The Small Firm

by David J. Storey

Published 7 July 2016

Originally published in 1983, this book reviews trends in the small-firm sector. The areas chosen cover the full spectrum of economic development. Part 1 deals with case studies from the USA, Japan, the UK, Australia, Germany and Sweden. In Part 2 Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Africa are surveyed. In all cases the authors review the variety of definitions used for the small-firm sector and present such data as are available on the changing importance of the sector. This is followed by a review of the roles of small firms in each of the economies.


This book, originally published in 1982, review the resurrection of the small firm, partly by a multi-disciplined examination of the existing literature on small and new firms and partly by reporting the results of a study of firms new (in the early 1980s) to the North East of England. Part 1 deals with the role of small firms as sources of potential or actual competition, and their role in research and innovation. In Part 2 the theoretical foundations for the study of entrepreneurs and their new firms are laid, using concepts from a cross-section of the social sciences. Part 3 tests some of the theories outlined in Part 2 and reviews the problems which the entrepreneurs faced in starting and developing their business and the impact which such businesses had upon the local economy. Part 4 reviews the lessons of the preceding parts in the context of the regional and national economy of the UK.


Focussing on the relatively few small firms which grew rapidly, this book, originally published in 1993 uses face-to-face interviews as well as published records to identify and analyse the managerial factors most closely associated with successful small firms. The volume concentrates on the following key managerial issues:

  1. In what respects do the managerial backgrounds and aspirations of the founders of fast-growth small firms differ from those of non-fast-growth small firms?
  2. How is the process of growth managed? What incentives, remuneration packages and communication systems are instituted?
  3. How do these characteristics and experiences differ in fast-growth small firms from both the traditional small firm and large-firm sector?
  4. To what extent is it possible to explain the relative economic performance of small firms in terms of differences in their ownership, organizational and management structures.

This study, originally published in 1987, addresses the question of small firm performance. Drawing on an extensive database containing financial, employment and ownership data for several thousand small firms, the book examines whether small firms do actually provide jobs, whether they grow and why small firms fail. Guidance is given on how to spot the signs of impending failure in a small business, which is of use to accountants small business PR actioners and government grant providers.


Originally published in 1994, this text analyses the key issues that influence the growth and development of small businesses. Looking at the concept in which they operate, the book outlines the factors that are dominant in the sector and explores the effects if has on the economy. Is the creation of small businesses the answer to unemployment? Has the lowering of interest rates or taxation encouraged the self-employed to work harder? Have banks given small business a raw deal? These are just some of the questions discussed as David Storey explains the issues of employment, finance and policy and the issues dictating failure or success.