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1
Al-Zubeidi, Mohammad. "Higher Education and Entrepreneurship: The Relation between College Educational Background and Small Business Success in Texas." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2005. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4795/.
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This study examined the relationship between success of small businesses and the educational backgrounds of their owners. A survey composed of questions concerning demographics, educational backgrounds, and business success was mailed to 1100 businesses in Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties in Texas. There were 228 usable responses which were analyzed by using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS12). Data were sorted so that educational level, sales volume, number of employees, and longevity, were identified on a 5-point ordinal scale. Educational major was identified on a 5-point nominal scale. Pearson's correlation was used to determine whether relationships existed between founders' educational background and small business success. Spearman's correlation was used to determine the direction and strength of the relationships. Then educational level and major were combined with age, gender, ethnicity, and industry, to determine the relationships between founders' educational background, and business success. For this purpose a canonical correlation was used. Five opinion questions concerned influence of college education on business success among college graduates and non-college graduates were identified on a 5-point Likert scale and tested using one-way ANOVA, and independent sample t-test. When educational level and major were the only predictors of business success, a statistically significant relationship was found between years of formal education, and sales volume. When educational level and major were combined with age, gender, ethnicity, and industry, a statistically significant relationship was found between founders' educational level and age, and business success. A statistically significant and negative relationship was found between founders' educational major and industry, and business success. All opinion questions revealed statistically significant relationships between owner's college education and business success. These relationships indicate the ability for the owner to learn, adapt and maintain a successful business. The influence of a college education on small business success was noticeable and reflects the continuing need for higher education to cope with technological advances, business competition, and the changing global economy.
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Mellish, Mars. "Exploring Skills That Liberian Small-Business Entrepreneurs Use to Succeed in Business." Thesis, Walden University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10133635.
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<p> Over 35 years of gross economic mismanagement and business failures led Liberia’s gross domestic product to collapse by 90% in less than two decades. As a result of a general lack of business skills, up to 80% of Liberian small-business entrepreneurs fail in business beyond the first year. Based on the theory of constraints, the purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the business skills that Liberian small-business entrepreneurs used to succeed in business beyond the first year. Data came from semistructured face-to-face interviews with 5 central regional Liberian small-business entrepreneurs who had succeeded in business beyond the first year. Participant observation, the use of company documents, and the use of member checking allowed for methodological triangulation and verification of the themes. Analysis of data involved using pattern-matching technique and date coding to evaluate, organize, code, and analyze the raw data. There were 3 prominent themes that emerged among entrepreneurs during data analysis: business knowledge, bookkeeping, and pricing skills. The data from the results indicated, within this particular context, Liberian small-business entrepreneurs used business skills for knowledge, finance, and marketing. Focusing on these practices may lead to increased profit and business success beyond the first year for other Liberian small-business entrepreneurs. The findings from the study could provide mechanisms for social change by giving Liberian small-business entrepreneurs additional ideas for using their business skills in their businesses. Furthermore, the findings may aid the Liberian communities to create training programs and curriculums for numerous Liberian colleges and institutions for future Liberian small-business owners. </p>
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Vasquez, Cecilia Tobias. "Small Business Restaurant Owners' Financing Strategies for Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7574.
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Owners of small business restaurants experience a high failure rate. Many small business restaurants fail within 5 years of inception because of inadequate business plans, ineffective strategies for changing markets, and a lack of financial capital to achieve profitability, growth, and long-term survivability. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the financial strategies that some owners of small business restaurants used to sustain operations for longer than 5 years. The resource-based view was the conceptual framework for this study. Participants in this study consisted of 5 owners of small business restaurants in northern California who implemented successful strategies to survive in business longer than 5 years. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with participants, member checking, and a review of company documents. Using Yin's 5-phase data analysis process of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding the data, 3 emergent themes were identified: financing strategy, cash-flow-management strategy, and customer-retention strategy. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential for owners of small business restaurants to reduce the failure rate of small restaurants, decrease local unemployment rates, and increase economic stability for local families and organizations through the implementation of effective financial strategies.
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Moulson, Nathanael David Robert. "How Millennial Generation Entrepreneurs Use Mentors to Improve Business Performance." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1386.
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Successful small businesses are critical to the success of the global economy, but they continue to fail at high rates. Mentoring is a technique proven to improve the performance of new entrepreneurs and their businesses. Building on the conceptual framework of adult learning theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore how millennial generation small business owners participating in the Futurpreneur mentoring program used mentors to improve the performance of their small businesses. Data included semistructured interviews with 6 successful participants of the mentoring program, experience profiles of these participants, and public information about Futurpreneur. The intent was to examine the phenomenon from a Canadian perspective, drawing from unique perspectives of program participants previously identified as success stories. Manual coding, cross case comparison, and thematic analysis revealed a variety of salient themes. Themes supported the tenets of adult learning theory and existing literature on mentoring. The primary themes that emerged were (a) Futurepreneur mentors played common roles in successful mentoring relationships and (b) there are common conditions for building healthy mentoring relationships within the Futurepreneur program. Implications for positive social change include improving how entrepreneurs select and learn from mentors, how mentors approach mentoring relationships, and how mentoring organizations design mentoring programs for millennial generation entrepreneurs.
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Mbanga, Nelisa. "Entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial education as tools for sustainable SMES." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11277.
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Small and Medium Enterprises are the engines of economic development. In developing countries, they play an irreplaceable role in poverty alleviation through creation of jobs and contribution towards the countries’ gross domestic products. South Africa is faced with a challenge of high failure rate of SMEs despite the efforts by government to support and grow this sector. For a country to have a strong sustainable economy, sustainable and successful SME sector is necessary. Literature reviews have demonstrated that incorporating sustainability aspect into entrepreneurship improves the performance of businesses. Research on implementation of sustainability principles by SMEs is limited and SMEs have been left out in sustainability teachings and monitoring. The purpose of the study was to analyse the role played by entrepreneurial mind-set and entrepreneurial education on sustainability of SMEs. The research was conducted amongst 10 SME owners/managers with businesses located in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Case study method using a semi-structured interview guide was conducted. Results were transcribed, analysed and interpreted. Results of the research demonstrated that SME owners/managers possess entrepreneurial mind-set, which is a necessity to run a successful business. There was also evidence that entrepreneurial education enhances entrepreneurial mind-set of SME owners/managers. SMEs owners/managers also demonstrated that they implement sustainability principles informally with no guiding documents. With regards to implementation of sustainability principles, there was no noticeable difference between SME owners/managers who had undergone entrepreneurship education and the ones who had not gone through entrepreneurship education. This highlighted the need to incorporate sustainability issues in entrepreneurship education courses. The study brings contribution towards building sustainable SMEs.
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Qoto, Nomonde Monica. "Assessing entrepreneurship education programmes in secondary schools." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019726.
