Leaders, loungers, laggards

摘要: Purpose – This paper aims to assess the link between strategic‐planning, aspects of external environment and overall corporate performance in manufacturing SMEs.Design/methodology/approach A self‐reported postal survey was used collect data from an initial sample 1,000 randomly selected small medium sized UK electronics engineering firms. Prior its deployment a number staged approach validate questionnaire with adjustments made following pilot stage. T‐test examine difference early late informants' response key questions. Based on this test telephone contact non‐respondents, authors conclude that non‐response is not significant issue should affect their conclusions. Data reliability confirmed using Cronbach's α commonly statistical tool consider when perceptual measures are used.Findings The findings indicate degree awareness environmen...