Building a better business : A flexibly delivered SME skills program
- Braun, Patrice, Hollick, Mary
- Authors: Braun, Patrice , Hollick, Mary
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 12th Annual International High-Technology Small Firms Conference, University of Twente, Netherlands : 24th - 25th May, 2004
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper discusses a recently funded tourism industry capacity building pilot for micro tourism businesses in regional Australia. Skills augmentation, building destination relationships and linkages and industry-wide benchmarking are internationally recognised as leading economic drivers for economic growth in general, and the tourism industry in particular. Small and micro tourism enterprises (SME) face enormous difficulty competing with their larger counterparts. To make matters worse, many SME are often located in peripheral regions where access to skills support is limited. To date self-regulation efforts in the tourism sector have resulted in little evidence that the industry is capable of capacity building without external planning and intervention. With increasing ICT literacy of prospective customers, consumer expectations on product information are rising. In light of this development there is general agreement that SME managers of the future will need to have both business acumen and skills in information and communication technologies (ICT) if they want to exploit its full potential. SME will be lost in the marketplace unless they are assisted in the usage of the tools necessary to participate in the digital economy.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000780
- Authors: Braun, Patrice , Hollick, Mary
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 12th Annual International High-Technology Small Firms Conference, University of Twente, Netherlands : 24th - 25th May, 2004
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper discusses a recently funded tourism industry capacity building pilot for micro tourism businesses in regional Australia. Skills augmentation, building destination relationships and linkages and industry-wide benchmarking are internationally recognised as leading economic drivers for economic growth in general, and the tourism industry in particular. Small and micro tourism enterprises (SME) face enormous difficulty competing with their larger counterparts. To make matters worse, many SME are often located in peripheral regions where access to skills support is limited. To date self-regulation efforts in the tourism sector have resulted in little evidence that the industry is capable of capacity building without external planning and intervention. With increasing ICT literacy of prospective customers, consumer expectations on product information are rising. In light of this development there is general agreement that SME managers of the future will need to have both business acumen and skills in information and communication technologies (ICT) if they want to exploit its full potential. SME will be lost in the marketplace unless they are assisted in the usage of the tools necessary to participate in the digital economy.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000780
Understanding and measuring the effect of social capital on knowledge transfer within clusters of SMEs
- Whittaker, Jay, Van Beveren, John, Burns, Michelle
- Authors: Whittaker, Jay , Van Beveren, John , Burns, Michelle
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 16th Annual SEAANZ Conference, Ballarat, Australia : 28th September - 1st October, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In today’s globalised economy, Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are facing ever increasing competitive pressures. They need to gain new market information and knowledge to remain competitive. A common strategy is to develop clusters of networks with other SMEs. Clustering enables the development of informal social networks through which knowledge can flow and be used. This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms of informal social networks that promote knowledge transfer. Finally, some issues relating to the measurement of the intellectual value created are explored.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000590
- Authors: Whittaker, Jay , Van Beveren, John , Burns, Michelle
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 16th Annual SEAANZ Conference, Ballarat, Australia : 28th September - 1st October, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In today’s globalised economy, Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are facing ever increasing competitive pressures. They need to gain new market information and knowledge to remain competitive. A common strategy is to develop clusters of networks with other SMEs. Clustering enables the development of informal social networks through which knowledge can flow and be used. This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms of informal social networks that promote knowledge transfer. Finally, some issues relating to the measurement of the intellectual value created are explored.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000590
Tourism clusters : Uncovering destination value chains
- Hollick, Mary, Braun, Patrice
- Authors: Hollick, Mary , Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at CAUTHE 2006 conference - to the city and beyond, Melbourne, Victoria : 6th February, 2006 p. 476-485
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper discusses the role of tourism networks, clustering and destination value chains for micro and small and medium size tourism enterprises (SMEs) in freely assembled destinations. In discussing destination benefits and barriers surrounding SME clustering, SME positioning and performance are highlighted. It is proposed in this paper that SME clustering and value are not always naturally established. Successful destination clusters may be created by upgrading SME performance, analysing local value chains and matching both tangible and intangible sources of value, such as systems, leadership, relationships and brands with demand-side value segmentation.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001808
- Authors: Hollick, Mary , Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at CAUTHE 2006 conference - to the city and beyond, Melbourne, Victoria : 6th February, 2006 p. 476-485
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper discusses the role of tourism networks, clustering and destination value chains for micro and small and medium size tourism enterprises (SMEs) in freely assembled destinations. In discussing destination benefits and barriers surrounding SME clustering, SME positioning and performance are highlighted. It is proposed in this paper that SME clustering and value are not always naturally established. Successful destination clusters may be created by upgrading SME performance, analysing local value chains and matching both tangible and intangible sources of value, such as systems, leadership, relationships and brands with demand-side value segmentation.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001808
