Peer-reviewed study of PRIME and older entrepreneurship

The International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research has an article about PRIME in the current issue. It puts information about PRIME and the (anonymised) results of surveys of the people who contact PRIME in front of an academic audience – particularly those interested in the literature on entrepreneurship.

The report was part-authored by Laurie South of PRIME, but the lead author was Professor Teemu Kautonen of the Department of Management at the University of Vaasa in Finland, who is a recognised authority on older enterprise. Dr Simon Down is Senior Lecturer in Management at Newcastle University Business School, and deputy director of the Centre for Knowledge, Innovation, Technology and Enterprise at the University.

The publisher’s abstract and publishing details are below. The paper can be obtained for a charge from Emerald – or via the inter-library loan scheme (generally free to most students and University staff though there may be quota restrictions).

Title: Enterprise support for older entrepreneurs: the case of PRIME in the UK

Author(s): Teemu Kautonen, Simon Down, Laurie South

Journal: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research

Year: 2008
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
Page: 85 – 101

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Price payable: GBP £13.00 plus handling charge of GBP £1.50 and VAT where applicable.

Abstract: Purpose – The objective of this paper is to examine the potential for and barriers to older enterprise as well as the role and contribution of specific enterprise support policy, focusing in particular on socially disadvantaged older people.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a single case study of the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) with multiple data sources, including a synthesis of current literature, PRIME self-evaluation reports, interviews with PRIME personnel and results of a recent survey of 283 individuals who had contacted PRIME for enterprise advice and support.

Findings – The paper finds that, with respect to older enterprise support policy, the tentative results presented in this study seem encouraging in terms of a positive social and economic role for older enterprise support work. However, due to the limitations of the data, a number of questions need additional clarification in future research. Longitudinal research designs are required to investigate in more detail the additional social benefits generated by older enterprise support as well as concerns regarding deadweight and over-investment.

Originality/value – The paper brings the experience of enterprise support practitioners into the debate about older entrepreneurship.

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