Small business lobby groups are the most effective means of small business representation. This is just one of the findings of a new Small Enterprise Research Report published by the Open University Small Business School.
The survey looks at Small Firms and Politics. It examines a range of different membership organisations and how well they attract and retain members.
The most popular organisations for small businesses to join in decreasing order are: professional bodies or institutes (51%), Chambers of Commerce (36%), the Federation of Small Businesses (23%), the Institute of Directors (6%), the Forum of Private Business (5%), political parties (4%), the Confederation of British Industry (2%) and the Small Business Bureau (1%).
Both the Federation of Small Businesses and the Forum of Private Business have been successful in signing up businesses with between 5 and 9 employees. The report suggests that there is something about this size of business that makes lobby group membership particularly attractive.
For further information please contact the Open University Small Business School at b.parter-blake@open.ac.uk or call 0190 865 5831
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6 January 2009