Originally published between 1982 and 1996, and addressing issues of central importance to the competitiveness of firms and economies, the volumes in this set draw together research by leading academics in the area and provides a rigorous examination of key issues relating to employment in small businesses. They: Study both the growth and the barriers to growth of small firms Examine problems of rurality Investigate the variation in rates of new venture initiations across manufacturing industries Include a wide range of national case studies from Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, Greece, Spain, Israel and Indonesia. Discuss marketing in the small business and the relationship between small and large firms in an advanced capitalist economy Reassess economic theories concerned with concentration and competition the relationship between small and large firms in an advanced capitalist economy Analyse the managerial factors most closely associated with successful small firms

This book addresses some of the major issues associated with competition in theory and practice. Among other essays, Paul Samuelson considers the theoretical underpinning of privatising state assets. Mary Gregory ponders on the possibility of cooperation rather than competition between employer and worker and whether incomes policies are likely to feature on a medium-term political agenda. Christopher Moir claims that food retail markets are not as competitive as is often claimed and that large food retailers may enjoy monopoly profits. Aubrey Silbertson very cogently sets out the orthodox case for removing trade protection on the industrialised world's clothing industries.