These workshop proceedings discuss releasing the potential of SMEs by enhancing their access to global markets.

SMEs that grow have a considerable positive impact on employment creation, innovation, productivity growth and competitiveness. Digital technologies and global value chains offer new opportunities for SMEs to participate in the global economy, innovate and strengthen productivity. Yet SMEs are lagging behind in the digital transition and are disproportionately affected by market failures, trade barriers, policy inefficiencies and the quality of institutions. A cross-cutting approach to SME policy can enhance SME innovation and scale-up, as well as their contributions to inclusive growth. This includes a business environment conducive to risk-taking and experimentation by entrepreneurs, as well as access to entrepreneurship competencies, management and workforce skills, technology, innovation, and networks.

Entrepreneurship and Regional Development aims to make a theoretical and practical contribution meeting the need for studies on the impact of clusters on entrepreneurship and societal outcomes. This book aims to answer the following research question: Do clusters matter to entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship outcomes at the societal level?

There are 18 contributions in the book; all of whom are very highly regarded in the fields of entrepreneurship and international management. . . the book is well researched and edited. The book provides an excellent discussion on the importance of SMEs in the global economy. Through a number of different case study examples and discussion of various elements of the internationalization process, this book provides an outstanding resource for the study of SMEs that operate in the international market. Vanessa Ratten, Journal of International Entrepreneurship This book is most timely. It arrives at a time when globalisation and new technologies present major opportunities and challenges to the role of the independent small and medium sized business in economies. . . The book s strength in dealing with many of the emerging issues is underpinned by a truly international range of contributors with a strong mix of practical as well as academic experience. From the preface by Allan Gibb, Professor Emeritus, Durham University, UK Lester Lloyd-Reason and Leigh Sear bring together leading researchers and thinkers in this critical guide to the ongoing, worldwide research shaping the role played by SMEs within today s global economy. The expert contributors contend that the past twenty years have seen an explosion in research into international SMEs, resulting in a considerable body of academic literature and thinking. This research, they argue, may merely serve to increase our lack of understanding in this area, and often results in myths and misconceptions upon which SME policies and support programmes have been developed and introduced. They go on to suggest that academic models are often poorly suited to the problems faced by SMEs within the international trading environment. In many instances, the contributors find SMEs at the vanguard of the challenge to accepted business practices: it is these challenges that underpin the text. Illustrating that today s SMEs are faced with the critical issue of how to create and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage in light of the increased complexity of international trade and global business linkages, this Handbook will prove invaluable to both academics and practitioners involved in business and management and entrepreneurship.

This book examines the principal routes through which enterprise creation can have a positive impact on local economies.

This review addresses Korea’s industry and technology policies and institutions, and provides policy recommendations.

The impact of information technology, innovation and entrepreneurship on economic performance is the subject of heated debate. This special edition of the Science, Technology and Industry Outlook takes a closer look at the ways in which these factors are evolving and how they relate to each other.