The aim of this text is to familiarise students with the theory and practice of small business management and challenge assumptions that may be held about the way small business management can or should adopt the management practices of larger firms.

For students interested in establishing and managing their own small firm, this book should help them to focus their thinking on the realities of life as a small business owner-manager - both its challenges and its rewards. For postgraduate students that are keen to 'make a difference', this text should enable them to understand how they might consult to small firms and assist owner-managers to establish and grow their ventures. In addition to students enrolled at universities and colleges, this book should also prove useful to small business owner-managers as a general guide on how they might better manage their operations. Managers in large corporations and financial institutions who deal with small businesses as clients or suppliers, and professionals such as accountants, lawyers and consultants who provide advice and other services to small businesses will also find the book of interest. This text also has relevance to the general reader interested in the significant contribution that the small business sector plays in the national economy of Australia and many other countries around the world. It adopts a strategic perspective of the small firm focusing on enterprise growth. It provides a balance of theory and practice with respect to the management of small businesses. It includes original research and case studies from Australian firms. It draws upon direct experience of working small business managers.