On the distribution and notation of the Etruscan sibilants

A mechanical rule proposed in 1997 by Massimo Pittau for the distribution of the Etruscan sibilant graphemes sigma and san is investigated and found wanting. The etymological distribution proposed by Helmut Rix is clearly superior, yet many scholars appear reluctant to embrace Rix's findings. It is suggested that this reluctance stems in part from the incompatibility of Rix's notation with the traditional system. Consequently a simple method of reconciling the two systems is Proposed and then demonstrated in exhibiting the data relevant to Pittau's rule.

Comparing the conditions for small business and entrepreneurship in Sweden and Australia: Lessons for the European Charter for Small Enterprises

A growing body of literature is concerned with explaining cross-national performance of small business and entrepreneurs in advanced economies. This literature has considered a range of policy and institutional variables which create an environment supportive of small firms and entrepreneurial activities including macroeconomic variables such as taxation, labour market regulation, social security and income policy; regulatory factors such as establishment legislation, bankruptcy policy, administrative burdens, compliance costs, deregulation and competition policy; and cultural factors such as social and cultural norms that support entrepreneurship. However, this literature has not always distinguished between the policy environment of small firms operating in different industry sectors. The purpose of this paper is to examine the institutional and policy environment of small firms in knowledge intensive sectors. The characteristics of the business environment of particular relevance to knowledge intensive firms are somewhat different from the conditions for entrepreneurship and small business success more generally. This paper compares the science, technology and industry infrastructure of Australia, Denmark, Sweden with other OECD countries. The purpose of the paper is to identify cross-national differences in the business environment of small knowledge intensive firms. The paper seeks to explore whether particular institutional environments appear to be more supportive of small firms in knowledge intensive sectors.