Growth Barriers and External Pressures Affecting Small Businesses

Small business set-up, establishment and continuation are affected by a whole range of external pressures and barriers, a number of which business owners have a little or no control over.

The focus of this research is on barriers such as limited human capital, lack of specialized skills, funding limitations, and operational inefficiencies that restrict scaling for small businesses. It also addresses financial challenges, including difficulty securing loans, limited investment, cash flow management issues, and the impact of interest rates.

The book not only provides a comprehensive overview of the small business growth barriers and covers the external pressure of complex government regulations, licensing, tax compliance, and legal hurdles that disproportionately affect smaller businesses, this book aims to contribute to the broader discourse on financial inclusion, economic equity, and the role of small businesses in sustainable development.

The International Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research series opens a new chapter, as it seeks to advance discussions that consolidate conventional knowledge. The purpose of this initiative is to invite new reflections on the nature of entrepreneurship and small business across contexts. The collections in this series aim to improve the theoretical rigour and practical relevance of the field. The emphasis is to advance contemporary contributions that matter for small business and entrepreneurship, directing us to underexplored and under-theorised contexts.