This volume is part of a growing body of work that maps the evolution of high technology small firm research over almost a complete decade since 1993. Begun during a period of relative neglect of high technology small firms (HTSFs) during the early 1990s, the book series has witnessed, and perhaps played some part in creating, a resurgence of interest in this type and scale of enterprise in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe by the turn of the century. Throughout this period, specific interest within the high technology small firm study area has ebbed and flowed, with some rather obviously important issues (e.g. policy and finance) often to the fore, while new and resurrected areas of concern have also contributed to the research agenda. Perhaps the best example of resurrection has been the rebirth of interest in the subject of clustering (or agglomeration) as it applies to HTSFs, notably led by Michael Porter. This interest has extended, and put a new slant upon, work consistently well represented in these volumes on networking. This trend is evidenced by the presence of four papers in the concluding Part IV of this volume on "Clusters and Networks". Earlier themes comprise groups of papers on "Science Parks and University Spin offs" (Part II), and "Markets, Strategy and Globalization" (Part III). Both individually and in aggregate, this series of books on HTSF development and growth issues represents a "one stop shop" for all those seeking to gain a broad understanding of the evolution of HTSF research since 1993 by providing a record of the manner in which this research agenda has evolved over these years.

The quick recovery of Asian economies from the recent global recession can be partly attributed tothe effect of positive aggregate-demand externalitiesin their self-employment sectors, which are overwhelmingly large in these economies. This book undertakes a behavioural analysis of self-employing producers to lay a microeconomic foundation for this effect, particularly in cases where markets are not perfectly competitive, as is the case during aggregate economic contractions. Where some marketsare not perfectly competitive, the market prices and rates fail to be relevant and internal prices and rates are instead formed toaid theorganization of family firm and consumption choice. The effects of these externalitiesare explored in this volume; the authors undertake a detailed analysis of records of labour force surveys, national incomes and product accounts of selected economies.

Entrepreneurs who start out with no network, no money, no market and scarce resources find a big contrast between what they read in books and the success stories from the Valley and their reality, specially first-timers. Most entrepreneurial books focus on the Business Canvas Model, simplifying the process of building a start-up. Many entrepreneurs who have no previous business experience embrace quick and lean methods without the foundations needed to build solid value proposals. This book stands out because it deals with entrepreneurship in environments far removed from large cities with fewer infrastructures, connections and resources but which also need companies that provide services to citizens and society. This book focuses on the basics, treating each part of the business canvas as a discipline itself that must be mastered. The book illustrates key lessons learned and offers guidance on essential topics for new venture success in mainstream markets. It expands critical lessons learned and points of guidance across several key topics for new venture creation. Noteworthy is the role of context, financial understanding, building business development skills and start-up communications. Entrepreneurship for Rural Start-ups will be of interest to students, academics and researchers in the field of entrepreneurship, and will be of use to individuals looking to start a local business to take advantage of the rural environment and the possibilities it offers.

In this first new and totally revised edition of the 150,000-copy underground bestseller, The E-Myth, Michael Gerber dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way of running a business. Next, he walks you through the steps in the life of a business--from entrepreneurial infancy, through adolescent growing pains, to the mature entrepreneurial perspective, the guiding light of all businesses that succeed--and shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business, whether or not it is a franchise. Finally, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in. your business. After you have read The E-Myth Revisited, you will truly be able to grow your business in a predictable and productive way.

This new book discusses the extent to which the Japanese economy encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Although Japan has a strong reputation as an innovator, some people argue that this reputation is misplaced. Contrary to earlier expectations, the USA rather than Japan emerged as the leader in the biotech industries in the 1990s, and also many small firms in Japan supply only a few - or just one - other company, thereby limiting their view of the marketplace and the commercial opportunities within it. Despite the increase of international patents, international scientific citations and a positive technology trade balance, the Japanese innovation system is weak in giving birth to radical innovations.

The book explores fully these issues, making comparisons with other countries where appropriate. It concludes that the Japanese innovation system has both advantages and disadvantages and contributes to a better understanding of how policy changes take place.

* First new guide on franchising in over 10 years * Employs proprietary dataset for a research-backed and practical approach * Enables students to prepare their own feasibility analyses and growth strategies to enter this booming sector

This book provides a varied collection of recent research relating to small businesses in tourism. In doing so it reflects the eclecticism of interest and method associated with this under-researched and under-theorised area of investigation. Topics range from the potential contribution of small firms to achieving social or economic goals to understanding more about business performance and growth. As is common in tourism research, disciplinary boundaries are routinely transgressed in the interests of gaining greater illumination. Insights from a variety of countries are offered, sometimes as a result of trans-national collaboration initiated specifically for this book.