Market entry strategy into China by entrepreneurial new venture firms
- Authors: Wan, Stephen , Lowe, Julian
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 4th International AGSE Entrepreneurship Research Exchange : Regional Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research 2007, Brisbane Graduate School of Business, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland : 6th-9th February 2007
- Full Text:
- Description: Principal Topic: This paper examines the entry strategy and start-up of a technology based small firm entering the China market through the vehicle of a joint venture company. The research deals with two main issues: - The intersection of the entrepreneurship and internationalization literatures - The specific considerations pertinent to foreign companies operating in China The internationalization of entrepreneurship theory has been the subject of ’special issues’ in the journals Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice (1996); and Academy of Management Journal (2000). It has its roots in the seminal work of McDougal and Oviatt (1996, 2005). Much of this literature identifies internationalization as an important determinant of performance in SMEs, and emphasizes the specific factors that link entrepreneurial perspectives and the processes of internationalization. Mode of entry choice is dominated by a number of complementary paradigms in the international business literature. These include the ’stage’ or sequential approach proposed by the Uppsala group (Johanson and Widersheim-Paul, 1975); network theory (Chen and Chen, 2002); transaction cost economics (Buckley and Casson 1976); and the resource based view (Peng, 2001). China as an international market, supplier and collaborator has changed radically since 1982, following the Deng reforms. It is now the third largest economy in the world but despite its promise has also proved a problematic partner for Western firms. Since its entry into the WTO there have been significant changes but the culture and practice of doing business in China has proved a problem. This research examines how an SME can participate in this market without incurring very high costs and risks. Methodology/Key Propositions: With some exceptions (Jolly, 1992) the issue of SME entry strategies has not received a great deal of attention in the literature. In addition Mcdougall and Oviatt, (2003) challenge the notion that the theories of market entry that dominate the international business literature are applicable to the smaller firm. Our research approach is two-fold: - An examination of Chinese government statistics to identify the distribution by industry and firm type of FDI by SMEs in China - A case study of a technology based SME that has established a successful joint venture in Northern China. We use the secondary data to examine the conventional (large firm) propositions of the international business literature; we use the case study to examine how the specific entrepreneurial and China element require a modified perspective. Results and Implications: Whilst some research has suggested that internationalization is a problematic strategy for SMEs we find that even in a high risk market like China, these companies have struck up effective but non - conventional organizational forms. The network theory of internationalization seems the dominant paradigm, although our case study introduces some specific considerations that the model had not previously acknowledged.
- Description: 2003005182
- Authors: Wan, Stephen , Lowe, Julian
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 4th International AGSE Entrepreneurship Research Exchange : Regional Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research 2007, Brisbane Graduate School of Business, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland : 6th-9th February 2007
- Full Text:
- Description: Principal Topic: This paper examines the entry strategy and start-up of a technology based small firm entering the China market through the vehicle of a joint venture company. The research deals with two main issues: - The intersection of the entrepreneurship and internationalization literatures - The specific considerations pertinent to foreign companies operating in China The internationalization of entrepreneurship theory has been the subject of ’special issues’ in the journals Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice (1996); and Academy of Management Journal (2000). It has its roots in the seminal work of McDougal and Oviatt (1996, 2005). Much of this literature identifies internationalization as an important determinant of performance in SMEs, and emphasizes the specific factors that link entrepreneurial perspectives and the processes of internationalization. Mode of entry choice is dominated by a number of complementary paradigms in the international business literature. These include the ’stage’ or sequential approach proposed by the Uppsala group (Johanson and Widersheim-Paul, 1975); network theory (Chen and Chen, 2002); transaction cost economics (Buckley and Casson 1976); and the resource based view (Peng, 2001). China as an international market, supplier and collaborator has changed radically since 1982, following the Deng reforms. It is now the third largest economy in the world but despite its promise has also proved a problematic partner for Western firms. Since its entry into the WTO there have been significant changes but the culture and practice of doing business in China has proved a problem. This research examines how an SME can participate in this market without incurring very high costs and risks. Methodology/Key Propositions: With some exceptions (Jolly, 1992) the issue of SME entry strategies has not received a great deal of attention in the literature. In addition Mcdougall and Oviatt, (2003) challenge the notion that the theories of market entry that dominate the international business literature are applicable to the smaller firm. Our research approach is two-fold: - An examination of Chinese government statistics to identify the distribution by industry and firm type of FDI by SMEs in China - A case study of a technology based SME that has established a successful joint venture in Northern China. We use the secondary data to examine the conventional (large firm) propositions of the international business literature; we use the case study to examine how the specific entrepreneurial and China element require a modified perspective. Results and Implications: Whilst some research has suggested that internationalization is a problematic strategy for SMEs we find that even in a high risk market like China, these companies have struck up effective but non - conventional organizational forms. The network theory of internationalization seems the dominant paradigm, although our case study introduces some specific considerations that the model had not previously acknowledged.
