THE RESPONSE OF SMALL ONTARIO BUSINESSES TO A CHANGING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT This article examines small firms, the environment and their responses to changes in the environment. The study focuses on three industries after the inception of the FT A in 1989. The three industries chosen for the study were the wine industry, the women's apparel industry and the household furniture industry. All three industries were described as being vulnerable in a free trade environment and it was suggested that firms in these industries might be unable to compete in such an environment. The article outlines the factors that small businesses perceived as affecting the business environment and their responses to the changing environment.