Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity

Article

Reuschke, D., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. 2021. Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity. Futures. 128, pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102714
TypeArticle
TitleDigital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity
AuthorsReuschke, D., Mason, C. and Syrett, S.
Abstract

This introduction to the Special Issue discusses the status quo of the literature on digital entrepreneurship and digital economy highlighting the neglect of a significant and growing segment of the small business sector whose futures have remained under-researched: self-employed workers and freelancers who run one-person or micro-businesses and home-based businesses that operate largely or exclusively online. Their digital futures and opportunities cannot be understood in simple dichotomies such as ‘necessity’ versus ‘opportunity’ or ‘use’ versus ‘non-use’ of digital technologies. Instead, it is suggested to consider the spatial and social contexts of these more ‘ordinary’ or ‘unexceptional’ businesses. Attention is drawn to networks and social capital and their spatial embeddedness in complementing human capital. Concepts of the second digital divide, digital generations, entrepreneurial bricolage and spatial proximity and city ecosystems are discussed to make suggestions about the possible digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity.

Research GroupCentre for Enterprise, Environment and Development Research (CEEDR)
PublisherElsevier
JournalFutures
ISSN0016-3287
Publication dates
Online22 Feb 2021
Print30 Apr 2021
Publication process dates
Deposited01 Mar 2021
Accepted18 Feb 2021
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
License
Copyright Statement

© 2021. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Additional information

Referred to by: Darja Reuschke, Colin Mason, Stephen Syrett, Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity. Futures, Volume 135, January 2022, Pages 102877
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102877. See Repository record: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/34464

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102714
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/8947z

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
Futures_Paper- DigitalFuturesOfSmallBusiness_14_01_21.pdf
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

