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Small Business Research Portal |
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Institutes (By Country) |
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Main Menu Index |
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Australia Australian Business Limited is described "as a member-based business improvement organisation with more than 100 years experience in advice, networking, support and advocacy". It proviides information and advice on issues relating to SMEs including: Australian employment laws, financial management and latest economic trends. Australian Government Links and information provided by the National Library of Australia Department of Commerce and Trade, Western Australia Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business (link direct to small business section) (AU) Small Business Development Corporation of Western Australia (AU). This is the site for business advice from the Western Australian Government business agency. Women in Small Business Information Site provides information for women small business owners/managers including: business tools, chat groups, courses, exporting, grants, GST, industrial relations, professional organisations, management, finance, marketing, networking, occupational health and safety, quality assurance, risk analysis, self assessment skills tests, technology, teleworking, training, venture capital and women's organisations (AU). Brunei Darussalam Small and Medium Enterprise Homepage. This provides general information on SMEs and the advantages of trading in Brunei. Canadian Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship describes itself as "the only national membership-based organization whose goals are to promote and advance the development of small business and entrepreneurship through research, education and training, networking and dissemination of scholarly and policy-oriented information. It began in 1979 as the first affiliate of the International Council for Small Business. It changed its name to CCSBE in 1991." The website provides access to abstracts from the CCSBE 2000 Conference and to the Council's newsletter. Enterweb (links for entrepreneurs to sites across the world) (Canada) Self Employment Development Initiative Canada (CA) Strategis.gc.ca provides access to business and consumer information and statistics. This provides information broken down into the following categories: company directories, trade investment, business information by sector, economic analysis, research technology, licences/legislation, employment/learning and consumer information. Women's Enterprise Society of British Columbia (WESBC) Agence Pour La Creation D'Enterprises (Business Start-up Agency): APCE has been established for 20 years and works to help the development of support networks for those starting-up, taking -over or selling business. It describes its task to 'Disseminate the spirit of enterprise; Inform entrepreneurs and assist professionals in their tasks [and to] Observe and analyse the process of business start-ups in order to determine what forms of action are likely to improve the causes and effects thereof.' BusinessEurope is a business service that addresses the issues and needs of European small and medium sized businesses. They gather and filter news that focuses on events relevant to SMEs. They provide information and advice to help SMEs make decisions and compile guides for the management of new or unfamiliar events, legal and tax issues, finance and operational elements. Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Small Business Chapter of the European Foundation of Management Development. This is a new chapter of EFMD that was started in June 2000. The EFMD is a European forum for information, research, networking and dialogue on innovation and best practice in management development. It has nearly 400 members including business schools, companies and training centres. Europages provides an online European Business Directory that is reported to cover 500,000 companies selected in 30 countries. European Council for Small Business (ECSB) European Foundation for Quality Management has a membership of over 600 organisations. Its mission is to stimulate and assist organisations throughout Europe to participate in improvement activities leading ultimately to excellence in customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, impact on society and business results; and to support the managers of European organisations in accelerating the process of making Total Quality Management a decisive factor for achieving global competitive advantage. Genesis Initiative acts as an umbrella think-tank and pressure group to help achieve the reforms to help small businesses. It has grown out of the Small Business Bureau that has a long history of campaigning for SMEs. The intitiative is intended to be an entirely seperate and ring-fenced think-tank consisting of the major player organisations that represent the whole of the SME sector. