The role of anchor institutions in creating value for SMEs

Insights from North East of England owner-managers

Bibliographic Data

ID4097188
AuthorsCatherine Mccauley-Smith (Teesside University Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK), Catherine McCauley‐Smith (0000-0001-9026-2490, Teesside University, corresponding author), Sue Smith (0000-0002-3152-2149, University of Lancashire), Liz Nantunda (0000-0001-6792-6017, Teesside University Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK), Xiaoxian Zhu (0000-0001-5375-3899, Teesside University Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK)
Year2022
Volume47
Issue6
Pages1121-1133
Publication date2022-06-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0307-5079 • E-ISSN: 1470-174X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03075079.2020.1861593
OpenAlexW3113006251
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited42

The roles universities are seen to play have changed significantly over the last 25 years. The concept of higher education has, and, continues to morph from a distanced, unengaged ivory tower to a highly engaged community-based concept. Yet there is little in the literature about how universities viewed as ‘anchor institutions’ support organisations. Further, there is an omission of specific detail about the impact of universities on SMEs; they are mentioned but only in broader terms. This empirical study is based on the results of a leadership and business development intervention for 50 UK SMEs. The intervention was facilitated and delivered by a North East University we recognise to be an ‘anchor institution’. The study is longitudinal and embeds innovative composite measurement within a value creation framework with a specific focus on identifying how a North East anchored institution creates impact and value for SME owner-managers. Findings include leadership salience to SME owner-managers, increases in SME turnover and significant gross value added. This study contributes to understanding about what the role of a university, as an anchor institution, is in terms of role, SME impact and value creation, with potential for international application

Business · Economic growth · Economics · Empirical research · Higher education · Institution · Ivory tower · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Higher Education Governance and Development · Intellectual Capital and Performance Analysis · Psychology · Marketing