Small Enterprises in the Early 1990s: Businesses or Small Businesses?

To investigate the nature of Hungary's rapidly increasing small businesses, questionnaire data obtained from 943 small entrepreneurs in 1996 are compared with similar data (N = 1,407) collected in 1993. Results indicate that many small firms are nothing more than self-employed individuals. The rapid rise in the number of such businesses does not guarantee market growth. Analysis of socioeconomic resources affecting small business survival identifies demographic factors & labor market changes as of paramount importance. Business failures can be explained in terms of the nature of their activity. 11 Tables, 22 References. Adapted from the source document.