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Who Takes Advice? Firm Size Threshold, Competence, Concerns and Informality in a Contingency Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin Mole

    (Warwick University Business School)

  • Robert Baldock

    (Middlesex University Business School)

  • David North

    (Middlesex University Business School)

Abstract

Although they are not the only conduit for knowledge, advisers can diffuse new methods, knowledge and best practice to SMEs Existing work suggests advice as a resource available for the small firm manager. Whether the manager takes that advice depends on the trust between owner-manager and adviser, the degree to which the owner-manager perceives themselves to need advice, the ‘knowledge gap hypothesis’ and the degree to which they feel able to interact with advisers and implement advice. In this paper, we model whether a small firm manager takes advice from formal sources, including public and private suppliers.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Mole & Robert Baldock & David North, 2013. "Who Takes Advice? Firm Size Threshold, Competence, Concerns and Informality in a Contingency Approach," Research Papers 0009, Enterprise Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:enr:rpaper:0009
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    business advice; small business; SME policy; SME management; small firms;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • L53 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Enterprise Policy

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