• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.41-62
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• 2013

In order to facilitate the R&D of SMEs and foster innovative SMEs, the Small and Medium Business Administration is funding the SMEs in the focused supporting industries which are selected by a primary consideration of the political conformity. The correlations among the distribution of engaged SMEs, the distribution of SMEs which applied the fund, and the distribution of SMEs funded in the industries are analysed, in order to realize the effectiveness of the top-down method for selecting the focused supporting industries. As a result, there was a large deviation of both the number of the engaged SMEs and the number of the applied SMEs in the each industry, which means that the selected industries did not accurately reflect the needs for the technology development of SMEs. In addition, the distribution of the applied SMEs was strongly depended on the distribution of the engaged SMEs, which shows the trend that SMEs are trying to make R&D plans in their current industry rather than following the political drive. Moreover, because the distribution of the funded SMEs is strongly correlated with that of the applied SMEs, one could know that the selected industries were neither fostered strategically nor evenly but the fund was distributed simply according to the distribution of the applied SMEs. In this study, in order to complement the limitations of the top-down method, the bottom-up method which primarily consider the needs for the technology development of SMEs was suggested. It is desirable to consider in the order of the needs and the capabilities of SMEs, the technological perspective and marketability of the industry, and the political importance in the bottom-up method, and it is expected that the method could be flexibly used in the planning of the various programs.

• The Journal of Small Business Innovation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2018

SMEs need a strategy to respond to rapid changes in the global business environment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In order to overcome such a business environment, SMEs must concentrate on the core competency. Because of the structural characteristics of SMEs, government support is very important, as it is difficult for SMEs to carry out the entire supply chain role. The support of GRIs is very important for ensuring competitiveness through technological innovation of SMEs. Recently, the construction of SMEs network for business expansion is demanded. SMEs can form networks to induce synergistic effects. In order to secure the competitiveness of SMEs by utilizing the advantages of mutually cooperating networks, the necessity of cooperation of SMEs is increasing. The government has proposed various support programs to support network cooperation. In this research, in order to derive an effective strategy of the SME support program, we analyzed the difference in necessity and satisfaction of the GRIs support program. We analyze the differences between government policies and perceptions for SMEs and to derive strategies for supporting SMEs in a systematic approach for the development of SMEs. In a situation where research to revitalize SMEs is insufficient, in consideration of the market demand of SMEs, we grasp the problems of the current system and try to guide improvement strategies. Also, we suggest policies that can derive and utilize support strategies for SMEs. From a long-term perspective, research related SMEs must be conducted and a sustainable support program for SMEs must be developed.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.285-304
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• 2016

e-Commerce in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs) provides a platform for fair competition between SMEs and large enterprises, and brings economic benefits to SMEs. Thus in the recent years, the e-Commerce in SMEs developed rapidly. However, the overall proportion of e-Commerce in SMEs in China remains low, and many SMEs' decision-makers tend to feel that their business is relatively weak in terms of information construction of scale and financial management, thus they keep the 'wait and see' attitude about the e-Commerce development decisions. Therefore, SMEs are facing three puzzles about e-Commerce application. First, if the companies need to implement e-Commerce, what are the e-Commerce adoption decision factors. Second, what are the successful implementation factors of e-Commerce. And how about the relationship between them. The third is how to measure the implementation effect of e-Commerce. What is the performance evaluation factors of e-Commerce. In this paper, the theoretical and empirical exploration and research are conducted towards these SMEs. Considering the actual situation of SMEs, this paper builds a theoretical model, then puts forward relevant hypothesis. This paper analyzes present influencing factors based on enormous research papers, and finally discovers the critical successful factors in doing business with e-Commerce in SMEs by conducting Structural Equation Modeling. Five critical factors are verified by cases of enterprise by demonstration study. Lastly, we can draw a conclusion that the innovation ability of leaders, the IT support of leaders and e-Commerce strategies are the success factors of e-Commerce for Chinese SMEs.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.9
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• pp.527-536
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• 2020

International business research presents a broad consensus on the importance of dynamic capabilities in the internationalization of SMEs. However, there is a lack of research on assessing the impact of dynamic capabilities and the level of SMEs' internationalization operating in a turbulent and dynamic business environment. This study examines the impact of environmental dynamism and three sets of dynamic capabilities, namely, sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring capabilities on internationalized SMEs' geographic scope. In addition, this research examines the association between internationalized SMEs' characteristics: SME's age, size, and SME owner/manager's international experience and SMEs' geographic scope. This study used a quantitative research and employed survey questionnaires to collect data from 305 internationalized Malaysian manufacturing SMEs. Anova tests and Chi Square tests were employed to analyze data collected from respondents using SPSS. Research findings revealed that environmental dynamism and dynamic capabilities have a significant impact on internationalized SMEs' geographic scope, however, none of the internationalized SMEs' characteristics had a significant relationship with their geographic scope. The result of this research suggest internationalized SMEs owner/managers need to possess sensing, seizing and reconfiguring capabilities, and monitor business environmental dynamism to increase their geographic scope. This paper ends with drawing a set of concluding remarks and recommendations.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.61-67
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• 2020

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the interaction effect of customers relationship management (CRM) on the competitive advantage (CA) of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Yemen. Research design, data and methodology: This study applied a quantitative approach in dealing with the interaction effect of CRM dimensions and SMEs' competitive advantage in Yemen. The research uses a sample of 247 manufacturing SMEs surveyed in Yemen. Results: The results indicate that only three dimensions of CRM, namely (TCM), (KM) and (CRMO), have a significant effect on SMEs' competitive advantage, but not that between (KCF) and SMEs' competitive advantage. Conclusions: The findings of this study offer important insights for owners and managers of SMEs, researchers and policymakers to further understand the effects of CRM on SMEs' competitive advantage. SMEs should also be encouraged to develop their CRM to improve their competitive advantage. Lastly, this study makes several contributions to the literature, the first of which is the provision of evidence concerning the major role of CRM as a dependent variable and competitive advantage as an independent variable. The second contribution pertains to its pioneering status in examining the direct relationship between CRM dimensions and the competitive advantage of SMEs in a Middle Eastern country.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.41-50
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• 2020

