| Entrepreneur/Resources | The firm | Strategy |
| Motivation | Age | Workforce training |
| Unemployment | Prior business failure | Management training |
| Education | Prior Sector experience | External equity |
| Management experience | Prior firm size experience | Technology, Market positioning |
| Number of founders | Gender | Market adjustments |
| Prior self-employment | Age | Planning, New products |
| Family history | Sector | Management recruitment |
| Social Marginality | Legal form | State support |
| Functional skills | Location | Customer concentration |
| Training | Size | Competition |
| Ownership | Information & advice |
Source: Storey, D. J. (1994), Understanding the Small Business Sector, London: Routledge