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The emergence of an entrepreneurial spirit is the most significant economic development in the twenty-first century. Entrepreneurship education was introduced in Grades 10-12 as part of the optional subject Business Studies. There are problems across the country encountered by educators in imparting entrepreneurship skills and knowledge to learners. The integration of entrepreneurial programmes into the education system in secondary schools is a prerequisite to develop the necessary skills to start and run a business successfully. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that entrepreneurship education is included in the curriculum as a separate subject so as to develop the entrepreneurship skills at secondary school level. The formal employment sector is no longer able to provide jobs for the increasing number of unemployed people. Fewer jobs are available for the economically active population of the South African economy especially the school leavers. The primary objective of this study is to assess the current entrepreneurship education programmes offered at secondary schools in Grade 10-12 levels in Motherwell. The purpose is to learn from global trends and to improve the current entrepreneurship education programmes. A literature review was done to establish global trends and also South African trends concerning entrepreneurship education programmes. A mixed research approach and cluster sampling was used to select the twelve Motherwell senior secondary schools in the Motherwell township of Port Elizabeth. The findings of the study were that strategic skills, operational skills, competitions, labour entrepreneurial skills, management skills, creativity and innovation were taught to a limited extent by educators. The practical exposure of learners was deficient because of the limited involvement of local businesses and organisations. Learners were also not encouraged to operate simulated businesses. The study recommends that the Outcome Based Education, National Curriculum Statement and Curriculum Policy Statement which have been introduced by the Department of Education be followed but adjustments must be made to the iii teaching methods to follow the interactive approach required by entrepreneurship. Policy makers should incorporate comprehensive entrepreneurship education programmes from primary school to secondary school to vocational and university and adult education centres. Finally, entrepreneurship education should be offered as an optional separate subject to all learners and involvement of local businesses and organisations should be encouraged.
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Ramirez, Teodocio. "Acquiring an existing business." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2614.
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The goal of this project is to review the literature on how to buy an existing business and to synthesize the material into a written instructional manual that a regular individual or aspiring entrepreneur can use in understanding the process necessary to buy an existing small business.
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Ryce, Sundra. "Self-care for Leaders| Cultivating Extraordinary Functioning & Psychological Well-being; A Quantitative Study Examining Burnout and Self-care Practices of Small-business Owners." Thesis, Pepperdine University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10809392.
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<p> This quantitative research study was developed in response to challenges small-business owners face with high stress, corporate devastation, and burnout. The research examines burnout and self-care practices among small-business owners to foster psychological well-being. Many studies exist on professional burnout; however, to date, the researcher has not been able to uncover published research related to small business owners’ exhaustion and burn out. Theories in academic literature on self-care, managing transitions, and psychological well-being can be applied to small-business owners experiencing burnout, while leading through corporate life cycles. </p><p> This research study utilizes a quantitative, correlational, design approach to examine the levels of burnout in the domains of exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy. Purposive sampling was used for small-business owner selection. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS-4<sup> th</sup> Edition) was conducted to assess burnout and demographic data was collected from 66 participants. Pearson Correlations determined the relationship between levels of burnout among small-business owners and whether relationships exist between the burnout domains and participant’s demographic characteristics. </p><p> Results from this study indicated two significant findings. Correlations indicated higher levels of exhaustion for small-business owners who were younger. Secondly, correlation analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between respondent’s length of time in business and their level of exhaustion. The results of this research study may provide direction to where further research may be needed. Recommendations include the development of long-term workable stratagem for small-business owners to manage corporate life cycles, and enhance professional performance. Findings from this quantitative research can be used to enhance the quality of life, and improve corporate success of small-business owners, in the United States.</p><p>
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Nchu, Rylyne Mande. "The effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in selected high schools in the Cape Town metropolitan." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2102.
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Thesis (MTech (Entrepreneurship))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.<br>Entrepreneurship continues to play a quintessential role in the economies of many developing countries as well as in South Africa. One of the drivers of the economy is the creation of small business ventures, which has greatly affected the economic growth, created jobs as well as increased the national competitiveness of the nation in the world business market. In South Africa, entrepreneurship presents opportunities for bringing together the relatively younger population and to redress the past social and economic differences among its citizens. However, the lack of efficient educational and professional training in entrepreneurship is hampering the ability of South Africa to benefit from these opportunities that are associated with sustainable small business start-ups.
The aim of this study was to evaluate entrepreneurship education in transferring entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to learners in selected high schools in the Cape Town area. The main questions are: Is the current entrepreneurship education in high schools effective in the development of transferable entrepreneurial knowledge and skills among school leavers? Secondly, what do successful business people deem important to study by high schools learners in order to be able to start up businesses? Finally, what are the learners’ perceptions of entrepreneurship education in transferring entrepreneurial knowledge and skills? These questions were answered by using mixed research methods. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to 403 school learners in Grades 10-12 and nine Teachers of Business Studies, to assess the current entrepreneurship education and examine Learners’ perceptions of the current curriculum. Interviews of 30 business owners were conducted to determine the factors that entrepreneurs deem important to study in order to start up and run sustainable businesses. A purposive sampling method was used to select the schools for the case study. Both quantifying and non-quantifying data analysis methods were used to interpret the data. Descriptive analysis techniques were also used to analyse the survey data. The researcher being also an observer in the field explains all his/her observations. Data sets were subjected to multivariate statistical analyses including Chi square, and Kruskal-Wallis statistics test analysis was carried out using the Past (Paleontological Statistics) software. The results of this study indicated that high school learners from middle income schools are enthusiastically interested in becoming entrepreneurs. An overwhelming majority of learners (73%) agreed that they are ready to start up businesses from the knowledge and skills gained in the entrepreneurship education received. On the other hand, 55.6% of the teachers agree that the earners would be capable of starting a business from the knowledge gained. A majority of the teachers (89%) would advise their learners to be employees rather than employers. Small business owners recommended that aspects such as creativity, self-reliance and problem solving skills should be incorporated in the curriculum of entrepreneurship education. Finally, in order to improve the teaching of entrepreneurship education in high schools, all stake holders, business owners as well as parents must be involved. This study recommends the inclusion of hands on practical simulations in the curriculum for the improvement of entrepreneurship education in high schools in South Africa.
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Le, Roux Ingrid. "Economic and management science learning area of Curriculum 2005 and entrepreneurial orientation." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2003. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-11242003-170243/.
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Gregory, Julie Caroline. "Worshipping with the wealth creationists : co-constructing meaning and purpose through entrepreneurship education." Thesis, University of Hertfordshire, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2299/17210.
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A dynamic movement known as wealth creation education attracts many thousands of people seeking education for the vocation of an entrepreneur in the UK. Entrepreneurship education in these collectives includes venturing know-how but also co-constructs existential meaning and purpose for adherents, a role traditionally fulfilled by religion. This emergent sectarian movement is identified as wealth creationism. Led by charismatic entrepreneurs this newly identified research domain represents rich opportunities to study entrepreneurs in naturally arising settings, but has been neglected and understudied. While publicly subsidised educational support for small-business owners has suffered from low uptake, this study provides new knowledge about the kind of education that is engaged with in large numbers, despite being more expensive. This inquiry critically examines the attraction of these educational collectives and evaluates the social processes of eight wealth creation education providers in England. Teaching content and methods were also investigated. This qualitative study takes an interpreted approach through a social constructionism perspective. Using grounded theory methodology the providers were initially researched through participative observation in the educational settings followed by theoretically sampling data with various collection methods. Interdisciplinary theories, including the sociology of religion, accounted for findings, which were analysed at the meso-group level. The movement teaches entrepreneurship know-how and 'mindset' - ways of thinking and being. Insulating directives of behaviour and the construction of stigmatised out-groups maintain social boundaries. Employing similar narrative features and resources as religious sects, the socially constructed co-extensive nomos and cosmos privileges esoteric knowledge and is closely identified with modern Gnosticism. Participants do not acknowledge religious interpretations of their activities, yet three North American authors provide plausible canonical works that legitimise the movement. Wealth Creationists display entrepreneurial chauvinism, which equates employment with bondage, viewing the employed as slaves. Adherents choose educators with perceived entrepreneurial credibility to lead them on a purposeful mission for the type of knowledge that promises emancipation. This study is significant for both researchers of entrepreneurs and the sociology of religion. It offers participating entrepreneurs critical insights into the charismatic settings, which can be both enabling and disabling for venturing. This study has implications for academics engaged in outreach to small-business owners who may learn from the marketing tactics of these groups, although academics may still lack perceived credibility. Insights into business group formation will be of interest to business group researchers. A map of educational provision may interest researchers and educators of small and microbusiness owners, and those from the fields of entrepreneurial learning.