The paper investigates the factors that affect the demand for a voluntary audit of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. A structured questionnaire survey of 284 SMEs was employed, preceded by in-depth interviews with auditors and SMEs' managers. The research used logistic regression estimator to address econometric issues and to improve the accuracy of the regression coefficients. The results show that the degree of director's view on voluntary audit, related stakeholder, degree of recommendation, and firm size have a statistically significant positive effect on audit decisions of SMEs while degree of audit fee has a statistically significant negative effect, and degree of subjective norm does not affect. This indicated that SMEs are more likely to have an external audit if they have some typical features: it is becoming larger in terms of size, and the directors consider that the audit has a relative benefit outweighing its cost. The research results suggested that Vietnam Government should make a statutory audit of SMEs' financial statements rather than make it an option for SMEs. The auditing firms were also recommended to actively take their audit services to SMEs rather than waiting for the SMEs' managers to contact them for their services.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.10
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• pp.959-968
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• 2020

Research underlined that Small and Medium Enterprises' performance is enhanced by different types of innovation capabilities. This research tends to present a comprehensive model to explain the relationship between innovation capabilities and SMEs' financial and operational performance. Specifically, this study tends to achieve three objectives: explores the set of product, process, organizational and marketing innovation capabilities possessed by owners/managers of SMEs and their impact on Chinese manufacturing SMEs' operational and financial performance dimensions, identify the determinants of innovation capabilities, and determine the contextual factors that moderate innovation capabilities and SMEs' performance. This research employed a qualitative research method using in-depth interviews with eight owners/managers of Chinese manufacturing SMEs. Research findings revealed that product and marketing innovation capabilities have a significant impact on SMEs' financial performance while process and organizational innovation capabilities positively influence SMEs' operational performance. The major determinants of innovation capabilities involved availability of sufficient organizational resources, entrepreneurial orientation, knowledge development and external networks. The contextual moderating factors on the relationship between innovation capabilities and SMEs' performance involved internal factors which are: SME size, SMEs' owner/manager work experience, entrepreneurial mindset; and external factors: market dynamism and cooperation strategies. This paper ends by drawing some concluding remarks and proposing future research avenues.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.411-422
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• 2021

Technological adaption and innovative activities foster small and medium enterprises (SMEs) growth, especially women-owned SMEs in Pakistan, However, the impact of technological adaption and innovative activities on SMEs growth in the context of Pakistan has been examined by very researchers. This study aims to identify the effect of technology and open innovation policies on the growth of women-owned SMEs and the present trends and management challenges for successful full implementation of open innovation. The study considered a sample of 693 women enterprises located in different cities in Pakistan. Open innovation is measured through eight innovative practices, reflecting the exploration and exploitation of technology in SMEs. Study findings revealed that women enterprises were involved in several open innovation policies during the last five years. Moreover, the study indicated no significant differences between manufacturing and service SMEs regarding open innovation practices; however, women enterprises are more impressively engaged in open innovation practices. Findings also reveal that women-owned SMEs follow open innovation, mainly for market-related intentions, to compete with competitors and meet customers' demands. Thus, it is suggested that government policy relating to thriving SMEs owned by women should be innovation-oriented. The study contributes to the theoretical and practical implications. Further, the study is helpful for SMEs, researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.179-192
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• 2021

Purpose - This study is aim to stimulate ESG management of SMEs in Korea with SWOT analysis. Presently, ESG is also affecting a company's supply chain and sales. We tried to make the complementary point of Korea SMEs through domestic and foreign cases. Design/methodology/approach - We divide foreign cases into three countries, and in Korea, also divide into three groups of government, major companies, SMEs to conduct SWOT analysis. Findings - We confirmed that ESG activities were delayed in Korea compared to overseas, but the government and major companies were responding quickly. However, SMEs are complaining of difficulties in ESG activities due to cost issues and limited information. Nevertheless, some SMEs companies show the possibility by carrying out ESG activities based on their own strengths. Research implications or Originality - We suggested the need for SMEs' ESG management. The SMEs are inevitably vulnerable to ESG management compared to other groups. Therefore, We suggested the direction of SMEs ESG management expansion, that are R&D and distribution of eco-friendly activities through collaboration with universities(E), social program to improve working places(S), and expansion of governance that guarantees autonomy(G).

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1-22
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• 2020

This study explores the role of relationship banking for the exports of SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) in Korea. Using a sample of SMEs listed on the Korean stock markets between 2004 and 2018, I find that relationship banking has a positive impact on exporting behaviors of SMEs. This result indicates that relationship banking is suitable for SMEs to raise their funds in the export decision-making since the incentive for banks to obtain soft information enhances SMEs' access to external finance. In particular, through further analysis considering financial constraints, I find that the positive impact of relationship banking on exports is amplified for financially constrained SMEs. In addition, the positive impact on exports is also amplified for export starters. Finally, relationship banking provides benefits for SMEs' export decision-making regardless of the financial crisis. To sum up, relationship banking may be useful means of financing for Korean SMEs whose creditworthiness cannot be assessed only by hard information. As the role of finance in international trade has recently been highlighted, this study provides insightful evidence that relationship banking may enhance exports of SMEs as a source of trade finance.