PROVINCIAL VENTURE CAPITAL CORPORATIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
ABSTRACT Addressing a growing need, Provincial Venture Capital Corporations (PVCCs) constitute a dynamic, distinctive and significant segment of the Canadian venture-capital industry. All provinces are now offering their respective programs to encourage the formation of PVCCs, so this article reviews the purpose and evolution of these programs and compares their various structures and regulations. Their overall performance and outlook are analyzed, and recommendations seeking to encourage the further development of PVCCs are presented.
Competitive Strategy and Performance of Exporting SMEs: An Empirical Investigation of the Impact of Their Export Information Search and Competencies
The SMEs’ limited capacity to acquire information and use sources is a major factor explaining their low level of involvement and performance on export markets. Nonetheless, a small amount of applied research has been undertaken on this subject. We present the results of an inquiry into the impact of information search and competencies on the competitive strategy and export performance of 346 exporting manufacturing SMEs. The research model postulates that the performance of these SMEs is determined by their general competitive strategy, which in turn is explained by the ability of the business to acquire and manage foreign market information. The results of an analysis using a PLS method confirm three of the four hypotheses.
THE SUCCESS OF ONTARIO'S SBDC PROGRAM
ABSTRACT This study describes an empirical survey of over 300 Small Business Development Corporations established in Ontario between 1979 and 1983. A questionnaire survey and followup interviews of the SBDCs are described, with a summary of SBDCs' investment experience to date. Finally, conclusions regarding the operations of the SBDCs to date lead to recommendations for changes in the program and implications for future operations.