Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) were introduced by the UK government in 2010 to promote local economic development. There is, however, a minimal pre-LEP baseline analysis concerning aspirations of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in LEP geographies. Employing Federation of Small Businesses 2010 data gathered before LEP policy activities began. This study examines growth and innovation intention of SMEs in LEP-defined areas. The analysis demonstrates how key internal SME strategic focus areas of staffing levels, training investment, research and development and online presence support their growth and innovation intentions. Results from fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis demonstrate that SMEs’ growth and innovation intentions and strategic areas that drive these intentions differ substantially between LEP-defined regions. This study contributes to knowledge providing baseline data outlining objectives and strategic foci of SMEs in different LEP areas, allowing LEPs to effectively evaluate programmes aligned with the requirements of their SMEs, potentially informing future policymaking.

中文翻译：

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本地企业伙伴关系地区中小企业的成长和创新：使用 fsQCA 的配置分析

英国政府于 2010 年引入了当地企业合作伙伴关系 (LEP)，以促进当地经济发展。然而，关于 LEP 地区中小型企业 (SME) 的愿望，有一个最低限度的 LEP 前基线分析。在 LEP 政策活动开始之前收集的 2010 年小型企业就业联合会数据。本研究考察了 LEP 定义领域中中小企业的增长和创新意愿。该分析表明，人员配备水平、培训投资、研发和在线业务等关键的内部中小企业战略重点领域如何支持其增长和创新意图。模糊集定性比较分析的结果表明，中小企业的增长和创新意图以及驱动这些意图的战略领域在 LEP 定义的区域之间存在很大差异。