Description
Book SynopsisThis insightful book shows how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from some of the traditionally less dynamic peripheral economies of the ?old? EU ? namely Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain ? have responded to the twin challenges of globalisation and industrial restructuring. Through a series of unique case studies the contributing authors discuss how these economies, and in particular the SME sector, can be transformed. The book begins by examining the key drivers of the globally competitive SME sector in the EU, before moving on to explore the relationship between multinational enterprises (MNEs), SMEs and industrial development. The authors investigate important policy implications and provide lessons for SME development and growth.With empirical and theoretical contributions on SMEs in both the manufacturing and the services sectors, this essential book will be invaluable for researchers and policymakers in small business economics and management. Postgraduate students of entrepreneurship, business economics, industrial economics and European studies will appreciate this unique set of insights.
Table of ContentsContents: Preface 1. SMEs in a Globalised World: Conceptual Issues Helena Lenihan, Bernadette Andreosso-O’Callaghan and Mark Hart PART I: KEY DRIVERS OF A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE SME SECTOR IN THE EU 2. Why do SMEs Grow? A Rejection of Gibrat’s Law for Spanish Firms (1994–2002) Mercedes Teruel-Carrizosa 3. Access of Small Firms to Knowledge Networks as a Determinant of Local Economic Development Miren Larrea, Alazne Mujika and Mari Jose Aranguren 4. Innovation Behaviour of Spanish Fashion Manufacturing SMEs José L. Calvo and Angel L. Culebras de Mesa 5. Family-based Firms: Evidence from the Portuguese Furniture and Events Organisation Industries Vitor Braga and Bernadette Andreosso-O’Callaghan 6. Forms of Industrial Development in Chinese Specialized Towns and Types of Challenges to European Manufacturing SMEs: An Italian Perspective Marco Bellandi and Annalisa Caloffi PART II: MNEs, SMEs AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT 7. MNE Subsidiaries, Productivity Spillovers and SMEs Rita Buckley 8. Entrepreneurship and Inward Foreign Direct Investment in Portugal Natália Barbosa and Vasco Eiriz 9. The Large Leader Firm: Good or Bad? A Case Study of a Leader Firm–Supplier Relationship Helen McGrath and David Jacobson 10. Dynamics of the SME Sector in Ireland: A Driver of Growth in the Irish Economy Since 1994? Helena Lenihan, Briga Hynes and Mark Hart Index
