The SME Authority in Developed Countries and in Saudi Arabia - Annotated Bibliography Example

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY By 7th, September, Annotated Bibliography capitas groupinternational n.d., Importance of an SME Authority for Saudi Arabia, [Online] Available at: http://www.capitasgroupintl.com/Commentaries/Commentary_ImprotanceSME_KSA.pdf [Accessed 25 Jan 2013]. The article aims at demonstrating the need for launching of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Authority in Saudi Arabia. The article is based on the findings of a research by capitas groupinternational (n.d.), which showed that SMS comprise 90% of all businesses in Saudi Arabia. However, they only contribute 33 percent to the country’s GDP. The proposal is supported by findings that SMEs in developed countries, where SME authority exist, contribute a higher percentage towards GDP. The article points out how lack of SME authority has affected SMEs in Saudi Arabia. The major effect has been lack of support services and financing programs, which has led to the poor performance of SMEs in Saudi Arabia. The article is relevant to my study since it demonstrates the importance of SME Authority in order to establish order in the SME sector and increase their contribution to the Saudi Arabian economy. The article is based on finding from various countries where establishment of SME Authority have enhanced the role of SMEs. The proposal is credible since the article provides enough evidence on the role of SME Authorities have played in developed and emerging countries in Asia and Europe. However, the article is limited since the author does not acknowledge the resources used in establishing the credibility of the findings. Howard, B 2008, Big in Smalls: Howard Bryant FCMA Helped to Turn a Tiny Dot-Com into the Worlds Largest Online Seller of Branded Underwear. He Explains Why an SME Is a Tougher Test of Professional Mettle Than a Multinational, Financial Management (UK) , July-August, Available at: http://www.questia.com/library/1G1-184538268/big-in-smalls-howard-bryant-fcma-helped-to-turn-a. The aim of the article is to outline challenges facing SMEs and how CIMA, an institute in UK that trains graduates in the field of business, can enhance its programs to equip the graduates with relevant skills to serve the SME sector effectively. The article involves a systematic analysis of factors that hinder SME performance and proposes the skills CIMA students would require in solving various challenges. The sturdy supported by findings that exposure of finance and accounting students to work in SMEs enables them gain wider breadth competence in business. The article is relevant to my study since it establishes to challenges facing SMEs and the role of professionals in the field of finance and accounting in resolving these challenges. The article makes use of statistics from reliable organizations such as Office of National statistics in UK and is thus credible. Moreover, Howard Bryant, who authored the article, is a finance director and consultant in the area of finance and the findings are believable. Possible limitation is that the article is based on findings from SME sector in UK and some findings might not apply to Saudi Arabia. Fu, Y.-K 2011, Marketing activities management in SMEs: An Exploratory Sudy, Human Systems Management, Volume 30, DOI 10.3233/HSM-2010-0743, pp. 155-166. The article aims to establish and compare the tendency of national-level and regional level sales managers to engage in the eight marketing activities management systems. A survey was conducted using questionnaires devised to measure the participation of sale managers in marketing activities. The study supported findings by Siu (2002), whose study found that sales managers play a crucial role in determining the performance of SMEs. Moreover, Siu (2002) found out that findings regarding SME practices and performance are region specific and there is thus need for adoption of contingency approach. The article is relevant to my study since it focused on marketing activities in Eastern business environments where Saudi Arabia is found. Therefore, the research findings are applicable to my study. The article findings are credible since the article is based on vast literature review regarding influence of hierarchical level of sales management in determining SME performance. Moreover, the author is an expert in the field of administration hence capable of understanding managerial implications on SMEs performance. Possible limitation of the study was the small sample since the study was based on 179 responses. The sample is thus not representative considering that the study was supposed to represent the SMEs in entire Eastern region. Moreover, the questionnaires were self-addressed, which could have resulted in biasness. Shalaby, N 2004, SMEs Development In Saudi Arabia, [Online] Available at: http://www.nabil-shalaby.com/ArticlesEN/SMEs%20DEVELOPMENT%20IN%20SAUDI%20ARABIA.pdf [Accessed 25 Jan 2013]. Shalaby’s (2004) article aims at demonstrating how creation of SME authority by the Saudi Arabian government can enhance performance of SMEs. The article posits that there is need for a legal framework that can support programs for SMEs, which can be established under the Umbrella of Ministry of Trade and Industry. The article lists numerous organizations that are working towards enhancing SME performance in Saudi Arabia. Such organizations include SMEDEC and EPCCI. The proposal was supported by various challenges that have arisen as SMEDEC attempts to promote entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, a national committee formed by the government showed that the number of SMEs is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia requiring a regulatory authority. The article is relevant to my study since it outlines the various requirements for improved performance of SMEs in Saudi Arabia. The article is based on the findings by SMEDEC, which have shown the requirements for SME development. The findings are thus believable since SMEDEC deals with expert in the SME sector and has conducted several studies to establish the needs of the experts and SMEs in general. Possible limitation is the lack of focus on any specific study. The article is general and only gives an overview of the research problem. Otsuki, M 2002, SMEs Supporting Systems in Saudi Arabia, [Online] Available at: http://uqu.edu.sa/files2/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/4150111/fourm/SME%20Development%20in%20Saudi%20Arabia.pdf [Accessed 25 Jan 2013]. The article aims at addressing the role of SME in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the article highlights how SME performance can be enhanced through SMEs support systems. Moreover, the article includes a proposal that demonstrates how SME can be established and the roles it would be required to play. The article is based on the author’s research on the current SME situation in Saudi Arabia. The report is supported by concrete statistics on the increasing need for SME improvement to meet the employment needs of the rapid growing population in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the article highlights the various contributions of SMEs in Saudi Arabia. By using statistical evidence, the article demonstrates that SMEs in Saudi Arabia are underperforming irrespective of SME being the major component of industrial sector. Although the article is not based on any specific study, it is relevant to my study since it links the underperformance of SMEs in Saudi Arabia to the lack of SME authority. Otsuki (2002) bases the article on a presentation on the role of SMEs in Saudi Arabia economy, current SME situation, and proposal for SME support system in Saudi Arabia. The limitation of the article is the failure of the author to acknowledge the sources from which the various statistics and other information were obtain. Pfiester, E 2010, Boosting Small and Medium Enterprises in Saudi Arabia, Saudi-US Relations Information Service , 1 Dec, Available at: http://www.susris.com/2010/12/04/boosting-small-and-medium-enterprises-in-saudi-arabia/. Pfiester’s (2010) article is based on a speech by Dr. Muhammad Al-Jasser’s, the Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency in a symposium that was organized by the Institute of Banking. The symposium aimed at addressing the role of small and medium sized enterprises in Saudi economy, the challenges they face in their growth, and measures that Saudi Arabia has put in place to ensure proper funding of the SMEs. Although the article does not focus much on the importance of SME authority in regulation of SMEs, it establishes the significant role of SMEs in Saudi Arabian economy. Moreover, it highlights the factors that have led to reduce contribution of SME in accelerating economic and social development in Saudi Arabia. The article is based on findings by research firms such as National US-Arab Chamber for Commerce’s Tradeline, SUSRIS report, Arab News, and A New Beginning- The Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship. The above organizations acknowledged the need for SME support and suggested the need for increased funding to SMEs to enhance their role in economic development. The article is credible since it is based on findings from various reliable organizations. Moreover, the author the speech is based on findings from the governor of SAMA who has great expert in research and has worked with various organizations dealing with SME. Possible limitation of the article is that it is based on a speech, which is likely to include personal opinions that may be biased. Read More