Growth intentions, strategic planning, and continuity outlook in rural SMEs

Abstract

This research note explores growth ambitions and level of strategic planning in firms located in rural versus urban environments utilizing data collected from over 2 161 Finnish SMEs. In addition, the continuity outlook of 55+ entrepreneurs is examined. Rural firms are shown to have fewer growth ambitions than firms in urban areas, to differ in their continuity outlooks, and to engage on average less in strategic planning.