Which advisers do micro‐firms use? Some Australian evidence

Abstract

Despite the growth of many new business advice and support services over the last 15 years, the extent to which such facilities are used by the Australian small business sector has not been extensively examined, especially amongst the micro‐enterprises that comprise the majority of all small firms. Home based businesses (HBBs) constitute the largest group of micro‐businesses in Australia, as well as comprising the biggest single SME sector in the nation. An investigation into the usage of advisory services by HBBs in Perth, Western Australia revealed substantial differences in the types and frequency of advisers used. It was found that accountants, banks, other business operators and family/friends were the most commonly consulted services. In contrast, lawyers, government agencies, industry associations, and management consultants were only infrequently used. The research project also attempted to determine if the frequency of adviser usage could be predicted on the basis of a range of individual and firm characteristics (namely, the age of the business, the size of the enterprise, and the age and gender of the owner/operator). A positive correlation was found to exist with all four factors, with micro‐firms managed by men tending to use advisory services more frequently.

Business Advisory: A Study on Selected Micro-sized SMEs in Kelantan, Malaysia

“…However, the above study does not measure the awareness of respondents pertaining to business advisory services. A similar study in Australia indicated that government support programmes were not the main choice for SMEs (Jay and Schaper, 2003). The utilisation rate on the services provided was far beyond satisfactory.…”

“…The study by Morales and Marquina (2008) also shows that age of employees was not significantly vary with the perception team performance. However, in terms of utilisation of business advisory, a study by Jay and Schaper (2003), shows that the older of the age the more the owner seeks the advice from those who knowledgeable in business. Both studies disclosed a contradiction of the two different views of advisorybetween utilisation of advice and firms performance vis-a-vis to age of the management.…”

“…Schaper and Volley, 2001 cited in Jay and Schaper (2003) defined business advisor as; "...someone who provides specialised skill and knowledge in one or more particular aspects of business operations".…”

La recherche en finance entrepreneuriale

“…Les facteurs de satisfaction des PME à l'égard de leurs banques concernent les interactions interpersonnelles (O'Donnell, Durkin et McCartan-Quinn, 2002), la personnalisation des rapports (Gill, Flaschner et Shachar, 2006), la gestion des comptes, les politiques et les procédures relatives à la relation banque/PME (Madill et al, 2002), les charges et les frais (Ibbotson et Moran, 2003), la confiance (Howorth et Moro, 2006 ;Hernández-Cánovas et Martínez-Solano, 2010). Certains auteurs évoquent le rôle de conseil (Jay et Schaper, 2003) et d'intermédiaire lors du PAPÉ (Kutsuna, Smith et Smith, 2007). En somme, il apparaît que les petites banques sont plus performantes dans leurs relations avec les Revue internationale P.M.E., vol.…”

Assessing the Impact of Knowledge of Government Business Support Services on Propensity of New Graduates to Venture into Business

“…7, No. 16; few programs that have been able to penetrate the market, the government support programs are generally unpopular among SMEs (Berry, et al, 2006;Jay & Schaper, 2003) Foziah et al, 2006). Here, the high level of bureaucracy and stringent terms and conditions has often been identified as a factor discouraging SMEs from dealing with GBSS (Abdul Aziz & Faoziah, 2009;Hakimin, 2010;Khairudin, 2007;Salleh & Ndubisi, 2006).…”