David Brooksbank

Regional Competitiveness Indicators

This paper takes a fresh look at the important issue of regional competitiveness in the light of the recent publication of indicators of competitiveness by the DTI (1998). We set our analysis within the theoretical framework provided by Porter (1990) and our intention is to improve on these “official” indicators and also upon those of Gudgin (1996). Using a series of proxy variables which measure success in the areas deemed essential by the theory, we present evidence that the relative ranking of regions should be re-examined and provide a method which will allow policy makers to focus more directly on the specific areas that maximise regional performance.

Nascent entrepreneurial activity within female ethnic minority groups

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the entrepreneurial activity, attitudes and social connections of four groups of ethnic minority females in the UK, with the aim of examining the extent of gender and ethnic background effects on nascent start‐up activities and the attitudes of women belonging to these ethnic minority groups.Design/methodology/approach – A two‐stage approach is adopted to examine the situations of four main female ethnic minority groups using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) adult population survey for the UK. The first stage adopts a binary logistic approach to determine the importance of social networks, opportunity perception and risk aversion to the probability of being involved in nascent entrepreneurial activities. The second stage of analysis examines the differences in these perceptual variables to determine the extent to which different female ethnic minority groups are embedded in different social environments when attempting to start a busines...

Developing a framework for network and cluster identification for use in economic development policy-making

Drawing on extensive academic research concerning clusters and networks, this paper seeks to create a framework capable of reviewing and monitoring different aspects of clusters and networks on an ongoing basis. The nine-element framework allows evaluation of the structures and processes for the eight basic cluster types identified from the literature. The use of this framework as a complimentary tool to the Multi-sectoral Qualitative Analysis (MSQA) methodology is then demonstrated using three examples (the construction, hardwood timber and higher education sectors). The data was gathered from three sets of key stakeholders (government, institutions and industry) provided from a recent study funded by the Welsh Assembly Governments Small Grants Research Programme. These cases illustrate the use of the framework in helping to generate the initial information necessary for subsequent cluster development policy (within overall regional economic development) by government to occur. The framework provides tools for reviewing and monitoring individual sectors. Information captured within the framework can also help in ameliorating problems in sectors likely to decline further. The need for further development research is also identified. Specifically at the level of the firm and network, there is a need to generate a more detailed framework of analysis of factors that contribute to successful processes of network management, learning and innovation, from which more detailed policy could be enacted in future.

Social Aspects of the Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Agri-Food SMEs in Wales

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to adapt and change to remain competitive in the rapidly changing business environment of the twenty-first century. As with many other industries this is evident in the agri-food industry in Wales, where agri-food SMEs can obtain a competitive advantage through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), especially the Internet and Websites. It is argued that many of these firms are often inadept at implementing changes that are technology-enabled. Policy makers, including the Welsh Agri-Food Partnership, also recognize that the agri-food culture is adversarial in nature and this needs to be addressed if technical advancement is to be achieved. With the recognition of the importance of e-business in other industries, there is a danger that many agri-food SMEs will be technology-disabled. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to explore the social consequences of the slow adoption of the Internet and Websites by agri-food SMEs in Wales and to consider ways of overcoming this problem. The paper concludes by reporting on ICT assistance provided by support schemes in Wales and on the social, political and cultural implications for farming communities.

The use of Web sites for SME innovation and technology support services in Wales

To stay at the forefront of new technology, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) can be assisted through Internet and Web sites providing innovation and technology support services. The cost of the latest technology, including hardware, training and personnel, however, can be insurmountable for SMEs with limited financial and technological resources. The business support community in Wales is continually evolving its own Internet and Web site offerings to make sure that businesses, especially SMEs, are kept abreast of the latest innovations, most productive methods and provision of support services. Considers the provision of Web‐based innovation and technology support in Wales and examines its coverage in relation to Welsh SMEs. Utilises a range of data collection techniques including interviews with policy makers and the analysis of reports and Internet sites.

An Assessment of Higher Education Spin-off Enterprises in Wales

This paper examines academic spin-off activity in universities and the development of different policies for academic entrepreneurship applicable to Wales. Detailed information on various aspects of spin-off development in Industrial South Wales (ISW) has been obtained through interviews with industrial liaison officers (ILOs) or their equivalents in all higher education institutions (HEIs) in ISW. The data gathered include quantitative information on developments over the last decade and qualitative information on university initiatives to help start-up businesses. The authors use this quantitative and qualitative information to address the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to the development of academic spin-offs in ISW. The conclusions also draw on other initiatives in Europe and compare the results gathered with those of best practice elsewhere.

The Role of Networking in the New Political Economy of Regional Development

During the last 25 years there have been some fundamental changes to the international political economy. The decline of Fordism, globalization and technical innovations have altered the ways in which firms operate and interact with each other and other economic agents. Corporate strategy and organization and public policy have all been affected. Of particular relevance has been the development of a new form of governance viz. networking. Although often seen as a new phenomenon, it has in fact a long history going all the way back to Marshall. What is new however, are attempts by development agencies to capture the advantages presented by these externalities as a deliberate objective of regional development policy. This paper examines the case of Wales in some detail and concludes that although such a policy does work with the grain of modern political economy, it is only really scratching the surface of the problem and in fact contains an inherent contradiction in terms of market behaviour.

The Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship and Foreign Direct Investment

We explore if the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship, applied to FDI, provides at least a partial explanation for the greater emergence of recent knowledge-based entrepreneurship in Ireland compared with Wales. In order to examine how FDI and entrepreneurship policy in these two regions might have influenced the levels of knowledge-based entrepreneurship, we outline FDI and entrepreneurship policies for Wales and Ireland and key measures of knowledge creation, and evaluate the extent and nature of FDI activity and its relationship with entrepreneurship in general and knowledge-based entrepreneurship in particular. Implications include possible policy directions for countries that are characterized by weak knowledge-creating institutions yet wish to encourage knowledge-based entrepreneurship.

The knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship: an application to foreign direct investment

Does the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship provide an explanation for the emergence of knowledge-based entrepreneurship in Ireland and Wales? To examine the reasons for different levels of knowledge-based entrepreneurship in these two regions we explore FDI and entrepreneurship policy. We outline key measures of knowledge creation, and evaluate the extent and nature of FDI activity and its relationship with entrepreneurship in general and knowledge-based entrepreneurship in particular. Policy implications include the need for more integrated policy directions for countries that are characterised by weak knowledge creating institutions yet wish to encourage knowledge-based entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurial attitudes, intentions and activities – a comparison of urban and rural areas in Wales

Even for a small country like Wales, there are substantial and unique differences between urban and rural environments in relation to not only establishing and enhancing nonagricultural entrepreneurship levels and attitudes, but also maintaining an interest in entrepreneurship in areas historically displaying high levels of enterprise. This paper investigates and highlights these distinctions. The outcome, in turn, will affect the manner of small business support and implementation of small business and enterprise policies by the Welsh Assembly Government, i.e., one size does not fit all in the Welsh context.