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Robinson, Harris Theresa. "A phenomenological investigation of small-business closure in California| An examination of the leadership process." Thesis, Pepperdine University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10107146.
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<p> Small businesses are important to the United States economy, and yet the majority struggle to remain relevant and close prior to their fifth year. This qualitative phenomenological study explored small business closure in California by comparing the experiences of successful and unsuccessful small-business leaders, to understand their involvement with leadership during the early stages of the business, and the impact of this on the firms’ ability to survive. Participants’ experiences from two groups, successful and unsuccessful, were compared to glean an understanding of the leadership process, how leadership differs between the groups, and to see what themes or constructs emerged that could help to explain the high closure rate. This resulted in the development of 12 themes. The predominant themes were: small business closure can be caused by inability to motivate employees; by poor understanding and lack of attention to leadership, and by lack of relationship building skills. The data also showed that leadership shortfall directly impacted 65% of the companies studied, however leadership was not considered a priority in participating organizations but rather an afterthought to be considered only in times of crises. Yet leadership was perceived to be important when envisioning a path for the future and when providing a platform for employees to succeed. Those embracing leadership as a skillset were more likely to get through the challenges of the early developmental years while those ignoring the importance of leadership were more likely to close prematurely. These findings suggest a disconnect with regards to the understanding, role, and benefits of leadership in small organizations, particularly young organizations in the early stages of development.</p>
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Schray, Vickie Lynn. "A study of prospective entrepreneurs' perceptions of knowledge required for success : and its implications for curriculum development and revision." PDXScholar, 1990. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4146.
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The purpose of this study was to provide information to secondary, post-secondary and vocational teachers on what instructional areas should be taught to prospective entrepreneurs involved in pre-venture training. In addition it was hoped that information gained from the study would add to the existing body of knowledge on entrepreneurship education and validate entrepreneurship education practices in Oregon.
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Nwosu, Mike Chike. "Youth Entrepreneurship Among University Graduates in Anambra State, Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6637.
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Nigerian policy is inconsistent with regard to the promotion of entrepreneurship among young adults in Anambra State that would serve as a guide to becoming self-employed. Most young adults in Anambra State lack information on entrepreneurial characteristics to become self-employed. The issues confronting Anambra State as a result of youth unemployment include increase in crime rate, drug abuse, kidnapping, and suicide rate. Guided by the human capital theory, the purpose of this case study was to explore the entrepreneurship strategies that young adults in Anambra State needed to become self-employed after graduating from universities. Twenty youth entrepreneurs participated in the individual interviews, 5 participated in a focus group, and 5 policymakers participated in another individual interview. Data were coded and analyzed using Yin's 5 step procedure involving compiling, assembling, analysing, dissembling and repeating the entire process three times until the themes emerged. The emerging themes were mentorship, vocational training, and ad-hoc programs. These findings revealed that youth who participated in these programs (mentorship, vocational training and ad-hoc) obtained entrepreneurial strategies and consequently ran more profitable enterprises than those who did not. The implications for positive social change include recommendations to policymakers to expand the mentoring program among young adults and introduce vocational education that could enhance employment rate, thereby improving the standard of living, and create educational programs for university students with the expectation that upon graduation they may be able to develop businesses that may lead to the creation of employment and empower young entrepreneurs towards national growth and development.
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Haynes, Dr Tamika Ebony. "Exploring Strategies Microenterprise Owners Use to Succeed in Business Beyond 2 Years." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4635.
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In the United States, microenterprises, critical segment of the small business population, accounts for 110 million small businesses that source new jobs. Despite the increase in the number of created businesses in the U.S., more than 70% of microenterprise business owners are unsuccessful after 2 years. The multiple case study included 6 participants living in Houston, Texas, and intended to explore business strategies microenterprise event management owners used to succeed in business beyond 2 years. The conceptual framework that grounded the study was the 5-stage small business growth model and the 5-stage of the evolution of entrepreneurship theory. The data collection process consisted of interviews resulting in transcripts, review of company documents, and interview observations notes. The data analysis process while triangulating the data consisted of creating thematic codes, and clustering keywords, and ideas from the data. Development of visual aids assisted with organizing information, synthesizing, and generating new ideas. Text, word, and matrix coding queries were conducted and summarized for a cross-case analysis as relating to the interview questions. Thematic analysis and cross-case analysis revealed 3 major themes: customer relationship management, education/work experience, and promotional activities. Implications for social change include encouraging entrepreneurial and small business development programs to develop innovative curriculums that microenterprise business owners may benefit from to increase more business opportunities. An increase in microenterprises may help provide more employment opportunities that meet the needs of local communities, and improve socioeconomic conditions.
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Howard, Yvonne Mays. "Provisional Accelerated Learning Center (PAL) entrepreneurship program grant proposal." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2004. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2554.
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This thesis was written as part of a process to secure funds to develop a Vocational Education Entrepreneurship Workshop for African American students attending the Provisional Accelerated Learning Center (PAL), a local community based organization which assist high risk individuals to gain vocational education and Graduation Equivalen Diploma (GED)
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Carter, Douglas H. "Locating a New Collegiate Entrepreneurship Program, a Framework for a University Campus." Scholar Commons, 2019. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7760.
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University Entrepreneurship Programs reside is a variety of places within a Campus Community. As a relatively new university, the question arises as to where such a program should reside? Should such a program be relegated to a single college or is there an opportunity for a cross-disciplinary approach to its establishment? With limited resources, it is imperative to make an educated and informed decision so as to be good stewards of limited funding.
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Loubser, Estelle. "Die volhoubaarheid van musieksentrums as opvoedkundige en winsgewende kleinsakeondernemings in die Noordwes-Provinsie / Estelle Loubser." Thesis, North-West University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/8286.
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From 1971 public music education in South Africa depended on government funding for instruments, buildings, salaries and equipment, but since 1994 this support has gradually faded. A case study shows that music centers are now being forced to become independent of financial support from either the government or the governing body of the school. Funding for operational costs needs to be self-generated. Theories about business management and entrepreneurial skills were the basis for this investigation.
The aim of this research project was to investigate South African music centers as sustainable and profitable small business enterprises. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of music centers were investigated. Data were collected to form a situation analysis of the expectations that parents and pupils have of music education and the circumstances of music teachers. A qualitative study from the interpretivist perspective was done over four years in order to gain understanding of the situation. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and participant observation. The total number of respondents was 143. Teachers, parents, pupils and principals were involved in the investigation, and a case study was undertaken with a music centre in North-West Province. Music education is not a sustainable and viable business opportunity. Music educators, who are mostly trained in classical music, should reconsider the subject matter and the didactical approach. Jazz and popular music are in demand from the majority of pupils.
Teachers are responsible for teaching, administrative tasks and even cleaning and gardening. Almost half the teachers have access to computers and very few have telephones at work while nearly all the pupils have their own cell phones and Internet access. Most teachers are hired part time without benefits, usually without a fixed salary.
Music education must be relevant and entertaining. Educators should adapt to the needs of the client and other sources of income should be investigated. Ways in which services could be expanded should be investigated further. The importance and value of music education should be promoted and marketed in the community, and the focus of music education training should be on ensemble playing, improvising, composing and song writing, as well as on entrepreneurship and business management.<br>Thesis (MMus)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012
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Taylor, James Grant. "Faculty Perceptions of Core Components Perceived to be Effective in Their Prominent Graduate Entrepreneurship Education Programs." Scholar Commons, 2017. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7096.
