Meaningfulness for creation of growth in Small- and Medium-sized enterprises

The research in this paper reveals how meaningfulness of growth can be created in Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The research is conducted in a four-year period with 24 SMEs participating from different industry branches. The research is now in the late part of the 3rd. year starting in 2013 and finished January 2017. Preliminary findings are revealed and have been discussed with the participating SMEs.
Important antecedent tensions are present in all SMEs on historical capabilities and the freedom to pursue new ideas as very important for the creation of meaningfulness for utilizing growth opportunities. The creation of cognitive cultural meaningfulness regarding development of organisational and managerial capabilities, development of the business model and development of the financial parameters provides prioritisation of activities to the SME managers. However, these antecedents create tensions to overcome, which takes time. Additionally the daily operations tend to get more awareness on behalf on the more long-term development of innovation and growth. The meaningfulness created therefore has to be robust to get enough prioritisation to pursue the new ideas for innovation and growth in the SMEs.