Problems and perspectives in management 

About: Problems and perspectives in management is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Index (economics) & Scopus. It has an ISSN identifier of 1727-7051. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 1731 publication(s) have been published receiving 9443 citation(s).

Drivers, Benefits and Challenges of ICT adoption by small and medium sized en-terprises (SMEs): A Literature Review

Abstract: In the knowledge society, firms need to develop competitive advantages based on an adequate and intensive use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), which is an essential ele- ment of success in today's market. This fact is especially relevant for small and medium sized en- terprises (SMEs), whose survival depends, among other factors, on the use they make of ICTs to develop new organizational models, compete in new markets or enhance their internal and external communication relationships. Given the relevance of this topic, the present work studies the impact of the adoption of ICT among SMEs. To do this, we first analyze the current situation of the use of ICT among SMEs in order to show their increasing penetration into the business environment. Then, we study the ob- jectives as well as the main challenges behind the adoption of ICT among SMEs. Later, we ana- lyse the entrepreneur as well as the innovation orientation as key factors in the ICT adoption proc- ess. Finally, we conclude by reviewing the main benefits that ICT can bring to certain areas of SMEs.

Small Business Financing Initiatives in Ghana

Abstract: Access to finance has been identified as a dominant constraint facing the Ghanaian Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector This study examines how the finance gap for SMEs might be addressed by means of policies to support other financing initiatives other than commercial finance by the conventional financial institutions This study through a questionnaire survey investigates the awareness and use of these various financing schemes (quasi-commercial credit) available to the SME sector The study also ascertains the difficulties SMEs encounter in accessing these financing sources The results of the study reveal low awareness and usage levels of the various financing initiatives among SMEs Most of the schemes are perceived as difficult to access A number of specific action areas have been identified for proactive public policy for small business finance in Ghana

Customer Perceived Value: The Development of a Multiple Item Scale in Hospitals

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to analyse the dimensionality of the concept of perceived value in the health sector which incorporates valuations of functional aspects and of affective aspects, thus obtaining an overall quantification of the value perceived by the patient. A total of 701 customers of financial entities were surveyed, and structural equations models were used to verify the reliability and validity of the scale of perceived value.Perceived value is found to be a multidimensional construct composed of seven dimensions: Functional value (installation), functional value (service quality), functional value (price), functional value (professionalism), emotional value (novelty), emotional value (control), emotional value (hedonics), social value. A scale of overall perceived value in financial services was obtained, composed of seven dimensions and represented by 29 items that are significant for their measurement. Our results indicate that functional, social and affective factors except hedonic factor are important determinants of the perceived value of health services.

The impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth: case of post communism transition economies

Abstract: The study investigates the im pact of foreign direct investing on econo mic development of post Comecon transition economy countries. Neoclassical growth th eorymodel is used to analyze the eff ects of FDI on economic growth. The results show significant FDI influence on economic growth of ost countries. The paper concludes with explaining the results and suggesting some policy recommendations.

Innovation and Productivity in German and Swedish Manufacturing Firms : Is there a common story?

Abstract: Recent studies have documented extensive heterogeneity in firm performance within countries, and innovation has been found as an important determinant. This paper addresses the issue of innovation firm performance across countries. A growing number of national firm level studies on the innovation-productivity link have been conducted using new internationally harmonized survey data, known in Europe as Community Innovation Survey (CIS). Mainly due to confidentiality reasons cross-country comparisons of CIS data are still rare. The contribution of this paper is its unique approach of pooling original firm observations from Germany and Sweden. Applying a knowledge production function that gives the relationship between innovation input, innovation output and productivity, we find to a very large extent a common cross-country story for knowledge intensive manufacturing firms. Some interesting country-specific effects are reported as well.