The Geography of ‘Successful’ Small Firms in the United Kingdom

1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 1499-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
C M Mason
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
The United Kingdom

Mature SMEs and Technological Innovation: Entrepreneurial Networks in the United Kingdom and Portugal

1997 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 201-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oswald Jones ◽  
Carlos Cabral Cardoso ◽  
Martin Beckinsale
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Cultural Environment ◽  
Entrepreneurial Networks ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Innovative Capacity

This research examines the links between national culture, entrepreneurship, networks and innovation. Both networking and entrepreneurship are seen as central to the innovative capacity of smaller firms. At the same time, the cultural environment in which such firms operate will influence the ability of entrepreneurs to develop new products and processes. We consider these problems by examining five SMEs in the United Kingdom (UK) and five in Portugal. All 10 companies are manufacturing-based and operate in "traditional" (low-technology) sectors. The case studies are utilised as a means of identifying the problems confronting owner/managers in such companies as they try to access newer technologies. We conclude that Portuguese managers are less likely to have been exposed to management education and tend to place greater reliance on family members for creating networks. Hence the options for innovation tend to be much narrower than small firms in the UK.

Regional Patterns of Small Firm Development in the Business Services: Evidence from the United Kingdom

1993 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 677-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
P A Wood ◽  
J Bryson ◽  
D Keeble
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Business Services ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Interregional Trade ◽  
North West ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Management Consultancy

The growth of business services in the United Kingdom during the 1980s is reviewed, and especially the role of small firms. Reports the results of an intensive questionnaire survey, undertaken in 1991, of a sample of small management consultancy and market research companies in three areas; inner London, the outer south east, and north west England. In interpreting the demand and supply characteristics of these firms, emphasis is placed on their interactions with the internal labour market strategies of predominantly large client organisations. Generally, the sample firms offer consultancy and marketing expertise which such clients do not provide from their own skill resources. Their founders were also often originally employees of such organisations, especially outside London. Regional economic and social characteristics mould the activities of these firms, even though many engage in a significant degree of interregional trade. The markets served, types of specialisation, the originating process, and the ages of founders show marked differences between the two sectors and the three areas.

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