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The purpose of this study was to identify Core components perceived by faculty to be effective in their prominent graduate entrepreneurship education programs. The study sought to identify the best practices in graduate entrepreneurship education programs from the perceptions of faculty in the field.
Research questions guiding the study were: (1) What Core components related to the following Broad question areas are perceived by faculty to be effective in their prominent graduate entrepreneurship education programs: Activities and initiatives; Adult education principles and practices; Alumni and mentoring; Course offerings; Curriculum and degrees; Faculty data; Institutional characteristics; Instructional methods; Student companies; and Student data. (2) What other Core components and/or general observations are identified by faculty in the survey comments? (3) What are faculty perceptions of the popular marketplace publication rankings of graduate entrepreneurship education programs?
A survey was distributed via the internet to faculty at 54 prominent graduate entrepreneurship education programs identified by The Princeton Review, US News & World Report, or the AACSB Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge. The survey was developed through several phases using panels of individuals with expertise related to this study.
The resulting 106 Core components were divided into 10 Broad question areas and were evaluated individually and averaged for each Broad question area. Questions regarding the accuracy of graduate program rankings and student intent were also included, along with demographics, open-ended questions regarding additional Core components, and additional survey comments.
The results of the study indicated the most important Core components in the Broad question areas were Alumni and mentoring and Institutional characteristics, while the Curriculum and degrees area was perceived to be much less important to graduate entrepreneurship education effectiveness. The results also indicated that student intent and popular marketplace publications were only moderately accurate in evaluating entrepreneurship education effectiveness. Four top programs dominated the perceptions of faculty as effective programs: Stanford, Babson, MIT, and Harvard. Findings indicated that faculty perceptions differed from other measures of effectiveness of graduate entrepreneurship education programs.
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Chimucheka, Tendai. "The impact of entrepreneurship education on the performance of small, micro and medium enterprises in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007107.
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Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in contributing to economic development of many countries around the world, including South Africa. Despite the importance of SMMEs an unacceptable and disappointingly high number of these ventures fail during the first few years of operation. It is in light of the importance and challenges faced by SMMEs that the performance of SMMEs is of interest to all countries. This study investigated the impact of entrepreneurship education on the performance of SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The objectives of the study were to investigate the role of entrepreneurship education in improving entrepreneurship skills and knowledge of owner/managers of SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, to determine the role of entrepreneurship education on the establishment and survival of SMMEs and to identify strategies that can be implemented to improve the performance of SMMEs. Both primary and secondary data sources were used in this study. A quantitative research design was used in conducting this research. Simple random sampling, a probability sampling technique was used to select a sample of 201 from the sample frame of 420 registered SMMEs. The survey method, by way of a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) is the statistical software that was used to analyse data. The Chi-square test, the T-test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Validity and reliability of the research instrument and the findings was assured. The results for this study are useful for the development of the SMME sector, which is very important to South Africa for they contribute to the solving of socio-economic challenges. The findings of this research showed that entrepreneurship education has a positive impact on the performance of SMMEs and it plays a critical role in improving entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of SMME owners and managers. It was also found that entrepreneurial education is very important for the establishment and survival of SMMEs. Strategies that can be implemented to improve the performance of SMMEs in South Africa were suggested to the government, government agencies, educational institutions, other organisations, and SMME owners and managers.
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Gehrels, Sjoerd A. "The contextual characteristics of successful small upper segment culinary restaurant owners and their potential influence on hospitality management education." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/11011.
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The aim of this research is to explore the contextual characteristics of a particular group of Dutch restaurant owner’s (SSUSCROs) and practitioners, to examine how these contextual characteristics might be used in a professional hospitality education programme. This very small segment of the Dutch restaurant business (0,2-0,5% of the total restaurants) is known for its strong commitment to competitiveness, in delivering quality service and products. No previous research in The Netherlands had embarked on a search for connecting this specific category of practitioners to education. As owners of their restaurants, the SSUSCROs were aware of the potential contribution that participating in this research would make. The research was designed from a constructionist epistemological point of view. This means that the data supplied by the respondents, and the background and vision of the researcher provided an interplay. By using grounded theory methodology, theory is constructed from the empirical data. The main instrument for the primary research was in-depth, interviewing. Six retired and four practising restaurant owners, and a connoisseur of the business were interviewed in one to three hour depth interviews that were digitally recorded. The transcripts of the recorded interviews were analysed, applying the specific constructivist version of grounded theory methodology as described by Charmaz’s (2006). The research generated a grounded theory in the form of a narrative about the SSUSCRO social construct and its central theme ‘Living the business’. The narrative informs future practitioners i.e. students, about how they can prepare for possible future business ventures in the culinary restaurant business. Furthermore, it confronts future practitioners with the notion of particular contextual characteristics and value systems that need to be incorporated in order to successfully engage in and sustain a career in the culinary restaurant sector. Elements of the narrative, connected to Covey’s 7-Habits of Highly Effective People framework for personal leadership. The findings from this research confirmed the importance of providing students in hospitality management education with a approach towards professional development that is grounded in the social construct of a remarkable group of entrepreneurs such as the SSUSCROs. The conclusions suggested that faculty and academic management of hospitality management programmes need to become more knowledgeable about the particular nature of the discipline, and the specific category of practitioners researched here.
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Ho, Tia Ha-Quyen. "Education's Loss of the Public: An Archival Exploration of American Public Schools' Diminishing Social Returns and the Emerging Utility of Social Entrepreneurship." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2017. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/1016.
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The literature presented in the following pages explores the shortcomings of the American public education system in the context of creating long-term, sustainable social change. Using financial illiteracy and its relationship to low quality of life as an entry point, the first section exposes public schools’ shortcomings as agents of social change by delving into the hardships endured by the original public school promoters of the 19th century, the pitfalls of President George W. Bush’s 2001 enactment of No Child Left Behind, and the shortcomings of the financial literacy programming that found traction in urban schools following the subprime lending crisis. These examples render the public education system unfit to address social change, at which point the paper segues into a discussion of social enterprise and the new field’s demonstrated potential to capture social value.
After a brief historical exploration of social innovation which examines some values and principles of this “fourth sector,” successful ventures and failed social organizations are scrutinized in the penultimate chapter. The comparisons made ultimately argue in favor of social entrepreneurship’s fitness, on both a structural and ideological level, in addressing the complex social, environmental, and cultural issues of our time.
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Kesler, Brittany. "Quality of Life Among Entrepreneurs With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5362.
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The impacts of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are far reaching, resulting in many burdens in the individual lives of CFS patients. One notable challenge lies in the inability to participate in the workforce due to associated physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. Previous research indicates that alternative employment options may help to overcome work related barriers presented with various types of chronic illness. Entrepreneurship is one path to working that offers many benefits, including autonomy, flexibility of work schedule, choice of work environment, and control. Questions though remain as to whether entrepreneurship enhances QOL or exacerbates symptoms among individuals with CFS. This interpretive descriptive study investigated the lived experiences of individuals diagnosed with CFS who have pursued a path of entrepreneurship. A semistructured interview was used to gather the 12 participants' descriptions of their history of living with CFS while working as entrepreneurs. The interviews were coded and analyzed to extract overarching themes. Results included the ways in which participants were transformed as a result of having CFS, their experiences of living with CFS and being self-employed, and the interpersonal factors that arose in connection with these experiences. This study served to shed light on the challenges involved in being self-employed while living with CFS, how being self-employed affected participants' quality of life both positively and negatively, and how participants interpret these changes. The findings of this study have the potential to set the stage for future qualitative and quantitative research that would provide more support in terms of tangible action when it comes to employment options for individuals living with CFS.
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Lum, Betty Wong. "Business Strategies for Small Business Survival." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4531.
