Small Scale Business Development And Competition Policy

Michal Gal's thorough analysis shows the effects of market size on competition policy, ranging from rules of thumb to more general policy prescriptions, such as goals and remedial tools. Competition policy in small economies is becoming increasingly important, since the number of small jurisdictions adopting such policy is rapidly growing. Gal's focus extends beyond domestic competition policy to the evaluation of the current trend toward the worldwide harmonization of policies.

This book, originally published in 1989, studies both the growth and the barriers to growth of small firms. It examines market and industrial structures, also the role of investment institutions and their handling of small business accounts. There are chapters on management attitudes and ability considered as a potential barrier to development, and other problems such as lack of finance and of a suitably qualified workforce. The book stresses the importance of communicating the latest advances in technology to small firms, and urges the need to re-think government tax and procurement policies.

Accordingly, applying the same competition policy to all economies alike may be contrary to its goals.".

Programs to improve the performance of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) through clustering is now becoming the design of industrial and innovation policies which is implemented by policy makers in Indonesia. There has been a common perception that clusters are able to encourage entrepreneurship, learning, and productivity improvements for MSEs more effectively. This common perception, however, should be further explored whether clustered MSEs successfully obtain "collective efficiency" from clusters or they even suffer from "collective failure". This book is an attempt to reveal such issues of MSEs clustering by presenting a case study on small industrial clusters in Central Java which is well known as the "heartland" of MSEs operate in clusters. While supporting programs are persistently introduced to such clusters, in fact, to obtain "the collective efficiency of clustering" is not so easy. Unfair competition accompanied by ineffective cooperation might be factors that cause to clustered MSEs failed to gain the benefit of clustering.

This book provides an international perspective on small business, and includes many useful pedagogical features such as questions for discussion, international case studies and empirical research.

'The book deserves to be read by those who take an interest in industrial development and SMEs in the region. It provides good basic reading before executing more in-depth study into a particular country or sector.' - Henry Sandee, ASEAN Economic Bulletin This volume presents detailed analyses of the role and significance of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the economies of East Asia. Various aspects of SME operations are studied, including: * the role and significance of networking in the conduct of business * the contribution of culture to business acumen and entrepreneurialism * human resource development constraints and issues * technology transfer processes * the utilisation and application of information technology by SMEs * the impact of electronic commerce * the policy framework needed to stimulate the growth of the SME sector.

Pt. 1. Setting the scene -- pt. 2. Entrepreneurship and small business development in former Soviet republics -- pt. 3. Entrepreneurship and small business development in Central and Eastern Europe -- pt. 4. The way forward.