bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors constraining the growth and survival of SMEs in Nigeria
Authors: Okpara John O. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that hinder the growth and survival of small businesses in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA survey method was used to gather data from 211 small business owners and managers located in selected cities in Nigeria. Several statistical analyses were conducted to identify the factors constraining the growth and survival of SMEs in Nigeria.FindingsThe results of the study reveal that the most common constraints hindering small business growth and survival in Nigeria are lack of financial support, poor management, corruption, lack of training and experience, poor infrastructure, insufficient profits, and low demand for product and services.Research limitations/implicationsThe instruments used for this study need to be subjected to more statistical tests in order to establish a more robust validity and reliability. Based on what we have learned, the instruments could be further refined to more closely capture each of the problem areas identified in the literature. Replication of this study using larger samples and a broader geographic base is suggested for cross‐validation purposes.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the factors hindering the growth and survival of SMEs in Nigeria will help policy makers – governments (federal, state, and local), NGOs, and other stakeholders – to design targeted policies and programs that will actively stimulate innovation, as well as helping those policy makers to support, encourage, and promote SMEs for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. For SMEs, this study offers alternative models to counteract the problem of collateral and lending issues. Strategic alternatives on how to address issues such as poor management, poor infrastructure, and corruption are discussed.Originality/valueThe significance of this study stems from the fact that very few studies have explored the issue of factors constraining the growth and survival of SMEs for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. The results provide additional insights into operations of SMEs in Nigeria, a sub‐Saharan African country. Sub‐Saharan Africa has been negated and, therefore, has been less researched. Also, the insights gained from this study to contribute the future development of this line of research, particularly in a non‐Western context.
Small business finance in Sub‐Saharan Africa: the case of Ghana
Authors: Amo Yartey Charles 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how unlisted companies in Ghana finance their growth and to what extent do they rely on internal finance relative to external sources of finance. Additionally, the paper seeks to investigate the determinants of the capital structure of unlisted companies in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the Singh‐Hamid methodology as well as panel data techniques to evaluate the financing decisions of unlisted companies in Ghana.FindingsThe analysis shows that unlisted firms in Ghana finance most of their growth from external debt and they are also characterized by shorter debt maturity. The results also show that the dominant factors affecting the debt equity ratios of unlisted firms in Ghana are size, firm growth, tangibility, profit margin, and financial development.Research limitations/implicationsOverall, the evidence in this paper suggests that standard models of corporate finance can be applicable to unlisted companies in Ghana.Practical implicationsInformative when planning for future development of the small business sector of the Ghanaian economy.Originality/valueProvides empirical evidence on how unlisted companies in Ghana finance their growth and what determines their capital structure.
Women's small and medium enterprises for poverty alleviation in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Siringi E.M. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to focus on women small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) financed by Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) for poverty alleviation in Kakamega District‐Kenya.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized cross‐sectional data from KWFT and follow‐up field survey data of women beneficiaries of KWFT credit. Multi‐stage stratified sampling technique was adopted to identify 90 women entrepreneurs of the total population of 300. Primary data were gathered using structured and non‐structured questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions. The study adopts both qualitative and quantitative data analysis.FindingsKWFT micro credit has had a positive impact upon women entrepreneurs on income savings, asset creation and their general social welfare. However, the KWFT's fight against poverty is constrained by socio‐culture and other institutional policy issues such as: right to own property, right to education, own land, manage and inherit property, conduct business, among others.Practical implicationsWomen have shown that they are strong entrepreneurs, borrowers and change agents through WSMEs. Government of Kenya should urgently adopt a gender policy to address socio‐culture issues constraining WSMEs. Further, KWFT should avoid cumbersome loan procedures but rather provide quick and convenient access to credit for women entrepreneurs, simple product offerings, with some flexibility to boost fight against poverty.Originality/valueLinking women entrepreneurship in the context of overall fight against poverty in Western Region in Kenya through KWFT; provide opportunity to add knowledge to current literature critical for academia and women entrepreneurship policy in Kenya in particular, as well as Sub‐Saharan African region.