Do you want to be at the cutting edge of this dynamic and exciting subject? This text delivers the latest research, current thinking and practice, and looks at future trends, as well as covering new topics such as effectuation, entrepreneurial opportunities and habitual entrepreneurs'. This highly successful book provides a comprehensive introduction to entrepreneurship, enterprise and small business for the undergraduate and postgraduate student. With over 30 specialist contributors from academic institutions in the UK, Europe and the USA, this third edition - while building on the foundations of the first and second - has been extensively revised and updated.

***BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2022 SHORTLISTED TITLE*** Starting a business is one of the most exciting things you can do. It's also one of the most daunting. There's so much that can go right, and so much that can go wrong. That's why you need to understand and minimise the legal and commercial risks involved. When your new business is built on rock, you can relax in the knowledge that you won't lose access to life-changing opportunities or waste time and energy on fighting legal challenges. Instead, you're free to get on with what you do best - coming up with fresh ideas, finding ways to make them a reality, and selling your products or services to an ever-expanding customer base. This book makes the complicated aspects of start-up law simple. In everyday language, it walks you through the key legal and commercial considerations. Setting up your corporate structure for maximum advantage Discovering your risks and how to minimise them Finding out the best sources of investment Learning how to value your company Negotiating with investors for long-term success MICHAEL BUCKWORTH is a qualified solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, and the founder of Buckworths (www.buckworths.com), the only law firm in the UK working exclusively with start-ups and high-growth businesses. He has a passion for entrepreneurialism, and has advised countless start-ups over the last ten years. He's been 'entrepreneur in residence' at London South Bank University and University College, London, for several years, and is a regular speaker at industry events.

In this book, leading international scholars provide a timely reconsideration of how and why entrepreneurship matters for economic development, particularly in emerging and developing economies. The book critically dissects the evolving relationship between entrepreneurs and the state.

After nearly two decades of market liberalizing reforms in the Americas, small and medium size enterprises (SMEs)--the backbone of capitalization the world over--have expanded and deepened their presence in the region. This book highlights the continuing liberalization measures nations are adopting to facilitate SME creation and growth, the remaining barriers that have not yet been torn down (e.g. business licensing procedures, credit access, work rules) as well as new regulatory and financial impediments that have been threatening SME sector gains during the last decade. Using case studies from Latin America's big emerging markets along with the case of Costa Rica's important laboratory for entrepreneurship, the contributors address the current and prospective outlook for Latin American entrepreneurs and their enterprises in the new global environment.

First published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This book tackles a largely neglected topic: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their environmental impact. Over 90% of all firms are SMEs. Their importance to the health of national and international economies is recognized. But what of their environmental impact? Individually, this may be small but, collectively, they pose a huge and largely unregulated threat to national and indeed the global environment. There have been many failed attempts to engage SMEs in environmental stewardship. Why is this? And where are the success stories needed to set best-practice examples? Environmental protection is widely touted as being a win-win scenario for business with economic spin-offs in terms of energy and waste reduction quickly producing payback for capital expenditures. Why is the "good environmental management equals good business management" message not getting through? In Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Environment Dr Ruth Hillary brings together an outstanding international collection of experts from government, international and national support agencies, academics and the business community to present arguments about the key environmental business imperatives facing the small-firm sector. The book is divided into four sections:Attitudes and Perceptions of Small Firms to the Environment and SustainabilityEnvironmental Management in the Smaller FirmPractical Strategies for Reaching SMEsCase Studies from around the World. In these sections, the book examines the threats - such as trade, supply chain issues and legislative compliance - but is also solution-oriented, with considerable discussion of the management tools smaller firms can use to improve their environmental performance. It aims to provide practical strategies for smaller firms and to that end includes a range of informative case studies from around the world. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Environment is the most comprehensive book on the subject available and will prove invaluable not only to SMEs themselves, seeking to understand a rapidly changing world, but to consultants and small-business advisors, local and central government and to all those in academia looking for ways to improve the environmental performance of small businesses.

Looking at the needs of small businesses, this book takes you through all the aspects of Health and Safety management in a small business step-by-step. It takes a straightforward, practical approach to identifying, organising and managing Health, Safety and Fire risks in your business. Whatever your motivation for choosing this guide, it will provide a sound basis for establishing a system or approach that is relevant to the individual business concerned.

