May 2013 Issue (VOL 14, NO 2)
69 Small firm survival and innovation: an evolutionary approach
81 Innovation in small-scale retailing: a future research agenda
95 Exploring SME advice and training needs for 95 entrepreneurial rural firms
103 University–industry collaboration in Turkish SMEs: investigation of a U-shaped relationship
117 Enacted experiences: analysing drama in entrepreneurial 117 training
129 INTERNET REVIEW: The importance of innovation and design
130 BOOK REVIEWS
- Dafna Kariv, Entrepreneurship: an International Introduction
- (reviewed by John Lonsdale)
- T. Andersson and A. Djeflat, eds, The Real Issues of the Middle East and the Arab Spring: Addressing Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- (reviewed by Abeer Hassan)
- R. Blackburn and M. Schaper, eds, Government, SMEs and Entrepreneurship Development: Policy, Practice and Challenges
- (reviewed by Mike Danson)
Title: Small firm survival and innovation: an evolutionary approach
Abstract: This paper explores ‘evolution’ as a means of complementing our understanding and interpretation of creative innovation networks in small firms. The abstracted evolutionary mechanisms of variation, selection and retention (VSR) are employed to add a more dynamic interpretative framework to the reading of social networks and group structures. The paper thus presents a lens through which to appreciate creativity as an evolving and shared process. The principal aim of this research is to illustrate otherwise tacit informal relations within a small business through the application of a qualitative approach to social network analysis (SNA) and, in doing so, to present intra-firm relations as central to creativity and innovation – particularly as the organizational structure moves beyond the dominance of the founding entrepreneur.
Title: Innovation in small-scale retailing: a future research agenda
Abstract: For small retailers facing significant challenges it can be argued that, in light of their restricted resources, innovation is critical for business development and competitive advantage. However, there has been a lack of research into the potential for innovation in small retailing and the types of innovative activity that can be applied. This conceptual paper uses key themes from various literature bases, including small retailing, small business innovation, services and retail innovation, to provide a future research agenda for small retailer innovation.
Title: Exploring SME advice and training needs for 95 entrepreneurial rural firms
Abstract: This paper reports on two studies carried out to investigate business support needs in the rural south-east and south-west of the UK West Midlands region. The researchers surveyed a sample of 494 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to provide support for better decision making by regional providers of training and advice in identifying the needs of these firms. The overall findings suggest that rural areas need to be seen within their own contexts and that support requires differentiation to meet specific needs, particularly where there is evidence of curtailed innovation. More detailed research into innovation across rural areas might identify reasons for emerging trends and explain why some rural areas are more entrepreneurial than others. The study findings revealed that innovation was evident in one-third of the businesses, with growth likely to be given the right support, although there was evidence of greater levels of entrepreneurial behaviour in the area with more immigrants and a better transport infrastructure.
Title: University–industry collaboration in Turkish SMEs: investigation of a U-shaped relationship
Abstract: University–industry collaboration and innovation are popular topics in emerging countries. Although the main premise is that such collaboration and innovation increase firm performance, the empirical evidence is inconclusive. Drawing on a sample of 79 Turkish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the authors find negative direct effects of innovation-based strategy and university collaboration on the profit growth of firms. However, where there is fierce market competition, they find that an innovation-based strategy increases profit growth and that collaboration with universities needs to exceed a certain level before the benefits are manifested in profit growth. These results contribute to the debate on the role of innovation and university collaboration in the profit growth of SMEs in emerging countries. For managers, the implications are that an innovation-based strategy is important in competitive markets in emerging countries, and that university collaboration needs to be taken more seriously and must involve higher levels of effort and commitment if benefits are to emerge; otherwise, companies may decide against working with universities.
Title: Enacted experiences: analysing drama in entrepreneurial 117 training
Abstract: This paper identifies and interprets enacted experiences in drama workshops organized as part of an entrepreneurship training programme. The authors argue that drama is an effective tool in entrepreneurship training offered to practising entrepreneurs. Drama exercises, by providing ‘enacted’ experience, can contribute to creating, reinforcing or complementing different forms of entrepreneurial experience. The results are encouraging for those who advocate using drama in training programmes for entrepreneurs. Drama sessions provide powerful experiences that might otherwise be out of reach of the participant. The paper contributes to the entrepreneurship training and entrepreneurial learning literatures by showing how enacted experience in drama workshops is a form of experience that, together with mastery, vicarious and social experience (Erikson, 2003), is connected to entrepreneurship development. Methodologically, the paper illustrates how visual material can be applied in research.
Title: Internet review: The importance of innovation and design
Abstract: ‘Internet Review’ provides critical commentaries on Web-based information on entrepreneurship, small business and innovation.
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