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Strategic initiatives and small business performance: an exploratory analysis of Irish companies

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  • Stephen Roper

Abstract

Using information provided by over 450 small firms throughout Ireland this paper examines the links between firms' strategic initiatives and their growth, profitability and asset utilization. Strategy choice is found to have an important and significant link to business growth and profitability but no significant link to asset utilization. Growth and profitability linkages, however, often operated in opposite directions. For example, strategies designed to centralize the ownership or control of sample businesses were positively associated with business growth but had negative profitability links. Similar results were evident for a number of market and systems strategies. The implication is that the appropriate strategy choices for a firm depend strongly on the firm's business priorities. The strongest growth associations were with the introduction of management accounting systems, the introduction of new or improved products and moves to centralize ownership. For businesses with broader development objectives, new product development, export market development and moves towards more consensual managerial approaches had positive profitability, growth and asset utilization links.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Roper, 1997. "Strategic initiatives and small business performance: an exploratory analysis of Irish companies," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(4), pages 353-364, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:9:y:1997:i:4:p:353-364
    DOI: 10.1080/08985629700000020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lansley, Peter & Sadler, Philip & Webb, Terry, 1974. "Organisation structure, management style and company performance," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 2(4), pages 467-485, August.
    2. Gail L Fann & Larry R. Smeltzer, 1989. "The Use of Information from and about Competitors in Small Business Management," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 13(4), pages 35-46, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anne Hampton & James Rowell, 2009. "CHALLENGES FACING UK SMEs IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT," JOURNAL STUDIA UNIVERSITATIS BABES-BOLYAI NEGOTIA, Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Business.

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