Title: SME directors and boards: the contribution of directors and boards to the growth and development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Authors: Colin Coulson-Thomas

Addresses: Lincoln Business School, University of Lincoln, Mill Reach, Mill Lane, Water Newton, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6LY, UK

Abstract: Corporate governance concerns, discussions and developments have been largely concerned with listed companies and situations in which there is a clear separation of ownership and control. This article examines the relevance of corporate governance to the worlds of smaller companies, family businesses and owner directors. It reports some preliminary findings of an examination of the governance of 60 unlisted SMEs based in the East of England which took place during 2005 and 2006. After assessing the value being added by the directors and boards encountered and the contribution effective boards could make to the growth and development of SMEs, it considers the implications of the findings and areas for further research.

Keywords: owner directors; family businesses; company directors; SME directors; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; SME corporate governance; SME boards; family company boards; entrepreneurs; SME growth; director perceptions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2007.014316

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2007 Vol.3 No.3, pp.250 - 261

Published online: 01 Jul 2007 *

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