Small Business

Internet use among small businesses has recently become a popular topic for researchers in the fields of Information Systems and Entrepreneurship. In view of the media hype this topic has received over recent months, it is important for small businesses to learn from the experiences of early adopters of the Internet. In this paper we present the ....

There is a lack of literature on the ecological sustainability issues specific to small and medium businesses operating in Australian regional areas. Although there are some isolated studies on attitudes to sustainability in Australian SMEs, they do not provide a comprehensive understanding of the actual sustainability environmental practices in ....

This report is the result of research into how Indigenous and non-Indigenous owned micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) perform.1 It takes as a starting point the potential role small business could play in improving Indigenous people’s participation in the economy, recognising that this has a direct impact on Indigenous people’s wellb ....

This research, on the social and cultural context of the economy in Hamilton, a rural Victorian service town, demonstrates how close knit, geographically localised social networks serve to lower many transaction costs for local businesses. Different social arrangements may raise or lower the transaction costs of economic activities ....

The small and medium enterprise (SME) sector has been the major source of well-being and employment opportunities in regional Australia. Consequently, fostering the innovative capacity of SMEs in regions that are struggling to grow their economies and distribute the growth fairly while not degrading the environment has never been more important. ....

The Whyalla region is currently in a unique situation due to a 'boom' in the minerals resources industry in South Australia. This paper describes the outcomes of research by the Centre for Regional Engagement of the University of South Australia that aimed to determine the key challenges and opportunities that owner/managers of sma ....

Small-to-medium sized food enterprises make significant contributions to the Australian economy through developing innovative products and new markets. They also generate opportunities for rural producers from whom these enterprises source raw materials and other inputs. However, small-to-medium sized food enterprises experience significant chall ....

The impact of drought on rural communities in Australia has been the subject of considerable research. Less well understood are the impacts of drought on rural small businesses and the mechanisms they use to adapt or cope through extended dry periods. In this study, strategies these businesses draw upon to manage this adversity are ....

Through the delivery of the $6.5billion Program the State Government is investing for a brighter future for regional Western Australia. Since 2008 the State’s long-term focus on regional development has been supported by state-wide investments using Royalties for Regions funding. With the reinvestment of 25% of mining and onshore petroleum roya ....