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Small-Firm Creation and Growth, Regional Development and the North—South Divide in Britain

Author

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  • D Keeble

    (Department of Geography and ESRC Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EN, England)

  • J Bryson

    (School of Geography and Service Sector Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, England)

Abstract

In this paper we analyse regional variations in the characteristics, performance, and growth of small and medium-sized manufacturing and business service enterprises in Britain, with particular reference to their impact on the ‘North—South divide’ in British regional economic development. Using a unique national survey of nearly 2000 smaller businesses, we identify regional differences in enterprise growth rates, market specialisation, innovation rates and research and development intensity, occupational structures, and labour-market problems. We also reveal differences in the frequency of use of government advisory agencies, and in the rating by firms in different regions of key competitive advantages and constraints on growth. These differences do not however conform to simple traditional stereotypes suggested by images of a declining North and a growing South. The implications of these findings both for understanding recent regional economic development in Britain and for policies such as those of local Training and Enterprise Councils are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • D Keeble & J Bryson, 1996. "Small-Firm Creation and Growth, Regional Development and the North—South Divide in Britain," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 28(5), pages 909-934, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:28:y:1996:i:5:p:909-934
    DOI: 10.1068/a280909
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. I Turok, 1993. "The Growth of an Indigenous Electronics Industry: Scottish Printed Circuit Boards," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 25(12), pages 1789-1813, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yu-Ting Tang & C. Paul Nathanail, 2012. "Sticks and Stones: The Impact of the Definitions of Brownfield in Policies on Socio-Economic Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(5), pages 1-23, May.

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