Understanding the small business sector

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Women in business

Over the years, scholars studying technology-based innovation have uncovered patterns of success and failure. Many of the lessons learned from these observations can serve as powerful guidelines for leaders of industry as they guide their firms into new markets or help defend against emerging challengers. Most of the studies to date, however, have been based on research in manufactured product industries, while relatively little has been done to understand technology and innovation in service industries. The initial motivation behind this thesis was to interpret established principles of innovation in the context of services-based industries. In proposing this topic, I assumed that certain aspects of product-based principles also describe patterns in service industries. My research revealed that some principles apply to both sectors. Others need to be extended. Still others apply selectively, depending on the nature of the service that is being examined. In the process of synthesizing the lessons learned from my literature review and the case studies I examined, Professor James Utterback pointed me to the convergence of product and services and the role of product platforms in this paradigm. What emerged was the idea of a technology delivery platform and throughout the latter parts of this thesis, I explore different implications of this concept. Thesis Supervisor: James M. Utterback Title: David J. McGrath jr (1959) Professor of Management and Innovation

Patterns of innovation in service industries

Purpose




The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a systematic literature review on innovation and sustainability. To accomplish this aim, a systematic analysis of the literature in the Scopus database was carried out for articles with the terms “innovation” and “sustainability” in their titles. Once identified, articles were analyzed in three ways: the ten most-cited articles; the ten most-cited literature reviews; and the most recent articles. Sustainable development is the central theme of the articles studied. Sustainable development is influenced by the ways that sustainability is measured within the network of which the organizations are a part, including adequate systems, and is mediated by compatible behaviors. Encouraging green innovation is an environmental commitment and managerial concern driven by customer pressure, environmental regulations and cost reductions. Suppliers and customers can contribute or benefit from the value created.




Design/methodology/approach




This study was a Systematic literature review. The search terms “Innov * AND sustain *” were defined for the titles of the articles. The analysis was divided into three categories: the ten most-cited articles (without a year filter to form an idea of the impact of the main research in the field); the ten most-cited reviews (these were only filtered from 2009 to 2018); and the 10 most recent articles (all of the articles found were from the year 2018).




Findings




The main findings of this study were that network action, mobilization of relevant stakeholders, reinvention of the business model, redefinition with multiple values and a sustainable strategic scope are the mechanisms that effectively contribute to promoting the link between innovation and sustainability in organizations. Sustainable development is the central theme of the articles studied. Sustainable development is influenced by the ways that sustainability is measured within the network of which the organizations are a part of, including adequate systems, and is mediated by compatible behaviors.




Originality/value




This study contributes to the literature by providing perspectives for future studies that may contribute to the sustainable development of organizations. Sustainable development is strongly influenced by the ways that sustainability is measured within the network of which the organizations are part, including appropriate systems, and is mediated by compatible behaviors.

Building sustainability and innovation in organizations

Gazelles create greater share of new jobs in comparison with other businesses operating on the market. These are young businesses of various sizes, but mainly small businesses. They generate a high rate of growth of production within a short time, which is based on the use of innovation, they are also the bearers of innovation. They are characterized by effective use of creativity and human resource capacities. They may be found in all sectors of economy, but to the greatest extent in the services sector and within that sector mainly in business services characterized by high knowledge intensity, high dynamics and continuous growth in employment. Gazelles of business services in the Slovak Republic intensively use all types of innovation. Management ability to optimize innovative processes according to needs of the enterprise seems to be of importance. Human resources and performance is considered to be the most important area of innovation influence. With its innovative activity they act as the accelerator of economy and changes in the thinking and culture of both enterprises, as well as the whole company toward sustainable growth.

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Innovation activities of gazelles in business services as a factor of sustainable growth in the Slovak Republic

This article researches existence of young, high growth enterprises, “gazelles”, in the context of high growth enterprises in Czech Republic. For this purpose the authors have analyzed dynamics of growth of enterprise subjects referred to as “gazelles” in a population of high growth enterprises and all enterprise subjects in a given economy. Two following criteria were taken into consideration: turnover and employment growth. Research of relevant data respects the sector criterion and monitors a 6-year growth period. It is stated that young, high growth enterprises – “gazelles” – in Czech Republic and in other compared countries are represented by enterprises which, even during the crisis period, by their development generate increase in new working positions as well as increase in annual turnover. They make up an important part of enterprises of all compared countries, and they contribute significantly to competitiveness of given economies. During the observed period the prevalence of gazelles was higher in the service sector in all compared countries, and there is an obvious transfer of gazelle enterprises from the manufacturing sector to the service sector.

Dynamics of high growth enterprises – „gazelles“– in Czech Republic

Family business is the largest global source of jobs in the private sector, whose multigenerational nature strengthens the stability of individual economies. A competitive small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector into which family businesses are classified is an essential prerequisite for the full-fledged integration of any economy into the global economic space. For the Czech economy, the importance of foreign trade is increasing, and is dependent on the capabilities of companies to expand to foreign markets. The goal of this article is to identify involvement of the generation of successors to export activities of family business, focusing on diversifying export territories in relation to structure of the industry A secondary goal is to discuss the demand mechanisms for SMEs/family business oriented toward export. The scientific hypotheses defined are focused on demonstrating a dependency between the diversification of export territories, the involvement of the generation of successors in the management of the company and structure of industry. Authors have demonstrated that family businesses managed by the first generation of founders export primarily to the territories of Slovakia, Germany, and the EU. Companies where the next generation contributes to management diversify territorial risk and also export outside the EU countries. A significant correlation was demonstrated between automotive industry and Germany, Slovakia and country outside the EU and mechanical engineering and country outside the EU. The uniqueness of this article lies in the topicality of the real transition of Czech family businesses to the next generation, which carries out foreign trade to promote the further development and sustainability of the family business for future generations.

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Diversification of export territories of family businesses as a tool of their further development

Young dynamic service enterprises – gazelles – represent the modern economy phenomenon, which stimulates the growth by its operation, in particular of local economy. This article identifies the position of gazelles in services and defines their characteristic features with regard to knowledge intensity of their production. Research results document the dominant representation of gazelles in services within the framework of their sectoral distribution and their growing economic effects in the Slovak Republic. Knowledge intensity of production is determinant of gazelle innovativeness in services, and the result is supported by knowledge of higher intensity perception of innovation effects in a knowledge-intensive production of services.

/pdf/gazelles-in-services-what-are-the-specifics-of-their-3e0cwq1yh3.pdf

Gazelles in services: what are the specifics of their existence in Slovakia?

Despite the laws and regulations that should ensure equal gender treatment, women are still disadvantaged in all businesses and public sector. This discrimination is manifested particularly in the approach to jobs, financial evaluation, political nominations and opportunities of developing their abilities regardless of gender. The gender differences in work and public life remain even today the most visible evidence of inequality between men and women in our society. The gender equality is one of the fundamental principles of EU law and all its member countries committed to be in the compliance with it. This article reviews the current state of gender equality in EU.

Monika Krošláková

Papers

Innovation activities of gazelles in business services as a factor of sustainable growth in the Slovak Republic

Dynamics of high growth enterprises – „gazelles“– in Czech Republic

Diversification of export territories of family businesses as a tool of their further development

Gazelles in services: what are the specifics of their existence in Slovakia?

The Selected Aspects of Gender Equality in European Union