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Small business owners play a leading role in the United States economy by creating jobs and driving innovation. However, half of all new small business owners close their doors before their 5th anniversary. Following the entrepreneurship theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore what strategies 5 small business owners in the food and beverage industry in the San Francisco Bay area used to survive beyond 5 years of operation. Data sources included semistructured interviews and company documents. Data analysis included descriptive and process coding of the data and use of NVivo to identify themes. Based on thematic analysis of the data, the emergent themes included: human capital, business goals, and growth through innovation. Participants relied on business knowledge to start and sustain their businesses; set incremental goals for growth and aligned business decisions to achieve those goals; and maintained a competitive advantage by implementing innovative and creative changes to their products and services. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide small business owners and potential small business owners with strategies to sustain their businesses beyond the 5-year mark, thus contributing to economic growth of their businesses, their employees, and their local economy.
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Thompson, Alan. "Entrepreneurship and business innovation." Thompson, Alan (2006) Entrepreneurship and business innovation. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2006. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/356/.
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This study has examined the knowledge required for the publication of an Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (E&BI) focused teaching text. The research design was based on a constructivist, interpretive paradigm, and utilised a qualitative methodology to support the development of a framework and content for a text. Data collection occurred through formal research, discovery and exploration of knowledge rather than verification, and was subject to my interpretation arising from my participation as an academic.
The analysis of data required a conceptual framework to be developed consistent with the research paradigm, and be so designed as to provide a way for me through a participatory process, to identify and evaluate knowledge in E&BI and investigate the research questions. The study rationalised that E&BI educational programs must first be consistent with, and reflective of, the mission of the institution providing such programs, and also, must address the learning needs of students. Previous research undertaken for this thesis had clearly identified a strong demand for material on E&BI that combined theory and practice with case studies drawn from real world entrepreneurial practices.
The outcome of this study resulted in the design of a formal text that was suitable for use by secondary, community and adult education institutions within Australia, for delivery to both a digital and print audience and representative of international E&BI good practice. The text 'Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation' was published in 2005.
The published text was designed to provide new entrepreneurs and existing Small to Medium Enterprise owners with a practical guide on how to pursue business success based on established entrepreneurial and enterprise management techniques. The thesis has explicated the scholarly coherence and originality of the published work, and further places the text within a pedagogical framework.
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Adomako, Samuel, and K. F. Mole. "Small business growth and performance." Sage, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/17327.
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Yes<br>Research on business growth has blossomed, yet scholars often complain face the difficulty of distililing a clearer pitcure of the business growth phenomenon. This paper attempts to overcome this limitation by reviewing and synthesizing extant research on business growth. First, we begin by examining Penrose’s view of firm growth. Second, we highlight how business growth is measured; these are absolute or relative change and growth as a process. Third, we explore theories of business growth; integrated models-theories that explain the factors that drive business growth and (2) stage models which view business growth as a series of phases or stages of development through which a firm must pass in its life-cycle. Fourth, we examine modes of business growth; these are organic vs. acquisition growth, growth through networks and alliances and growth through internationalization. Fifth, we examine drivers and constraints to business growth. We conclude the review by pointing out areas of harmony and contention in the literature, from which we suggest opportunities for future research.
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Basch, Richard J. "Capitalization Strategies for Small Business Sustainability." Thesis, Walden University, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10684791.
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<p> Over the past 15 years, privately held small businesses generated nearly two-thirds of the net job growth in the United States, yet much of what scholars know regarding the capitalization challenges faced by small businesses is limited to data from large corporations. In 2013 alone, business bankruptcies numbered 33,212, and each year approximately 10% to 12% of U.S. small businesses close. Ineffective capitalization strategies coupled with a limited understanding of funding options frequently results in unsustainable business practices. In this multiple case study, the capital budgeting theory was utilized to explore the capitalization strategies small business owners in the greater Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area employed to achieve sustainability beyond 5 years of business inception. Participants were purposefully selected based on their tenure in business, number of employees, and geographic location. Data were collected via in-person semistructured interviews with 4 small business owners, coupled with a review of financial archival documents. Data were analyzed using theme interpretation, data grouping, and word frequency tabulation. Three themes emerged: a preference for self-funded, personal capitalization; the leveraging of personal relationships as a primary educational strategy; and a general aversion to debt and high interest rates. Implementing sound capitalization strategies contributes to social change by improving the likelihood of long-term sustainability. Sustainable small businesses increase employment opportunities, wage growth, and community-based services while enhancing the overall quality of life for local families and the community.</p><p>
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Davidsson, Per. "Continued entrepreneurship and small firm growth." Doctoral thesis, Stockholm : Economic Research Institute, Stockholm School of Economics [Ekonomiska forskningsinstitutet vid Handelshögsk.] (EFI), 1989. http://www.hhs.se/efi/summary/281.htm.
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Lewis, Grant H. "Effects of Small Business Regulation on Firm-level Outcomes." Thesis, George Mason University, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10242765.
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<p> The United States government manages a wide range of programs directing federal contracts to firms on the basis of criteria other than commercial suitability. Examples include goals for the percentage of contracts awarded to small businesses, preferential treatment to minority business owners and grants to small businesses for research and development. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of such programs on economic outcomes. Economic theory implies two competing hypotheses. Directing contracts based on firm characteristics orthogonal to commercial suitability may encourage rent seeking and other counterproductive behavior. Alternatively, entrenched incumbents or historical patterns of discrimination may have left “money on the table” in the form of smaller, more productive firms that are excluded from competition. This analysis examines which of these theories predominates by examining firm-level outcomes of preferential contracting programs. It incorporates contracting data from the Federal Procurement Data System with performance measures in the National Establishment Time Series to generate a comprehensive data set which I then analyze through a variety of quasi-experimental methods. The results are broadly consistent across programs and model specifications, suggesting the rent-seeking hypothesis, rather than the “money-on-the-table” hypothesis, predominates. With few exceptions, preferential contracting programs tend to inhibit growth in the overall population of participating firms and to encourage rent seeking and strategic behavior. </p>
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Parkhurst, Michael. "Founder succession in small businesses." Thesis, Pepperdine University, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3556877.
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<p> The purpose of this study is twofold. The first is to replicate and expand on previous studies by Rubenson and Gupta (1992, 1996) who introduced a contingency model for the initial succession of an organization. The second purpose is to verify that their model is applicable to organizations that are substantially smaller than the original 54 Fortune 1000 companies that were studied. The researcher used a qualitative research methodology to answer the following research questions. 1. Is the Contingency Model of the Initial Succession proposed by Rubenson and Gupta (1996) transferable to organizations of smaller size and lower revenues? 2. Were the founders of small sized organizations planning for their eventual succession? 3. What other factors came into play beyond those outlined by Rubenson and Gupta (1996) during the succession process? </p><p> The qualitative research methodology employed was a grounded theory research design utilizing personal interviews with the first successors of an organization. The researcher used a combination of structured and unstructured questions during the interviews of 15 successor CEOs about the process of succession from the founder to them as the next organizational leader. Participants in this study were chosen by a combination of purposeful sampling and chain referencing methods. All the participants and organizations in this study met the following criteria: (a) the interviewed successor must be the first leader after the founder, (b) the organizations must have been between $5 and $200 million dollars in annual revenue at the time of succession, (c) the organizations must have had 200 employees or less at the time of succession, and (d) the succession must either be in process or have happened within the last 5 years. </p><p> The results of this study suggest that founders who maintain a controlling equity position in their organizations are able to set the date and method of their succession with impunity. Only 6 of the 12 sub-factors in the model for the initial succession were confirmed in the sample population of this study. It is the authors conclusion that the proposed model by Rubenson and Gupta (1996) as it is currently constructed had minimal explanatory power in the target population of this study. Additionally, 6 themes were discovered during the interview process: founders are thinking in terms of how to cash out of the business rather than their legacy; founders are not planning for succession until it is thrust upon them by illness, old age, or by their family; founders did whatever they wanted because they were the majority shareholder; successors are not inclined to confront the founder; founders have a high level of self identification with the organization; and founders hung onto the organization because it was their hobby.</p>
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Akther, Yasmin, and Samsur Rahman. "Entrepreneurship in micro-business: Small food shops present business condition considering pandemic in Stockholm." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Företagsekonomi, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-35219.
