Publications

The Present and the Future

Gender Differences in the Nature and Scale of Entrepreneurial Activity and Potential Activity in the UK

In this paper we provide detailed evidence from a UK adult population survey on various measures of entrepreneurial activity or potential activity. In doing so we not only put hard figures on the nature of women's involvement, but show precisely what types of women are physically active as entrepreneurs, or are likely to become engaged in future entrepreneurial activity. For comparative purposes we present identical information for men.

The Role of Loan Guarantee Schemes in Alleviating Credit Rationing in the UK

It is a widely held perception, although empirically contentious, that credit rationing is an important phenomenon in the UK small business sector. In response to this perception the UK government initiated a loan guarantee scheme (SFLGS) in 1981. In this paper we use a unique dataset comprised of small firms facing a very real, and binding, credit constraint, to question whether a corrective scheme such as the SFLGS has, in practice, alleviated such constraints by promoting access to debt finance for small credit constrained firms.

Small Firm CEOs and Outside Directorships

Tenure, Demonstration and Synergy Effects

We investigate the determinants of the number of outside directorships held by CEOs of small, unquoted companies. CEOs of growth orientated firm's hold more outside directorships, as do CEOs of more complex firms. This reflects the need to acquire...

Still at Work?

An Empirical Test of Competing Theories of the Long Hours Culture

In this study we use a large-scale European worker survey to test the validity of several competing hypotheses of why people work long hours. Our results show that there is a labour/quality of leisure trade-off for women, but not for men. Other key determinants of long working hours are industry sector, occupational status, gender and job security proxied by employment contracts.

The survival and growth of 'adolescent' high-tech firms in Germany and the UK, 1997-2003

This report documents over a twelve year period (1991-2003) the continued fortunes of 600 independent New Technology-based Firms (NTBFs) which were founded in Germany or the UK between 1987 and 1996. The findings on these firms, often known as 'high-tech start-ups', had significant implications for policy makers in the complementary areas of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Annual Survey of Small Businesses: Wales 2005

This is the third edition of the Small Business Service's annual survey, investigating the experiences and opinions of the owners of small businesses in Wales. The survey set out to gauge the needs of small businesses, assess their main concerns, and identify the barriers which prevent them from fulfilling their potential; act as a sounding board for possible government actions to help small businesses; and record small businesses' expectations of government business support.

IES Response to the 14-19 Consultation Raising Expectations: staying in education and training post-16

IES Labour Market Overview 2006

The IES Labour Market Overview 2006 provides information on the trends within the UK labour market in 2006. It includes key facts, figures and commentary on the main changes in the supply and demand for labour in the UK.