Learning to grow: How new, small, high technology firms acquire cognitive and socio-political legitimacy in their regions

Studies on the entry and growth of new firms have tended to focus attention on the resources of the firm and the use that entrepreneurs and ownermanagers have made of them for survival and growth. This paper explores the capabilities and competencies of early stage owner-managers in the context of both their firms and the region in which these firms are located. It is argued that the capabilities and competencies used by entrepreneurs and owner-managers in the early years of the development of their businesses are closely tied to the resources available in the region in which they are located. Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.