Managing strategic change in small and medium-sized enterprises: how do owner-managers hand over their networks?

This paper considers the concept that the owner-managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (referred to as SMEs) develop networks during the life of their businesses and that these networks by necessity, change over time. Some evidence from an exploratory empirical study carried out simultaneously in Northern Ireland and Australia is presented to examine the principal issues. The main themes of the article are as follows. The examination of owner-manager networks and how they are used. How and why SME owner-managers use networking at different periods in enterprise development as a means of adding value to their management activities in attaining and sustaining strategic advantage. The difficulties experienced by SME owner-managers in handing over their networks to other managers in delegating control or retiring from the enterprise. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.