Success in Challenging Times: Research from Surrey Business School gives the key to unlocking success for UK SMEs
Wednesday 10 October 2012
A team of researchers from Surrey Business School have completed the largest study of its kind into the critical success factors for small and medium sized businesses. Professors David Gray and Mark Saunders, along with Research Fellow Harshita Goregaokar, were commissioned by top 20 accountancy firm Kingston Smith to carry out the comprehensive research. With more than 1000 survey questionnaires completed by SME owners and senior managers, twenty in depth interviews and 13 focus groups, the study has covered every sector of the SME business community.
The findings fall broadly into seven themes: finance; cash flow and liquidity; social capital, social media and the web; innovation; learning orientation; advice and support; outsourcing and exporting and have come at a critical time for SMEs working to survive in turbulent economic times. The researchers have also included some important recommendations for SMEs, policy makers and professional service providers.
At the recent launch event for the study, held at Google Campus, London, the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP Minister of State for Business and Enterprise gave a keynote address welcoming the report.
Over the coming months Surrey Business School and Kingston Smith will be sharing the findings with policy makers, businesses and those who support them.
Reports
Success in Challenging Times Report (2032.31KB - Requires Adobe Reader)Success in Challenging Times Full Findings (831.48KB - Requires Adobe Reader)
At the launch event. Pictured from left to right: Professor Mark Saunders, Sir Michael Snyder Senior Partner Kingston Smith, Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Professor David Gray.
