Based on an empirical investigation of the development of a group of manufacturing SMEs comparing the characteristics and strategies of firms achieving high growth between 1979‐90 with the weaker performing companies. Shows that high growth can be achieved by firms with a variety of size,...

Using a longitudinal database, this paper compares the employment performance over the 1979-90 period of mature SMEs in three contrasting geographical environments—i.e. London, outer metropolitan locations in the South East, and remote rural locations in northern England. The performance...

Over the last few years a growing number of local authorities have set up Innovation Centres (ICs) as part of their repertoire of initiatives aimed at local economic regeneration. According to the recently formed Association of Innovation Centre Executives, ICs exist to provide assistance to...

NORTH D. and SMALLBONE D. (2000) The innovativeness and growth of rural SMEs during the 1990s, Reg Studies 34 , 145-157. The paper summarizes the results of a study of innovation in rural small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in England over the 1991-96 period. It is based on a survey of 330...