Research and analysis

Microbusinesses: understanding growth

Looks at the factors affecting the performance and growth of businesses that have between 0 to 9 employees. BIS research report number 114

• From: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
• Published: 19 June 2013

Documents

Understanding growth in microbusinesses

Ref: BIS/13/895

PDF, 1.24 MB, 164 pages

Understanding growth in microbusinesses: data files

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 2.84 MB

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Details

Presents findings from research commissioned to better understand the internal and external factors that affect the performance and growth of very small businesses - those with 0 to 9 employees.

Very few of the 4.6 million microbusinesses in the UK ever grow. This report adds to the evidence base on their obstacles to growth by factoring in the values, aspirations and mindsets of the business owner and their beliefs (and myths) about growth.

The research found that, for most microbusinesses, growth is constrained by multiple factors related to the business environment and the internal vision and capacity of the business.

Published 19 June 2013