Practical Health and Safety Management for Small Businesses will help you to identify all the potential hazards, offering advice on how best to look after your employees and how to manage Health and Safety in your business. It has been produced as a direct result of recent research, based on discussions with Health and Safety Inspectors, the Fire Authorities, Insurance representatives, Health and Safety professionals, and of course, Small Businesses themselves. Taking into account the practical issues faced in small business units, this guide takes you through all the main aspects of managing fire, health and safety step-by-step.
Practical Health and Safety Management for Small Businesses will help you establish a system that you can maintain, add-to and keep up-to-date as official regulations and your needs change. It is NOT a legal textbook, but IS a practical guide on how to establish an approach to organising and managing these issues. While following this guide cannot guarantee that your business now fully complies with all the relevant legislation that applies to it, it does enable you to demonstrate to others that you have made a reasonable attempt at bringing all these different elements together in a structured, holistic way.
Full of practical advice sample Site Plans and Checklists, photographs and industry-specific sections, Practical Health and Safety Management for Small Businesses will prove an invaluable guide for all those involved in running smaller business units, as well as those offering support, advice or guidance to SMEs.
The author, Jacqueline Jeynes, has run her own small business for 13 years and has represented the concerns of UK small firms internationally for seven years, through the Federation of Small Businesses' Policy unit. She has appeared in 10 BBC TV programmes on health and safety in small firms and is currently a UK member of the Advisory Committee to the European Commission on Safety, Health and Hygiene.
This book takes a straightforward and practical approach to identifying, organising and managing Health and Safety in your business

This comprehensive book will ensure your business plan is robust enough to start, run or revitalise any business enterprise.

Whether your goal is raising start-up finance for a new business, requesting venture funding from a corporate parent or directing operational management, "The Definitive Business Plan" will help you deliver the information the decision-makers are really looking for.

Accessible to the newcomer and detailed enough for the experienced planner, the third edition of this international bestseller explains how to tailor a plan for specific readerships and meet specific objectives, helping you to focus your attention on strategic planning as well as on operational controls.

This new edition has been completely updated throughout.

***BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2022 SHORTLISTED TITLE*** Brand Yourself walks you through everything you need to know about creating a business brand, from brand strategy to picking out fonts, building your personal brand and affordable creative tips to make an impact with your business. Packed with practical exercises, examples and industry hacks and supported by an extensive interactive playbook online, this is the essential guide for business owners on a budget. Build a brand that stands out and that connects with the people you want to reach. Lucy Werner is founder of The Wern, a PR and branding consultancy, She is also author of the bestselling Hype Yourself and a publicity expert who is a speaker, lecturer and course creator. Hadrien Chatelet is the creative director of The Wern and leads the design arm of the business. He is also cofounder of Lucy's two children and they work together in their garden in east London. Together they have over 30 years' industry experience and have taught thousands of entrepreneurs how to stand out and find success.

Did you know eighty-five percent of family firms do not survive the third generation? Your Family, Inc.: Practical Tips for Building a Healthy Family Business will help the busy entrepreneur lower this drastic failure rate by providing great tips and practical advice for creating a successful and pleasant environment when working in the family business. Containing unique and valuable hints for building a better business, this book uses specific examples designed for different situations. Filled with suggestions and proven advice, this important guide offers important ideas on deciding which family members should control stock, who should first work in another company to gain experience, and how to determine which individuals should make business decisions, and much more. Your Family, Inc. offers you specific steps to help avoid common problems and pitfalls with such insightful tips as: recognizing the dangers of a family triangle to avoid any problems before they become detrimental to the company realizing the difference between being asked to respond as a family member--parent, daughter, uncle, or son--and when the problem relates to business developing strategies to keep the family firm accountable by developing a group of advisors that may include the corporate attorney, accountant, or CEOs of noncompeting industries making business decisions for the right reasons, and building consensus in the family to support the decisions creating criteria for future leadership in advance by recognizing the direction the industry is taking, the needs of the company and the values of the family From Your Family, Inc., you will discover how healthy families and healthy family firms develop practical decision-making processes which will endure for generations to come. This essential book provides you with practical information to help your family business improve family relations and to positively impact business now and for future generations.

A readable and structured guide for the increasing numbers of people each year who consider setting up a small business or becoming self-employed.
'Business Planning' outlines the options and risks involved in setting up a business. The importance of thorough planning is often overlooked and only becomes evident if the business fails. This is highlighted in a recent study by the SFEDI of 486 bankers and accountants where lack of planning was the most common reason cited as to why businesses fail. 'Business Planning' shows how to avoid this failure by focusing on the planning stage and building on this framework as the business develops.
This is the only book based around the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) for first time owner-managers. It contains all the underpinning factual information required to prepare and present a successful Business Plan for presentation to a bank manager, or an alternative potential source of finance, or for use in an NVQ portfolio. It is in line with the major syllabuses for Business Start-Up, and can be used as a course book for anyone completing a formal NVQ level 3 qualification in this area, with tips on NVQ structure and assessment.
Covers all the essential information for preparing a business plan for funding applications, or as part of an NVQ
Endorsed by Tony Robinson at SFEDI and designed around approved good practice in this area.
Written in clear English with practical examples and tips for assessment