Strategic governmental economic activities in support of young French SMEs

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to closely study young French small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The authors highlight the structure of these target firms and build a typology of corresponding business models. Design/methodology/approach -The authors used a dataset of 38,000 young French SMEs. It is constituted of all individual and consolidated year-end financial statements submitted by French firms to the commercial court. Data analysis techniques (principal component analysis then hierarchical and ascending classification) were used on the data. Findings -The business models stemming from this typology are typical (to the greatest extent possible) and actionable. The authors are particularly interested in identifying groups of SMEs where government assistance would be particularly effective and strategically valuable for the national economy. Practical implications -One of the authors' conclusions is that the typology is not based on a classical growth model that reflects progressive phases of development in the life of a young firm. Furthermore, it is ineffective and wasteful to focus government assistance efforts on firms based on their age. The authors identify groups of business models where assistance would be more efficient and strategically more effective. Originality/value -It is notable that this paper relies not upon a sample, but upon the exhaustive collection of all available data on the subject. This research questions the allocation efficiency of governmental assistance on the basis of growth models. It intends to provide a better understanding of the criteria that should be taken into account to enhance targeting of assistance toward businesses with the greatest potential for the nation.

Identifying factors key to encouraging entrepreneurial intentions among seniors

“…Entrepreneurship has often been regarded as a career choice made by teenagers and young adults around the age of twenty (Branchet, Augier, Boissin, & Quere, 2011;Nyock Ilouga, Nyock Mouloungni, & Sahut, 2014). On the other hand, some studies have found relatively more seniors engaged in entrepreneurship.…”

“…This is especially true when one considers the substantial efforts devoted in the last decade to the development of a sense of entrepreneurship among students. High schools, universities, and incubators have all been especially encouraged to help students create projects and facilitate their professional ambitions (Branchet et al, 2011). Relatively speaking, the entrepreneurial aspirations among seniors have been underemphasized.…”

Entrepreneurial intention and career choices: the role of volition

“…Over the past decade, research and training opportunities in entrepreneurship increased strongly in service education. Encouraging universities, high schools, incubators and entrepreneurial networks to coordinate and develop common tools to reach the students is the core of public policy in developing entrepreneurship within this particular population as well as helping them to build their career plans and improving their employability (Branchet et al, 2011). A choice of career becomes especially crucial because of the current economic difficulties.…”

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Developing entrepreneurship among students and helping them to build their career plans and improving their employability is the core of public policy in a lot of countries in Europe (Branchet et al, 2011). Following some empirical researches (Boissin et al, 2009), we do know some predictive factors for the emergence of an entrepreneurial project.

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Intentions and Motivations of Entrepreneurship towards Sahid Institute of Tourism Students Who are Entrepreneurs

“…It is a career options for youth and graduates [26,27] by providing employability. It reduces social ills and public policy makers are emphasizing and engaging students of higher learning institution in entrepreneurship to improve employability rate [28]. This has made research works on entrepreneurship phenomena very attractive, more so in how to attract graduate students towards entrepreneurship.…”