Cambridge Centre for Business Research : Three Surveys of the Financing of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Western Europe, 2001

UKDA study number:4955

Principal Investigators

Martin, R.
University of Cambridge. Department of Geography
Turner, D.
University of Cambridge. Centre for Business Research
Sunley, P.J.
University of Edinburgh

Sponsor

Economic and Social Research Council

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

June 2004

Bibliographic Citation

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Martin, R., Turner, D. and Sunley, P.J., Cambridge Centre for Business Research : Three Surveys of the Financing of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Western Europe, 2001 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], June 2004. SN: 4955.

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Copyright:
University of Cambridge. Centre for Business Research

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4955 . Cambridge Centre for Business Research : Three Surveys of the Financing of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Western Europe, 2001

Depositor:

Bullock, A. , University of Cambridge. Centre for Business Research

Principal Investigators:

Martin, R. , University of Cambridge. Department of Geography

Turner, D. , University of Cambridge. Centre for Business Research

Sunley, P.J. , University of Edinburgh

Sponsor:

Economic and Social Research Council
Grant Number: M527285003

Abstract:

These surveys focus on the funding of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in three different regions in Europe: South East England, Bavaria in southern Germany and Emilia-Romagna in Italy, against the background of increasing integration of Europe’s financial space, and the specific context of dramatic transformation of regional and local banking systems and the emergence of a venture capital market.

The research focused on the implications of the restructuring, reorganisation and transformation of local and regional banking systems across Europe for the role of such banks in funding and supporting the SME sector. Local and regional banks are being rationalised as part of a wave of merger and reorganisation activity that is sweeping through Europe’s financial system. The concern is that what appears to be increasing centralisation of banking will have detrimental effects on the links between local firms, especially small and medium sized enterprises, and local banks, and the access of such firms to loan capital.

Main Topics:

The dataset includes information from the postal questionnaires. In the first section of the questionnaire, the SMEs were asked general questions about the nature of their business, its size, employment growth, and turnover. The second section was concerned with the methods of financing the SMEs used and what that finance was used for. The third section of the questionnaire covered SMEs' use of bank finance, and the fourth section asked questions on the use of venture capital finance.

Coverage:

Dates of Fieldwork: March 2001 - October 2001
Country: Germany (October 1990-); Italy; United Kingdom
Geography: South East England; Bavaria;Emilia-Romagna
Spatial Units: Countries; Regions within the UK, Germany and Italy
Observation Units: Institutions/organisations
Kind of Data: Numeric data; Individual (micro) level; Data collected at individual SME level

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: Cross-national; Subnational
Population: SMEs in the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany, during 2001

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Time Series
Sampling Procedures: One-stage stratified or systematic random sample
Number of Units: UK: 248 cases. Italy: 165 cases. Germany: 114 cases.
Method of Data Collection: Postal survey
Weighting: No weighting used

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English, with questionnaires available in German and Italian

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Access and Preservation, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: help@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

2 June 2004

Copyright:

University of Cambridge. Centre for Business Research

File last updated:

17 June 2005