Abstract

This paper critically reviews the possible analytical approaches to business support policies. Within the general framework of industrial policies, one may identify a set of policies specifically aiming at assisting enterprises or entrepreneurs to develop their businesses successfully and to respond effectively to the challenges of their business, social and physical environment. In this paper next paragraphs we analyze the meaning and implications of a policy that is implemented through service activities. Three main approaches are discussed, based on different research paradigms. Contributions deriving from industrial and regional economics, policy analysis, and management and marketing research are compared also in the light of the evidence derived from the evaluation practice.