Gordon, Ian (2013) SME non-executive directors : having one and being one. Industry and Higher Education, 27 (6). pp. 477-490. ISSN 0950-4222
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
The objective of the study reported here was to ascertain the impact on SME owner–managers of simulating having and being a non-executive director (NED) within the GOLD programme at Lancaster University, the purpose of which is to help owner–managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to become better strategic leaders of their companies. Three research approaches were used: (a) participant observation in each of the 20 businesses; (b) interviewing owner– managers; and (c) a review of materials and transcripts generated from Board meetings. Participants engaging in an HEI-generated network with high levels of trust had an opportunity to behave in a different way; and owners acquired operational and strategic experience of having and being an NED. The initial results indicate that this experience results in greater strategic focus. The engagement of an HEI with SMEs through innovative processes drawn from larger organizations accelerates the creation of trust and social