Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to identify why low-tech micro businesses, in this case bespoke picture framers which have never been studied academically, are failing to grow across the formerly industrialised North East of England. Research into micro businesses is limited and extremely fragmented with very few studies having been undertaken in developed economies, and none in the North East, into the reasons behind the lack of growth of these businesses. This research seeks to examine what barriers to growth are faced by North Eastern micro business owners in an industry that is known to be shrinking and to build on the database of academic knowledge regarding micro businesses.

Research was undertaken from the perspective of an ontological realist and utilised the ideas of thematic analysis using a data sample size of 12 OMEs, which represents 22% of the total population of bespoke picture framing businesses in North East England.

The main findings of the research showed that the majority of micro business owners chose to keep their businesses small, with a link being established between the age of the owner and growth drivers. Unless they were marketing themselves as artisans, there was a desire to use modern computerised equipment but the owners recalcitrance to invest in the future via borrowing led to a lack of it being used. There was also a lack of formal planning from all respondents which could be linked to their lack of interest in growth and investment, especially as 75% of the respondents were over the age of 50 and looking towards retirement. Nor was there interest in networking amongst the local business environment, with other framers, or being members of the Fine Art Trade Guild due to them being perceived as a poor tool for sales generation. As with many low-tech micro businesses across the region, picture framing businesses have retreated from high-profile high-street locations due to costs involved and are being operated in the main as lifestyle businesses that supplement another income. There is still a need for the services offered by micro businesses such as picture framers, but it’s growing increasingly difficult to generate a living out of them.

The key contribution of this research is that for the first time, a study of an industry in the North East that is dominated by low-tech micro businesses has been undertaken, as well as it being the first time the picture framing trade has been studied academically. The research attempts to build a case study that will provide a benchmark that future studies can be compared to, both in the North East and in other areas of the UK, or beyond, for both related and non-related micro businesses fields. The research has also contributed to the understanding of the link between age and investment which will aid business consultants in their understanding of the requirements of such micro businesses when trying to help them to grow.