Technology-Based Firms in Scotland: A Report for Scottish Enterprise

Mason, C. and Brown, R. (2012) Technology-Based Firms in Scotland: A Report for Scottish Enterprise. Project Report. Scottish Enterprise.

Abstract

This study examines the nature of growth of technology‐based firms (TBFs) in Scotland. It was commissioned to provide a more detailed insight into Scottish TBFs in general and high growth‐TBFs in particular. <p/>A common assumption amongst policy‐makers has been that high growth firms (HGFs) are dominated by TBFs. Indeed, the rationale for the considerable sums of money spent on innovation support in its various forms is premised on the assumption that this will lead to the emergence of HGFs. <p/>However, this assumption is challenged both by our recent study of HGFs in Scotland undertaken on behalf of Scottish Enterprise and by the wider literature. The reality is that the representation of technology based firms in the population of HGFs is broadly on a par with their proportion in the economy – and some studies suggest that they may even be under‐represented. This clearly begs the question whether this is the case in the Scottish context and what is the performance of these firms in Scotland?

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Project Report)
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mason, Professor Colin
• Authors: Mason, C., and Brown, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Publisher: Scottish Enterprise