Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Public Policy, the Performance of Firms, and the 'Missing Middle': the case of the Employment Regulations, and a Role for Local Business Networks

Gilman, Mark W., Edwards, Paul, Ram, Monder, Arrowsmith, James (2002) Public Policy, the Performance of Firms, and the 'Missing Middle': the case of the Employment Regulations, and a Role for Local Business Networks. Policy Studies, 23 (1). pp. 5-20. ISSN 0144-2872. (doi:10.1080/0144287022000000055) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:10797)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0144287022000000055

Abstract

The social and economic institutions of a country provide a framework shaping the performance of individual firms. The introduction of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in the UK provides a key illustration of the weakness of institutions and the ways in which they might be strengthened. Evidence from 81 small firms in three sectors reveals limited responses to the NMW. It points to the potential role of local business networks in filling the gap between individual firms and the government's business support services. Existing evidence on the difficulties which firms have using these services is reviewed, and the example of local support for the Coventry clothing industry is discussed to illustrate the potential role of local networks. The constraints are, however, formidable and if the benefits are to be realized the government needs to pursue a much more active industrial policy.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/0144287022000000055
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Mark Gilman
Date Deposited: 19 Oct 2008 01:58 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:49 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/10797 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Gilman, Mark W..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.