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) initiative on SMEs. UPEAPME is the European Association of Craft Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The website provides access to a forum, projects, publications, campaigns and links. Venture Dome is an online news and information service for the European private equity industry- it provides information, comment and analysis of the UK venture capital industry. Registered users can post press releases, case studies and other information to the site and can search a database of funders and other advisers. There is also a email newsletter service. Small Business Institute is sited at the Turku School of Economics and Business Administration. It describes itself as "one of Finland's most outstanding SME research and training organisations. It is specialised in the research, training and development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The focal areas include entrepreneurship in different organisations, the growth and development of organisations, the methods of research and training, and SME policy." EVARISTE (Etude et Valorisation des Activités de Recherche et d'Innovation Scientifique et Technique pour les Entreprises) is the French homepage for the Global Information Network for Small and Enterprises. It is described as "an official WWW site of the French Ministry of Industry, focused on innovation and technology transfer. It is designed to become a fully operational market place. It works as a starting point giving access to a series of other WWW sites and databases with lists of public and private research centers, especially in France." Franco-British Club was established by the Franco-British Task Force in 1998 to promote entepreneurship between Britain and France. The website provides an overview of entrepreneurship courses adn activities to stimulate more connection between Higher Education and entrepreneurs. The site provides details of how to join the club, latest news, links, courses and a discussion forum. German homepage of the Global Information Network for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. This does not appear to offer much more information than is on the main site of the Global Information Network for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. Hongkong SME Information Centre is desrcibed as "a Virtual SME Information Centre [that] is administered by the Small and Medium Enterprises Office (SMEO) of the Trade and Industry Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The establishment of this Centre is part of the ongoing efforts of the Hong Kong SAR Government to support the SMEs in Hong Kong. We provide SMEs with useful business related information including the services and facilities offered by various government departments and major industry support organisations. The ultimate goal is to help SMEs improve in competitiveness and enable them to exploit fully the benefits of the wide range of supporting services." World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), was founded in 1980 and is based in New Delhi, India. It is a non-governmental organization with members and associates in 112 countries serving micro, small and medium enterprises. The WASME provides the following description of its activities, SMEs 'continue to suffer from certain inherent weakness and handicaps largely because of their inability to furnish suitable security for obtaining adequate credit, inability to hire the services of skilled and technically qualified personnel for management, marketing, etc. WASME is continuously engaged in identification of such constraints and finding appropriate solutions.' Italian homepage of the Global Information Network for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. This provides links to a directory of Italian SMEs and basic information on SMEs in Italy. Japanese SMEs Home Page "guide for Internet users to information on small and medium sized enterprises... We can provide you with SME information in WWW servers of several Regional Information Centers(RIC) and information on SME policy in Japan also." Japanese Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation (JASMEC) The Activities of the Japan Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation(JASMEC) has its basis in the Japanese Government's "Policies toward Small and Medium Enterprises." Japanese web sites maintained by Prof. Itsutomo MITSUI at Komazawa University (JP) International Small Business Congress (JP) Korean Marketplace provides links to a wide range of Korean companies. Polish Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion and Development (PL) Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania and Bucharest Municipality is a "non-governmental, public-interest, self-sufficient organisation meant to promote Romanian trade and industries both at home and abroad, and to defend the interests of Romanian traders before the domestic authorities and in their relations with specialised foreign organisations." All-Russian Union of Small-and Medium Scale Business "was created at the Constituent Conference, held on May 28, 1996, in Moscow, and registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on August 9, 1996." It describes its aims as "Formation of favorable business conditions; Protection of businessmen interests in the institutions of legislative and executive power; Participation in the Russian trilateral commission for the settlement of social and labor relations, representation in the managerial bodies of social foundations...; Distribution of objective information on the state of Russian small- and medium-scale business; Assistance in getting preferential state credits...; Formation of a united data base to help searching for new partners...". Business Times Singapore offers financial and business news with a focus on the Singapore region. Singapore Connect "links Singapore companies and the world". It provides a directory of companies and matching service. Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency (South Africa) Women and Enterprise (South Africa) FIT-03 project website. The aim of the FIT03 web-site is described as "the dissemination of information on technology entrepreneurship training programmes. Although the FIT03 Project focuses on financing issues, the scope of the web-site is wider: Include all subjects related to training of technology entrepreneurs. Training programmes require an integrative approach. Thus, skill and capability development in financing should be accompanied by other entrepreneurial skills. That is why the web-site should serve as platform for experience and knowledge exchange." Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Small Enterprise Development (CH) Swiss SME Task Force and homepage of the Swiss Global Information Network for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. This provides some links to government websites and the Swiss SME support. Thialand Department for Industry Promotion is described as aiming "to be the core organization in promoting, supporting, and developing the capabilities of small and medium-scale industries to compete in the world trade market arena". It has three main missions: "1. To recommend policies and strategies to develop and enhance the capabilities of small and medium scale industries in accordance with the country's social and economic development and changes in the world economy. 2. To cultivate and develop the capability of small and medium-scale industries in compliance with the government policies. 3. To develop skilled personnel for the industrial sector, especially in technology and management, in order to upgrade productivity according to international standards." AngelSociety was founded in February 2000. It describes its aim as 'to become the leading communications, information and transaction company serving the angel investing market. Through a combination of traditional media, conferences/tradeshows and the Internet, AngelSociety is building a vertically-integrated company that will provide exceptional value to early-stage investors, entrepreneurs and related service providers.' Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) Bannock Consulting for SMEs (UK) BDO Stoy Hayward Centre for Growing Business at Nottingham Business School(UK) Bird-online provides helpful business information and other general business links (UK) British Chambers of Commerce (UK) British Franchise Association is described as "the single regulatory body for franchising in the UK. The BFA is a non-profit making body responsible for developing and promoting fair and ethical franchising through its member franchisor companies." Business Angels Network has the aim 'to increase the sources of financing for unlisted SME, start-ups and projects of business creation. Indeed, these companies suffer from the structure of the market, which is reluctant to invest in risky operations.' The site matches financing requests for projects/companies with investors. Businessedge is a NatWest bank service that provides details of its key services for small business owners. It has also developed a series of other sites, which give more detailed information including: Start-Up Centre that provides support to help the process of starting a new business and Legal Centre that looks at the Legal Issues. Business in the Community (UK) Centre for Enterprise is a joint venture company originally created by the three university business schools in Leicestershire, Leicestershire business support organisations, the Chamber of Commerce and Further Education Sector. Its goal is to ' inspire excellence in entrepreneurial management and leadership development through: challenging and applicable research, innovative product and curricula development, informing regional and national policy and practice'. Centre for Family Enterprise, Glasgow Caledonian University. They describe their aim "to provide practical support, education and development for family businesses throughout Scotland. In the autumn each year we hold our Annual Family Business Conference and this is followed by our Family Business Executive Programme. We also work closely with family firms on a one-to-one basis on bespoke consulting projects." Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) Clearlybusiness provides information and resources for people running a business or dreaming of setting one up. The site was launched in June 2000 and is 60% owned by Freeserve and 40% by Barclays Bank. The site provides the following links to services: accounting, auctions, banking, building a web site, managing people, sales and marketing. Cobweb (Complete Business Website ) Information (UK) Confederation of British Industry (UK) Conservative party (UK) with access to manifesto. Council for Excellence In Management and Leadership (UK) Economic and Social Research Council (UK) Elive project is a learning and innovation network linking Spain, Portugal, England and Alsace. SMEs in design, tourism, automotive, environment and management development are invited to register on the site to develop their existing networks further. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK) Enterprise Insight (UK) is a business-led and government-backed initiative to promote opportunites for younger people (5 to 30 years) to find out what enterprise is about and to develop entrepreneurial skills. It will promote existing initiatives, create a network of business ambassadors, provide resources and commission research to measure the UK's Entrepreneurial capacity against the world. Enterprise Zone (Gateway to Business Information) (UK) Equality North East is a one-stop source of equal opportunities employment information relating to race, gender and disability and related issues such as Work-Life Balance, Recruitment and selection and Harassment and Bullying. It provides fact sheets, a search facility, news items, best practice examples and signposting to other relevant organizations