Red tape and juggling acts: the role of regulation in Australian small business

T. Mckeown, Tim Mazzarol, Geoff Soutar, John Rice, Sujana Adapa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The capacity of a nation to maintain good jobs and good rates of pay rests upon profitable and prosperous employers. While regulations provide the basis for this, their impact on productivity and growth is virtually unknown at the small to medium enterprise (SME) level. With this context in mind, this chapter will draw on data from a two-year research programme to examine the changing landscape of employment regulation from the self-employed and small business perspective. Given the importance of this sector to the economy, understanding this relationship is vital to business growth and, many suggest, to innovation and the future prosperity of the country. The chapter combines an extensive literature review, analysis of data sources as well as interviews with informed stakeholders within SMEs to yield insights into the nature, patterns, and implications of (workplace) regulations for Australian SMEs. What we find in our Australian example is that the voice of small business is largely missing in the discourse surrounding workplace regulation. We conclude that rectifying this absence is long overdue and likely to create quality outcomes for all.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearch Handbook on Self-Employment and Public Policy
EditorsWieteke Conen, Enrico Reuter
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Chapter15
Pages264-281
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9781800881860
ISBN (Print)9781800881853
Publication statusPublished - 6 Aug 2024

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