Small business, entrepreneurship, information technology, marketing, social networking media

Cloud Computing Adoption by SMEs in the Norh East of England: A multi-perspective framework.

by Savvas Papagiannidis

Published in Journal of Enterprise Information Management

Purpose – This paper’s research objective is to contribute to a growing body of research on cloud computing, by... more Purpose – This paper’s research objective is to contribute to a growing body of research on cloud computing, by studying the SME adoption process. If SMEs have access to scalable technologies they could potentially deliver products and services that in the past only large enterprises could deliver, flattening the competitive arena.

Design/methodology/approach – By adopting the Technological, Organisational and Environmental (TOE) as a theoretical base, this qualitative exploratory study used semi-structured interviews to collect data in fifteen different SMEs and service providers in the North East of England. The North East of England was selected as it is a region that aspires to become home to innovative digital firms and most of the companies in the region are SMEs.

Findings - The main factors that were identified as playing a significant role in SME adoption of cloud services were: relative advantage, uncertainty, geo-restriction, compatibility, trialability, size, top management support, prior experience, innovativeness, industry, market scope, supplier efforts and external computing support. In contrast, this study did not find enough evidence that competitive pressure was a significant determinant of cloud computing adoption.

Research limitations/implications – These findings have important implications and great value to the research community, managers and ICT providers, in terms of formulating better strategies for cloud computing adoption. For service providers, using the research model in this study can assist in increasing their understanding of why some SMEs choose to adopt cloud computing services, while seemingly similar ones facing similar market conditions do not. Also, cloud computing providers may need to improve their interaction with SMEs who are involved in the cloud computing experience, in an effort to create a healthy environment for cloud computing adoption, and to remove any vagueness surrounding this type of technology.

Originality/value – This study is an attempt to explore and develop an SME cloud computing adoption model that was theoretically grounded in the TOE framework. By adopting the TOE framework this study has shown that the three contexts of this framework (technological, organisational, and environmental) are connected to each other.

Beyond the Case Method: A Master Class for Enterprise Development

by Peter Mellalieu

Mellalieu, P. J. (1998). Beyond the Case Method: A Master Class for Enterprise Development. Proceedings of the Annual Educators Conference of the New Zealand Strategic Management Society, 6th Annual Conference. The University of Auckland N.Z.: New Zealand Strategic Management Society.

See also related:
Mellalieu, P. J. (1998). Weaving the threads of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial learning through a university-located reality-TV and master class: Enterprise MasterWorks (EMW)™. International Conference on Higher Education and Small/Medium Enterprise (SMEs). Presented at the International Conference on Higher Education and Small/Medium Enterprise (SMEs), Rennes, France: Centre Études et Recherche EURO PME, Rennes International School of Business. Retrieved from http://tinyurl.com/emw1998

Examines the strengths and limitations of the case method as a teaching tool for developing the professional... more Examines the strengths and limitations of the case method as a teaching tool for developing the professional competence of personnel engaged in strategic management and enterprise development projects. Reports on progress towards introducing a new pedagogical genre for educators, trainers and consultants informed by the notion of a ‘master class for entrepreneurs’. The approach, Enterprise MasterWorks (EMW), extends on the traditional case study method of teaching by offering multi-media material that is timely, lively, relevant to the context of small enterprise and new venture development, and augmented with written material comparable to the traditional case format.

Illustrates the EMW approach in detail for one prototype package based on the foundation and growth of the New Zealand ‘born global’ company Pacific Lithium Limited, and its founding entrepreneur, Robin Johannink. Outlines results from trials of the pedagogical ‘package’ in several situations and presents future development intentions. for the production and dissemination of the EMW courseware packages. Argues that the EMW approach provides a cost-effective approach for surfacing the tacit knowledge of a high-performing (‘masterful’) enterprise developer, and passing on that knowledge to selected learning partners.

Electronic Commerce Applications among Indian Small and Medium Enterprises

by Dr. Asghar Afshar Jahanshai

Studies on dimensions of social capital and the effect of its performance on entrepreneurial orientationCase study of small and medium businesses

by Dr. Asghar Afshar Jahanshai

Trasporto stradale o intermodale ferroviario? I risultati di un’indagine sulla struttura delle preferenze di alcune aziende manifatturiere italiane

by marcucci edoardo

Ethical Frameworks in Business and Their Application to Social Media Marketing

by Matt Lievertz

Business Information and Service Centers in Malawi An operational model

by Bruno Venditto

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world; this is largely due to the fact that more than 80% of the total... more Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world; this is largely due to the fact that more than 80% of the total export revenue is generated by the agricultural sector, which represents 36% of the gross domestic product; over eighty percent of the population is engaged in the agricultural production. Over 50% of the rural households cultivate less than one hectare, with 25% farming less than ½ hectare. In the past few years, declining household farms and declining farm fertility combined with erratic weather patterns and the escalation of farm input prices (beyond what the majority of farmers could afford) have, among other things, produced limited growth in the agricultural sector . It is therefore evident that the desire to alleviate poverty cannot be easily accomplished unless economic activities are diversified; the promotion of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) is one way of achieving economic diversification in Malawi, indirectly addressing the problem of poverty and employment creation . The Government of Malawi has, in recent years recognized the role that SMMEs can play in promoting economic growth and has facilitated the establishment of various institutions, membership associations and advocacy groups to provide relevant services necessary for the development of the sector. The intervention of the Italian NGO, CISP –International Committee for People’s Development- with the project “Food Security Through Economic Diversification”, funded by the European Commission is in line with the above vision; particularly with the view shared by both the Government and the donor community that “Economic diversification and off-farming activities are a necessary component for the promotion of national and household food security” . The objective of this document is to provide a working model to guide the newly formed Business Information Service Centres (BISC) in the process of redesigning a strategic alliance/partnership with other Malawian developmental organisations At the same time the document aims to provide guidelines for best business practices for the stakeholders involved in economic diversification and the promotion of small, micro and medium enterprises in Malawi

The Viral Green: The IT Industry and Green Web Marketing

by Jake Aull