both regional and national. EVENT Network is a partnership between University College London and VirginBiz.net that offers SMEs the opportunity to swap ideas, share leads and talk to experts (UK). Federation of Small Businesses (UK) Fit for the Future is a CBI-led, DTI-backed campaign that promotes successful best practice by linking those with experience with those who want to learn more. Forum for Private Business (UK) Franco-British Club was established by the Franco-British Task Force in 1998 to promote entepreneurship between Britain and France. The website provides an overview of entrepreneurship courses adn activities to stimulate more connection between Higher Education and entrepreneurs. The site provides details of how to join the club, latest news, links, courses and a discussion forum. Gorbals Initiative is a Local Development Company based in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, Scotland. Associated with the Small Business Gateway Scotland. Global Information Network for SMEs (JP) Home Business Research online magazine and links (US) Idealab! creates, launches and operates Internet businesses. It was founded in March 1996 by Bill Gross and currently has approximately 50 businesses in various stages of development. Idealab! states that 'in addition to capital it provides a full range of resources to infuse startup companies with the development strategies and financial support needed to rapidly introduce innovative products and services. Resources include office space and the accompanying network infrastructure, consulting and services relating to development and technology, graphic design, marketing, competitive research, legal, accounting and business development support and services.' Information Society Initiative (ISI) (Department for Trade and Industry) (UK) Inside UK Enterprise is a DTI sponsored scheme that recruits companies with a track record of business excellence. Once recruited, these organisations host a series of scheduled visits, at which they share and exchange their expertise with visitor groups - up to 15 each time (UK) (added under institutes). Institute of Business Advisers (UK) Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (UK) Institute for Public Policy Research is a 'centre left think tank' that desrcibes its purpose as "to contribute to a greater public understanding of social, economic and political questions through research, discussion and publication." The organisation has published a number of SME related reports covering issues such as the entrepreneurial society, promoting prosperity and small firms on-line. Institute of Small Business Affairs (UK) This is a UK based institute that promotes research dissemination. This site provides details of current research in the UK, forthcoming coming events and publications. Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (ITOL) is described as existing "to promote the development and professional standing of those engaged in the fields of training, assessment and vocational education. ITOL was launched in February 2000 and received approval to the title ‘Institute’ from the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in July 2000." Investors in People is a UK national quality standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its people (UK). KaratKrunch is a not-for-profit business technology network established in the South West of England, UK. The network provides regular meetings with speakers from the world of ecommerce, business and technology, in addition to addressing issues such as skills shortages, communications infrastructure, regional reputation and access to funding. Kelly's Industrial Directory is described as containing information "on over 118,000 UK companies which can be searched using our in-depth product and service headings." Knowledge Engineering & Management Centre, Coventry Uniiversity, has core interests in the areas of knowledge based engineering, knowledge management, knowledge based systems, artificial intelligence and Internet technologies. The Centre utilises local European Commission funding under ESF and ERDF programmes to provide technology transfer education to SMEs in the Midlands area of the UK. The Centre has worked with many major software vendors (such as IBM, Oracle, Baan, Cincom, Calico and Heide Corp) to make knowledge based engineering solutions and technical point of sales systems accessible to small companies. Knowledge Management Centre, hosted at the University of Central England (UK) Labour party (UK) with access to manifesto. Learning Support for Small Business helps SMEs in the West Midlands apply multimedia technology by providing information and training resources through the Internet. LEDU Small Business Agency for Northern Ireland (UK) Liberal party (UK) with access to manifesto. Marchmont Observatory of e-learning and workforce development, University of Exeter (UK) Project North East (Enterprise and Economic Development Consultancy) (UK) Shell Livewire SME Programme for business support (UK) Small Business Gateway provides Scottish SMEs with advice on business start-up, business growth and high-growth. The website has information on business plans, finance, training, legislation, factsheets, freebies, case-studies and links. The Small Business Gateway has branches across Scotland. Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) (UK) works 'with practitioners in small-business training, education and advice'. They offer a range of standards for SMEs and business support personnel. SME IT Response Unit at University of Teeside (UK) Strathclyde Entrepreneurship Initiative (UK) Technology Means Business (TMB) provides a quality mark for business and ICT advice given to small businesses. UKonline explained "Small businesses will be able to access an ever increasing network of advisers which will provide a comprehensive source of advice on business ICT related issues". Technopolis (Innovation Policy Research Associates) (UK) The Biz is a UK Business-to-Business information resource that is designed to help owner-managers find, ask about and buy goods and services. They also offer three information zones: events, training and online forums. Tomorrow's Company is a movement of companies with a vision of a world in which business success is spoken about and measured in inclusive terms which means looking at the quality of leadership and relationships Training and Enterprise Councils (UK) TradeUK is Trade Partners UK's Internet service that offers a matching service for international buyers and UK exporters. Trends Business Research (research consultancy that uses its large time-series data set to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of businesses, sectors and markets within specified geographies) (UK) UK homepage of the Global Information Network for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. This provides some links to government websites and the Confederation of British Industry. United Kingdom Science Park Association aims to be 'the authoritative body on the planning, development and creation of science parks that are for facilitating the development and management of innovation, high growth, knowledge based organisations'. The site provides news on the organisation, membership details and a bookshop. University for Industry - Learndirect (UK) Women Into the Network is a North East-based networking initiative which aims to facilitate women's entrepreneurship by signposting them to new clients, customers, support, etc. The project is hosted by The Foundation for SME Development at the University of Durham and partially financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Commitee of Donor Agencies for Small Enterprise Development Arthur Anderson Centre for Family Business Association of Small Business Development Centers (US) California Institute of Technology Entrepreneur Club (US) Enterprise Research Foundation, Washington DC, (US) Entrepreneurial Edge Edward Lowe Foundation (US) International Council for Small Business. The Council's mission statement reads as follows " The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) is committed to a free exchange of ideas and programs through education, research,publications, management development programs and conferences among its members and others for a better understanding of the role and importance of small and medium businesses world-wide." International Small Business Consortium provides access to over 30,000 businesses offering a broad range of products and services. The site also provides a discussion board, some business advice and lists of relevant links. They describe their mission to provide a productive and professional Internet / WWW based network to help SMEs communicate about business needs, expand their markets, share their resources, knowledge and experience." LocalBusiness.com provides small businesses in the US with a local business news service. Local businesses are provided with access to small business tools, resources and e-commerce activity in each local market. The network is expected to grow to over 38 cities by December 2000. National Association for the Self Employed. (US) National Business Incubation Association advances business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides professionals with information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring to help them assist early-stage companies. It states that "Business incubation catalyzes the process of starting and growing companies. A proven model, it provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful. Incubation programs diversify economies, commercialize technologies, create jobs and build wealth. Today, there are more than 900 of these programs in the United States, up from 12 in 1980.". National Commission on Entrepreneurship describes itself as being "created to focus public policy on the role of entrepreneurship in the national economy and to articulate policies that will foster its continued growth. The Commission is funded by the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation." The website provides news and details on the Commission's work and also a toolkit that includes: entrepreneurial stories, fast facts, speeches you can use and future research. National Federation of Independent Business (US) NFIB Small Business is a small business advice site provided by National Federation of Independent Business (US). This site allows small business related questions and answers to be posted by users. Northern Arizona Technology & Business Incubator (NATBI) is "a non-profit small business assistance program designed to help create new and grow existing businesses in Northern Arizona. The mission of NATBI is job creation and expansion of the tax base. This will be achieved by providing start-up companies with discounted business services (office lease, telephone, copying, etc.), personalized business consulting (bankers, lawyers, accountants) and an entrepreneurial network. All of the programs are designed to transform the start-up companies into successful business ventures." (Source Email) Research Institute for Small & Emerging Business (US) SCORE (US) (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) provides counselling for small businesses throughout the US and Puerto Rico. According to their website "SCORE has 12,400 