The role of institutional investors in the UK economy

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.The purpose of this research is to investigate the importance of institutional investors in the UK economy, in particular, the capital market. Institutional investors have grown considerably in size over the past three decades and are involved in many aspects of the economy, consequently investigation of this issue is essential in order to determine their influence. There are three main empirical studies in this thesis. The first examines a sample of UK non-financial firms in an attempt to explain the ownership structure. It will attempt to show which firm variables attract institutional investors. A second aspect of the research is an analysis of the buying and selling activities of institutional investors to see whether they effect the general level of share prices. A third focus of the research is to analyse the switching activities of the institutional investors. This refers to their switching of funds from one type of asset to another e.g. from real property into equities and vice versa. By examining these activities the study illustrates the demand characteristics these institutional investors create for certain assets and in addition it provides a clearer understanding of the economic conditions that influence such investment behaviour. The thesis confirms the continuing importance of institutional investors

The take up of business support by minority ethnic enterprises: the experience of South Asian businesses in England

This research contributes to a greater understanding of minority ethnic business (MEB) needs and practices and helps identify the support needs of minority ethnic firms in relation to existing support provision. The aims are, therefore, to examine the take-up of support by minority ethnic enterprises focusing mainly on the South Asian community with some representation from the African-Caribbean and Korean communities. Fifty minority ethnic businesses across South West London were contacted and semi-structured interviews took place with the owner/owner managers. The findings suggest that policy makers need to appreciate the diversity of MEBs and policies aimed at these businesses should reflect that diversity

Second/Third Generation Asian Business Entrepreneurs in the Uk

The growth of Asian enterprises has been a much commented feature of the small business population. Asian entrepreneurs have been eulogized by the popular press keen to laud free enterprise heroes. More detached academic commentary has also sought to identify the key success factors for this entrepreneurial minority. This paper seeks to explore the role of the second/third generation of British Asian entrepreneurs who were brought up and educated in the UK. In order to analyze the position of second/third generation Asians in business, a series of qualitative interviews were undertaken with 10 respondents, five men and five women. The questions asked focus upon second generation banking, management style, use of technology and expansion. This paper sheds light n a number of neglected issues within the increasingly important area of ethnic entrepreneurship. First a clearer picture will emerge of the roles, responsibilities, vision and practices of this new generation of entrepreneurs. Second, methodologically the paper will be novel in so far as the gender and ethnicity issues are both taken into account. Half the respondents are women. Hence the study also aims to examine the hitherto neglected issue of womens experiences in managing enterprises. Finally, policy makers are increasingly reminded to appreciate the need of the diversity of ethnic minorities in business

Empresarios asiáticos de segunda y tercera generación en el Reino Unido

The “growth” of Asian enterprises has been a much commented feature of the small business population. Asian entrepreneurs have been eulogized by the popular press keen to laud free enterprise heroes. More detached academic commentary has also sought to identify the key success factors for this entrepreneurial minority. This paper seeks to explore the role of the second/third generation of British Asian entrepreneurs who were brought up and educated in the UK. In order to analyze the position of second/third generation Asians in business, a series of qualitative interviews were undertaken with 10 respondents, five men and five women. The questions asked focus upon second generation banking, management style, use of technology and expansion. This paper sheds light n a number of neglected issues within the increasingly important area of ethnic entrepreneurship. First a clearer picture will emerge of the roles, responsibilities, vision and practices of this new generation of entrepreneurs. Second, methodologically the paper will be novel in so far as the gender and ethnicity issues are both taken into account. Half the respondents are women. Hence the study also aims to examine the hitherto neglected issue of women’s experiences in managing enterprises. Finally, policy makers are increasingly reminded to appreciate the need of the diversity of ethnic minorities in business.Esta investigación explora el rol de la segunda y tercera generación de empresarios asiático- británicos nacidos y educados en el Reino Unido. La herramienta de investigación que se empleó consistió de entrevistas cualitativas a una muestra de 10 participantes: 5 hombres y 5 mujeres. Se les administró un cuestionario que incluyó temas sobre la generación de la banca, estilos gerenciales, uso de tecnología y la expansión. Además, se incluyó el tema sobre los conflictos entre fundadores y sucesores.La investigación arroja luz sobre varios aspectos desatendidos en el empresarismo étnico, como son los aspectos sobre género y etnicidad. La mitad de los participantes fueron mujeres, con lo que se pretendió explorar la participación de éstas en la administración de empresas, tema que no se había estudiado hasta el momento. Entre las recomendaciones, se insta a todos los que ostentan el poder decisional, a reconocer la importancia de la diversidad de las minorías étnicas en los negocios

