Mazzarol (U. of Western Australia Business School, Australia) and Reboud (Burgundy School of Business, France) explore the theory and practice of strategy and planning by owner-managers of
small, independently owned and operated firms, arguing that strategy and planning is a key factor in the growth and innovative capacity of small firms. Their conceptual structure for the
discussion is founded on a strategic growth of small firms framework that addresses the personal characteristics of entrepreneurship; innovation; strategic networking partnerships and
alliances; strategic growth options; and the "strategic triangle" of strategy, structure, and resources, combined with an operational management framework that focuses attention on the task
environment in which the firm is operating, the firm's organizational configuration, and the managerial characteristics of owners and managers. These frameworks are applied to analysis of two
quantitative data sources: a questionnaire survey of 204 Australian owner-managers of small firms concerned with the strategic management areas of focus and direction, customer orientation,
strategic partnering, personality and culture, quality, and systems and a benchmarking database of 112 small firms that deals with the managerial activity areas of management intent, strategy
and innovation, marketing and sales management, customer interface, external integration, products, quality, operations, financial management and reporting, process capability, internal
integration, and management information. Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
