Researchers
The ICSB has over 2000 members from over 25 countries. The great majority of these members are researchers in small and medium enterprise and each has a particular research interest and expertise. Through their membership of the ICSB and their entitlement to access to the comprehensive ICSB database, the annual ICSB conference and the quarterly Journal of Small Business Management, researchers are globally networked. They are also networked with policy maker, practitioner and educator members each of whom may have an interest in and value that can be added to the research outcomes.
Policy Makers
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of most economies around the world. The SME sector usually employs over 50 percent of the private sector labour force and comprises over 95 percent of all firms. As Dr David Birch initially discovered, small firms, particularly new and young firms, contribute substantially to employment generation in a society. And as he also pointed out, the gazelles of the SME sector (the fast-growing enterprises) are a major component of economic and employment growth of a country. Furthermore, new and small firms contribute to innovation and productivity performance. Much of the future growth of economies will come from enhanced levels of entrepreneurial activity and thus, think-tanks, researchers, and government policymakers are becoming increasingly interested in policies and strategies to increase the supply of a nation's entrepreneurs.
Local, state, and federal governments around the globe, as well as the myriad of SME support organizations and membership associations, all want to know more about how to stimulate entrepreneurship and to promote innovation in the SME sector through value-added economic activity.
The ICSB, through its annual conference, publications and international networks and affiliations, provides a forum for entrepreneurship and SME policy makers from around the globe to share their ideas, experiences and concerns, and hear about and apply the latest research to develop better policy options for the SME sector and to stimulate higher levels of entrepreneurship.
Practitioners
While many entrepreneurs are good at going it alone, the growth and development of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) often relies on the guidance and support of people with specific expertise and skills that some entrepreneurs do not have. These specialised skills can range from general business facilitators, accountants and lawyers, to people in business enterprise associations, business incubators and people who work for governments and other agencies whose task it is to provide support for the SME operator. These people make a difference - and research has shown they improve the longer term viability of new ventures, helping them get past those critical first 5 years. Enterprise facilitators and other specialists can help business builders avoid some of the road blocks that can lead to failure and help identify the signposts to success. They provide the support and advice that help businesses survive in the 21st century.
The ICSB support and communication processes - including the annual conference, the member database and the regular publications - all enable the transfer of ideas about best practice between members. Small business failure is a universal challenge and the ICSB provides a vehicle for its practitioner members to help each other avoid or minimise the risks. Moreover, ICSB members are focussed on SME research, policy development and education, and these also contribute to better practice, so that we all benefit from debate and discussion.
Educators
There has never been more attention given to the principles and practice of entrepreneurship education than at present. Tertiary institutions are hearing the beating of the drums and are responding. New courses and new programs in entrepreneurship and innovation abound, at both the undergraduate and post-graduate level. And research into the best methodologies and their impact is growing. Peter Drucker was correct:
The time has now come to do for entrepreneurship and innovation what we first did for management in general some thirty years ago: to develop the principles, the practice, and the discipline.
Peter Drucker Innovation and Entrepreneurship 1985 Butterworth Heinemann page 16.
The ICSB offers its members the opportunity to exchange best practice in entrepreneurship and management education - globally! The Council has world experts amongst its members who are the first to offer their ideas and methodologies to others about to start their academic teaching careers. The annual ICSB conference and Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM) provide members with the opportunity to hear and read about new developments in entrepreneurship and small business education. The annual conference also provides opportunities to have dialogue and participate in an ideas exchange. Great value indeed!!
