Abstract— A vibrant SME sector is one of the principal driving
forces in the development of the UK market economy, so it is not
surprising that, since the 1980s, the birth and growth of new
businesses has been seen as a major source of economic
expansion. However, while SMEs are of importance, it is
their durability that can be considered of greater
significance. The precarious nature of SME existence has been
well documented. Recent estimates indicate that fewer than
61.5% of SMEs are still trading three years after start-up.
Put simply, SMEs are more likely to fail than larger
businesses. Having said that, not only do SMEs survive some
actually prosper. This review paper identifies strategies that
such successful businesses are likely to adopt and, drawing on
these, offers an agenda for research as a series of questions.