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Introduction
Enterprise and entrepreneurship are crucial to "boosting productivity, increasing competition and innovation, creating employment and prosperity, and revitalising our communities" ([7] SBS, 2002). The Small Business Service (SBS), the UK Government's agency for small business published a new policy framework for a government-wide approach to foster enterprise and help small businesses ([7] SBS, 2002). This policy initiative provides the Framework for the analysis of the research activity reported in this paper. The primary aims are to:
map the research and policy evidence from the ISBE 2005 National Conference against the seven strategic themes published in the SBS policy document;
evaluate the evidence in relation to the seven themes and prior research evidence published by SBS;
draw conclusions concerning the research underpinning each of the seven strategic themes; and
provide recommendations and guidance for the future direction of research in the field.
The SBS report identified seven strategic themes as key drivers for economic growth, improved productivity and a wider involvement in enterprise for all ([7] SBS, 2002):
building an enterprise culture;
encouraging a more dynamic start-up market;
building the capability for small business growth;
improving access to finance for small businesses;
encouraging more enterprise in disadvantaged communities and under-represented groups;
improving small businesses' experience of Government services; and
developing better regulation and policy.
The expressed aim of the SBS policy framework was to ensure a more coherent engagement between the whole of the UK Government and the small business sector. More recently, the SBS has repositioned itself towards a more strategic role seeking to influence Government and the other enterprise stakeholders in terms of facilitating, directing and managing research and policy development rather than remaining directly involved in the delivery of such programmes ([9] SBS, 2004b). Government action plans have been framed within these seven strategic themes which are "based on the key drivers for economic growth - improved productivity and a wider involvement in enterprise for all" ([7] SBS, 2002). The SBS framework as initially presented is essentially a structural device to encompass the range of policy initiatives and associated research agendas. The framework itself lacks articulation of the underpinning reasons for categorising into seven themes, nor the causal relationships within each theme that may contribute to the economic growth policy outcomes....