Paving the way for Regeneration: ISBE funds new research in response to recession

Four ground breaking new research projects have been given the go ahead courtesy of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Research and Knowledge Exchange (RAKE) fund.

Now in its second year, the 2010 round of funding responded to the challenges posed by contemporary economic conditions with a focus on the importance of entrepreneurship to regeneration and renewed economic growth. As such the RAKE Board looked to support projects which explore the potential for entrepreneurial activity within this climate.

The RAKE Fund, sponsored by high street bank Barclays, Economic and Social Research Council and National Council Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE), was created with the aim of assisting the exploration of issues, challenges and opportunities surrounding entrepreneurial activities and small firm performance and to encourage and promote cutting-edge research which is relevant to both the development of policy and practice.

Launched in 2009, the RAKE Fund 2010 call for bids attracted an even greater number of applicants. The high quality of the applications meant competition was fierce and after a rigorous selection process the announcement of the successful applicants is as follows.

The four award holders who will receive financial support to carry out innovative new research are:

Dr Dilani Jayawarna of Manchester Metropolitan University with Social Enterprise: Bootstrapping as a Strategic Response to Recession.

Professor David Smallbone of Small Business Research Centre, Kingston University with On the Road to Recovery: a Longitudinal Analysis of Small Firm Survival and Growth Strategies in Post Recessionary Conditions.

Professor Colin Williams of Sheffield University with Making the transition from informal to formal enterprise: Barriers and policy solutions.

Professor Nick Wilson of Leeds University with An Analysis of UK Regional Development Agency Support on Company Value: Evidence from Yorkshire Forward.

Pioneering research to inform change and create genuine impact has never been more important than in these challenging times. The results will be presented at a number of regional workshops throughout 2011 and at the ISBE 2011 conference which is to take place in Sheffield.

For more information on the RAKE fund or ISBE please follow this link: http://www.isbe.org.uk/