Exploring Crisis Management in UK Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises

Despite a long‐established crisis management literature that focuses on large enterprises, crisis management planning in the context of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) is less extensively researched. Using data collected from 215 SMEs in the United Kingdom, this paper explores the perceptions and experiences of SMEs' managing directors in relation to crisis management planning. Furthermore, the paper examines differences in perceptions between planning and non‐planning SMEs. Analysis reveals six factors that correspond to resilience through planning, financial impact, operational crisis management, the perfect storm, the aftermath of survival and atrophy. Results indicate how the experience of crisis and the type of crisis of type encountered affect managers' assessment of whether planning can be used to address crisis prevention and lower impact.     

Innovation Speed in Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises

In this era of fast‐paced technological change companies are frequently forced to quickly bring innovative products to a competitive marketplace. Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) play a key role in innovative contribution and growth of the global economy, yet face unique challenges with regard to new product development. To date scholars disagree on the effect of firm size on the antecedents and outcomes for innovation speed. We review the relevant literature, develop a conceptual model of innovation speed for SMEs and test it with 158 projects across several technology‐related industries. Results revealed that SMEs had different speed antecedents from large firms, had their antecedents vary by radicalness and found speed to be synergistic with efficiency, quality and project success. Implications for managers and scholars are discussed.     

How Barriers to Collaboration Prevent Progress in Demand for Knowledge: A Dyadic Study of Small and Medium‐Sized Firms,Research and Technology Organizations and Universities

This article analyses the challenging collaboration between small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and knowledge institutions. The aim of the article is to shed light on the barriers, which hinder collaboration, and to investigate the particular role of research and technology organizations (RTOs) as potential mediators of collaboration between SMEs and universities. On the basis of a unique sample consisting of 151 SMEs, RTOs and universities from seven countries, the differences across dyads of potential collaborations are identified. In particular, the article finds that both firms and universities with collaboration experience with the other partner in general perceive higher barriers than inexperienced firms or universities. In terms of the mediating role of RTOs, the article illustrates that universities perceive lower barriers when collaborating with RTOs than with SMEs. A similar tendency to a mediating role of RTOs can be found among the SMEs' perception of university collaboration. Finally, the analysis shows that the knowledge institutions perceive the SMEs as very important collaboration partners, but the same sense of importance is not shared by the SMEs regarding collaboration with the knowledge institutions. Hence, there seems to be a quite unbalanced view on the potential of the collaborative ties, which is further discussed in the conclusion.     

Integrating ICTs and Supply Chain Management: The Case of Micro‐Sized Firms

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have changed the relationship between suppliers and buyers, and the nature of supply chain management. Previous research has studied this topic, but not from the point of view of micro‐sized companies. Micro‐sized companies are of critical importance for economies worldwide. Thus, in Europe 90% of companies are micro‐enterprises and account for 53% of employment. This article presents a new perspective by studying the impact of the introduction of e‐supply chain management on such firms. Through a literature review, we identified four key supplier‐related factors, that is, the use of ICTs, process efficiency, workforce capabilities, and the introduction of e‐supply chain management. However, these factors could differ in the case of micro‐sized companies. The data used for the empirical analysis came from a survey of 405 micro‐sized companies in Spain. Using a structural equation modeling, the results indicate that ICTs have a positive direct effect on e‐supply chain performance. It is also found that this effect is accompanied by the improved development of human resource skills and enhanced process efficiency. In addition, a number of recommendations for improving managerial practices are also proposed.     

Analysis of the Competitive Intelligence Activities of Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises from the Industrial Sector

The aim of this research is to analyze competitive intelligence (CI) activities in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from the industrial sector in Spain. Specifically, an attempt is made to identify why these companies carry out CI activities, the types of activity they carry out, and the influence that a company's features and the environment in which it operates have on developing CI activities. An ad hoc questionnaire was put together comprising 124 items distributed among a sample of 425 SMEs from the industrial sector. The results show that a company's features and environment have a significant influence on the CI activities developed by them.     

