SBRT Quarterly Report Q2 2007

Small Business Research Trust
PO Box 299
Knutsford
Cheshire
WA16 6WN

Telephone:  01565 626029
Facsimile:    0870 241 9570

Research

The SBRT works with academic institutions to analyse and investigate a range of issues relating to small businesses. The Trust has worked with a range of academic institutions, most recently the University of Liverpool Management School.

The Quarterly Survey is the backbone of the SBRT’s work. Since 1983, it has provided statistical analyses each year of the progress of smaller businesses in the light of economic and political change. The Survey has been supported by major financial institutions for more than 20 years and is currently sponsored by HSBC Bank. It is also produced in conjunction with the Forum of Private Business, a membership-based organisation representing 25,000 smaller businesses.

The survey highlights smaller businesses’ key concerns for the future, asking the business community what they feel are the potential impediments to future economic growth and development.

From this research, the SBRT can gain a clear understanding of the wide range of issues which directly affect smaller businesses and use this information to promote a positive trading environment on their behalf.

The SBRT also carries out research in support of the APPSBG, as well as other bodies, on current issues affecting businesses.

The SBRT contributes to a range of research projects, both in the UK and in the EU. In partnership with The Forum of Private Business, for example, we have provide academic papers to the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conferences, and have contributed to EU Leonardo da Vinci projects and EU Working Groups of Enterprise and Education Directorates General. A selection of papers relating to Training and Education in small business are available for downloading on this website.

For information on current SBRT research activity, and on planned work or partnership opportunities, please contact Jim Redman, Director SBRT, at the address above, or email jim.redman@sbrt.co.uk.

ISBE Conference papers:

2000: Lack of Skills or Lack of Understanding (The Provision of Employee Training in UK SMEs)

2001: Lack of Skills or Lack of Provision: Formulating a Strategy on New Forms of SME Training Delivery

2004: Developments in EU / UK Entrepreneurship / Enterprise Education Policy - Current Debate and Implications

2005: Lack of Skills, or Lack of Motivation: Barriers to Lifelong Learning in SMEs

EU Leonardo da Vinci papers:

1999: Vocational Training in European Traditional Crafts: Survey of Characteristics of Traditional Crafts

2006: Impact’s Monitoring of Vocational Training in Europe (Project I-Move)