ABSTRACT

One of the most striking trends in economic development since the 1970s has been the rising importance of the small firm. Focusing on the issues of enterprise development and the regional dimensions of small-firm growth, this book explores the literature of this area. Moving from an analysis of measures of growth to the effects of both internal and external variables - arguing that the owner-manager has a key role in the growth performance of the firm - the authors explore regional disparities in, and constraints on, growth, and make significant advances in the policy debate on understanding how faster growth can be achieved.

chapter Chapter 1|6 pages

Introduction

chapter Chapter 2|10 pages

Small Firm Growth

Towards a Synthesis

chapter Chapter 3|15 pages

Methodology

chapter Chapter 4|22 pages

Entrepreneurial Attributes and Business Strategy Influences on Company Growth

Quantitative Results

chapter Chapter 5|23 pages

Explanations of Variations in Growth

The Owner-manager

chapter Chapter 6|22 pages

Explanations of Variations in Growth

Business Strategy

chapter Chapter 7|27 pages

Regional Disparities in Small Firm Growth

chapter Chapter 8|11 pages

Constraints to Small Firm Growth

chapter Chapter 9|8 pages

Conclusion