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The Alternative to Assuming 'Rational' Use of Financial Information within Small Firms

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  • Brian Gibson

    (University of Newcastle)

Abstract

Since emerging as a separate domain, research concerned with financial management in small firms has proceeded on a foundation of assumptions, primarily influenced by economics, which do not appear to be in accord with reality. Two fundamental assumptions are reviewed in this paper and the validity of each is questioned. These are that the small firm owner/manager is a rational economic decision maker and must have access to financial information to properly engage in decision making activities. Alternative interpretations, associated with the purposive action assumptions of the Austrian school of economic thought, are proposed as a more appropriate foundation for the development of theories of small firm financial management.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Gibson, 1993. "The Alternative to Assuming 'Rational' Use of Financial Information within Small Firms," Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management, vol. 2(2), pages 163-174, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:pep:journl:v:2:y:1993:i:2:p:163-174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kaish, Stanley & Gilad, Benjamin, 1991. "Characteristics of opportunities search of entrepreneurs versus executives: Sources, interests, general alertness," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 6(1), pages 45-61, January.
    2. Pamela Hammers Specht, 1987. "Information Sources Used for Strategic Planning Decisions in Small Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 11(4), pages 21-36, April.
    3. Smith, Ken G. & Gannon, Martin J. & Grimm, Curtis & Mitchell, Terence R., 1988. "Decision making behavior in smaller entrepreneurial and larger professionally managed firms," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 3(3), pages 223-232.
    4. Cheah, Hock-Beng, 1990. "Schumpeterian and Austrian entrepreneurship: Unity within duality," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 5(6), pages 341-347, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Volker Bruns & Daniel V. Holland & Dean A. Shepherd & Johan Wiklund, 2008. "The Role of Human Capital in Loan Officers’ Decision Policies," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 32(3), pages 485-506, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Rational; Small Firm; Financial Information;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • B53 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Austrian

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