Finansiering av företag : är bristen på externt kapital en faktor som hämmarlandsbygdsföretagens tillväxt?

Abstract: The interest in businesses active on the countryside and their funding situation has increased in recent years. In a survey, conducted by Leif Berndtsson (2003), it was reported that there is a lack of external capital in rural areas. According to Berndtsson (2003) the lack of external capital inhibits the rural firm’s growth. The essay attempts to answer whether the shortage of external capital is a factor that inhibits development for rural businesses. The theory is based on a literature review in which various external and internal funding options are being presented. The empirical study has been undertaken through a literature search in various databases.The essay shows that access to external capital do not differ between rural areas and cities. The study also shows that rural firms are not underperforming and that “the lack of external capital” is not a factor that inhibits the growth of rural businesses.