Towards a Guideline for Design of a Corporate Entrepreneurship Function for Business Development in Medium‐Sized Technology‐Based Companies

The speed with which global high‐technology markets evolve makes companies recognize that an effective innovation process is the best way to guarantee competitiveness. However, when (medium‐sized) companies then wish to set up a corporate entrepreneurship function to enhance business development processes, they can find little material available in literature to assist in such processes. In this article we have described a guideline and some backgrounds for creating a corporate entrepreneurship function to realize business development in a high‐tech context.     

Crisis Management and Strategic Orientation in Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Peru,Mexico and the United States

This study addresses the link between management concern for organizational crises and competitive strategy in small and medium‐sized enterprises in Peru, Mexico and the United States. Surveys were completed by 270 Peruvian, 218 Mexican and 256 American managers. Strategic orientation in Peru did not mirror the broad pattern found in Mexico and in the United States. Levels of concern for crises were significantly higher in both Mexico and Peru than in the United States for 12 of 21 crises. The level of concern for crises tended to increase with management level more in Mexico and Peru than in the United States. Correlations between competitive strategy and crisis concern were significant in 26 of 126 instances.     

Innovation Activities by Small and Medium‐sized Manufacturing Enterprises in Tanzania

The primary aim of this research is to explore innovation activities and ascertain the relationships between these activities and growth performance of SMEs in the Tanzanian manufacturing sector. The applied model has been derived from international studies of innovation. A survey of SMEs combined with in‐depth case studies was made to study innovation practices of SMEs in the Tanzanian manufacturing sector. The results of this survey are used to compare the situation with findings of previous research. An increased level of applied change is associated with innovating SMEs, and a positive relationship between innovativeness in the SMEs with growth performance could be established. Based on the comparison of the results, recommendations are made for stimulating innovation.     

销售管理系统的设计与实现

文中介绍了Windows环境下用Powerbuilder开发的销售管理信息系统，详细分析了系统的实现，重点介绍了系统应用双机热备的硬件特点和使用读卡器、网上审批流程。使用者的灵活权限等软件开发的特点，缩短业务人员有效工作时间，同时也能保证数据的安全性，完整性和一致性。     

Sources of Innovation and Ideas in ICT Firms in Australia

This paper examines a sample of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms in Australia drawn from a wide range of product and service providers in the Sydney region. It researches the sources of information and ideas that firms utilize to sustain their competitive position through innovation. While the firms in the survey varied in size in terms of turnover, number of employees and level of business activity, most see themselves as innovative. Not all firms utilized the same sources of innovation‐related knowledge and most used research and technology organizations (RTOs) or other publicly funded sources of information for help with ‘technical’ (standards etc) or trade issues. While ICT firms are often regarded as leading‐edge developers of new ideas, this research indicated that ICT firms still see their sales force, customers and suppliers as the most important sources of innovation knowledge and ideas.     

浅谈现代网络营销中的信息有效利用

信息技术革命的成果使企业呈现出崭新的经营模式,为企业市场营销增添了一种新型的普遍性方式--网络营销.它已经成为近年来各国企业致力建设的基本经营模式.个性消费的发展将促使企业重新思考其营销战略.文章从信息的角度对网络营销的优势和存在的问题进行分析,并提出了相应的对策.     

一种低成本小型集散型控制系统的实现

0 引言 对我国不少中小企业来讲,由于资金短缺,引进一套性能完善的集散型控制系统十分困难.对于小规模生产过程,如果根据系统组成原则及具体使用要求组成小型集散型控制系统,则即可满足企业生产、管理与自动化要求,又能节省大量资金,无疑是一种切实可行的技术改造方案.本文就是基于这种思想,介绍一种用YS-80可编程调节器和PC/586工控机构成小型集散型控制系统的具体方法.     

