Economic Gardening: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Small Business Ecosystems in Regional, Rural and International Development

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the rural, regional, national and international economies around the globe. Learning more about how SMEs are able to survive and contribute to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystems in which they are contributing players is important for economic growth and social development.

This book contains eight chapters from a range of international authors. It reflects the diversity of issues and the complexity of SMEs as an area for government, industry and academics seeking to shape effective policies that will support this important sector.

Each chapter in Economic Gardening: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Small Business Ecosystems in Regional, Rural and International Development focuses on understanding a specific issue for SMEs. Topics examined include: job creation and economic growth, relational capital in SME performance in South Australia, the Tech Startup Action Plan in Sydney Australia, external knowledge sources and female entrepreneurs in Australia, sustainable entrepreneurship in Australia, entrepreneurship in Israel, under-performance and female entrepreneurs in Wales, and entrepreneurial ecosystems in accounting firms in India.