TY - JOUR

T1 - Re-routing development in peripheral regions

T2 - exploiting anchor institution networks for micro/SME enterprise growth and innovation

AU - Downs, Carolyn

AU - Ryder, Mike

AU - Kalinowski, T. Bartosz

PY - 2023/7/18

Y1 - 2023/7/18

N2 - Purpose: This study aims to explore the socio-cultural barriers to enterprise in economically disadvantaged communities across five countries: UK, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. Design/methodology/approach: This study’s EU-funded project took the form of community-based participatory action research. This study focusses on the data from the interviews and network mapping exercises. A total of 40 individual interviews took place, with interviewees from communities with entrenched disadvantage and limited opportunities for employment and education and low rates of business start-ups. Findings: The research shows that barriers to entrepreneurship can be overcome where a trusted representative (or “mediator”) can act as a bridge, facilitating access to new knowledge and networks. This approach can be used to support micro/SMEs for growth and innovation. In targeting these businesses, policymakers need to recognise the power imbalances between actors and take steps to overcome these, by establishing links with community-based mediators who can act as trusted interlocutors, enabling sustainable relationships to be developed. Originality/value: This research targets many often hard-to-reach groups and offers insights into the lived experiences of those who often operate at the peripheries. In doing so, it shows how trusted individuals can be used to remove barriers and promote growth, making clear links between theory to practice.

AB - Purpose: This study aims to explore the socio-cultural barriers to enterprise in economically disadvantaged communities across five countries: UK, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. Design/methodology/approach: This study’s EU-funded project took the form of community-based participatory action research. This study focusses on the data from the interviews and network mapping exercises. A total of 40 individual interviews took place, with interviewees from communities with entrenched disadvantage and limited opportunities for employment and education and low rates of business start-ups. Findings: The research shows that barriers to entrepreneurship can be overcome where a trusted representative (or “mediator”) can act as a bridge, facilitating access to new knowledge and networks. This approach can be used to support micro/SMEs for growth and innovation. In targeting these businesses, policymakers need to recognise the power imbalances between actors and take steps to overcome these, by establishing links with community-based mediators who can act as trusted interlocutors, enabling sustainable relationships to be developed. Originality/value: This research targets many often hard-to-reach groups and offers insights into the lived experiences of those who often operate at the peripheries. In doing so, it shows how trusted individuals can be used to remove barriers and promote growth, making clear links between theory to practice.

KW - anchor institutions

KW - business networks

KW - knowledge intensive firms

KW - peripheral regions

KW - regional development

KW - SME growth

U2 - 10.1108/JPMD-09-2022-0085

DO - 10.1108/JPMD-09-2022-0085

M3 - Journal article

VL - 16

SP - 485

EP - 500

JO - Journal of Place Management and Development

JF - Journal of Place Management and Development

SN - 1753-8335

IS - 3

ER -