Charts an increase in the total stock of high technology firms over the 1987 to 1991 period in the UK, as well as the employment contribution of firms over the same period. Finds that total employment in high technology firms declined over this period. However, the employment contribution of...

Uses survey data to examine the nature of bank lending decisions at the local branch and regional office level. In doing so considers which firm and loan characteristics explicitly affect the nature of the lending contract. The results show the smallest firms, whose lending decisions are made at...

Explores whether there are any significant performance and ambitions differences between independent family and non‐family unquoted companies in the UK. To detect “real” performance and ambitions differences, rather than demographic “sample” differences between family and non‐family...

Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to detect the combination of factors associated with the provision of job‐related training provided by employers located throughout the United Kingdom. The efficacy of broad brush policy initiatives to encourage the provision of training in...

Purpose – The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the partner selection criteria reported by maritime firms in Norway. The study aims to analyze how a maritime firm's competitive advantage can be enhanced by the selection of the right partner with reference to a strategic alliance....

In 1990/91, survey responses were gathered from 621 independent businesses located in Great Britain. A follow‐on telephone survey was conducted with 150 surviving firms in 1997. This survey gathered information surrounding the propensity of firms to export their goods or services abroad as...

Speculative hypotheses relating to firm performance and company objective differences between first and multi‐generation family firms were tested. Bivariate differences were found to be spurious. Results from multivariate multiple regression and logistic regression analyses suggest that the...

This study explores whether there are differences between established “rural” and “urban” SMEs with regard to the decision to sell goods or services abroad. Several hypotheses were formulated and tested. In 1990/1991, survey responses were gathered from 621 independent businesses located...

Purpose – To evaluate the abilities, skills and expertise of undergraduates who participated in the UK‐based Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP) and their suitability for prospective employment in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – The...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the Medici Fellowship Scheme addressed attitudinal and resource barriers to the commercialisation of knowledge within five research‐intensive universities. The following research questions were explored: Did the Medici fellows change...