Small Firms Policy and its Regional Implications in Britain

Abstract

Under the Thatcher Government′s “Enterprise Culture”, the size of the small business sector has frequently been taken as a key indicator of economic success in Britain. Measurement of achievement in such terms does indeed indicate a high degree of economic buoyancy. However, a deeper examination of available data indicates that much of this success may be illusory and dependent for its survival on substantial levels of state intervention. At the same time, an examination of regional patterns of small business success reveals a picture somewhat similar to that pertaining to the economy as a whole. Far from raining down success selectively on economically deprived areas, as had been hoped in some circles, it appears that it is the most prosperous areas which tend to support the highest levels of enterprise.

Citation

Stanworth, J. and Stanworth, C. (1990), "Small Firms Policy and its Regional Implications in Britain", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 11 No. 6, pp. 8-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437729010111085