Beyond Startup: SME Growth Through Replication

Author: Helen Thompson

Published: Saturday 5th Oct 2002

Researcher: PhD Candidate Frank Lapira

Much has been written about the growth of the small firm. Yet, very little of this research addresses the issues of small firms in regional and rural areas. A significant body of literature argues that the survival of regional communities is dependent upon the survival of the small firms within those communities.

Both federal and state governments contribute a significant amount of money towards the sustainability and development of regional centres. A substantial pro portion of this money funds small firm startups, yet there has been an unfaltering stability in small firm failures - with 60% of small firms failing within the first 3 years. The aim of this research is to uncover whether Government support is best utilised at startup or whether it should focus on the growing firm at a later stage of development.

The researchers aim is to determine the critical resources and capabilities that contribute to the growth of the firm and secondly, whether these resources differ over the life of the firm. This research aims to develop a robust model of the growing regional firm. The proposition that underlies this work is that the strategy, skills, structure a nd location of the firm all contribute to the firms growth potential. For further information contact Frank Lapira via email.