Index and
Abstracts
Volume 5, Number 3
December 2000
Refereed Articles
Microenterprise
and the Economic Development Toolkit: A Small Part of the Big Picture,
Lisa J. Servon and Jeffrey P. Doshna
Cultural
Diversity in Small Firms: Implications for Company Performance,
Linda S. Hartenian, Donald E. Gudmundson
Father Divine and the Development of African American Small
Business John Trinkaus, John Trinkaus, Alvin Puryear, Joseph
A. Giacalone
Challenges
To Launching Grassroots Microlending Programs: A Case Study,
Michael P. Freedman
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SHORTER PAPER
Researching Informal Entrepreneurship In
Sub-Saharan Africa: A Note On Field Methodology , Akin
Fadahunsi
Microenterprise
and the Economic Development Toolkit: A Small Part of the Big Picture
Lisa J. Servon and Jeffrey P. Doshna
Abstract
Growth in the number of U.S. microenterprise programs has been
tremendous in recent years. In many places, these programs are being
implemented with economic development goals in mind. However, although
growth in this strategy has been great, the number and size of
programs is very small relative to other economic development
strategies. The goal in this paper is to determine the appropriate
role, if any, for the microenterprise strategy within the larger field
of economic development. We argue that the microenterprise strategy is
appropriate economic development for many regions, and that this
strategy performs best when it is integrated into a larger plan for
economic revitalization. However, many economic development planners
and policy makers are either unaware of the microenterprise strategy
or fail to appropriately incorporate it into their overall economic
development plan. Although we find that the cost per direct job
created for microenterprise development is comparable to traditional
economic development strategies, we also argue that traditional
indicators fall short of describing how microenterprise programs
contribute to economic development. As a result, more appropriate
evaluation techniques must be developed and used. Based on our
findings, we recommend a strategy that consists of: educating economic
development planners and policy makers; integrating microenterprise
development into a larger economic development plan for a distressed
region; and evaluating the strategy using appropriate measures..
Key Words: Microenterprise development, local economic
development, qualitative analysis.
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Cultural
Diversity in Small Firms: Implications for Company Performance
Linda S. Hartenian, Donald E. Gudmundson
Abstract
Proponents of diversity argue that culturally diverse work forces
have economic advantages for organizations. Of particular interest for
small firm survival is whether entrepreneurs will see the need to
design the organization's work force with cultural diversity in mind.
A review of the literature could find no empirical studies that
examined work force diversity (i.e., percent of cultural minorities
employed) and firm economic performance. Firms with more culturally
diverse work forces were found to have a greater positive percent
change in revenue, net income, and CEO income in selected years than
firms with less culturally diverse work forces. Two statistically
significant t-tests showed that firms with diverse work forces
performed better than firms with nondiverse work forces. Additional
t-test analyses showed no significant differences in financial
performance between firms with minority owners and firms with
nonminority owners. Interpretation of these findings suggests that
small firm owners should focus on managing diverse work forces and
measuring non-financial indicators of a firm's success.
Key Words: Diversity, Company Performance, Work Force,
Financial Outcomes
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Father
Divine and the Development of African American Small Business
John Trinkaus, Alvin Puryear, Joseph A. Giacalone
Abstract
George Baker, better known as Father Divine, was an evangelic
preacher and a pioneer in the U. S. civil rights movement. However,
this paper provides some insights into Divine's efforts and
contributions in the area of small business. Divine is interpreted
within the context of the evolving African-American economic situation
as well as placing him in the spectrum of entrepreneurship.
Key words: Father Divine, George Baker, small business,
entrepreneurship, minority business.
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Challenges
To Launching Grassroots Microlending Programs: A Case Study
Michael P. Freedman
Abstract
This case study examines the startup of a microcredit Department of
Upstate, NY that was launched in 1997 by an informal group lacking
expertise in microlending, and having limited experience in business
and little in community organizing. Important findings include: the
limits of volunteerism and the need for paid staff; opting to focus on
the program rather than develop a free standing agency; the challenges
of partnering; the tension between armchair policy and working
reality; the evolution of the organizational culture with the
replacement of founding board members.
Key Terms: microlending program (USA); startup;
organizational development; case study
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Researching
Informal Entrepreneurship In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Note On Field
Methodology
Akin Fadahunsi Middlesex University, London, UK.
Abstract
Research into informal entrepreneurship is couched in a framework
of fuzzy concepts being operationalised for different purposes by
researchers from different disciplines and with differing objectives.
Using the author's research into the nature of West African
cross-border trading as a contextual background, the paper presents a
case for a greater use of qualitative research techniques borrowed
from anthropology in the study of the processes of informal
enterprise. The author's central argument is that their intensive and
less structured approach are especially suited to activities, the
study of which depend to a large extent on the establishment of trust
between the researcher and the researched. It suggests, in particular,
that participant observation is a preeminent tool in the study of
such activities.
Key Words: Informal Sector Entrepreneurship sub-Saharan
Africa Research Methods Participant Observation
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