Sergio,
if you were thinking of institutional theory you might consider 'the field'
ut really 'business support' is the usual response. In
geography 'institutional thickness' has been used to describe areas with
greater networks.
there are a number of authors who have written on business support
organisations
In the US Jim Chrisman and his co-authors have done work on guided
preparation - mainly pre-start support. In the UK Bob Bennett has a number
of studies on Business Links, and I have published a number of articles. On
incubators I recall some work in the US by Rice in JBV but I don't have the
reference to hand for this.
Bennett, R. and Robson, P.J.A. 2004 Support services for SMEs: does
the 'franchisee' make a difference to the Business Link offer? Environment
and Planning C: Government and Policy, 22: 859-880.
Bennett, R.J. and Robson, P.J.A. 1999 Intensity of interaction in supply of
business advice and client impact: A comparison of consultancy, business
associations and government support initiatives for SME, British Journal of
Management, 10: 351-369.
Bennett, R.J. and Robson, P.J.A. 2003 Changing use of external business
advice and government support during the 1990s, Regional Studies, 37: 795-
811.
Bennett, R.J. and Smith, C. 2004 Spatial markets for consultancy to SMEs,
Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 95: 359-374.
Bennett, R.J., Robson, P.J.A. and Bratton, W.J.A. 2001 The influence of
location on the use by SMEs of external advice and collaboration, Urban
Studies, 38: 1531-1557.
Chrisman, J.J. 2004 Outsider assistance as a knowledge resource for new
venture survival, Journal of Small Business Management, 42: 229-244.
Chrisman, J.J., McMullan, W.E. and Hall, J. 2005 The influence of guided
preparation on the long-term performance of new ventures Journal of
Business Venturing, 20: 769–791
Mole, K. 2002a Street-level technocracy in UK small business support:
Business links, personal business advisers and the Small Business Service,
Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 20: 179-194.
Mole, K.F., Hart, M., Roper, S. and Saal, D forthcoming Differential Gains
from Business Link Support and Advice: A Treatment Effects Approach
Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 26,
Mole, K. 2002b Business advisers impact on SMEs: An agency theory approach,
International Small Business Journal, 20: 137-157.
Mole, K.F. and Bramley, G. 2006 Making policy choices in non-financial
business support: An international comparison, Environment and Planning C:
Government and Policy, 24: 885-908.
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