Small and Medium Enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Otman, Khaled

doi:10.5539/ijbm.v16n5p55

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…According to a projection by the World Bank, 600 million jobs would be required by 2030 to accommodate the expanding global labour force, making the development of SMEs a top priority for many governments globally. SMEs development engines are now extensively acknowledged in the African region, according to study by a scholar (Otman 2021).…”

Section: Why Smes Are Important Globallymentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of SMEs’ financial reporting practices on their creditworthiness in Zimbabwe.

Guti¹,

Cheresai²

2022

IJRP

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The purpose of this paper was to investigate and analyse how the financial reporting practices of the SMEs influence their ability to get funds from lending institutions. The study was grounded upon the mixed methods methodology. This methodology enabled the identification of both numerical and non-numerical consequences of the lack of financial reporting as a barrier to finance for SMEs. Explanatory Sequential design was used. Forty (40) owners representing different SMEs in diverse economic areas made up the study's population. A sample had to be chosen after the study population was chosen. Purposive or judgmental sampling was employed in this study. To obtain first-hand knowledge from the respondents, primary data was gathered through interviews, and questionnaires.Questionnaires were used to gather quantitative data while interviews were used for qualitative data. It was found out that most SMEs in Zimbabwe are failing to access credit facilities since they are not producing standard financial reports. Most respondents alluded that preparation of the financial statements is costly and would surely eat up upon the working capital of SMEs. As a recommendation, SMEs are encouraged to try to engage qualified Accountants who can interpret the IFRs for SMEs. More so the IASB should simplify the IFRs for SMEs such that the SMEs manage to make use of this crucial framework. The current position with financiers is that SMEs are failing to provide them the information they require. Therefore, there is need to upgrade the information systems and close the information gap that exists between the SMEs and the financiers.

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Section: Why Smes Are Important Globallymentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of SMEs’ financial reporting practices on their creditworthiness in Zimbabwe.

Guti¹,

Cheresai²

2022

IJRP

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As popularly believed by many global leaders and eminent economists, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of an economy, but still, at times, they lack the opportunity of raising funds conventionally for their operations and different projects (Otman, 2021;Soomro et al, 2018). Since the credit crunch a decade ago, a wide range of novel instruments using artificial intelligence technologies and online channels have primarily driven the development of the alternative finance sector (Yasar, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulatory framework on governing equity crowdfunding: a systematic literature review and future directions

Gupta,

Singh,

Ghosh

et al. 2024

JFRC

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyse and compare equity crowdfunding (ECF) regulations across 26 countries, shedding light on the diverse regulatory frameworks, investor and issuer limits and the evolution of ECF globally. By addressing this research gap and providing consolidated insights, the study aims to inform policymakers, researchers and entrepreneurs about the regulatory landscape of ECF, fostering a deeper understanding of its potential and challenges in various economies. Ultimately, the study contributes to the advancement of ECF as an alternative financing method for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups, empowering them to access much-needed capital for growth. Design/methodology/approach The study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model for a systematic literature review on global ECF regulations. Starting with 74 initial articles from Web of Sciences and Scopus databases, duplicates were removed and language criteria applied, leaving 42 articles. After a thorough full-text screening, 20 articles were excluded, resulting in the review of 22 papers from 2016 to 2022. PRISMA’s structured framework enhances the quality of systematic reviews, ensuring transparency and accessibility of findings for various stakeholders, including researchers, practitioners and policymakers, in the field of ECF regulations. Findings This study examines ECF regulations across various countries. Notably, the UK has advanced regulations, while the USA adopted them later through the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act. Canada regulates at the provincial level. Malaysia and China were early adopters in Asia, but Hong Kong, Japan, Israel and India have bans. Turkey introduced regulations in 2019. New Zealand and Australia enacted laws, with Australia referring to it as “crowd-sourced equity funding”. Italy, Austria, France, Germany and Belgium have established regulations in Europe. These regulations vary in investor and issuer limits, disclosure requirements and anti-corruption measures, impacting the growth of ECF markets. Research limitations/implications This study’s findings underscore the diverse regulatory landscape governing ECF worldwide. It reveals that regulatory approaches vary from liberal to protectionist, reflecting each country’s unique economic and political context. The implications of this research highlight the need for cross-country analysis to inform practical implementation and the effectiveness of emerging ECF ecosystems. This knowledge can inspire regulatory adjustments, support startups and foster entrepreneurial growth in emerging economies, ultimately reshaping early-stage funding for new-age startups and SMEs on a global scale. Originality/value This study’s originality lies in its comprehensive analysis of ECF regulations across 26 diverse countries, shedding light on the intricate interplay between regulatory frameworks and a nation’s political-economic landscape. By delving into the nuanced variations in investor limits, investment types and regulatory strategies, it unveils the multifaceted nature of ECF regulation globally. Furthermore, this research adds value by comparing divergent perspectives on investment constraints and offering an understanding of their impact on ECF efficacy. Ultimately, the study’s unique contribution lies in its potential to inform practical implementation, shape legislative frameworks and catalyse entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging economies, propelling the evolution of early-stage funding practices.

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Does Supply Chain Resilience Mediate the Relationship Between CRM Dimensions and Customer Satisfaction?

Alsmairat,

Hussain,

AlOqool

et al. 2024

FIIB Business Review

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Supply chain (SC) disruptions are increasingly common in today’s dynamic business environment, and understanding the effectiveness of customer relationship management (CRM) practices in achieving customer satisfaction through supply chain resilience (SCR) can provide valuable insights for businesses. This study aims to empirically examine the impact of CRM dimensions and SCR on customer satisfaction. It also examined the mediation role of SCR between different dimensions of CRM and customer satisfaction. A total of 529 responses were collected from different customers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle Eastern region. For empirical analysis, this study employed structural equation modelling through PLS software. The results clearly show a significant direct influence of SCR, customer orientation and knowledge management on customer satisfaction, while surprisingly technology-based CRM does not influence customer satisfaction. Further, the outcomes of this study indicate that there is a significant mediation role of SCR between CRM practices (knowledge management, technology-based CRM) and customer satisfaction. The findings of this study can have important ramifications for managers, stakeholders and policymakers regarding the significance of CRM dimensions and SCR as factors that increase customer satisfaction in Middle Eastern businesses in particular and in developing nations in general.

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Small and Medium Enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Cited by 4 publications

References 39 publications

Impact of SMEs’ financial reporting practices on their creditworthiness in Zimbabwe.

Impact of SMEs’ financial reporting practices on their creditworthiness in Zimbabwe.

Regulatory framework on governing equity crowdfunding: a systematic literature review and future directions

Does Supply Chain Resilience Mediate the Relationship Between CRM Dimensions and Customer Satisfaction?

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