International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Financial performance of Italian tanning manufacturers before, during and after the global crisis  
  by Guido Migliaccio, Maria Fulvia Arena 
  Abstract: The aim of this article is to analyse the financial structure of small Italian tanning manufacturers before, during and after the global crisis (2007-2015). Starting from secondary data on AIDA database, financial ratios (Leverage) and margins (Margin of treasury, Net working capital and Fixed asset to equity capital margin) trends have been analysed, for the whole nation and its macro-regions, obtaining summary statistics.rnThe performance has not been effected significantly by the crisis. Nevertheless, they are considerably indebted, even if the risk capital is enough to cover all net fixed assets. There is a good management of net working capital, in the face of considerable treasury losses.rnThe tanning manufacturers are mainly localised in the Northern and Central areas of Italy: the tests of Anova and Tukey-Kramer show statistically significant differences between the three macro-areas of the country, with better performances associated with the leather manufacturers localised in Central Italy.rn
  Keywords: Tanning Manufacturers; Crisis; Financial Performance; Ratio.
  
  
• DETERMINANTS OF INTERNATIONAL READINESS AMONG SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO  
  by Meena Rambocas, Dana Hayes-Burke 
  Abstract: The decision to internationalise is a well-documented area in international marketing. But, the determinants of the readiness to internationalise among small and medium-sized enterprises have not been sufficiently examined. Drawing on Tan et al. (2007) model, this paper aims to test the influence of four firm-related characteristics of exposure to stimuli, management attitudinal/psychological commitment, firm resources, and lateral rigidity on readiness to internationalise. Data were collected from a sample of SMEs in Trinidad and Tobago and analysed with confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. The study also controlled for the effects of firm size, experience and firm type. The results confirm the importance of exposure to export stimuli and firm resources on SMEs readiness to participate in international marketing activities. However, they also show that lateral rigidity and management attitudinal/psychological commitment are not significant determinants.
  Keywords: international readiness; SMEs; internationalisation; international business; export stimuli; lateral rigidity; attitudinal and psychological commitment; resources.
  
  
• Critical success factors for small and medium-sized enterprises in resource-rich country context  
  by Husam Arman, Mohammad Ramadhan 
  Abstract: High-growth small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to local economies progress and social prosperity. This paper investigates the critical success factors of the high value-added SMEs that demonstrate high growth despite a challenging and non-conducive business environment in a resource-rich country like Kuwait. The multiple case studies analysis showed that the critical success factors of the selected enterprises in Kuwait include high performing employees, focus on market niche, leadership skills, strategic alignment, and innovation. The positive workplace culture, which promotes innovation, enabled the firms to prosper despite the lack of formal innovation strategies and processes. The paper concludes by recommending strategies to promote high value-added SMEs in Kuwait. These include developing SMEs innovation policies, strengthening SMEs networking, and designing growth programs that can help upgrade SMEs innovation capabilities.
  Keywords: small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; critical success factors; innovation; resource-rich countries; business environment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2021.10039002
   
  
• Determinants of credit access of small and medium enterprises in emerging economies: evidence from the World Bank enterprise surveys  
  by Marco Aurélio Dos Santos, Luiz Paulo Fávero, Nuno Manoel Martins Dias Fouto, Patrícia Belfiore, Rafael De Freitas Souza 
  Abstract: Credit access has an important role for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to finance their activities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of firm, sector and country characteristics in credit access of SMEs in emerging economies. Through data collected from the World Bank enterprise surveys, we study 107,652 observations from 139 countries over the period 20062018 and estimate a multilevel logit model, what allows the comparison, in terms of quality of the prediction, with a traditional credit logit model. The results show that country characteristics related to banking sector development and informational credit system are statistically significant. Additionally, informational characteristics of firms play an important role in the probability of having credit access by SMEs. This paper also fills an important methodological gap, since logit models that take into account a multilevel perspective are rarely explored in studies involving credit access of SMEs in emerging economies.
  Keywords: small and medium enterprises; SMEs; credit access; emerging markets; World Bank enterprise surveys; multilevel logit modelling.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2021.10039645