How Do Regulations Affect SMEs? A Review of the Qualitative Evidence and a Research Agenda

Mallett, Oliver; Wapshott, Robert; Vorley, Tim

Abstract

The effects of regulations on SMEs have garnered significant political attention internationally yet, in the academic literature, these effects remain contested. This article presents findings from a systematic literature review of qualitative evidence on the effects of regulation on SMEs. We set out the strengths of qualitative approaches in relation to other, more dominant and influential quantitative approaches. We conduct a thematic synthesis of the qualitative research to develop a conceptual framework that provides a processual, embedded understanding of the effects of regulations on SMEs. The conceptual framework highlights four key, interconnected processes: identification-interpretation; strategisation; negotiation; adaptation. This conceptual framework generates insights into dynamic and potentially indirect effects of regulations in relation to a complex array of influences external to and within the business. On the basis of these insights we propose a new research agenda.

Citation

Mallett, O., Wapshott, R., & Vorley, T. (2019). How Do Regulations Affect SMEs? A Review of the Qualitative Evidence and a Research Agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 21(3), 294-316. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12191

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 17, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jul 22, 2018
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Deposit Date: Mar 3, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 12, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Management Reviews
• Print ISSN: 1460-8545
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 294-316
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12191
• Keywords: growth; policy; regulation; small and medium-sized enterprises
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4082860
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijmr.12191
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Mallett, O., Wapshott, R. and Vorley, T. (2019), How Do Regulations Affect SMEs? A Review of the Qualitative Evidence and a Research Agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 21: 294-316, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12191. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.