Purpose – There has been considerable discussion concerning the resource dependency theory of strategy but relatively little qualitative, empirical research has been conducted on the proposed models. Using the value chain as the conceptual framework, the research aims to show how...

Two common causes of failure in the UK SME sector are under‐capitalisation and poor financial management skills. In theory the objective of the banking and accountancy professions should be the provision of external advisory services that enhance the management of the financial aspects of the...

In the late 1980s, the Danish Technological Institute received funding to determine whether structured networking might offer a concept for promoting survival and growth among small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). To overcome the frequent absence of a large firm‐type hub in the SME...

The growing importance of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in high‐technology innovation and the importance of innovation in maintaining competitive advantage has been acknowledged. The possibilities of co‐operation between high‐technology SMEs as a mechanism for enhancing...

In both literature and policy documents, small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs) are being advised to form networks as a route for acquiring the knowledge required to survive in rapidly changing and/or highly competitive markets. There is, however, only limited anecdotal evidence of the...

United Kingdom employers in recently privatized and public sector organizations are relying heavily on management training as an intervention mechanism to increase employee productivity. A survey of south‐west organizations confirmed this increase in training activity. Managers, however, did...

1. A very uncertain world -- 2. Knowledge and competitive advantage -- 3. Strategic planning -- 4. Assessing external environments -- 5. Internal competence -- 6. Gap assessment -- 7. Issues, objectives and stakeholders -- 8. Strategy -- 9. Technology strategies -- 10. Knowledge, networks and...

Financially attractive markets -- Opportunity research -- Market assessment -- Internal capability -- Customer identification -- Strategy -- Innovation -- Promotion -- Pricing and distribution -- Health and beauty -- B2B marketing -- 21st Century 'Es'.