  • 83
    total views
  • 2
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Immigrant business in transnational contexts: a multifocal understanding of the breakout process
Onyima, J., Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2023. Immigrant business in transnational contexts: a multifocal understanding of the breakout process. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 30 (1), pp. 155-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-02-2023-0190
Turning job seekers into job creators through entrepreneurship mentoring at Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, India
Sanyal, C., Haddock-Millar, J., Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Owen, R., Syrett, S. and Kaye, N. 2023. Turning job seekers into job creators through entrepreneurship mentoring at Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, India. in: Cannio, S., Carvalho, C. and Yu, F. (ed.) Mentoring with a Coaching Attitude: International Corporate Mentorship that Works London, UK Open University.
A contextual understanding of diaspora entrepreneurship: identity, opportunity and resources in the Sri Lankan Tamil and Kurdish diaspora
Syrett, S. and Keles, J. 2022. A contextual understanding of diaspora entrepreneurship: identity, opportunity and resources in the Sri Lankan Tamil and Kurdish diaspora. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 28 (9), pp. 376-404. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2021-0658
An institutional analysis of 'power within' local governance: a Bazaari tale from Pakistan
Khan, M.S. and Syrett, S. 2022. An institutional analysis of 'power within' local governance: a Bazaari tale from Pakistan. World Development. 154, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.105882
Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity
Reuschke, D., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. 2022. Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity. Futures. 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102877
Portugal Economy
Syrett, S. 2019. Portugal Economy. in: Europa, P. (ed.) Western Europe 2020 Routledge.
Territorial capital as a source of firm competitive advantage: evidence from the North and South of Italy
Morretta, V., Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2020. Territorial capital as a source of firm competitive advantage: evidence from the North and South of Italy. European Planning Studies. 28 (12), pp. 2390-2408. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2020.1722067
The political institutionalization of the social economy in Ecuador: indigeneity and institutional logics
Calvo, S., Syrett, S. and Morales, A. 2020. The political institutionalization of the social economy in Ecuador: indigeneity and institutional logics. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 38 (2), pp. 269-289. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654419857719
Diasporas, agency and enterprise in settlement and homeland contexts: politicised entrepreneurship in the Kurdish diaspora
Syrett, S. and Keles, J. 2019. Diasporas, agency and enterprise in settlement and homeland contexts: politicised entrepreneurship in the Kurdish diaspora. Political Geography. 73, pp. 60-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2019.05.008
Monitoring and evaluating business mentoring: towards a research and evaluation toolkit to measure impact
Haddock-Millar, J., Sanyal, C., Kaye, N., Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Owen, R. and Syrett, S. 2018. Monitoring and evaluating business mentoring: towards a research and evaluation toolkit to measure impact. International Journal of Human Resource Development: Practice, Policy & Research. 3 (2), pp. 35-47. https://doi.org/10.22324/ijhrdppr.3.115
Cities, the social economy and inclusive growth
Vickers, I., Andrea, W., Roger, S., Brennan, G. and Syrett, S. 2017. Cities, the social economy and inclusive growth. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Understanding entrepreneurship in residential neighbourhoods and communities of place
Reuschke, D., Kleinhans, R., Syrett, S., van Ham, M. and Mason, C. 2017. Understanding entrepreneurship in residential neighbourhoods and communities of place. in: van Ham, M., Reuschke, D., Kleinhans, R., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. (ed.) Entrepreneurial Neighbourhoods: Towards an Understanding of the Economies of Neighbourhoods and Communities Edward Elgar. pp. 297-308
Unravelling the nexus between entrepreneurship, neighbourhoods and communities - introduction
Kleinhans, R., Reuschke, D., van Ham, M., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. 2017. Unravelling the nexus between entrepreneurship, neighbourhoods and communities - introduction. in: van Ham, M., Reuschke, D., Kleinhans, R., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. (ed.) Entrepreneurial Neighbourhoods: Towards an Understanding of the Economies of Neighbourhoods and Communities Edward Elgar. pp. 1-18
Integrating entrepreneurship with urban and neighbourhood studies: lessons for future research
Reuschke, D., Mason, C., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. 2015. Integrating entrepreneurship with urban and neighbourhood studies: lessons for future research. in: Mason, C., Reuschke, D., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. (ed.) Entrepreneurship in Cities: Neighbourhoods, Households and Homes Edward Elgar. pp. 273-286
Connecting entrepreneurship with neighbourhoods and homes
Reuschke, D., Mason, C., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. 2015. Connecting entrepreneurship with neighbourhoods and homes. in: Mason, C., Reuschke, D., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. (ed.) Entrepreneurship in Cities: Neighbourhoods, Households and Homes Edward Elgar. pp. 1-16
Spatially-concentrated worklessness and neighbourhood policies: experiences from New Labour in England
Syrett, S. and North, D. 2013. Spatially-concentrated worklessness and neighbourhood policies: experiences from New Labour in England. in: Manley, D., van Ham, M., Bailey, N., Simpson, L. and Maclennan, D. (ed.) Neighbourhood effects or neighbourhood based problems? A policy context Springer. pp. 43-65
