Factors Affecting SME Performance Research Paper by Nicky

A literature review on the factors that lead to the development of successful small-medium (SME) enterprises.
# 150282 | 3,286 words | 31 sources | APA | 2012 | US
Published on Jan 30, 2012 in Business (Small) , Business (Marketing)


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Description:

The paper examines the research to identify the possible factors which may affect SME performance, including the characteristics of entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship education and training and marketing. The paper finds that a certain set of skills may need to be possessed by the entrepreneur if the venture is to be able to achieve optimum growth. The paper shows how the debate continues as to whether these may be taught or not, with most of the evidence suggesting that if the appropriate education programs are used, there can be some hope of success. Finally, the paper call for further research on the role of marketing as a moderating factor.

Outline:
How is a Successful SME Determined?
Characteristics of Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship Education and Training
Marketing in SMEs
The Link Between Marketing and Entrepreneurs
Conclusions
Research Rationale

From the Paper:

"An entrepreneur may be defined as "the owner or manager of a business enterprise, who, by risk and initiative, attempts to make profits" (Henry et al., 2005: 99). It would actually be expected that any person who owns and operates a business would then need to be an entrepreneur in order to succeed. This is based on the definition of business success outlined in the previous section, which indicates that business growth is required to maintain the business and therefore create a 'success'.
"Further analysis may however show exactly how entrepreneurs may be so crucial to business success in the modern business climate. As the process of globalization pushes forward there is an ever present level of change within any market, and to remain successful businesses need to be able to adapt to this. Gibb and Cotton (1998) suggest that entrepreneurs hold the appropriate skills to be able to adapt to these changes, thereby creating an immediate advantage over businesses not led by entrepreneurs. The skills which are held by entrepreneurs would also be expected to be entirely transferrable across industries, making the business adaptable in terms of business function as well as markets. This then would be expected to further enhance the chances of business success."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Ahmad, N.H. & Seet, P-S. (2009) Understanding business success through the lens of SME founder-owners in Australia and Malaysia. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 1(1): 72-87.
  • Albornoz, C.A. (2008). Toward a set of trainable content on entrepreneurship education: A review of entrepreneurship research from an educational perspective. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 3(1): 86-98.
  • Benzing, C., Chu, H.M. & Kara, O. (2009). Entrepreneurs in Turkey: A factor analysis of motivations, success factors, and problems. Journal of Small Business Management, 47(1): 58-91.
  • Butler, J. (No date). Characteristics of successful entrepreneurs in Mexico. Unpublished final paper, ITESM-CEM.
  • Casson, M. (2005). Entrepreneurship and the theory of the firm. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 58(2): 327-348.

Cite this Research Paper:

APA Format

Factors Affecting SME Performance (2012, January 30) Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/research-paper/factors-affecting-sme-performance-150282/

MLA Format

"Factors Affecting SME Performance" 30 January 2012. Web. 27 May. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/research-paper/factors-affecting-sme-performance-150282/>

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