Conference on high growth firms and regional economic development. ‘Gazelles and Regional Development: Growth Trajectories, Determinants and Spatial Implications’

Thematic issues: • Classifications of corporate growth and growth discontinuities • Key characteristics of high growth firms (entry modes, founder background, corporate strategy, skills utilisation, capital structure and so on) • The spatial distribution of high growth firms • Growth differences between firms by mode of entry (university spin-offs, corporate spin-outs, corporate venture, new start-up and so on) • High growth firms and exit – failure and acquisition • The role of innovation in shaping high growth firms • The financing of high growth firms • High growth firms and clusters • The role of high growth firms in regional development • The role of public policy in developing and promoting high growth firms • International comparisons of high growth firms