Speaking Up : Stories of Growth in Small and Medium Enterprises in New Zealand

This research developed from an interest in undertaking a study that would contribute to answering one of the pivotal questions facing those responsible for economic development in New Zealand today. What are the key 'transitions' (or decision points) that firms encounter as they attempt to grow? In the context of this overall aim, our specific focus was on providing answers to the following questions: 1. How does the experience of New Zealand SMEs relate to the 'business life-cycle' model? 2. What are the points at which firms are forced to make decisions about key 'transitions' between one phase and another (i.e. between establishment and growth)? 3. What suggestions do we have for external organisations (e.g. government agencies and/or industry bodies) in terms of assisting New Zealand firms to minimise the difficulties inherent in successful transitions? As described below, we attempted to answer these questions by examining the business 'life-cycle' of the firms that we visited and by exploring the responses of their owners to questions about growth and development