member volunteers nationwide. Not all members are retired, about 20% are still employed. The SCORE program matches a small business that wants help to an experienced and trained volunteer." The website provides further details on SCORE, links to other Chapter homepages and links to reference materials that may be helpful to small businesses. Small Business Administration (USA) Small Business Innovation Research Department of Education (US) Small Business Technology Coalition (SBTC) US. The SBTC descibes its role as 'a non-partisan, non-profit industry association dedicated to promoting the creation and growth of research-intensive, technology-based U.S. small businesses by (1) working with Federal elected officials, candidates and policymakers in order to increase their understanding and support for a legislative and regulatory policy agenda that enhances our members' ability to create new technologies, products and services which improve our citizens' lives and the Nation's technological and economic competitiveness, (2) educating the public and other interest groups on the importance of our members to the national interest, and (3) providing a framework for member networking, education and cooperative program services to enhance our members' ability to thrive.' United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (US) Young Entrepreneurs' Organisation is a global non-profit educational organization that ' strives to help its members build upon their successes through an array of educational and networking opportunities. With more than 3,500 members in 90 chapters around the world, YEO provides its members access to a network of peers. SMEnet provides information on export, law, training and consulting for Vietnam's small and medium-scaled enterprises by GTZ, German Development Co-operation. Click at top right of page for English version of the site. Enterweb (links for entrepreneurs to sites across the world) (Canada) Global Information Network for Small and Enterprises is the home page for access to information on SMEs across the world. The gateway currently includes the G7 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and US. There are also links to Australia, brunei, Korea, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, HongKong (Special Administration Region). The Global Information Network for SMEs is described on the site as being started in 1995 after "the G7 Ministerial Conference on the Information Society was held in Brussels and was attended by the Ministers of the G7 countries and Members of the European Commission. They agreed to execute 11 joint projects. These projects aim at demonstrating the potential of the Information Society and stimulating its development. The goal of the "Global Information Network for SMEs", a part of the "Global Marketplace for SMEs" which is one of those 11 projects,is to contribute to developing an environment where SMEs can exchange information on products, technologies, human resources, etc. freely, overcoming obstacles of distance and borders." International Council for Small Business. The Council's mission statement reads as follows " The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) is committed to a free exchange of ideas and programs through education, research,publications, management development programs and conferences among its members and others for a better understanding of the role and importance of small and medium businesses world-wide." International Chamber of Commerce ICC was founded in 1919. It describes its service as grouping "thousands of member companies and associations from over 130 countries. National committees in the world's major capitals coordinate with their membership to address the concerns of the business community and to convey to their governments the business views formulated by ICC.is the world business organization, the only representative body that speaks with authority on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in every part of the world." The site provides links to country level chambers of commerce that are affiliated to the ICC. (sourced through www.gin.sme.ne.jp) International Small Business Congress (JP) International Small Business Consortium provides access to over 30,000 businesses offering a broad range of products and services. The site also provides a discussion board, some business advice and lists of relevant links. They describe their mission to provide a productive and professional Internet / WWW based network to help SMEs communicate about business needs, expand their markets, share their resources, knowledge and experience." World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), was founded in 1980 and is based in New Delhi, India. It is a non-governmental organization with members and associates in 112 countries serving micro, small and medium enterprises. The WASME provides the following description of its activities, SMEs 'continue to suffer from certain inherent weakness and handicaps largely because of their inability to furnish suitable security for obtaining adequate credit, inability to hire the services of skilled and technically qualified personnel for management, marketing, etc. WASME is continuously engaged in identification of such constraints and finding appropriate solutions.' Young Entrepreneurs' Organisation is a global non-profit educational organization that ' strives to help its members build upon their successes through an array of educational and networking opportunities. With more than 3,500 members in 90 chapters around the world, YEO provides its members access to a network of peers. |
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