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.

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.