4th and 5th April 2006

Why a Conference on the International Comparisons in the Financing of SMEs?

In virtually every country in the world more than 95% of enterprises are SMEs.   Their economic and social importance cannot be under-estimated.    The problems of funding such SMEs, also seems to cross international boundaries, because complete information about them is not always available to providers of finance.    In the jargon, information is incomplete and often asymmetric.

Some countries have more sophisticated systems for overcoming these problems and the purpose of the conference is to provide a forum in which academics interested in finance provision for SMEs have an opportunity to present their research both to other academics and to the wider policy community.

Why Warwick Business School?

Warwick Business School is the ideal location for this conference.   It has an international reputation for research into SMEs and entrepreneurship.   Some years ago it also hosted the highly successful Funding Gaps Controversy Conference, papers from which appeared in a special edition of the Economic Journal.

The venue for the Conference is Scarman;one of Warwick University’s Post Experience Training Centres.

Who should come?

• Academics already working in this area of enterprise
• Academics working in the area of finance
• Policymakers at local, regional and central government levels concerned with the interface between enterprise and finance
• Individuals from international organisations concerned with cross-national comparisons in this area

Call for papers

In addition to the plenary sessions, there will be the opportunity for academics to report their own work in nine parallel sessions.  Individuals considering presenting at the conference should submit an abstract of a paper of no more than 200 words by the 2 February 2006.

If your abstract is accepted for the conference you should ensure that you register for the conference by 27 February 2006 and supply a final version of your paper by 6 March 2006.  Acceptance of your paper may be withdrawn if the final version is not received by this date and the paper will no longer be included on the conference programme.

We are also looking for four high-calibre new researchers (individuals who have been awarded a PhD, in entrepreneurship or finance, in 2005 or who are due to submit a PhD, in entrepreneurship or finance, in 2005-2006), to present their papers and for those who are accepted the conference organisers will waive conference fees (including accommodation expenses).  If you would like to be considered for this fee waiver, please make your case in no more than 200 words, emphasising your academic achievements to date and also send an electronic copy of your CV.