Learning from business support in Africa
Authors: Irwin David 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review approaches to providing support to entrepreneurs adopted by four business support organisations, originally created with similar objectives, in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Cameroon to examine entrepreneurial heterogeneity in Africa and the hypothesis that local solutions are required to support entrepreneurs effectively.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical review of each business support organisation's approach, including a stakeholder analysis was undertaken.FindingsAlthough the trusts were established to achieve broadly similar objectives, all have followed a different path, apparently in response to the need to provide support in different ways. All are successful, demonstrating the importance of this approach. All learn from each other, adopting and, importantly, adapting successful programmes.Research limitations/implicationsThe research whilst systematically covering stakeholders was limited to gathering qualitative perceptions of the organisations and their successes. Further research, based on systematic performance measurement by the trusts, and with appropriate control groups, could provide further insights.Practical implicationsThe study is relevant to policy makers, particularly in donors and multi‐lateral institutions, considering how further to encourage and support small business development. It should encourage the designers of new programmes to spend more time ensuring that they understand how the needs of local entrepreneurs can best be addressed.Originality/valueThe study is unique in being able to use four business support organisations, in four countries, all with a common core sponsor and similar values, to make comparisons of supporting entrepreneurs. The paper makes a contribution towards demonstrating that there is little homogeneity amongst entrepreneurs in Africa and those entrepreneurs therefore require assistance tailored to meet their particular culture.
Challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria
Authors: Halkias Daphne , Nwajiuba Chinedum , Harkiolakis Nicholas , Caracatsanis Sylva M. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the business and social profiles of 67 women entrepreneurs in three regions of Nigeria in order to identify patterns of entrepreneurship and social and economic challenges facing women business owners in Nigeria. The study aims to support and encourage sustainable small‐scale economic development activities by Nigerian women and determine ways to integrate these small businesses into existing urban economic development projects and strategies for poverty alleviation, expand understanding of the business and social profiles of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, examine the contextual influences on their work, raise the level of awareness of women entrepreneurs amongst all economically active agents and researchers, influence social and economic policy addressing issues of women entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approachA survey was developed and administered to a sample of 62 practicing Nigerian female entrepreneurs. The survey was divided into sections that recorded personal demographics, the entrepreneur's perceptions of the business environment and their venture and the motivations and drives that led to the birth of their business. Data were collected and processed to produce frequency distributions on every question/variable in the survey followed by cross‐tabulations between all variables and χ2 tests in order to reveal strong associations.FindingsWith no or few significant differences shown to exist between male and female business owners or managers once they have already started an enterprise, there is a strong indication that Africa has sizeable hidden growth potential in its women. From the results presented, it is evident that female entrepreneurship in Nigeria is driven by micro‐financing as well as family dynamics that work to shape and influence the birth of a business.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research initiatives need to explore the gender dimension and the influence of education levels on the role models that influence and drive female entrepreneurship. In addition, the evolution of the complete life cycle of the entrepreneur's business should be examined and dependencies on the variables presented should be investigated. Finally, research should focus studies whose aim is to influence social and educational policy that encourages women's entrepreneurship in the fight for poverty alleviation in Africa.Originality/valueUnique contribution with information being provided regarding an area that has not been studied before with a quantitative and qualitative method both within the same study.
How relevant is OM research to managerial practice?
Authors: de‐Margerie Victoire , Jiang Bin 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThus far, no study collects evidence from practitioners directly to investigate the characteristics of operations management (OM) research that appears to have impacts on OM practice, nor do we know how practitioners evaluate the managerial relevance of OM research. This paper aims to answer two interesting and important questions: how do practitioners judge the managerial relevance of OM research; and whether practitioners' criteria on managerial relevance can help OM researchers improve the relevance?Design/methodology/approachA panel of senior executives was asked to read the top 10 most downloaded papers from theJournal of Operations Managementand fill the designed questionnaire. Following Cronbach's cumulative theory‐building process through which progress is made by successively testing the efficacy of the measures, this research examined the diverse disciplines, consolidated relevant findings, and integrated them into a tractable, meaningful research framework.FindingsThis paper reveals that practitioners evaluate our OM research by three criteria: whether academic research is applicable or implementable (solution oriented), whether academic research provides novel insights or new perspectives to management (eye opening), and whether academic research helps practitioners recognize their situations (accessibility).Originality/valueWhile the awareness of managerial relevance in OM research has been growing, few systematic, quantitative‐oriented empirical studies of practitioners' attitude toward academic OM research exist in current literature. This paper directly explores practitioners' opinions on managerial relevance through quantitative analysis and identified several possible dimensions to pursue managerial relevance in OM research.
