Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE)

Citation

(2010), "Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE)", International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 2 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijge.2010.40902bac.001

Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE)

Article Type: Conference report From: International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Volume 2, Issue 2

32nd Annual Conference – Liverpool, 3-6 November 2009

The 32nd Annual Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference attracted more than 400 international delegates who participated in four days of intense debate and discussion. Organized in house for the first time, the conference was a great success drawing leading small business researchers and academics, policy makers and practitioners as well as SME bodies and support organizations.

Hosted at the Novas Contemporary Urban Center, the conference was opened by ISBE’s President, Professor Colette Henry. The delegates were then welcomed to the City of Liverpool by Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Professor Sir Howard Newby Vice, Chancellor of Liverpool University. Setting the scene for entrepreneurial thinking, keynote speaker Jonathan Hick, director bank provided an entertaining yet insightful account of the risks and rewards of his career as a serial entrepreneur.

One of ISBE’s key aims is to demonstrate the benefits of bringing together research, practice and policy to create positive impact. In this regard, Maggie O’Caroll, WICED, Liverpool and Professor Patricia Green, Babson College, Boston, illustrated this with a case study of their project to develop Liverpool’s £5m Women’s International Centre for Economic Development.

The economic climate and the challenges that it has brought to small businesses was a key issue which could not be ignored. A panel debate exploring “Recession coping strategies” available to small firms was chaired by Professor Denise Fletcher of Sheffield University, and comprised an eminent group of experts from academia as well as the public and private sectors. The debate raised many interesting questions and was met with lively engagement from the audience.

As usual, one of the notable aspects of the conference was its showcasing of cutting edge research in the field of small business and entrepreneurship. Over 400 papers were submitted and, following from a rigorous reviewing process, 240 high-quality papers were presented. For the first time, the implications from the papers in terms of practice, policy, research and education were summed up in a new “Conference Highlights” session which took place on the Friday and was led by Conference Chair Professor Ossie Jones.

The research was presented in ten tracks which covered topics from business creation to social entrepreneurship and enterprise education to entrepreneurship in creative industries. However, as always one of the most popular tracks was the newly titled “Gender and entrepreneurship” track led by Professor Sue Marlow, ISBE’s VP for Research. The focus of the track was the influence of gender upon entrepreneurial intent, experience and ambition and encouraged papers, which explored how gender, whether femininity or masculinity, shapes how we make sense of entrepreneurship in both theoretical and practical terms. “The Nordic welfare model: barrier or facilitator of women’s entrepreneurship in Denmark?” a paper by Professor Helle Neergaard won the award for best paper in this track.

As always, networking was one of the most valuable aspects of the conference, with the discussions and debates carrying on outside the sessions allowing delegates to share good practice, advice and contacts. The evening networking events were well attended by delegates who were eager to catch up with old associates, meet new ones and to talk to established and up and coming scholars, policy makers and practitioners in their field. In addition to the two less formal events, the ISBE Gala Awards Dinner – held at St George’s Hall, a Grade I listed neo-classical building – provided a fitting setting of prestige and glamour to commend the best papers presented at the conference.

ISBE is now looking forward to hosting its 33rd Annual Conference in London on the 3 and 4 November 2010. For further information, please contact: liz@isbe.org.uk or visit the web site: www.isbe.org.uk.

About the authors

Liz Carrington (Business Development and Events Manager) is the Business Development and Events Manager for the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Liz has gained a BA (hons) in International Business from the University of Lincoln; she also has a BA in International Business from the Auckland University of Technology. Liz previously worked for the British Business Angels Association and London Business Angels where she has gained significant experience of producing high-level conference events, worked with key persons within the small business arena and successfully worked to gain new members and sponsors. Through her previous roles, Liz has gained a deep understanding of the small business and entrepreneurship industry.

Christina Dillon (Administrator) has been administrator for the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship since November 2008 when the institute moved its offices to London. Prior to that, she worked as an underwriter for GE Money in Manchester after returning from a gap year travelling and working abroad. An English Lit Graduate with a career mainly within finance; Chris has also been involved in events organisation through fundraising on a voluntary basis for various charities including children’s charity MedEquip4Kids and Barnados.