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Abstract Topic: Entrepreneurship in micro-business: Small food shops present business condition considering the pandemic in Stockholm. Aim/Purpose of the study: Our research aim/purpose is to analyze the entrepreneurship micro-business food shops present business conditions considering the pandemic situations in the Stockholm area. Methodology: We have conducted qualitative research on the micro-business operations focusing on small food shops located in the Stockholm area. Primary data collected from different small food shops by conducting short personal interviews; and collected some secondary data from various relevant sources to understand the micro-business performance. Data collected from Korv & Ice-cream shops, Thai Wok shops, Sushi shops, Kebab shops, Indian food shops located in Stockholm area; and our research sample size was 25 shops in total. Findings & Analysis: We get many useful opinion and insight from the owner/management of the food shops regarding there micro-business entrepreneurship considering the on-going COVID-19. We have analysed our findings with the relevant entrepreneur theories and literature to find the resemblance of the micro-business entrepreneurship in their operations. Research limitations: Our research scope was limited on few types of micro-business food shops at Stockholm area due to our limited time and resources. Also for the present pandemic situation, it was difficult for us to expand our study further. Research implications: Our research explains the present effect of the pandemic situations on micro-business entrepreneurship of small food industries. It also posits the future projections of this business sector. This research has contributed on the entrepreneurial theories reflections in the food micro-businesses. It also provides a present social impact of the pandemic in this business sector. Future research: Our study focused on few types of entrepreneurship food micro-business and covered only a small parts of Stockholm area. So, it leaves to conduct future research on other types of entrepreneurship food micro-business along with other different areas. Future research could be executed at other areas of developed countries to show comparison; or conducted in developing countries and at the emerging market economy. Keywords: Micro-business, Entrepreneur, pandemic situation, Entrepreneurship, Food shops. Paper type: Research paper<br><p>Online Zoom presentation held due to the pandemic situation.</p>
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Bryant-Minter, Andrietta. "Millennial Business Owners' Strategies To Survive in Business." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7276.
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Individuals in the millennial generation, born from 1980 to 1996, have many entrepreneurial opportunities; however, many people in the millennial generation lack the skills, motivation, and business strategies to survive in business. Because of the influx of competition, lack of experience, and lack of business-world strategies, entrepreneurs can miss opportunities and fail within the first few years of business operations. Grounded in the systems theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that business owners in the millennial generation used to survive in business longer than 6 years. Participants consisted of 5 business owners in the millennial generation in 5 businesses in northern Virginia with successful experience in implementing strategies to survive in business longer than 6 years. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a review of relevant company documents. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-step process of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding data. The 4 key themes derived from data analysis were marketing, support, lessons learned, and passion. The findings of this study might be beneficial to business owners who seek to survive in business longer than 6 years by demonstrating the need for using effective marketing strategies, recognizing the need for adequate support, learning from past mistakes, and having passion for operating the business. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential for business owners to improve local job opportunities, increase the economic prosperity of their communities, and increase local community services through their contribution to the local tax base.
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Piperopoulos, Panagiotis. "Entrepreneurship, innovation and small business clustering : the case of Greece." Thesis, University of Kent, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.418546.
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Gumel, Babandi Ibrahim. "Strategizing for Sustaining Small Business Enterprises in Nigeria." Thesis, California Southern University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10636125.
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<p> Small business enterprises are important to the economic growth of Nigeria because they make up 97% of the economy and contribute 70% of the country’s job opportunity. Notwithstanding the importance of small businesses in the Nigerian economy, 80% fail within the first five years. Based on system theory developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy, the purpose of this multi-unit qualitative case study was to investigate the strategies owners and managers used to sustain operations longer than first five years. Twelve senior managers of small businesses in Dutse Nigeria participated in an interview. Methodological triangulation of interview questions was used to collect the data. Review of transcribed data and member checking were used to affirm the validity, credibility, and reliability of the study. Ten dominant themes emerged as findings: managers with educational and professional qualifications, skills, and experience; written business and strategic planning; additional financing; commitment of owners; and improved working conditions and good employees manager rapport. Other findings include the use of word of mouth and maintaining a close relationship with top 20% and high spending customers; use of local FM radio stations, social media, and face-to-face contacts marketing; and the use of e-commerce and e-payment platforms. The findings also include the use of support services; and knowledge of seasonality, cutting cost, and financial discipline. Findings might be utilized by small business owners and managers to develop success strategies to sustain operations longer than first five years which might mitigate small business failure. Mitigating small business failure might contribute to the growth of Nigerian economy.</p><p>
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Williams, Alisa. "Sustainability Strategies for Small Business Restaurant Owners." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4579.
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Half of new businesses in the United States cease to exist after the first 5 years of operations, and the failure rate continues to increase after the first 10 years. The study was grounded on von Bertalanffy's systems theory to explore business strategies that small business restaurant owners use to sustain their business beyond 5 years. Data were collected by engaging 3 small restaurant business owners in the Little Rock, Arkansas metropolis who sustained their business beyond 5 years. Information obtained from face-to-face interviews and data mining organizational document were analyzed with the support of qualitative software to generate themes. Data analysis included semistructured interviews and review of business documents using data mining and coding keywords for thematic analysis. A total of 5 themes were discovered from the findings, which included formal and informal training, customer relationship, startup resources, capacity building, and consistent quality of food and services. The social change implications of the study include identifying strategies to sustain small restaurant business to create more jobs for local residents, which can positively impact the economic viability of the Little Rock area.
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Godin, Keith. "Public policy and entrepreneurship: venture capitalism in British Columbia /." Burnaby B.C. : Simon Fraser University, 2006. http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/handle/1892/2697.
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Beaver, Graham. "Management, strategy and policy in the UK small business sector." Thesis, Nottingham Trent University, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.273775.
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Torres, David L. "Entrepreneurship and Business Development: The Case of Mexican Americans." University of Arizona, Mexican American Studies and Research Center, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/217872.
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Labat, Edwina A. "Strategies for Small Business Leaders to Enter the Business Process Outsourcing Market." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5891.
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Many small businesses in the United States declare bankruptcy within the first 5 years of starting operations. Small business leaders may avoid bankruptcy if they would take advantage of the financial benefits associated with entering the business process outsourcing (BPO) market as service providers. BPO service providers in the United States have experienced significant revenue increases since entering this growing market. This multicase study was an exploration of the strategies small business leaders use to enter the BPO market as service providers to increase revenue and reduce the likelihood of bankruptcy in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, area. The multicase population consisted of 4 small business leaders from 3 companies who successfully entered the BPO market as service providers and increased revenue. The conceptual framework for this study was the resource-based view theory. The data collection process included semistructured interviews, interview notes, and company records. Data were compiled and organized, disassembled into fragments, reassembled into sequence of groups, and interpreted for meaning. Methodological triangulation and member checking validated the trustworthiness of those interpretations. Three themes emerged from the data collected: using professional resources and personal skills to enter the BPO market; entering into trade contracts with BPO clients; and establishing and building on relationships with BPO clients. The implications for positive social change include the potential to increase the success rate of small businesses, improve and revitalize the economic and social conditions of the local community by providing jobs.
