this paper examines firms' capital structure and their access to financial debt, notably bank loans. We find that the share of financial debt in total liabilities is, on average, smaller for small firms than for large ones. However, this is not because the typical small firm borrows less than a large firm, but because small firms are more likely not to borrow at all. For firms that do borrow, t...

This paper focuses on information systems (IS) competences in small firms. The paper draws on prior IS research that has used resource-based theory. The literature was used to identify many types of IS resources and competences, predominantly based on research in large firms. The paper reports evidence gained from interviews within nine small manufacturing firms using the Peppard & Ward (2004) ...

Although a responsive supply chain is an integral part of order-winning manufacturing strategies, it has not been clear how firms build a responsive supply chain in global manufacturing environments. Built upon a synthesis of the existing literature and relevant theories, this paper presents a research model that defines the drivers, strategy, and practices of a responsive supply chain and the ...

The present article explores the flow-oriented and routine-based concept of organizational capability in manufacturing proposes a practical method measuring it by using flow map material information (FMMI), including value stream (VSM). environment surrounding companies is becoming increasingly turbulent, making difficult for them to survive prosper. For example, global face challenges on multi...

this study aims to explore potential mutually beneficial malaysia-middle east partnership through seeking for factors affecting firm’s performance. a survey was conducted to analyze malaysian firms that have ventured into nations surrounding the persian gulf. both large-sized firms and smes are pursuing business opportunities in the region. the data was collected using highly structured survey ...

Taxonomies of patterns of innovation give a dominant role to large firms, and are often based on empirical studies that exclude micro firms. This paper proposes an empirical taxonomy of the innovative firms at the bottom of the size distribution, based on a new survey of 1,234 small firms and micro firms in the Netherlands, in both manufacturing and services. These firms differ not only in thei...

The removal of high levels of protection combined with substantial real devaluations has changed the environment in which Ghanaian manufacturing firms have operated in the 1990s. The changes in output, composition and productivity, which have occurred over this period, are examined in this paper. Survey evidence for the growth of the sector is shown to be consistent with data from sales tax ret...

The manufacturing function can be a formidable weapon to achieve competitive superiority. Through three case studies, this paper observes the manufacturing strategy practices in select Indian organizations. The common aspects and differences between the example organizations are highlighted. A model is proposed linking the manufacturing competitive priorities and the action plan pursued by thes...

Do tougher environmental regulations cause firms to flee the country? Although several studies document the impact of environmental regulation on domestic production, the question of whether firms increase foreign manufacturing in response to new domestic regulation has remained unanswered. Consequently, our understanding of the efficacy of environmental policy is limited, as is our understandi...