Social enterprise and ethnic minorities: exploring the consequences of the evolving British policy agenda
Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Calvo, S. 2013. Social enterprise and ethnic minorities: exploring the consequences of the evolving British policy agenda. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 31 (4), pp. 633-648. https://doi.org/10.1068/c11319
Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance
Syrett, S. and Bertotti, M. 2012. Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space. 44 (10), pp. 2310-2326. https://doi.org/10.1068/a44675
Urban governance and economic development in the diverse city
Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2012. Urban governance and economic development in the diverse city. European Urban and Regional Studies. 19 (3), pp. 238-253.
Regeneration: how should the problem be addressed? A discussion paper commissioned from the Regeneration and Economic Development Analysis Expert Panel for the Regeneration Futures Roundtable.
Syrett, S. 2011. Regeneration: how should the problem be addressed? A discussion paper commissioned from the Regeneration and Economic Development Analysis Expert Panel for the Regeneration Futures Roundtable. London Department for Communities and Local Government.
New ethnic minority business communities in Britain: challenges of diversity and informality for the UK business and policy frameworks.
Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Lyon, F. 2008. New ethnic minority business communities in Britain: challenges of diversity and informality for the UK business and policy frameworks. London Middlesex University.
Realising the diversity dividend: population diversity and urban economic development.
Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2011. Realising the diversity dividend: population diversity and urban economic development. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space. 43 (2), pp. 487-504. https://doi.org/10.1068/a43185
Population superdiversity and new migrant enterprise: The case of London
Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Lyon, F. 2011. Population superdiversity and new migrant enterprise: The case of London. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development. 23 (7-8), pp. 469-497. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985620903420211
Social enterprise and ethnic minorities
Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Calvo, S. 2010. Social enterprise and ethnic minorities. Birmingham Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham.
Review of economic assessment and strategy activity at the local and sub-regional level.
Syrett, S. 2008. Review of economic assessment and strategy activity at the local and sub-regional level. London Department of Communities and Local Government.
Informal economic activities and deprived neighbourhoods.
Evans, M., Syrett, S., Williams, C. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2006. Informal economic activities and deprived neighbourhoods. London Department of Communities and Local Government.
Economies of deprived neighbourhoods: summary of research
North, D., Syrett, S., Evans, M., Sanderson, I., Williams, C. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2006. Economies of deprived neighbourhoods: summary of research. London Department of Communities and Local Government. https://doi.org/06NRU03863
The dynamics of local economies and deprived neighbourhoods
North, D., Syrett, S. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2006. The dynamics of local economies and deprived neighbourhoods. London Department of Communities and Local Government. https://doi.org/06NRU03866
Interventions to tackle the economic needs of deprived areas: analysis of six policy case studies.
North, D., Syrett, S., Etherington, D., Vickers, I. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2007. Interventions to tackle the economic needs of deprived areas: analysis of six policy case studies. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Devolved governance and the economic problems of deprived areas: the cases of Scotland, Wales and four English Regions
North, D., Syrett, S., Etherington, D. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2007. Devolved governance and the economic problems of deprived areas: the cases of Scotland, Wales and four English Regions. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Formalising new arrival enterprises: challenges of new ethnic entrepreneurship for business support policy.
Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Lyon, F., Botero, A., Syrett, S. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2007. Formalising new arrival enterprises: challenges of new ethnic entrepreneurship for business support policy. Prevista Ltd.
Between economic competitiveness and social inclusion: New Labour and the economic revival of deprived neighbourhoods.
Syrett, S. and North, D. 2010. Between economic competitiveness and social inclusion: New Labour and the economic revival of deprived neighbourhoods. Local Economy. 25 (5/6), pp. 476-493.
Local area agreements and local economic development
Syrett, S., North, D., Owen, R., Etherington, D., Engelbert, S. and CEEDR 2009. Local area agreements and local economic development. London Department for Communities and Local Government.
Metropolitan governance and regionalism: the case of Lisbon.
Syrett, S. and Silva, C. 2005. Metropolitan governance and regionalism: the case of Lisbon. in: Sagan, I. and Halkier, H. (ed.) Regionalism contested: institutions, society and territorial governance. Aldershot Ashgate. pp. 247-264
Portugal: the economy.
Syrett, S. 2009. Portugal: the economy. in: Western Europe, 2010 London Routledge.
Agências de Desenvolvimento Regional em Portugal: que futuro?
Silva, C. and Syrett, S. 2000. Agências de Desenvolvimento Regional em Portugal: que futuro? Cadernos Municipais - Revista de Acção Regional e Local. 14 (72), pp. 36-47.
Tackling concentrated worklessness: integrating governance and policy across and within spatial scales
