Discusses the phenomena of strategic windows and entrapment. Develops Abell′s (1983) notion of strategic windows in arguing that where an enterprise has overlapping strategic windows it can shift its attention to a different window when one window starts to close. This makes it easier for the...

This paper explores the underlying principles on which effective model building can be explained in fast‐moving environments through an examination of qualities that govern the effectiveness of businesses and are shared by models that represent them. By studying a number of generic and...

Presents a number of papers from the Performance Measurement Association conference held in July 2002. Reveals that all the papers investigate developments in the field of performance measurement and management since the Kaplan and Norton Balanced Scorecard was first introduced.

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the question of confidence in entrepreneurship, and the impact confidence has on key tasks in the venture development process. Design/methodology/approach – Propositions about the relationship between key elements of confidence (optimism and...

Purpose – This paper considers Drucker's “theory of the business” as a management concept applicable to the challenging of firm performance. The paper seeks to do this by using the theoretical framework developed by Drucker as a tool to apply to organisation planning. In addition the paper...

Purpose – This paper seeks to suggest that the responsible management of the growth process can prevent the organization from becoming “too big to fail”. Moreover, responsibly managing growth enhances the organizational propensity to experience healthy longevity....

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to introduce a comprehensive model explaining what affects the scope of the firm and also to find out its impact on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on an empirical analysis of a sample of 312 hardware...

Purpose – In this paper the authors aim to introduce a concept that they call the “entrepreneurial growth ceiling” (EGC). They develop arguments that new venture IPOs hit the EGC prior to their IPO, and the ceiling is part of the impetus for going public. The paper argues that proceeds...

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the planning strategies of female entrepreneurs who have indicated a desire to grow their businesses, the time horizons of planning strategies and the relationship between planning horizons and number of employees and annual sales as measures of business...

The importance of reviewing the opportunities for, and the barriers to, growth are examined. Ways of measuring growth are discussed, and five routes to business growth are outlined – market development, product and service innovation, investment in “capability”, business organisation and...