Editorial

Citation

Marlow, S. (2003), "Editorial", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 9 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr.2003.16009eaa.001

Editorial

In keeping with the eclectic style of the IJEBR, we are again able to present a range of papers over the next two issues which, while drawn from the wider framework of entrepreneurship and small firm management, explore very different facets of this broad discipline. In issue five there are two very different papers; that by Lorna Gold considers the “economy of sharing” with an analysis of how the establishment of purpose built business parks in South America, particularly Brazil, have contributed to economic development and wealth. After the initial establishment of the business park, this project invites small investors who are relatively poor to invest in the projects with the aim of sharing any benefits which accrue from these initiatives. These projects have been successful with outside agencies such as UNIDO becoming involved and the principle of the operation spreading to other economies such as Italy and North America. In this paper, Gold demonstrates how free enterprise is combined with social enterprise to create both economic and social benefit. On a very different track, the second paper by Pannikos Poutziouris looks specifically at the strategic orientation of owner managers of small businesses within the context of UK. This exploratory paper draws together some ideas regarding how to categorise strategic orientation in the extremely diverse population of small firms in the UK. Drawing on a useful literature review and a database of 922 small firm owner/managers, Poutziouris identifies generic clusters within the sample which are then used to offer some tentative comments on policy. So, in this issue, while focusing on the small firm sector in general, we offer two very different perspectives of its economic and social role.

Issue six is completely dedicated to a special edition focused on the family firm, with a range of papers analysing their contribution to the economy and their particular dynamics. Family firms are critical in any economy as the seed beds of future growth but also as the bedrock of the small firm sector. Such firms bring together family interaction, family labour and economic activity in a productive fashion. However, as the literature indicates, the combination of family tensions, the desire to retain control over the business and the need to accommodate a disparate range of family needs within the business can lead to problems regarding appropriate management strategies and consequent firm performance. In recognition of the importance of the family/business interface issue six offers a number of interesting papers which explore this particular dynamic in terms of both advantages and disadvantages to family members, the business itself and the economy in general. A dedicated introduction to this issue will outline the specific papers in more detail.

Susan Marlow