Barriers to the development of SMEs in the Australian construction industry

Small and medium sized companies (SMEs) operating in the construction industry in regional areas of Australia often struggle to compete against city-based companies for construction work. This paper identifies the barriers that confront SMEs in areas outside major cities, specifically in regional areas of Victoria (Australia) where local firms often compete unsuccessfully against large Melbourne-based organisations. The authors also look at the possibility of using e-commerce solutions to give regional SMEs greater competitiveness as well as considering possible policy initiatives that may assist these companies to be more successful in tendering against city-based competition.