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Iacobucci, Donato. "An entrepreneurship perspective on the formation and growth of business groups in the small business sector." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/2306.
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This thesis is a contribution to our understanding of business groups in the small busi-ness sector. Specifically, its aim is to verify to what extent the consideration of entrepre-neurial processes can advance our understanding of this phenomenon. A ‘business group’ is a set of companies which are legally distinct but belong to the same person or people. Despite the significant presence of business groups in the small business sector, most of the literature on business groups addresses large groups. This study demonstrates that the available theories of business groups – the financial and the diversification theories – are not able to explain the presence and characteristics of business groups in the small business sector. Given the little work done on the issue, the research strategy involves the use of both, quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods are used to test propositions deduced from available models of business groups; qualitative methods, based on case studies and direct interviews, are used to get new insights about the phenomenon and develop theoretical propositions. Quantitative analyses refer to the population of Italian business groups; case studies and interviews refer to a sample of business groups in the Marche region (Italy). The business group is an organizational form used by portfolio entrepreneurs to grow and diversify the businesses under their control. By using cross sectional and longitudinal analyses this study shows that in the small business sector diversification is a substitute strategy for growth in the original business. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the diversification theory is not able to explain the setting up of a business group as in most cases the degree of diversification observed in small groups is very low. The thesis demonstrates that entrepreneurial processes associated with the exploitation of new business opportunities by portfolio entrepreneurs play a crucial role in explaining the formation and characteristics of business groups. The start-up phase is critical for the success of a new business as it requires complete dedication of time and attention by the entrepreneur to continuously adjust the planned actions to the unforeseen events and un-predictable contingencies that are typical of this phase. The legal autonomy granted to the new venture helps focus resources and monitor results. In addition to this and more than anything else, legal autonomy allows entrepreneurs to modify the ownership structure of the new business and give minority shares to people involved in the start-up. The financial explanation of business groups stresses the importance of legal autonomy as a way for manipulating the ownership structure of new businesses, to raise outside equity. The thesis demonstrates that the causal relationship is the opposite of that hypothesised by the financial explanation: it is not so much the aim of raising outside equity that determines the involvement of external shareholders as the need to involve and motivate people in the start up of the new business that induces entrepreneurs to sell minority shares in it, thus enlarging the entrepreneurial team. By involving other people in the start-up of new ventures, portfolio entrepreneurs enhance their ability to enter new businesses while retaining ownership and control of the ones already established. The empirical analysis revealed the existence of three different patterns: joint venture with established entrepreneurs, employee involvement and intrapreneurship. The first is when new ventures are set up with other established entrepreneurs. The second is when the entrepreneur gives a share of the new company to an employee to secure his/her involvement in the start-up of a new venture (employee involvement). The third is when the new business is established as a result of the inspiration of an ‘intrapreneurial’ employee who takes major responsibility for the development of the business. As well as the discovery and analysis of these three forms, the thesis provides a theoretical explanation of entrepreneurial team development in business groups, based on the problems faced by portfolio entrepreneurs in allocating time and attention between the running of established businesses and the exploitation of new business opportunities. By integrating the latter explanation with other models of business groups the thesis provides a more general framework for understanding the formation and dynamics of business groups in the small business sector. The thesis also provides contributions to explain the formation and dynamics of entrepreneurial teams in a multi business context and in situations where there is a ‘dominant’ or ‘lead’ entrepreneur and one or more ‘associate’ or ‘sub’ entrepreneurs. Studying the formation and evolution of business groups poses several methodological problems, as groups are complex systems, characterised by the presence of several companies, different architectural structures and a multi-business context. The thesis provides methodological contributions on the ways to represent the current structure of business groups and on how to analyse their evolution over time.
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Dalhammar, Tobias. "Voices of entrepreneurship and small business : immigrant enterprises in Kista, Stockholm." Licentiate thesis, Stockholm, 2004. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-163.
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Canales, Rodrigo (Rodrigo J. ). "From ideals to institutions : institutional entrepreneurship in Mexican small business finance." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/44810.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2008.<br>"June 2008."<br>Includes bibliographical references.<br>Through a combination of in-depth research and unique loan-level data, this dissertation explores the mechanisms of intentional institutional change. It argues that current accounts of institutions and institutional change require but do not provide a systematic understanding of the role of individuals in processes of change. It then uses two in-depth case studies to explore the mechanisms through which individuals can initiate institutional change. One case is the activation of the small business credit market in Mexico. The second is the expansion of micro credit in the country. Through these cases, the dissertation proposes that, contrary to conventional thinking, institutional change is not rare because institutional entrepreneurs are scarce. In fact, they are quite prevalent. Rather, what is scarce is the required combination of an opportunity for change, individuals who can recognize this opportunity, have the capabilities and skills to pursue it, and are situated in the right structural position to drive a change process. It further argues that successful institutional entrepreneurs are usually situated in positions of middle management, which provide the right balance between a motivation to experiment, access to sufficient resources, and discretion to diverge from norms. Additionally, institutional entrepreneurs tend to have mixed backgrounds with diverse professional trajectories, which allow them to detect opportunities, cross borders, and learn the different languages required to brokerage experimental efforts.<br>by Rodrigo Canales.<br>Ph.D.
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Pacalo, Carla Ann. "Learning Style AND Entrepreneurial Operations:A Small Business Study." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/64401.
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Americans spent approximately $47.7 billion on pet products and services in 2010, an increase of 4.8% over 2009, making the pet industry a market segment ripe with opportunity for entrepreneurial small business venture (American Pet Products Association, 2013). Small businesses invite innovation, create and provide new jobs, foster entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, and create competition that drives future business endeavors (Hillary, 2001). The pet dog industry is a salient example of entrepreneurial activity in which the pressures of business, economics, and learning coalesce. Because small businesses bolster about half of the private-sector economy and represent more than 99% of all business firms (Small Business Administration, 2013), it is useful for small business owners to learn and prosper as entrepreneurs. "Entrepreneurship is a learning process, and a theory of entrepreneurship requires a theory of learning" (Minniti, 2010, p. 9). However, there is still limited knowledge and understanding of the interaction between learning and entrepreneurship, and such a process remains one of the most neglected areas of entrepreneurial research and thus understanding (Deakins and Freel, 1999). This study explored entrepreneurial decision making by using the construct of David A. Kolb's Learning Style Inventory to examine an entrepreneurial operation in the pet dog-training industry. The researcher worked hand-in-hand with the entrepreneur in a collaborative partnership to explore the phenomenon using narrative inquiry research methods. A series of semi-structured interviews were used to collect and analyze stories and identify key considerations for learning style in relation to entrepreneurship. The results showed the entrepreneur's preferred learning style aligned with his expressed style and demonstrated a keen sense of operations awareness. Additionally, the entrepreneur had learned how to leverage his strengths over time while recognizing and compensating for his weaknesses. For a novice or someone with a desire to learn more about their own entrepreneurial inclinations, results from a learning style instrument could provide such understandings with helpful implications for small business ownership. Future studies could contribute to entrepreneurial research and add greater voice to the pet dog industry.<br>Ph. D.
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Wiklund, Johan. "Small Firm Growth and Performance : Entrepreneurship and Beyond." Doctoral thesis, Jönköping : Jönköping International Business School [Internationella handelshögsk. i Jönköping], 1998. http://www.hj.se/forskning/wiklund.pdf.
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Guriras, Christella Waltrudie. "Small business support in Namibia's Erongo region." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97402.
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ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In Namibia the small business sector is seen to play a very important role in the creation of jobs and the growth of the economy. At the same time small enterprises face a wide range of problems, which keep the failure rates of new ventures high and often prevent dynamic business growth.
