Contexts of enterprise policy-making – an institutional perspective

Abstract

This paper advances our understanding of policy formulation, exploring how the particular institutional dynamics between the transnational and national levels of enterprise policy-making affect policy choices made by governments and consequently their outcomes. The paper argues that policy development occurs within a framework of dominating assumptions on enterprise, influential academic/policy communities and lesson-drawing from other countries' experiences, which have led to a privileging of the transnational when making policy choices. Empirically, the paper draws on a post-socialist country case -Albania, and uses interviews with policy actors and documentary data from national governments and international organisations. The paper explores the dynamics involved, and the actors that shape, policy formulation and makes two contributions to the literature. First, it provides a conceptual framework on how to analyse policy formulation, extending recent work on the link between policy formulation and the intended outcomes of policies. Second, it offers a more nuanced conceptualisation of enterprise policy formulation, arguing that policy formulation reflects the changing configurations of ideas, policy tools and resources, and actors involved in the process.

The Effect of Business Enabling Policies, Tax Treatment, Corruption and Political Connections on Business Climate

“…An adoption of a similar framework for corporate / enterprise policy formulation, which Arshed et al [71] suggested should lead to better results. Likewise, Xheneti [22] offers a conceptual framework for exploring policy formulation, linking policy formulation and the intended policy outcomes [14]. Business policies designed to improve the business environment should encourage or motivate business start-up and entrepreneurial activity.…”

“…According to both official reports and previous studies, informal competition, corruption and tax administration were among the top business environment obstacles identified by Albanian entrepreneurs [19]- [21]. Entrepreneurial activity, carried out primarily by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), makes an important contribution to the Albanian economic growth [22]. SMEs contribute more than 70% of value added and account for more than 80% of employment.…”

The evolution of SME policy: the case of New Zealand

“…This is important for several reasons. First, the perspective of individual actors who are directly involved in the development of SME policy has long been neglected (Arshed et al, 2014;Xheneti, 2017). However, policy development is a political process that is neither objective nor neutral (Smallbone, 2016), but driven by individual actorsgovernment officials, researchers, small businesses, advisorswho act within a specific context.…”

“…We examine actors, made up of policy-makers, champions, ministers and stakeholders; events, which take place in international and domestic economic policy; and the context that actors and events interact in, linking activities to the temporality of events. This approach tackles calls to examine the process of SME policy development (Arshed et al, 2014;Xheneti, 2017) as it is 'the process that needs to be generalized' (Smallbone, 2016, p. 10).…”

Myth-busting and entrepreneurship policy: the case of high growth firms

“…Importantly, these myths can also influence policy priorities (Gibb 2000;Xheneti, 2016). Due to this, Rehn et al (2013, 544) claim it is important scholars are able to challenge the "most valued assumptions and subject these to critical scrutiny".…”