Europe needs more innovative companies that grow quickly and end up big. This book examines SME growth, innovation and success, to suggest that fast growing firms could offer a major contribution to the recovery of a European economy. The contributors examine 11 case studies from Italian firms, breaking the book up into three parts: context, actors and strategy. The topics discussed include entrepreneurship and technological clusters, innovative start-ups and growth factors, and family firms as the incubators of new ventures. Students and scholars of entrepreneurship and other related disciplines will find this book to be of interest. It will also be of use to practitioners in the field, working with and alongside SMEs. Contributors include: S. Albertini, G. Antonelli, B. Balboni, A. Berni, S. Bonesso, G. Bortoluzzi, M. Brumana, D. Campagnolo, L. Cassia, A. Comacchio, S. Consiglio, F. Crisci, C.E. De Marco, C. Dossena, V. Finotto, A. Francesconi, D. Gamba, D. Giacomini, M. Gianecchini, P. Gubitta, M.P. Iacono, F. Izzo, G. Lauto, G. Magnani, M. Martine, B. Masiello, P.A.M. Mazzurana, T. Minola, C. Muzzi, A. Onetti, A. Piccaluga, A. Pisoni, D. Pittino, P. Pressiani, T. Pucci, M. Talaia, A. Tognazzo, A. Tracogna, F. Visintin, L. Zanni, A. Zucchella

There is much debate regarding which countries economies have the best economic systems to encourage economic growth and technological change. This book is a major contribution to this discussion, connecting the fields of corporate governance and finance with the field of innovation and technology and analysing the ways in which countries systems of corporate governance affect firms ability to meet the technological challenges of different sectors.

Tylecote and Visintin combine incisive analysis with empirical studies systems of corporate governance in the US, Europe, East Asia and China, demonstrating how these systems vary and how the demands on those who control and finance industry are changing. The authors argue that while certain types of system have worked for particular sectors, the technological revolution through which we are passing demands innovation in corporate governance and finance. Indeed, this book goes some way in challenging accepted views of best practise in corporate governance and finance, showing how structures and rules intended to advance shareholder value may undermine it by inhibiting technological change.

This book will be very interesting reading for students and researchers engaged with corporate governance and national business systems, as well as those interested in systems of innovation.

Winner of the 2010 Myrdal Prize There is much debate regarding which countries' economies have the best economic systems to encourage economic growth and technological change. This book is a major contribution to this discussion, connecting the fields of corporate governance and finance with the field of innovation and technology and analysing the ways in which countries' systems of corporate governance affect firms' ability to meet the technological challenges of different sectors. Tylecote and Visintin combine incisive analysis with empirical studies systems of corporate governance in the US, Europe, East Asia and China, demonstrating how these systems vary and how the demands on those who control and finance industry are changing. The authors argue that while certain types of system have worked for particular sectors, the technological revolution through which we are passing demands innovation in corporate governance and finance. Indeed, this book goes some way in challenging accepted views of best practise in corporate governance and finance, showing how structures and rules intended to advance 'shareholder value' may undermine it by inhibiting technological change. This book will be very interesting reading for students and researchers engaged with corporate governance and national business systems, as well as those interested in systems of innovation.