Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2013
Source Publication
Journal of Small Business Strategy
Abstract
Empirical research has failed to cumulate into a coherent taxonomy of small firms. This may be because the method adapted from biology by Bill McKelvey has almost never been adopted. His approach calls for extensive variables and a focused sample of organizations, contrary to most empirical studies, which are specialized. Comparing general and special purpose approaches, we find some of the latter have more explanatory power than others and that general purpose taxonomies have the greatest explanatory power. Examining performance, we find the types do not display significantly different levels of performance but they display highly varied drivers of performance.
Comments
Accepted version. Journal of Small Business Strategy (forthcoming). Publisher link. © Small Business Institute 2013. Used with permission.