The purpose of this paper is to analyse the expectations of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) regarding the value of the advice provided by banks in the light of new regulations in the field. The study started with 60 in-depth interviews with bankers and entrepreneurs in a small municipality in Sweden. After the interviews, a postal survey was sent to 476 SME clients of a bank. The relationship between the bank and the SMEs was divided into two dimensions: the functional quality (with which the SMEs were very satisfied) and a technical quality (which received poor ratings from the SMEs). Overall, the corporate customers were quite satisfied with the bank, owing to low expectations in the first place. The study has relevance for regulatory authorities and banks in examining the customer satisfaction among SMEs. Furthermore, the paper provides a framework for understanding why banks can achieve high customer satisfaction despite the continuous criticism of the advice provided by banks.
The discussion on growth (see Storey, 1997) and control aversion (Cressy, 1995; Chittenden et al., 1996; Cressy and Olofsson, 1996) in small and medium sized firms has been attracting an increasing amount of attention. Our purpose in this article is to identify under what circumstances small and medium sized firms are prepared to accept outside control in the business firm in order to grow. In the article it is argued that technology development, financial strength, size and perceived need to grow, change firms attitudes towards external financiers. The change in attitude towards more openness eventually leads to an actual behaviour where the principals choose to apply for external finance in the form of bank loans. A linear structural equation modelling program, LISREL, is used to analyse a sample of 281 Swedish firms. The firms all have less than 200 employees, and the sample includes both manufacturing and service firms.
In this paper we describe and analyse the development of the Swedish venture capital industryand its syndication pattern during the years 1996–2004. These nine years can be divided intothree different stages in the business cycle. The period from 1996-1998 is considered to be aperiod of moderate growth, where the Swedish economy and capital market was stillrecovering from the crisis in the early 1990s. The level of investment and syndication wasrelatively low in comparison with the following years and the primary reason for syndicationwas that of sharing risks. In the overheated Swedish economy between 1999 and 2001 supplyof capital to early stage investments were plentiful and new venture capital firms entered themarket every month. Since capital was plentiful the investors was in constant search for newventures to invest in which made it easy for venture capitalists to find syndication partners fortheir second round financing at a good valuation. After the drastic downturn in the venturecapital industry in 2001 the level of investments was relatively low during 2002–2004. In all,the total number of investment during the period 2002–2004 was lower than during 2001.Furthermore, the investments during this period were to a large extent in the form ofsyndication. During the shake out period, the survivors of the industry were more prone to do first round syndications again. The sharing of monitoring costs and risk sharing were the mostcommon reasons for syndication in this period.
This paper analyzes how different stages of the business cycle influence of level of control aversion displayed by entrepreneurs and how a changing economic climate affects financial search activity among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By using empirical data from three postal surveys, we analyze the financial search behavior of SMEs in Sweden of a ten-year period, 1991-200. We use a cluster analysis based on the level of control aversion displayed by the entrepreneurs and arrive at a four-cluster solution. The results show that when the economy turns downward, entrepreneurs are forced to become more active in searching for additional sources of finance. When the economy recovers, the control-averse entrepreneurs reduce their efforts in trying to obtain external financing. We also find that SMEs in rural areas have greater difficulties in attracting external financing than do SMEs in metropolitan areas.
It might not be possible to generalize this study to other settings because it is based on the Swedish cultural and legal context. Nevertheless, we believe that the situation faced by entrepreneurs in different stages of the business cycle is fundamentally the same, irrespective of context. This study provides evidence that policymakers need to take into account the comparative advantages and roles of various financiers in the financial infrastructure surrounding SMEs. This paper fulfills an important role in analyzing the effect of a changing economic climate on the level of control aversion among entrepreneurs.
In this paper the authors argue that for the development of SME’s, the learning process is instrumental for an open approach towards external financiers, including new owners. The analysis shows that firms learn to handle control aversion step by step, as they gain competence and experience through their relationship with external financiers. In this paper a linear structural equation modelling program, Lisrel, is used to analyze a sample of 281 firms (out of an original sample of 545 firms, yielding a response rate of 51.2 percent). The firms have less than 200 employees, and the sample includes both manufacturing and service firms. The questionnaire includes both attitudinal and factual aspects of control aversion and financing.
Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to analyse the financial search behaviour of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in different regions and the perceived importance of different external financiers for these firms. Design/methodology/approach: A postal survey targeting the chief executive officers (CEOs) of 459 SMEs was distributed indifferent regions of Sweden. Findings: Large differences exist in the financial search behaviour exhibited by firms in the four different types of regions. In the metropolitan areas, firms are more active in searching for new owners, especially professional investors. In smaller municipalities, banks dominate as the most important financier. Research limitations/implications: The study might not be generalised for other settings because it was carried out in Sweden. Furthermore, the regional types used might cause some concern as to whether the findings can be generalised. Practical implications: Thestudy provides evidence that policies need to be tailor-made for different regionsbecause the predominant type of financier differs greatly between regions. The findings also emphasise the need for policymakers to focus on equity gap issues in regionalcentres. Originality/value: The paper fulfils an important role in elaborating on the use and importance of different types of financing in various regions.
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role of social capital and bridgingnetworks on entrepreneurial activity in three different regions in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical base of the paper comprises 120 in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in three municipalities in Sweden, statistical data from Statistics Sweden and a large postal survey conducted by theConfederation of Swedish Enterprises. Findings: The bridging networks between localcivil servants and local politicians on the one hand and entrepreneurs on the other are pivotal for the development of an entrepreneurial community. Research limitations/implications: Despite the same rational-legal framework, this paper shows how the cognitive dimension of social capital influences the level of entrepreneurship in three municipalities. The importance of bridging networks is also highlighted. Practical implications: An open channel of communication between politicians and entrepreneurs allows the former to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the latter. By widening the network, more actors are involved in local and regional development, thereby raising the level of competence and resources. Originality/value: Using three different sets of data, this paper offers a deeper understanding into the complex nature of bridging networks between politics and business.
Business angels are very important for the growth and development of start–ups as they contribute much needed capital and competence to these firms. During the past decades the formation and growth of Business Angel Networks (BANs) has become an increasingly common phenomenon and an important issue for policy–makers in most Western economies. In this paper, we follow the inception and development of three local BANs. The data in this paper come from in–depth interviews with the founders of the networks as well as bankers, civil servants, entrepreneurs and local politicians. The results indicate that capital alone will not guarantee success in a BAN rather it is a combination of the financial capital, human capital and social capital among the founding partners of the network.
Although a majority of all small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) need advice thepreparedness to accept advice among SMEs is often low. In what we call the formalinstitutionalized advice setting the SME owner finds him- or herself in a setting where thedispositions have been set before hand. In this system the main institutional context is that ofstandardization, formalized interaction and bureaucratic interaction processes. In this paperwe investigate how banks, as one of the actors belonging to the formal institutionalized advicesetting, are perceived as advisors by Swedish SMEs. The empirical material upon which ourhypotheses will be tested emanates from a survey targeting the CEOs of 1130 randomlysampled Swedish SMEs with up to 200 employees. A total of 343 surveys were returnedgiving a response rate of 30.4 percent. LISREL, which is a structural equation modelingmethod, was used to analyze the survey data. The findings indicate that the failure of banks,and other actors belonging to the formal institutionalized advice setting, in providing advicecan be found in the type of interaction they conduct with SMEs. These organizations areinstitutionalized in a way that does not correspond well to the type of behavior shown bySMEs. However, these actors have the potential to become better SME advisors. This couldbe achieved if the principles of non-standardization, non-formalization and personalresponsibility were to be advocated and followed by those in charge of SME interaction inthese organizations.
In this study we have used ordinal logictics regression to identify key factors affectingcustomer satisfaction. In particular, the aim is to clarify whether SME satisfaction with theirbank is mainly related to core organisational capabilities of banks or if there is a significantrelationship aspect that needs to be covered as well. In this study we found customersatisfaction to be related to organisational as well as to relational factors. Organisationalfactors such as the banks’ ability to provide financing at reasonble conditions and theperceived focus of the banks on their products were found to affect SMEs satisfaction. Onthe relational dimension we found that personal banking relationship and the perceivedfeeling of customers of being able to turn to their bank also in times of difficulties have apositive effect on SMEs satisfaction.
Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the technical and functional dimensions of service management on customer satisfaction in the bank-SME relationship. Design/methodology/approach - An ordinal logistic regression analysis is used to examine a total of 221 responses to a questionnaire distributed to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. Findings - Both the technical and the functional dimensions of service management were shown to correlate with customer satisfaction. Thus, SMEs seem to evaluate their banking relationship not only on the basis of the effectiveness and quality of banks' service outcomes but also on the care and manner in which the bankers deliver services. Research limitations/implications - The study shows that relationship variables, such as personal interaction is a strong determinant for customer satisfaction in the bank-SME relationship. Hence, there is a need for banks to focus training on understanding the issues of SMEs on a broader scale rather than solely on the sale of individual products. Originality/value - The study examines both the technical and functional dimensions of service management in the bank-SME relationship. Because most researchers treat ordinal scales as continuous variables, stronger conclusions can thus be drawn from the ordinal regression analysis performed here.
Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to investigate identity change in savings banks. The savings bank movement is gradually shifting from a residual culture of using the bank to promote savings, into a dominant culture closely resembling commercial banks. Design/methodology/approach - Theory draws on key research in the field of organisational change and corporate identity. A qualitative methodology is used to investigate a large portion of the savings banks movement in Sweden. Findings - The shift in culture is a result of decreasing values of original visions, a process of commercialising the savings bank idea and increasing chief executive officer (CEO) influence and professionalisation. Research limitations/implications - The results are primarily applicable for savings banks. Practical implications - The paper shows the ongoing changes in the savings bank community and the effects of these changes on critical stakeholders. In particular, the important role of CEOs in non-profit organisations is illustrated and discussed. Originality/value - Few studies focus on change in culture and the consequences for stakeholder relations. There is no prior study on savings banks and organisational change.
Business angels are far more important in promoting the growth of young knowledge-based entrepreneurial firms than any other private equity financiers (Mason and Harrison 2000; Aernoudt and Erikson 2002, Reynolds et al 2002). The encouragement of business angel investments is therefore a core issue for public policy. One of the key issues in business angel research is why individuals engage in business angel activities. Business angels are known to not only to focus on capital generation, as altruistic motives are important as is the general appreciation of aiding new entrepreneurs (Paul et al 2003). There is also a connection between business angel activity and the generation of local social capital. Business angel networks include successful entrepreneurs that engage in business angel networks for social capital purposes (Reitan and Sörheim 2000). These business angels often have a significant holding of local commercial real estate. This study is an in depth study of business angels and the role commercial real estate has on the willingness to become a business angel. The study adds to business angel research and real estate property research the perspective that for some business angel investors the business angel community enhances their possibilities to generate business for their commercial real estate properties. The study will use a combined business angel theory and social capital theory in order to conceptually investigate the connection between commercial real estate and business angel activity.
The purpose of the paper is to analyze how different dimensions of the relationship between banks and small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) influence the SMEs’ loyalty towards the banks. A survey was administered to 1024 CEOs of Swedish SMEs. In the questionnaire, a number of aspects of the relationship with the bank were examined, especially how banks contribute to the development of the SMEs, and how this affects the SMEs’ loyalty. This paper posits The Close Relationship Strategy, which implies that by being more active in the relationship, banks could create more satisfied and loyal SME customers. The study has relevance for banks that are trying to develop their corporate brands through a closer relationship with SMEs. The paper provides a framework for understanding how banks can achieve customer loyalty and develop their brands by focusing on important aspects of the relationship with their SME customers. This study provides important insights into SMEs’ perceptions of their banks’ capacity to deliver meaningful advice, and how a positive relationship can create more loyal customers.
Raising the level of investment readiness in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is seen as one of the most important strategies in public policy for promoting entrepreneurship and SME growth in Europe. This paper analyzes the impact of investment readiness on investor commitment and market accessibility in Swedish SMEs. The empirical base for the paper is a survey answered by 459 SME owners. We have analyzed the data using the lineaz structural relations (LISREL) method, a structural equation modeling technique. The analysis indicates that an increased level of investment readiness in SMEs results in closer working relationships with financiers and a higher level of commitment by the investors, which in turn leads to greater mazket accessibility for SMEs. This study supports public policy focused on programs that alleviate the problems associated with the lack of investment readiness in SMEs.
Purpose: This paper aims to emphasise the theory of adaptation in the analysis of banks' ability to meet the needs of their SME customers. This analysis involves examining the interaction process between the two parties, determining how the role of bankers is perceived and studying how banks as organisations function. Design/methodology/approach: In the study a total of 60 interviews are conducted, of which 45 are conducted with SME owners. For this specific study, data drawn from in depth interviews conducted with SME owners and with bankers are presented. Findings: The following main factors affect the adaptation process and can help explain the difficulties of banks to adapt to their SME customers: the lack of communication and contact in the interaction process, the lack of knowledge and competence of individual bankers as regards their customers' specific businesses and the centralised and standardised system that prevails within the banking organisation. Also, in this study it is found that the organisational structure influences how individual bankers perceive themselves and their ability to adapt to the needs of SMEs, which in turn affects the individual bankers' adaptability when interacting with their SME customers. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, adaptation has not been examined in relation to the concepts of interaction, role and organisation, or within the banking industry