Training women to win: a practical perspective on the training needs of women entrepreneurs

Purpose – Training Women to Win, a University of Surrey project set out to identify good practice in terms of available support and to produce and pilot recommendations that will improve current business support and training provision for women. In this context, this paper aims to consider some of the key challenges faced by women seeking to start a new business. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was posted online on a dedicated project web site, in collaboration with Everywoman Ltd Links were established from other sites. In total, about 1,000 women were targeted. A series of focus groups were also held. Findings – The main findings of the project are that business support providers tend to be target driven and thus supply is not always geared to demand. One of the consequences of this target culture is a “one size fits all” strategy. Practical implications – The paper shows that many respondents, although largely aware that agencies exist, are often unaware of the services that they provide and/or how to access appropriate support. Business support is acknowledged by some to be very good at the initial stages. However, further into the business cycle, there appears to be less support for the growth phrase. Originality/value – The paper adds to the growing body of work on female entrepreneurship and on the support they need

Edtech accelerator as an ecosystem builder

Entrepreneurial ecosystems have attracted increasing attention in entrepreneurship research. Even though the phenomenon is extensively studied and ecosystems are well mapped by previous research, there are still understudied areas like the question, how do ecosystems emerge and develop? The purpose of this paper is to approach the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem through the role of an accelerator. Thus, this research addresses, in particular, the question how an accelerator contributes to the formation of an ecosystem. The accelerators are reviewed and compared with similar support mechanisms, in terms of programs they provide and through their role as an ecosystem builder. Literature on accelerators is synthesized by taking into consideration both perspectives: accelerators offering cohort-based programs and accelerators as ecosystem builders. The empirical data for this paper was collected longitudinally and the empirical part analyses an emerging edtech accelerator based on rich, in-depth data from various sources. Empirical findings from an edtech accelerator illustrate the role of an accelerator as an ecosystem builder. This study contributes to the growing literature on accelerators by extending knowledge on the role of accelerators as ecosystem builders

Accelerator networks as embedding mechanisms for internationalizing start-ups: a study in the Finnish edtech context

The purpose of this study is to extend knowledge on the role of accelerators as an em-bedding mechanism for internationalizing startups. Conceptually this study draws on the concept of embeddedness and on international opportunities. The case study was con-ducted within one spatial context i.e. an accelerator in the emerging Finnish edtech sector. The findings identify an accelerator may facilitate versatile local and international sector specific partner networks, which contribute to the development of international opportu-nities. An accelerator fosters international opportunity development through networks, resources and collaboration at various levels. The study contributes to the emerging aca-demic literature on accelerators by explaining the role of an accelerator as an embedding mechanism during the parallel process of venture creation and international opportunity development

In conversation with habitual entrepreneurs

In 2000 and 2001 a team at the University of Surrey researched best practice in small businesses in hospitality and tourism as part of the ‘Profit through productivity’ initiative. This identified specific types of entrepreneur, so-called ‘habitual’ entrepreneurs. This article seeks to explore the similarities and differences between alternative types of habitual entrepreneurs

In conversation with habitual entrepreneurs

In 2000 and 2001 a team at the University of Surrey researched best practice in small businesses in hospitality and tourism as part of the ‘Profit through productivity’ initiative. This identified specific types of entrepreneur, so-called ‘habitual’ entrepreneurs. This article seeks to explore the similarities and differences between alternative types of habitual entrepreneurs