دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی عوامل موفقیت بحرانی شرکت های کوچک و متوسط در فلسطین - امرالد 2018

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Palestine, and thus to contribute to the existing knowledge on the critical success factors (CSFs) of SMEs in the Palestinian context, especially in the West Bank. Design/methodology/approach – The study is comprised a survey of a convenience sample of 370 SMEs operating in the West Bank, Palestine. It uses a multiple regression analysis to examine the effect of a set of CSFs, namely, reputation of the brand, excellence of customer services, reliable delivery and product innovation on the success of SMEs. Findings – The results show that brand reputation, excellence of customer of services and reliable delivery strongly influence SME success, while innovation is weakly associated with SME success. These results imply that success is tied to customers and competition more than to production, structures or finance. That is, reputable brands, excellent customer service and reliable delivery are means to success according to the results of this research. Practical implications – The study emphasizes the need for Palestinian SMEs to maintain and develop their brand reputation, institutionalize customer service and develop its logistical systems and practices. Generally, the study suggests that there are specific investment areas for SMEs that can contribute to achieving success. Specifically, excellence in customer service was found to be the factor most linked to the success of SMEs, followed by reliable delivery and then by brand reputation and innovation. Originality/value – While plenty of research has been done on what contributes to the failure or success of SMEs, research on CSFs for SMEs is limited. The study combines four CSFs not previously used in combination to model the successful performance of SMEs in general and in the Palestinian context in particular. Only some specific factors are critical to the success of SMEs and should be the focal point of SMEs’ efforts as long as they are consistent with their nature as small economic entities competing with big companies in small markets. Thus, instead of using general factors of SME success, the study explains how success becomes more possible through specifying areas for decision-making or activities for the entrepreneurs to undertake, keeping in mind that there is a mechanism by which these factors work together toward the success of the SME.

Conclusion

This study has investigated the effect of a unique set of CSFs on the success of SMEs in Palestine. The results show that brand reputation, excellence of customer service and reliable delivery are strongly influencing SMEs success, while innovation is weakly associated with SMEs success. These results imply that success is tied to the activities of customers’ service, branding and competition more than to production capacity, structures or finance. That is, reputable brands, excellent customer service and reliable delivery are means to success according to the results of this research. This emulates the need for SMEs to maintain and develop their brand reputation, institutionalize customer service and develop their logistical systems and practices. That means that Palestinian SMEs should not stand still with this level of performance, rather they should continually upgrade their products, methods of marketing and keep up with the changing requirements of customer as international competition intensifies.

It is true that product innovation does not necessarily require an abundance of resources or huge investments. Innovation happens naturally to overcome scarcity of resources and to solve chronic problems. Of course this does not occur in a vacuum, it occurs in an environment which has a strong influence on innovation. Among the important forces of this environment is the government, which should work indirectly as a motivating force for innovation and development of SMEs performance through regulations that protect proprietary rights, facilitate investments and foster healthy competition.