Purpose – Firm growth in industry clusters is a complex issue. On the one hand, industrial clusters can promote firm growth. On the other hand, they can restrict the growth of a firm in some aspects. Their various effects have to be analyzed in detail. The purpose of this paper is to examine...

Purpose – Small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) have long been the main carrier of technology innovation and technology transformation in China, and the main force of technological innovation. The “Twelfth Five‐Year” plan puts forward the necessity of stimulating SMEs' innovation...

Purpose – This article aims to present an overview of the historical development and current status of Chinese small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) examine major political initiatives contributing to SMEs' development and draw out some experience from SME development practices in China....

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the patterns of and reasons for regional differences in entrepreneurship among Chinese provinces (excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan). Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a linear regression model to examine determinants of regional...

Purpose – This study aims to examine the design of effective support systems for micro‐, small‐ and medium‐sized enterprise (MSME) development at the local and regional level in China. Design/methodology/approach – The paper calls on the experience of China, in fostering the fastest...

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the development and implementation of enterprise policy in China, and the emergence of intermediaries and local strategies designed to encourage SME development. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on interviews and workshops held with local...

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to assess the state of the business development services (BDS) market in Chengdu, with a view to identifying demand and/or supply side deficiencies, which public policy might help to address. Design/methodology/approach – The data are drawn from two...