Relative performance of SMEs: A case study of software firms in Islamabad/Rawalpindi regions

Rehman, Naqeeb Ur (2012) Relative performance of SMEs: A case study of software firms in Islamabad/Rawalpindi regions. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The resource based view of firms suggests that they should invest into intangible assets such as absorptive capacity, R&D, networks, human capital and internationalisation. In particular, SMEs require more investment in knowledge based assets (e.g., R&D, networks) for higher labour productivity growth. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the drivers of firm growth and their impact on firm labour productivity growth.

Previous studies were limited in scope in terms of analysis (i.e., at firm level) of the software industry. For data collection, owner-managers of software firms were face-to-face interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data were collected from two regions of Pakistan, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Information was gathered on variables such as firm size, age, firm innovation activities, business and management factors, exporting, inward/outward FDI and so forth. Prior estimation factor analysis is used to extract core information from Likert scale variables. Lastly, stepwise multiple regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between drivers of firm growth and labour productivity growth.

The regression analysis examined firm size, access to finance, internationalisation (exporting and outward FDI), business improvement methods and knowledge management have a positive impact on firm labour productivity growth. In comparison, R&D, absorptive capacity, shortage of skills generally have negative relationship to firm labour productivity growth. In summary, empirical findings emphasise the importance of knowledge based assets for higher firm labour productivity growth as a low level of R&D, lack of access to finance, poor absorptive capacity, high sunk costs (non recoverable) and skills shortage reduced the labour productivity growth of software firms.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Absorptive capacity, resource based view, SMEs, innovation
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General); H Social Sciences > HA Statistics; H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School
• Supervisor's Name: Harris, Prof. Richard I.D.
• Date of Award: 2012
• Depositing User: Mr NAQEEB UR REHMAN
• Unique ID: glathesis:2012-3697
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2012
• Last Modified: 05 Oct 2017 10:16
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/3697