Drivers and obstacles of product recovery activities in the Greek industry
Authors: Kapetanopoulou Paraskevi , Tagaras George 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the current state of affairs in the product recovery domain as perceived by Greek industry. The extent of involvement of original equipment manufacturers in product recovery activities (PRA), the direct profitability of PRA and the most important specific drivers and barriers to the implementation of PRA are the main issues that are explored. The paper also investigates whether these issues are affected by two factors: level of PRA and profitability of existing PRA.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire‐based survey was conducted and 312 valid responses were received. Statistical analysis of the responses was carried out via non‐parametric χ2‐tests for homogeneity, Mann‐Whitney U‐tests and Friedman two‐way analysis of variance.FindingsThe results suggest that PRA are not very much developed by manufacturing companies in Greece. The companies engage in PRA mainly because they want to provide service to their customers; they are hesitant to embark on an unknown set of new activities, which complicate their manufacturing operations.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of the study is the variability in the manufacturers' responses as the data comes from the entire Greek industry.Originality/valueThe paper responds to the repeated calls for more empirical research in reverse logistics. It is the first survey‐based study of PRA in an industry that is not as developed as the industry in the USA or Western Europe, where most similar empirical research is conducted.
The role of actor associations in understanding the implementation of Lean thinking in healthcare
Authors: Papadopoulos Thanos , Radnor Zoe , Merali Yasmin 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe importance of networks in effecting the outcomes of change processes is well‐established in the literature. Whilst extant literature focuses predominantly on the structural properties of networks, our purpose is to explore the dynamics of network emergence that give rise to the outcomes of process improvement interventions. Through the use of actor‐network theory (ANT), the purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics in the implementation of a process improvement methodology in the complex organisational setting of a UK National Health Service Trust. The paper illustrates the utility of ANT in articulating the dynamic nature of networks underpinning socio‐technical change, and our analysis provides insights for the management process change initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThis is a rich qualitative study in the Pathology Unit of a UK National Health Service Trust, using ANT as the theoretical lens for tracking the emergence and transformation of networks of individuals over the course of a management intervention to promote “Lean thinking” for process performance improvements.FindingsANT is useful for explicitly tracking how organisational players shift their positions and network allegiances over time, and for identifying objects and actions that are effective in engaging individuals in networks which enable transition to a Lean process. It is important to attend to the dynamics of the process of change and devise appropriate timely interventions enabling actors to shift their own positions towards a desired outcome.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper makes the case for using theoretical frameworks developed outside the operations management to develop insights for designing process interventions.Originality/valueBy understanding the role of shifting networks managers can use timely interventions during the process implementation to facilitate the transition to Lean processes, e.g. using demonstrable senior leadership commitment and visual communication.
Terrorism and military actions pose the ultimate challenge to gas sensing
Authors: Bogue Robert 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a review of the uses of gas sensors to detect explosives' vapours and chemical warfare agents (CWAs).Design/methodology/approachFollowing a brief introduction, this paper first considers the use of gas sensors to detect explosives. Second, gas sensors that respond to CWAs are discussed. Some mentioned is made of commercial devices but the emphasis is on emerging technologies and recent research.FindingsDetecting explosives is an emerging application for gas sensors. Despite some commercial products, it is the topic of a major research effort and poses a significant technological challenge due to the very low vapour concentrations involved. Many optical and solid‐state techniques are under development and some have shown ppt levels of resolution to TNT and allied compounds. Detecting CWAs is a far more mature application and many products exist, often based on analytical methods. Nevertheless, research into improved sensing techniques continues, frequently aimed at detecting ppb concentrations of nerve agents. Much of this research is aimed at meeting the needs of, and is being funded by, the US military and security agencies.Originality/valueThis paper provides a technical review of recent developments in the use of gas sensors to detect explosives and CWAs.
