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Index
and Abstracts
Volume 8, Number 3
December 2003
Refereed Articles
Using Focus Groups in SME Research: The Case of Owner-Operator Objectives Rick Newby, John Watson, and David Woodliff
Maori Entrepreneurship in the Contempory Business Environment
Alina Zapalska, Geoff Perry, and Helen Dabb
Privatization, Corporate Entrepreneurship, and Performance:
Testing a Normative Model
Bostjan Antoncic and Robert D. Hisrich
The Challenge of Entrepreneurship in a Developed Economy:
The Problematic Case of Japan
Marilyn M. Helms
- Views on Self-employment and Personality:
An Exploratory Study
Gangaram Singh
and
Alex DeNoble
Using Focus Groups in SME Research: The Case of Owner-Operator Objectives
Rick Newby, John Watson, and David Woodliff
Abstract
- Prior research into SME ownerÓýoperator objectives has relied on either faceÓýtoÓýface interviews or a survey approach. This study used focus groups, as an alternative research methodology, in an attempt to reconcile the findings of two prior studies and to determine whether those studies provide an exhaustive set of dimensions (factors) into which all ownerÓýoperator objectives could be classified. We were also interested in investigating the proposition that there is a temporal dimension to ownerÓýoperator objectives.
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Maori Entrepreneurship in the Contempory Business Environment
- Alina Zapalska, Geoff Perry, and Helen Dabb
- Abstract
This study s objective is to examine the nature of Maori enterprises and to analyze the environment for development and growth of the Maori entrepreneurial firms in the reforming economy of New Zealand. In order to evaluate and compare firms development relative to selected external environmental factors affecting entrepreneurial operations, on-site surveys and personal interviews were conducted among Maori entrepreneurs. The environmental conditions were grouped into five external environmental factors (government policies and procedures, socioeconomic conditions, entrepreneurial and business skills, financial support to businesses and non-financial support to businesses), and analyzed based on Gnyawali and Fogel s model (1994). Policy implications are made for assisting Maori firms development in New Zealand.
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Privatization, Corporate Entrepreneurship, and Performance:
Testing a Normative Model
- Bostjan Antoncic and Robert D. Hisrich
Abstract
Private and institutional investors, management consultants, and national economic policy makers have recognized that privatization is an important vehicle for overcoming the economic and social drawbacks of state owned enterprises management, functioning and performance. Corporate entrepreneurship (entrepreneurial activities and orientations at the level of an established organization) has also been recognized an important element in organizational and economic development, performance and wealth creation. Despite the recognized linkage of privatization and corporate entrepreneurship activities, research has devoted minimal attention to explicitly investigating relationships among privatization, corporate entrepreneurship and performance elements. This study contributes to a better understanding of privatization driven corporate entrepreneurship and performance by developing and testing a normative model on a sample of Slovenian firms. The findings of this study demonstrate that the privatization method (private control versus extended state control) makes a difference in organizational growth and profitability, particularly in terms of its strong direct effects, as well as with mediation of corporate entrepreneurship activities that include new venture formation, product/service innovation, and process innovation. In addition, privatization time (speed of finalization of formal privatization procedures) tends to be a strong predictor of subsequent organizational profitability.
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The Challenge of Entrepreneurship in a Developed Economy:
The Problematic Case of Japan
- Marilyn M. Helms
Abstract
The experiences with today s Asian financial crisis have highlighted concerns as to whether Japan s once celebrated bubble economy prosperity can be regained. The slow growth of new venture creation in Japan can be attributed to numerous variables including the conventional Japanese business culture, lifetime employment, the seniority system, labor unions inside companies, tight regulatory policies of the government, and the group-oriented, risk-adverse orientation of the population. Piecemeal changes occurring in Japan have made only limited improvements in the infrastructure to support entrepreneurship. The Japanese government s monetary changes designed to support new start-up companies have not succeeded. Using the popular strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, or SWOT analysis, framework, this paper provides a critique of Japan s current situation and limitations to business start-ups. Suggestions and needed changes to encourage entrepreneurial growth are presented.
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Views on Self-employment and Personality:
An Exploratory Study
- Gangaram Singh
and
Alex DeNoble
Abstract
- The relationship between early developmental views on self-employment (intent, perceived ability, and personal investment) and personality (extraversion, agreeableness, consciousness, openness, and neuroticism) is explored. The data are taken from 342 students from a large state university located on the West Coast of the United States. Regression analyses indicate that views on self-employment are related to personality. Openness, for example, is positively related to perceived ability, and personal investment. Neuroticism is negatively related to intent and ability. Our results also indicate significant interactions between personality, gender, and having a close self-employed relative with respect to views on self-employment. In the final section, we discuss these results and identify a future research agenda.
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