To address these challenges it is insufficient to have a national strategy for small businesses or to just rely on national government and other national bodies. This is particularly important in a country like Namibia which has a small population, stretched over a vast territory, with huge differences in the resources and development patterns of the various regions.
Against that background this study focuses on a particular area of Namibia, viz the Erongo Region along the coastal belt. It is Namibia’s best developed region after the central Windhoek/Khomes area, with the two towns, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, the harbor of Walvis Bay, the Uranium mines and tourism being the foundation for business growth.
After reviewing the spectrum of small business support bodies available in Namibia the study looked at a sample of 100 small enterprises in the Erongo area. They were asked about their business engagement, business prospects, main problems experienced and their awareness and utilization of support programmes.
These needs profiles were then compared to the set of actual service suppliers found in the Erongo region. This showed that in practice very few of the problems are addressed, largely due to a lack of awareness, pro-activity and cooperation on both sides: local small enterprises and local support suppliers.
The study ends with a range of proposals which should, if tackled on a partnership basis and in closer cooperation between the head offices in Windhoek and local bodies, lead to a steady improvement of the SME support process.
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Cupido, Christopher. "Barriers to entrepreneurship in the Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Technikon, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1014.
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Thesis (MTech Busines Administration)--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2003<br>Research has shown that in first world countries, governments that have supported
their SMMEs and entrepreneurs have grown and the economies have prospered. The
contrary applies in countries that have imposed barriers and restrictions on the
development of the SMMEs and entrepreneurs.
There is a growing recognition of the importance of fostering SMMEs and
entrepreneurial growth in South Africa. The small business sector has been identified
as a very important sector and the government of the Western Cape has launched
various strategies to improve the plight of the entrepreneur.
This paper presents the results of a survey aimed at The target audience consisted of
SMMEs within the technical maintenance, chemical cleaners and specialised lubricant
products suppliers to the petro-chemical, marine, industrial and power-generating
industry in the Western Cape area.
The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis. The acquisition of finances at
the available financial institutions and the governmental ventures is a difficult and
daunting task. The lack of management skills in small ventures is one of the key
factors why these ventures fail, as well as the difficulty the businessperson has to
contend with when it comes to handling of red tape with the starting up of the venture.
These problems were seen to be the main contributing factors to failure of the SMMEs
within the Westem Cape. Most of the sampled population supported the postulations that financial acquisition
and management skills are barriers to entrepreneurship. The only factor that is
contrary to the perception is the subject on red tape which was recommended for
further study.
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Adoukonou, Victor K. "Strategies for Small Business Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6501.
Full textAbstract:
Small businesses represent more than 99% of all employers in the United States, but more than 50% of small businesses have failed before 5 years. Climate change, digitization, and social media contribute to a paradigm shift in consumers' habits, as more consumers have become environmentally and social justice conscious. Business leaders who are unable to follow the consumers' trends and changes of habit may not succeed in sustaining their businesses. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies owners of small businesses in the District of Columbia use to sustain their businesses for longer than 5 years while fulfilling their firms' social responsibility obligations. The conceptual framework was the sustainability development theory. Data were collected from 5 small retailers through face-to-face, semistructured interviews, observations, field notes, and reviews of documents related to business sustainability. Data analysis was based on the thematic analysis model, which involved a process of organizing, coding, arranging data into common themes relevant to the research question and interpreting of the information. Member checking was used to enhance the credibility and validity of the data. Emerging themes included business establishment planning, sustainability planning, and sustainability factors use. The results of this study may contribute to positive social change by providing information to entrepreneurs about successful strategies for small business sustainability, which can lead to business owners, employees, and communities living and working in a human-oriented, prosperous, and healthy environment.
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Ismail, Mohd Zahari. "Developing entrepreneurship education : empirical findings from Malaysian polytechnics." Thesis, University of Hull, 2010. http://hydra.hull.ac.uk/resources/hull:2682.
Full textAbstract:
This study identifies empirically the effectiveness of the entrepreneurship curriculum used in Malaysian polytechnics. This includes an evaluation of the syllabus, teaching methods and lecturer training programmes. The study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurship education and polytechnic students‟ entrepreneurial tendencies. The needs of this research arise due to problems of unemployment amongstgraduates and the inadequacy of research on entrepreneurship education. It also responds to the government's intention to achieve “Developed Nation” status in 2020.The research, one of the most comprehensive ever undertaken in this area, comprises interviews and focus groups with students, lecturers, senior managers in polytechnics and officials from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. In addition, the General Enterprising Tendency (version 2) Test (GETv2) was used with students to explore their entrepreneurial tendencies. Six hundred Malay-version questionnaires were randomlydistributed to selected classes during a regular lecture period in 2008. After screening, a total of 506 questionnaires were deemed completed and usable: a response rate of 84.3 percent. The study identifies that the entrepreneurship syllabus in polytechnics is not effective and students are not imbued with entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and attributes during their study. Teaching approaches appear to be inappropriate and polytechnic lecturers do not appear to have relevant entrepreneurial skills, knowledge or training. There are shortcomings in the way entrepreneurship education is organized and funded in highereducation and cooperation and networking within the agencies, whether domestic or international, is low. The role of culture perceived to be of particular importance. Cultural factors such as gender, values, religion, family back ground and ethnicity are crucial issues which influence students‟ tendency towards entrepreneurship. These findings provide the basis for a new model of entrepreneurship development for higher education in Malaysia.The contribution of the study is therefore to add to the body of knowledge on entrepreneurship education by providing empirical evidence from a Malaysian perspective.
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Smith, Eric. "Business Sustainability Strategies of Small Technology Companies." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7338.
Full textAbstract:
Each year, almost 12% of small technology companies fail to survive, and the risks associated with high-tech startups are high for business failure due to the introduction of new technology, similar competitor technology, and the short product life cycle of new products. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the business sustainability strategies that some owners of small technology companies used to remain in operation for longer than 5 years. The population for the study was the owners of 5 small technology companies located in the southeast region of the United States. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of company documents, 10K report, cash flow, and profit and loss statements. Methodological triangulation and member checking were used to help ensure the reliability of the study. The analysis and data management process included an examination of the data for themes, trends, redundancy and common denominators. Four themes emerged during the research: prior serial entrepreneurial success, willingness to stay the course, ability to raise sufficient capital to meet obligations and driven and passionate owners. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to improve business practices through educating small business owners, first time owners of small businesses, minority and women entrepreneurs, governments, and small business incubators that have a stake in business creation and entrepreneurial development in local communities, on sustainability strategies.
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Koyagialo, Koyandome Freddy. "Small Business Survivability Beyond Five Years." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2554.
Full textAbstract:
The United States has a high failure rate of small businesses, with 30% of small business failing within the first 2 years. The objective of this case study was to explore strategies successful small business owners use to achieve profitability beyond 5 years. The purposive sample for this study included 4 owners of successful small businesses in Atlanta, Georgia, who have been in business for at least 5 years. The conceptual framework was built upon disruptive innovation and susceptibility theory. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and company documents. The analysis revealed 3 themes, market research, passion and determination, and innovation. Successful small business leaders use market research to understand the business environment and customers' needs. Entrepreneurs should conduct market research to develop strategies to remain successful. Innovation is essential for business success and successful entrepreneurs innovate to adapt to new business trends. Small business owners who innovate remain competitive and profitable. Business leaders will benefit from this study's findings by gaining insight into how the leaders of successful organizations implement strategies to stay profitable and competitive. Small business leaders may use the findings to enable economic development in various communities, and create valuable jobs for local residents. Social implications include the improved local and state economy and the standard of living in communities. Small business owners will be able to sustain their businesses and contribute to the prosperity of their employees, their families, health of the community, and the local economy.