Developments in organic lasers and their role in sensing
Authors: Bogue Robert 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a technical insight into recent developments in organic lasers and their applications to sensing.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a review of progress in organic lasers, this paper considers a number of recent sensor developments based on this technology. Finally, future prospects are briefly considered.FindingsThis shows that organic lasers are the tropic of a major research effort. The broad aims are to reduce the optical pumping power and ultimately to achieve purely electrical operation. Few sensors based on organic lasers have yet been reported but recent examples include explosive vapour detectors, lab‐on‐a‐chip devices and biosensors.Originality/valueThis paper provides a review of organic laser developments and sensors that exploit this technology.
Hydrogen detection in organic gas mixtures based on analyzing the transient response
Authors: Bahraminejad Behzad , Basri Shahnor , Isa Maryam , Hambali Zarida 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the ability of capillary‐attached gas sensor (CGS) in detecting components of gas mixtures, including a volatile organic gas and hydrogen in a wide range of concentrations.Design/methodology/approachDiverse feature extraction and classification techniques were employed to analyze the response of CGS when applied to different mixtures.FindingsIt was observed that the response of CGS to the above gas mixtures could be distinguishable. While evaluating the results of the classification technique, it was implied that hydrogen, in the presence of the volatile organic gases, could be detected perfectly by analyzing the response of the CGS. Separating techniques, which yielded a high rate of classification, were used to separate mixtures containing hydrogen and organic gases from other organic gas mixtures without hydrogen.Originality/valueThe results presented in this paper prove the ability of CGS in fabricating an olfactory machine for analyzing the components of gas mixtures.
Fabrication of a membrane type double cavity vacuum‐sealed micro sensor for absolute pressure based on front‐side lateral etching technology
Authors: Rathore Pradeep Kumar , Akhtar Jamil 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the fabrication of a miniaturized membrane type double cavity vacuum‐sealed micro sensor for absolute pressure using front‐side lateral etching technology.Design/methodology/approachPotassium hydroxide‐based anisotropic etching of single crystal silicon is used to realize the cavities under the membrane type diaphragms through channels on the sides. The diaphragms consist of composite layers of plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) of silicon nitride and silicon dioxide. PECVD of silicon dioxide is done for sealing the channels and the cavity in vacuum. Boron thermal diffusion in low‐pressure chemical vapour deposition of polysilicon layer over the membrane is done for realizing resistors. The fabricated device uses Wheatstone half bridge circuit to read the variation of resistance with respect to an applied pressure.FindingsA double cavity vacuum‐sealed absolute pressure micro sensor has been fabricated successfully using front‐side lateral etching technology and has been measured for pressure range of 0‐0.45 MPa. The measured pressure sensitivity of two pressure sensors is 9.28 and 10.44 mV/MPa.Originality/valueThe paper shows that front‐side lateral etching technology is feasible in the fabrication of small vacuum‐sealed cavities and absolute pressure sensors.
Effect of chirality and atomic vacancies on dynamics of nanoresonators based on SWCNT
Authors: Joshi Anand Y. , Sharma Satish C. , Harsha S.P. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the use of chiral single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as mass sensors. Analysis of SWCNT with chiralities is performed using an atomistic finite element model based on a molecular structural mechanics approach.Design/methodology/approachThe cantilever carbon nanotube (CNT) is modeled by considering it as a space frame structure similar to three‐dimensional beams and point masses. The elastic properties of the beam element are calculated by considering mechanical characteristics of covalent bonds between the carbon atoms in the hexagonal lattice. The mass of each beam element is assumed as point mass at nodes coinciding with carbon atoms. An atomistic simulation approach is used to find the natural frequencies and to study the effects of defect like atomic vacancies in CNTs on the resonant frequency. The migration of the atomic vacancies along the length is observed for different chiralities.FindingsA reduction in the simulated natural frequency is observed with the maximum value occurring, when the vacancy is found nearer to the fixed end. It is quite evident from the simulation results that the effect of vacancies is significant, and the effect diminishes at 10−2femtograms mass. Using the higher modes of vibration of SWCNT‐based mass sensors, the amount and the position of the mass on the nanotube can be identified.Originality/valueCNT have been used as mass sensors extensively. The present approach is focused to explore the use of chiral SWCNT as sensing device with vacancy defect in it. The variation of the atomic vacancies in CNT along the length has been taken and is analyzed for different chiralities. The effects of defect like atomic vacancies in CNTs on the resonant frequency have been analyzed and observed that the maximum reduction in natural frequency occurs when the vacancy is found nearer to the fixed end due to large stiffness variation.