North, D., Syrett, S. and Etherington, D. 2009. Tackling concentrated worklessness: integrating governance and policy across and within spatial scales. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 27 (6), pp. 1022-1039. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0855
Devolution and regional governance: tackling the economic needs of deprived areas
North, D., Etherington, D. and Syrett, S. 2007. Devolution and regional governance: tackling the economic needs of deprived areas. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Renewing neighbourhoods: work, enterprise and governance
Syrett, S. and North, D. 2008. Renewing neighbourhoods: work, enterprise and governance. Bristol Policy Press.
Making the links: economic deprivation, neighbourhood renewal and scales of governance
North, D. and Syrett, S. 2008. Making the links: economic deprivation, neighbourhood renewal and scales of governance. Regional Studies. 42 (1), pp. 133-148. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343400601147273
Migration, new arrivals and local economies
Syrett, S. and Lyons, M. 2007. Migration, new arrivals and local economies. Local Economy. 22 (4), pp. 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/02690940701736710
Enterprising refugees: contributions and challenges in deprived areas
Lyon, F., Sepulveda Ramirez, L. and Syrett, S. 2007. Enterprising refugees: contributions and challenges in deprived areas. Local Economy. 22 (4), pp. 363-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/02690940701736769
Out of the shadows? Formalisation approaches to informal economic activity
Sepulveda Ramirez, L. and Syrett, S. 2007. Out of the shadows? Formalisation approaches to informal economic activity. Policy and Politics. 35 (1), pp. 87-104. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557307779657739
Generating social capital? The social economy and local economic development
Syrett, S. and Evans, M. 2007. Generating social capital? The social economy and local economic development. European Urban and Regional Studies. 14 (1), pp. 53-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776407072664
Governing Lisbon: evolving forms of city governance
Syrett, S. and Silva, C. 2006. Governing Lisbon: evolving forms of city governance. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 30 (1), pp. 98-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2427.2006.00646.x
Governing the global city: economic challenges and London's new institutional arrangements
Syrett, S. 2006. Governing the global city: economic challenges and London's new institutional arrangements. Local Government Studies. 32 (3), pp. 293-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930600693203
Reshaping London's economic governance: the role of the London Development Agency
Syrett, S. and Owen, R. 2003. Reshaping London's economic governance: the role of the London Development Agency. European Urban and Regional Studies. 10 (1), pp. 69-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776403010001323
Portugal transformed
Syrett, S. 2002. Portugal transformed. in: Syrett, S. (ed.) Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change Aldershot, UK Ashgate. pp. 1-23
Economic change and regional development in Portugal
Syrett, S. 2002. Economic change and regional development in Portugal. in: Syrett, S. and Owen, R. (ed.) Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change Aldershot, UK Ashgate. pp. 47-82
Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change
Syrett, S. 2002. Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change. Aldershot, UK Ashgate.
Governing London: challenges for the new economic governance
Syrett, S., Owen, R., Middlesex University. Regional Regeneration Research Programme. and CEEDR 2001. Governing London: challenges for the new economic governance. in: Syrett, S. and Owen, R. (ed.) Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city London Middlesex University Press. pp. 48-160
Regional development agencies in Portugal: Past developments and future challenges
Syrett, S. and Silva, C. 2001. Regional development agencies in Portugal: Past developments and future challenges. Regional Studies. 35 (2), pp. 174-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343400120033160
Changing times, changing styles: new forms of economic governance in London
Syrett, S., Owen, R., Middlesex University. Regional Regeneration Research Programme. and CEEDR 2001. Changing times, changing styles: new forms of economic governance in London. in: Syrett, S. and Owen, R. (ed.) Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city London Middlesex University Press. pp. 1-22
Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city
Syrett, S., Owen, R., Middlesex University. Regional Regeneration Research Programme. and CEEDR 2001. Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city. London. Middlesex University Press.
The single European market and SMEs: a comparison of its effects in the food and clothing sectors in the UK and Portugal
Smallbone, D, Cumbers, A, Syrett, S and Leigh, R 1999. The single European market and SMEs: a comparison of its effects in the food and clothing sectors in the UK and Portugal. Regional Studies. 33 (1), pp. 51-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343409950118913
The politics of partnership - The role of social partners in local economic development in Portugal
Syrett, S 1997. The politics of partnership - The role of social partners in local economic development in Portugal. European Urban and Regional Studies. 4 (2), pp. 99-114. https://doi.org/10.1177/096977649700400201
Local power and economic policy: Local authority economic initiatives in Portugal
Syrett, S. 1994. Local power and economic policy: Local authority economic initiatives in Portugal. Regional Studies. 28 (1), pp. 53-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343409412331348066
Local economic initiatives in Portugal - Reality and rhetoric
Syrett, S. 1993. Local economic initiatives in Portugal - Reality and rhetoric. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 17 (4), pp. 526-546. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2427.1993.tb00239.x