- Description: 2003005182
The E-factor : Advancing women entrepreneurs in the digital economy
- Authors: Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asian Pacific Women's Information Network Center Vol. 8, no. (2006), p. 99-109
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With the rise of globalisation, technological innovation, diffusion of information via the Internet, and related changes in business values and beliefs, countries, regions, governments and institutions everywhere are facing changing conditions for competitive advantage (Pfeffer & Sutton, 2000). Globalisation allows companies of all sizes, even micro and small and medium size enterprises (SME) which were once unable to compete with larger firms, to participate in new markets and reduce costs. Deregulated markets allow for more competition as well as better product offering and prices for small businesses.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003002171
- Authors: Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asian Pacific Women's Information Network Center Vol. 8, no. (2006), p. 99-109
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With the rise of globalisation, technological innovation, diffusion of information via the Internet, and related changes in business values and beliefs, countries, regions, governments and institutions everywhere are facing changing conditions for competitive advantage (Pfeffer & Sutton, 2000). Globalisation allows companies of all sizes, even micro and small and medium size enterprises (SME) which were once unable to compete with larger firms, to participate in new markets and reduce costs. Deregulated markets allow for more competition as well as better product offering and prices for small businesses.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003002171
The effects of the dislocation of a dominant player on competition within a fine art cluster
- Authors: Giblin, Deidre
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: This investigation examines the applicability of cluster theory in predicting what happens in a set of business relationships when a key player moves out for an indeterminate time but indicates it will be back. It involves a longitudinal research design using a mixed method approach to explore the dynamic inter-relationships of the fine art sector in this period of change. The main research site is the Melbourne fine art cluster, but the work also includes three situations that help to reflect the relevant system dynamics. This multidisciplinary study contributes to the field of regional development, industrial organisation and innovation by analysing how, as the structure of a cluster changes, the behaviour of cluster participants and the nature of competition in the cluster is affected. Hence, this exploratory investigation moves beyond commonalities between suppliers, resources and technologies to consider the cluster’s distinctive character and support networks which act as a significant knowledge resource to the regional cluster. Various models of cluster operation are examined in order to identify underlying issues of networks, systems and a cluster’s configuration in terms of power relationships and authority. By documenting the change process, the research contributes significant clarity to the understanding of the structural dynamics that enhance cluster strength. It demonstrates that the growth of inter-relationships and innovative activity in a dislocation period can diminish greatly as the key player returns to its pivotal role. This reinforced the importance of interactivity, both within and outside the cluster as a vital contributor to the fine art industry’s potential and success. The longitudinal design of this study allows for the consideration and examination of patterns of activity and behaviour, over time, with an emphasis on the cluster’s intangible and tangible assets while its retrospective approach provides an opportunity for comparability. Qualitative data was collected using interviews while additional data was gathered using attitudinal scales and examined using category identification. However, because of the sample size this was a minor part of the study. The study clearly demonstrates the significant control that the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) exerts on the sector through its ability to manage information and resources and how during dislocation this influence was reduced and the cluster took on a different character. This was evident in that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Victorian fine art cluster became more self-sufficient, suggesting that the dominant player suppresses SME innovativeness in the cluster. The structure of the cluster and particularly the behaviour that a dominant player induces may be important in a consideration of the ideal nature of a cluster. The contribution of the longitudinal data shows that change in the absence of a key player can be positive but that policy needs to be revised if it is demonstrated that the cluster is vulnerable to that key player.
- Description: Doctorate (Philosophy)
- Authors: Giblin, Deidre
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: This investigation examines the applicability of cluster theory in predicting what happens in a set of business relationships when a key player moves out for an indeterminate time but indicates it will be back. It involves a longitudinal research design using a mixed method approach to explore the dynamic inter-relationships of the fine art sector in this period of change. The main research site is the Melbourne fine art cluster, but the work also includes three situations that help to reflect the relevant system dynamics. This multidisciplinary study contributes to the field of regional development, industrial organisation and innovation by analysing how, as the structure of a cluster changes, the behaviour of cluster participants and the nature of competition in the cluster is affected. Hence, this exploratory investigation moves beyond commonalities between suppliers, resources and technologies to consider the cluster’s distinctive character and support networks which act as a significant knowledge resource to the regional cluster. Various models of cluster operation are examined in order to identify underlying issues of networks, systems and a cluster’s configuration in terms of power relationships and authority. By documenting the change process, the research contributes significant clarity to the understanding of the structural dynamics that enhance cluster strength. It demonstrates that the growth of inter-relationships and innovative activity in a dislocation period can diminish greatly as the key player returns to its pivotal role. This reinforced the importance of interactivity, both within and outside the cluster as a vital contributor to the fine art industry’s potential and success. The longitudinal design of this study allows for the consideration and examination of patterns of activity and behaviour, over time, with an emphasis on the cluster’s intangible and tangible assets while its retrospective approach provides an opportunity for comparability. Qualitative data was collected using interviews while additional data was gathered using attitudinal scales and examined using category identification. However, because of the sample size this was a minor part of the study. The study clearly demonstrates the significant control that the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) exerts on the sector through its ability to manage information and resources and how during dislocation this influence was reduced and the cluster took on a different character. This was evident in that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Victorian fine art cluster became more self-sufficient, suggesting that the dominant player suppresses SME innovativeness in the cluster. The structure of the cluster and particularly the behaviour that a dominant player induces may be important in a consideration of the ideal nature of a cluster. The contribution of the longitudinal data shows that change in the absence of a key player can be positive but that policy needs to be revised if it is demonstrated that the cluster is vulnerable to that key player.
