Editorial

Citation

(1998), "Editorial", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 4 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr.1998.16004caa.001

Editorial

The first task for this editorial must be to extend warm thanks to David Deakins for his management of the last edition of the Journal "Learning and the Entrepreneur" based on papers presented at the Conference on Enterprise and Learning held in Paisley in Autumn, 1997. It must have been a hard task to single out a few papers given the high standard of entry. We look forward to this years conference in Aberdeen, for further details contact: Dr Alistair Anderson, Conference Director, University of Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 273260; or E-mail: a.r.anderson@abdn.ac.uk. We will consider dedicating another edition of the journal to this conference.

In this edition of the Journal, we are pleased to offer a cross section of comment with International input from an excellent paper by Hamilton and Fox which examines finance preferences of small firm owners revealing that preference is given to options which minimise intrusion into firms, even if these may not make the most sound financial sense. Paul Westhead develops the debate regarding issues further with an insightful paper on the STEP project and its benefit to both firms and the individuals involved in the project. Hogarth-Scott et al. offer new evidence regarding issues which support business during the start up period deemed a critical period in the life of any firm. Finally, Glancey et al. focus on service sector firms with an examination of issues relating to entrepreneurial dynamism. Overall, a cross section of national and international comment on contemporary issues for smaller businesses.

Regarding current themes in the small firm debate, there are a range of issues subject to review and change at the moment for example the planned changes to Tecs and the governments aim to improve Business Link are just two. For the purpose of this comment however, we would like to focus on the issue of employee relations. The lack of evidence pertaining to the manner in which people are managed in small firms indicates some neglect by both researchers and policy makers. While this situation is beginning to change ­ particularly as the simplistic notion of "prevailing harmony within a unitarist entity" ­ is under challenge, there is still relatively little work undertaken in the area. Recent initiatives by the Labour Government ­ particularly the Fairness at Work white paper will effect employment relations in small firms. While it appears that firms with less than 20 employees will be excluded from the provisions, owners of growing firms or any over this threshold must be prepared to consider the ramifications of changes such as trade union recognition, and unions are committed to pursuing membership in smaller firms. The lowering of employment duration for unfair dismissal and removal of ceilings on awards from the newly termed Employment Tribunals will be critical considering the high incidence of small firms being called to tribunal. Family friendly policies will initiate parental leave options which could be critical for small firms who find a crucial employee disappearing from the labour force at an inconvenient time. Equally, European regulation and its effect on smaller firms needs further consideration. Padraig Flynn, EU employment commissioner is determined to expand information and consultation requirements to all firms, regardless on their site and origin, employing 20 or more. This means works councils. From this basic overview of just some recent employment initiatives, it is clear that this is an area that demands further consideration and new research ­ we welcome the opportunity to generate debate in the area through the forum of the Journal and, invite comment.