Entrepreneurship and the Role of Policy

Williams, Nick

doi:10.1068/c3101ed

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…First, it was undertaken at a specific point in history. Since then government has changed, individuals have moved to different posts and there is a new Secretary of State and new ministers in charge which will have combined to alter the environment in which the research was undertaken -although enterprise policy has remained ineffective despite the political rhetoric of both the Labour and the Coalition governments in this time (Thompson et al 2012;Williams 2013). However, this does not preclude the replication of this research with a different sample, either within the same department or with other government departments.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such policies are considered to be the most important policy instruments for a global and knowledge based economy (Gilbert et al 2004). Yet despite their popularity, the effectiveness of enterprise policy is questioned (Curran and Storey 2002;Richard et al 2007;Huggins and Williams 2009;Williams 2013), with critics attributing its lack of effectiveness to the way in which policy has been implemented. However, Shane (2009, p. 142), writing in Small Business Economics, offers a more fundamental explanation for the lack of effectiveness of enterprise policy, simply that it is "bad public policy."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But this begs the question why the legislative process produces 'bad' public policy? Recent analyses suggest that it may be attributable to the ways in which policy ideas originate and develop (Dennis Jr 2011; Williams 2013). Most of the enterprise policy literature has focused on the implementation (Mole 2002;Xheneti and Kitching 2011;Vega et al 2013) and evaluation stages (Storey 2002;Bennett 2008;Lenihan 2011;Cowie 2012;Jones et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The ineffectiveness of entrepreneurship policy: is policy formulation to blame?

2014

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Entrepreneurship policy has been criticised for its lack of effectiveness. Some scholars, such as Scott Shane in this journal, have argued that it is 'bad' public policy. But this simply begs the question why the legislative process should generate bad policy? To answer this question this study examines the UK's enterprise policy process in the 2009-2010 period. It suggests that a key factor for the ineffectiveness of policy is how it is formulated. This stage in the policy process is seldom visible to those outside of government departments and has been largely ignored by prior research. The application of institutional theory provides a detailed theoretical understanding of the actors and the process by which enterprise policy is formulated. We find that by opening up the 'black box' of enterprise policy formulation, the process is dominated by powerful actors who govern the process with their interests.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ineffectiveness of entrepreneurship policy: is policy formulation to blame?

2014

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“…Policy makers often introduce new regulations with the aim of developing stronger small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) sectors that can contribute to economic growth (Dennis, ; Williams, ). Despite the positive intentions to reshape institutional environments, unforeseen outcomes from insufficient regulation design can undermine these SME development policies and lead to the emergence of informal business activities and a hidden enterprise culture (Williams and Nadin, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hidden Entrepreneurs: Informal Practices within the Formal Economy

Al-Mataani

Wainwright

Demirel

2017

European Management Review

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The focus of this study is ‘hidden entrepreneurs’ who bridge formal and informal economies. While their business activities are legal, the governance and ownership structures of their organizations are illegal. This qualitative study draws upon institutional theory to illuminate the emergence of international hidden entrepreneurs in Oman as an unintended response to institutional configurations, and to examine its perceived effects on the domestic entrepreneurial ecosystem. Hidden practices, shaped by the dynamics of institutional environments, are perceived negatively by policy makers and domestic entrepreneurs, but offer potential contributions for entrepreneurial development. In‐depth interviews with entrepreneurs and stakeholders reveal how hidden practices are shaped by the dynamics of regulatory and social institutions. Loopholes, or flawed institutional configurations, and prevailing sociocultural factors drive the emergence of hidden practices. The study contributes to informal entrepreneurship literature and policy making through highlighting the relevance of international entrepreneurs in enabling entrepreneurial ecosystem development.

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“…The Welsh economy is heading towards a post-Brexit future with historically lower levels of productivity continuing to leave the country lagging behind the UK average (Huggins and Williams, 2011;Welsh Government, 2017). An understanding of how new models of innovation are constructed and developed are then particularly important for policy makers and academia in Wales.…”

Section: Introduction: Innovation and Policy In Walesmentioning

confidence: 99%