This special issue invites scholars to submit high quality submissions advancing theoretical knowledge and empirical evidence on the mechanisms and processes that catalyse and sustain growth in small organisations. Few small firms grow and even fewer, demonstrate ‘high growth’, which in itself is subject to variable and contested definitions. One such example being that a high growth firm has at least 10 employees, and achieves 20% growth on average per annum, for a minimum period of three years.
It is noted however, that for most firms, growth is volatile and occurs in episodes; accordingly, predicting how and when a firm will grow is challenging with a complex relationship between firm-level capabilities, growth outcomes and the performance of an economy. Alternative perspectives have developed regarding how small firms achieve growth including ‘random growth’, ‘punctuated growth’ and ‘strategic growth’. There is also a need to understand how firms may rebound from and display resiliency towards critical socio-economic events (e.g., the coronavirus pandemic). These warrant greater attention with this Special Issue aiming to contribute to these analyses.
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