First Call for Papers

The Fifth Stimulating Manufacturing Excellence in

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

International Conference

13-15 May 2002

University Centre for Business Transformation

Ashcroft International Business School

Anglia Polytechnic University

The Centre for Business Transformation has pleasure in inviting you to attend the fifth international conference on Stimulating Manufacturing Excellence in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMESME).

It is to be held at Anglia Polytechnic's Danbury Campus, the base of the Ashcroft International Business School. The original building was once the Palace of the Bishop of Rochester and is set in attractive formal gardens. Attached to the old palace is a purpose-built conference centre with ensuite bedrooms and a high quality restaurant. There is a tennis court and a croquet lawn for the use of attendees during their stay.

We have a thriving Regional Small Business Development Centre attached to CBT that has the expertise and experience to support small and growing businesses. Small businesses have long been recognised as playing a vital role in the economy of a nation and are the bedrock of an enterprising economy.

Conference themes are under discussion, along with the conference website development, and the outcomes will be available for you to see on the conference homepage in due course.

Important dates

• submission of papers by 10 December 2001
• acceptance and reviewer comments by 19 January 2002
• early Bird registration for the conference by 4 February 2002
• registration for the conference by 4 March 2002
• submission of camera-ready paper by 4 March 2002

Submission of papers

Full papers should be submitted by e-mail no later than 10 December 2001. A preliminary acceptance of papers based on abstracts (max. 300 words) is offered until 29 October 2001.

Further requirements TBA

Fees

TBA - an early Bird rate will apply.

The registration fee will be inclusive of attendance at conference sessions, conference dinner, social programme, lunches, morning and afternoon refreshments and a copy of the conference proceedings. There will be a fee for those accompanying delegates which will cover the social programme and conference dinner.

Accommodation

There are a number of single study style bedrooms available at the Danbury campus, the Essex base of the Ashcroft International Business School, which is 4 miles east of Chelmsford on the A414. A list of alternative accommodation will be available on the conference web site and these will be in Chelmsford, the county town of Essex. Situated in the heart of the town is the historic 15th Century Cathedral surrounded by an attractive traffic free environment for visitors to shop, eat or simply watch the world go by.

Travel Information

Stansted Airport, London's third international gateway, is within 25 miles of Danbury. Transport from the airport to Danbury and Chelmsford would be by taxi.

Additional Information

For more information, registration for attendance, abstracts or

other matters please contact:

Christine Durrant, SMESME Conference Co-ordinator

Centre for Business Transformation,

Ashcroft International Business School

Anglia Polytechnic University

Main Road, Danbury, Essex C09 4EY, England

Telephone: +245 225511

Telefax: +245 222143

Email: c.durrant@apu.ac.uk

For academic questions please contact:

Professor Alan Jebb. Conference Chairman

Email: a.jebb@apu.ac.uk

Chris Swaffin-Smith, Conference Co-Chairman

Email: c.swaffin-smith@apu.ac.uk

We look forward to greeting you next Spring.