Small‐signal and noise modeling of class of HEMTs using knowledge‐based artificial neural networks

In this article, the neural network approach is exploited for development of bias‐dependent small‐signal and noise models of a class of microwave field effect transistor (FETs) made in the same technology but differing in the gate width. The prior knowledge neural approach is applied. Introducing gate width at the input of proposed neural networks, as well as the S/noise parameters of a device that belongs to the same class as the modeled device representing the prior knowledge, leads to very accurate scattering and noise parameters' modeling, as exemplified by modeling of class of pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) devices. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2013.     

Letter: Novel approaches to realize high‐resolution AMOLED display

Two different approaches to realize high‐resolution active‐matrix organic light‐emitting device (AMOLED) display were delivered. By adopting specific organic light emitting diode (OLED) structure with pre‐pattern electrode and the utilization of color filter, we successfully simplify the fabrication process with fine metal mask (FMM)‐free or one‐FMM solutions. Each approach was demonstrated with a 4.4″ panel with 413 ppi pixel density based on real stripe RGB. Both panels possessed low power consumption, low reflectivity, and superior NTSC performance. Because the utilization of FMM was avoided or reduced, higher production yield, higher throughput, and lower cost could be achieved. Therefore, these two approaches are very promising for mass production of high‐resolution AMOLED display.     

Exploring Relationships among Proactiveness,Risk‐Taking and Innovation Output in Family and Non‐Family Firms

In an empirical investigation of 532 Finnish firms, and using the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) literature to frame our arguments, we demonstrate that relationships among proactivity, risk‐taking and innovation output differ in family and non‐family firms. Specifically, we find evidence that risk‐taking does not affect innovation output in family firms, whereas in non‐family firms, innovation output is increased through risk‐taking. Also, proactive family firms influence their innovation output more positively than proactive non‐family firms do. This study adds important new insights to the growing knowledge of EO, which are discussed in the following for both academic and business audiences.     

Functional Management Competence and Growth of Young Technology‐Based Firms

Acknowledging an increased research interest into the success factors for young technology‐based firms in the last decade, the present study serves two main purposes. First, we aim at developing a comprehensive concept of functional management competence in young technology‐based firms. Functional management competence covers the understanding of and proficiency in managing specific functional tasks ( Katz, 1974 ). As we focus on young technology‐based firms, it is suggested that marketing, financial and technology management tasks are at the core of functional management competence. Second, we aim at delineating and validating an appropriate measurement model for functional management competence. In order to test the model's nomological validity, we investigate the impact of functional management competence on firm growth. Therefore, building on established firm development approaches, we propose a phase model for the development of young technology‐based firms. Our study builds upon data from 212 young technology‐based firms in the field of microtechnology, nanotechnology, electronics, optics and lasers. We use formative measurement models to establish valid and reliable constructs and a path model based on partial least squares modelling to investigate the performance effects. The results suggest that functional management competences generally are significant drivers of firm development speed. In particular, technology and marketing management competences are shown to impact development speed. While technology management competence is positively driving development speed, the marketing management competence impact on speed is mediated by competitive advantage of the new products developed by young technology‐based firms. Financial management competence has no significant link to firm development speed.     

中小型纺织漂染企业ERP实施中的数据问题

主要探讨在中小型纺织漂染企业实施ERP系统中的数据问题。在实施ERP系统时主要研究了以下几方面的问题：数据准备阶段的数据收集和整理;系统上线阶段的数据整合录入与检查;系统运行阶段的数据生命周期管理。     

信息技术课堂有效教学的实施与评价

现今信息技术高速发展,信息技术课堂教学也随着信息技术而不断进行改革与创新。加强信息技术课堂有效教学,促进学生进行有效学习,提高教师课堂教学效果和学生课堂学习效率已经成为教育重点关注的问题。本文结合学科特点和教学实践,探讨了在新的课程要求下如何采用恰当的教学方法进行有效教学,并建立一种以学生发展为中心、对学生起激励作用的教学评价方式,以达到全面提升学生信息素养的教学目标。