Perceptions of Enterprise zones in Sweden : A case study on how entrepreneurs in North Rinkeby would perceive the introduction of an Enterprise zone program

Sammanfattning: The objective of this study is to examine how entrepreneurs in North Rinkeby perceive the Enterprise zone (EZ) program suggested by the Swedish government. The purpose of implementing an enterprise zone program is to revive the economic and social condition of deprived areas. This study analyzes the perception of this proposal by examining it on a regional level.  What are the entrepreneurs’ knowledge about the proposed policy and their perception on how it will influence their decisions of employment or relocation? The method of the research is a case study of North Rinkeby area, which is one of the areas under consideration for becoming part of the proposal.  Survey questionnaires were conducted in North Rinkeby, and the neighboring areas Tensta and Bromsten. 38 respondents were surveyed regarding their perception of how the enterprise zone proposal would influence factors such as employment and entrepreneurial start-ups. The results show that many of the entrepreneurs in the North Rinkeby area are in favor of a proposal such as the Enterprise zone program which the government have suggested. Many of the respondents had little or no knowledge of the proposal of the enterprise zone program. Many of entrepreneurs found that the proposal to be unfair in terms of competition between firms in North Rinkey and its neighboring areas. At a regional level many of the entrepreneurs welcomed the proposal and agreed that if it were to be implemented, it would have a growth enhancing effect for many firms. This in turn, would lead to a positive change in firm’s employability and profitability. The respondents also thought that the proposal would increase the amount of start-ups in North Rinkeby if it were to be implemented. The investigators of this proposal have argued that relocation to the chosen area would be large from the neighboring areas. The result were mixed among entrepreneurs in the neighboring areas as how they view the relocation factor.  Even though the enterprise zone program was recently rejected, many of the entrepreneurs in all of the three areas perceived this proposal as welfare enhancing.