First published in 1997, this study sees the small enterprise as performing specific tasks within the larger societal system of production and distribution, and as being shaped and adapted to the specific social and economic, locally specific environment of which it is a part.

1. Introduction. Part 1. Theoretical and General. 2. The Changing Perception of Small Towns in Development Theory. 3. The Empirical Trend of Small-Town Growth in Eastern and Southern Africa. 4. A Small-Enterprise Theory of Small-Town Development. Part 2. Empirical and Specific. 5. The Development of Small Towns in Zimbabwe's Communal Areas: Background. 6. Two Districts and Their Service Centres: Retail and Wholesale Trade in Gutu and Gokwe. 7. Agricultural Processing and Marketing in District Service Centres. 8. The Clothing Sector in the District Service Centres. 9. The Construction Sector and Building-Material Production and Trade in the District Service Centres. 10. The Dynamics of District Service Centre Growth: External Forces. 11. The Dynamics of District Service Centres: Internal Forces. Part 3. Theoretical and Policy Conclusions. 12. Instability, Flexibility and the Structure of Competition and Collaboration among Enterprises in Small African Towns: Strategies for Small-Town Development.