There has been an enormous growth in assistance to small firms over the past three or four years, albeit from a very small initial base. Much of this assistance has been geared to “software”, namely the provision of advice, counselling, consulting and training/education services. The Small...

The support for local initiatives by large organisations has become substantially institutionalised in the UK through Business in the Community. How much further it will go, and how much it will be supported by government, is the subject of debate and conjecture. An overview of how large firms...