second, IT SMEs' production process improvement partially mediates the impact of their external information network diversity on the product quality improvement.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.201-224
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• 2016

The main objective of this study is to identify and analyze the factors affecting technology innovation of the innovative IT SMEs. A research model is established based on the previous studies on the technology innovation of SMEs. The model consists of independent variables (Adhocracy culture, R&D capability, IT capability, Leadership, and Appraisal & Reward), an intermediate variable (Knowledge management), and dependent variables (product/service innovation and process innovation). Major research results can be summarized as follows: IT SMEs pursuing technology innovation should: (1) pay attention to innovation oriented culture, IT capability, and evaluation & compensation systems of the company; (2) recognize that knowledge management is an essential activity performed by the company; (3) strengthen the R&D capabilities of the company by not only exerting internal efforts but establishing cooperative network with various parties; and (4) resolve the decoupling problem of the evaluation & compensation system.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.21-38
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• 2003

21 century, Korea enterprise which run business in global market, has rapidly change. So, achievement of international competitive power is very important. IT(Information Telecommunication) Technology is play a leading role in this field. In fact, Korea enormous invest in informational technology field and hold the first place in informational quotient(information super-highway, server computer, mobile networking and firm's web site etc). But, materialization of information management effect consider how to cope with the situation. Korea SMEs(Small and Medium Enterprises) is fundamental in Korea economy. So Korea SMEs must active the international competitive power by information management and advance to a higher position. In conclusion, SMEs of information management is require that SMEs' CEO and CIO are must self-help to in this field. And governments improvement of connected with the related system in these field.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2020

Many SMEs are interested in entering the dementia industry as the national dementia responsibility system begins in earnest. However, it is ambiguous about which technology and field to enter, and accordingly, it is impossible to make a quick judgment and misses the time to enter the market. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide a simple but clear information to many SMEs in this situation, which products and related technologies will be able to help product development and market entry in the dementia prevention and diagnosis technology market more easily. In this regard, I would like to suggest the direction through hierarchical analysis (AHP) through conducting with a group of experts who can make professional judgments about the development of dementia medical technology, including the four-year university senior welfare department, nurses, directors and directors of long-term care institutions, medical device workers and experts' opinions on what sectors SMEs can most effectively apply to product development to enter the dementia market.