Reshaping Perspectives: The societal impact of entrepreneurial leadership and SME growth.

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Entrepreneurial leaders are expected to pursue maximum profit through SME growth (Hermans et al., 2015; Leitch and Volery, 2017). However, the OECD posit that SMEs also exhibit social growth and contribute significantly to social prosperity and cohesion (Seigal et al., 2022; OECD, 2017; Gavurova, 2021). There is a paucity of research into the socially responsible entrepreneurial leader and how they generate a more meaningful and inclusive ‘augmented’ SME growth contributing positively to societal impact and wellbeing.
Aim: This paper aims to illuminate how entrepreneurial leader decisions enable augmented SME growth and providing more purposeful socio-economic development beyond profit.
Methodology: Using a mixed methods explanatory sequential approach, 204 entrepreneurial leaders completed a questionnaire survey followed by 20 semi-structured interviews. The data collected was analysed using SPSS v26 and NVivo12.
Contribution: The research findings reveal entrepreneurial leadership as a purposeful enabler of augmented SME growth and advances the theory of entrepreneurial leadership by evidencing the social ‘value’ contributed by SME entrepreneurial leaders. The research also makes an important contribution to a nuanced definition of entrepreneurial leadership that enables augmented SME growth.
Implications for policy, include exposing the inadequacy of singular economic measures of SME growth, advocating ‘augmented’ SME growth metrics to highlight the ‘real value’ SMEs contribute to their economy and societal wellbeing.
Implications for practice, encompasses professional development for entrepreneurial leaders for pre-start and start up leaders, enhancing their awareness and knowledge of augmented SME growth and purposeful entrepreneurial leadership.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 26 Oct 2022
EventInstitute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference-2022: NEW APPROACHES TO RAISING ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY: RESHAPING INCLUSIVE ENTERPRISE, POLICY, AND PRACTICE POST-PANDEMIC - York Principal Hotel, Station Road, York, YO24 1AA, York, United Kingdom
Duration: 26 Oct 202228 Oct 2022
https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/#/event/2893/program

Conference

ConferenceInstitute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference-2022
Abbreviated titleISBE
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityYork
Period26/10/2228/10/22
Internet address

Keywords

  • Entrepreneurial Leadership
  • societal Impact
  • Augmented SME Growth

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