Purpose: Integrating network attributes from studies of social networks, business relationships and small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) internationalization, this study adopts a perceptual view of a firm’s focal “net” of relationships to examine foreign market entry mode choice. This...

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present qualitative evidence on strategies undertaken by 34 innovative small firms. Design/methodology/approach: The sample of innovative firms is solely recruited from the agri-business sector that are located in contrasting environments varying from...

The risk analysis of small business propositions is characterized by uncertainty and asymmetric information, producing problems of moral hazard and adverse selection for the banks and liquidity constraints for entrepreneurs. Decision making is based on information supplied and the application of...

This paper examines the role of trust in the process of learning and acquisition of knowledge by high technology entrepreneurs in their relationship with external directors. It examines the literature on organisational learning which showed the importance of social agency and trust as necessary...

This paper examines the development of Internet‐based, virtual business forums and their potential for overcoming some of the difficulties faced by business owners in rural areas. Rural environments provide challenges for business owners due to limited local markets and limited access to...

Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to explore the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a “Scottish Fishing Community”, namely the village of Gourdon in Kincardineshire, Scotland over a 60‐year period. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the material in a...

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to consider empirical evidence on the strategic behaviour of rural SMEs compared to urban SMEs in times of difficult economic conditions. The authors build the paper from a theoretical discussion that suggests that there will be distinctive differences in...

Discusses case study and interview evidence to examine the evolution and development of entrepreneurial strategies in the high technology small firm (HTSF). Evidence from case study material suggests that a period of non high technology development can be an advantage for the entrepreneur to...