Introduction to A Research Agenda for Entrepreneurship Policy: why we need a different research agenda on entrepreneurship policy

This chapter discusses why we need a changed research agenda on entrepreneurship policy. In recent years there has been a remarkable growth of interest in entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development from policy makers, practitioners and academics. From a public policy perspective, entrepreneurship is seen as one of the driving forces behind a modern economy. That being the case, not surprisingly, policy makers and politicians have jumped on the bandwagon to take full advantage of this phenomenon. The widespread nature of entrepreneurship policy means that a review of where policy has reached will assist us in identifying an agenda for change.