Growing Up : A study of a firm’s transition from entrepreneurial to well-established

Abstract: Finding ways of creating job opportunities is a commonly discussed topic among policy makers, especially in the context of the struggling world economy. Studies have shown that small firms, in particular young high-growth firms greatly contribute to job creation (Barba 2014; Birch, 1987; Lawless, 2014). However, research show that there is a gap between the view scholars in the field of entrepreneurship has of measures of firm growth and how practitioners perceive the same (Achtenhagen et al., 2010). Connecting scholars understanding and view of growth to that of practitioners will be important to drive growth. Studies on firm growth do exist, however empirical studies on the changes during growth remain sparse. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the internal activities and processes that occur in a firm during growth. By investigating a firm on a micro-level, this study will contribute to the understanding of which activities take place in a firm when it goes from being small and entrepreneurial to become a well-established player. This thesis main contribution to research is the adding of empirical depth and understanding of the processes and activities taking place when a firm grows.