Introduction

The emergence of network approaches to business support policies can be traced to ‘softer’ measures concerning the provision of information and advice services to small and medium-sized enterprises. The evolution from a specific small business policy to more diffuse economic development, based on an implicit networked support approach, is best manifested by the role envisaged for Training and Enterprise Councils. Network concepts have evolved into important instruments for theorising and describing contemporary organisational relationships, in particular the linkages, exchanges and interaction that take place between firms. The ‘White Papers’ advocate economic development strategies, many of which were initially ‘piloted’ in peripheral areas, based on catalysing local networks that encourage partnerships between and among local firms and institutions. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.