Competitive Strategies for Small and Medium Enterprises

This bookis a timely guide for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) researchers, policymakers and strategists. SMEs are the most important sources of job creation andlocal development especially in knowledge-based economies. As turbulence in theglobalized economies expands SMEs will have to learn to sustain competitivenessby developing their dynamic capabilities . Based on the findings of a 4-yearEuropean and Latin American research project, this book provides a theoreticalframework, practical instruments and cases on how SMEs in diverse economic,social and cultural contexts can develop crisis resilience, increase agility,innovate and thus successfully compete in turbulent times.

This book is a timely guide for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) researchers, policy makers and strategists. SMEs are the most important sources of job creation and local development especially in knowledge-based economies. As turbulence in the globalized economies expands SMEs will have to learn to sustain competitiveness by developing their ‘dynamic capabilities’. Based on the findings of a 4-year European and Latin American research project, this book provides a theoretical framework, practical instruments and cases on how SMEs in diverse economic, social and cultural contexts can develop crisis resilience, increase agility, innovate and thus successfully compete in turbulent times.

Introduction: what is a “dynamic SME”.- Dynamic capabilities and organizational resilience in turbulent environments.- Case 1: Xenon automation technology – cutting edge competence as competitive strategy.- Culture for organizational learning in turbulent environments.- The innovation triple challenge: a creativity check for SMES.- Intellectual capital as a strategic model to create innovation in new technology based firms.- An analysis of micro and small enterprises growth: an application of the management excellence model (MEG).- Case 2: KST turbine components - “Qualiyspeedservice” as competitive strategy.- Argentina: a chronically variable socio-economic environment for SMES.- Surviving and competing in times of crisis – cases of strategies by Argentine SMES.- Learning to cope with turbulent situations a study of owner – Managers in Argentine SMES.- SME vulnerability analysis: a tool for business continuity.- Knowledge risk management in turbulent times.- Knowledge management toolsfor SMES.- Learning to grow – A methodology to sustain growth capapilities of SMES.- Case 3: Herradep - a double and intelligent strategy to grow: improving worker knowledge and competences through self-managed short term projects.- How Brazilian textile enterprises learn to grow.- Virtual enterprises: strengthening SMES competitiveness via flexible businesses alliances.