- Description: Doctorate (Philosophy)
Firm growth by women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises in a developing economy setting
- Authors: Jomaraty, Mosfeka
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The growth experiences of women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the context of a developing economy are examined through the lens of pragmatism. This approach views a businesswoman’s ‘belief’, ‘habit’ and ‘doubt’ as critical for researching gender related issues in entrepreneurship. This study explains the growth aspects of women-owned manufacturing and services SMEs of Bangladesh with the aim of addressing two neglected research issues. One is the scarcity of studies on growth oriented women entrepreneurs in developing countries. The other is the lack of focus on very successful high-growth women-owned firms in the context of a strong male-dominated economy. This study adopts a framework developed out of the Diana International Project to evaluate the factors influencing the growth of these successful, growing, Bangladeshi women-owned businesses. In order to evaluate the growth process itself, this framework was then modified with growth resources and actions as explained by Edith Penrose in her 1959 seminal book The Theory of Growth of the Firm. This allows for the investigation of the effects of managerial and entrepreneurial abilities in growth, and the identification of how firms achieve growth. A multiple-case design is adopted, covering sixteen successful growth-oriented firms in the manufacturing and services sector. SMEs were studied as the basis for firm growth from initial venture creation, while the sector concentration on manufacturing and services reflects the urban nature of the study in examining firms that exist in the capital city of Dhaka. Data from in-depth interviews and supporting documents were used for the case studies and integrated with the theoretical framework. Themes were categorised and patterns compared against the framework. The results of this research suggest that SME growth is a process which is gradual and iterative, comprising a series of growth strategies and approaches. The framework identifies interactive connection between different growth variables and highlights how industry sector and the national context of a growing economy facilitate growth of women-owned SMEs. The case study based research seeks to advance scholarship in relation to women’s entrepreneurship globally and contribute to the understanding of growth oriented women’s entrepreneurship. Building upon existing knowledge, this research endeavours to generate new insights and advance theoretical discourse by providing richness and subtlety to the knowledge of growth process and opening up new avenues for future research.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Jomaraty, Mosfeka
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The growth experiences of women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the context of a developing economy are examined through the lens of pragmatism. This approach views a businesswoman’s ‘belief’, ‘habit’ and ‘doubt’ as critical for researching gender related issues in entrepreneurship. This study explains the growth aspects of women-owned manufacturing and services SMEs of Bangladesh with the aim of addressing two neglected research issues. One is the scarcity of studies on growth oriented women entrepreneurs in developing countries. The other is the lack of focus on very successful high-growth women-owned firms in the context of a strong male-dominated economy. This study adopts a framework developed out of the Diana International Project to evaluate the factors influencing the growth of these successful, growing, Bangladeshi women-owned businesses. In order to evaluate the growth process itself, this framework was then modified with growth resources and actions as explained by Edith Penrose in her 1959 seminal book The Theory of Growth of the Firm. This allows for the investigation of the effects of managerial and entrepreneurial abilities in growth, and the identification of how firms achieve growth. A multiple-case design is adopted, covering sixteen successful growth-oriented firms in the manufacturing and services sector. SMEs were studied as the basis for firm growth from initial venture creation, while the sector concentration on manufacturing and services reflects the urban nature of the study in examining firms that exist in the capital city of Dhaka. Data from in-depth interviews and supporting documents were used for the case studies and integrated with the theoretical framework. Themes were categorised and patterns compared against the framework. The results of this research suggest that SME growth is a process which is gradual and iterative, comprising a series of growth strategies and approaches. The framework identifies interactive connection between different growth variables and highlights how industry sector and the national context of a growing economy facilitate growth of women-owned SMEs. The case study based research seeks to advance scholarship in relation to women’s entrepreneurship globally and contribute to the understanding of growth oriented women’s entrepreneurship. Building upon existing knowledge, this research endeavours to generate new insights and advance theoretical discourse by providing richness and subtlety to the knowledge of growth process and opening up new avenues for future research.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
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