Critical Operating Problems and Survival
Rates in Small Firms : A Look at Small Business Institute
Clients
Chunchi Wu and Allan Young*
Abstract
This paper analyzes
data pertaining to the Small Business Institute Program compiled
at one of its pilot educational institutions. It documents the
primary problems faced by small businesses in this Program over
a considerable period of time in a mid-sized metropolitan area
in Upstate New York. We find that some of the problems encountered
by small businesses persisted over time, while there were significant
shifts in other problems as the economic environment changed.
A hazard model is employed to analyze the survivorship of the
sample firms. It is found that the nature of small businesses,
the characteristic problems they faced and the type of industry
they were in all affect the chances of their survival
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THE INTERNATIONALIZATION PROCESS OF THE
CRAFT MICROENTERPRISE
- Dr. Ian Fillis
- Abstract
This work involves an examination of the internationalization
process of the smaller firm, focusing on the craft enterprise
in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Craft sector
analysis was carried out in order to determine historical
precedents as well as to assist in the identification of industry
and firm level factors impinging upon domestic and export
market behavior. A range of internationalization theories
are discussed, with the conclusion that the majority of these
frameworks fail to readily explain craft firm internationalization
behavior. Quantitative results identify the majority of craft
firms as microenterprises with almost one half operating as
a single person business. Qualitative analysis enabled profiling
of craft firm types to be carried out. Four orientations are
uncovered: the entrepreneur, the idealist, the lifestyler
and the latecomer. A composite framework of the factors uncovered
in the analysis is constructed in order to better explain
the process of craft firm internationalization. In addition,
the marketing and entrepreneurship interface is promoted as
an alternative aid to understanding smaller firm behavior
in general, focussing on the balance of creative and business
competencies needed in order to assist microenterprise internationalization.
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Entrepreneurship and Aboriginal Canadians:
A Case Study in Economic Development
- Robert B Anderson
Abstract
Business development is the centrepiece of the Aboriginal
approach to economic development. One group of Aboriginal
people in Northwest Saskatchewan, the First Nations of the
Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC), are recognized nationally
and internationally as leaders in economic development. This
paper reviews their development activities and measures the
impact of these activities for the period 1986 to 1996. As
the results indicate, the efforts of the MLTC have been modestly
successful. In spite of this success, employment and income
levels among the people of the First Nations of the MLTC remain
far below the levels of the population of the province as
whole. Much remains to be done if they are to achieve parity
with non-Aboriginal Canadians
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A Comparison of Entrepreneurship
Development in Two Post-Communist Countries: The Cases of
Hungary and Ukraine
Wade M. Danis,Andrew V. Shipilov
Abstract
Entrepreneurial development is analyzed in the context of
the post-communist economies of Hungary and Ukraine. Citing
relevant examples from published sources and personal experience,
we examine the impact of systemic, historical, cultural, economic,
and societal factors, as well as government policies, on the
development of entrepreneurial ventures in Hungary and Ukraine.
We attempt to better understand the reasons underlying difficulties
in developing local entrepreneurial ventures. Suggestions
are provided for ways in which policy makers and entrepreneurs
can enhance successful development of private initiative in
Hungary and Ukraine. Key research questions that require attention
in light of the findings are posed.
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A Conceptual Model and Propositions for
Bolstering Entrepreneurship in the Informal Sector: The Case
of Central America
- Michael J. Pisani and J. Michael Patrick
Abstract
Informal financial institutions (IFIs), among them the ubiquitous
rotating savings and credit associations, are of ancient origin.
Owned and self-managed by local people, poor and non-poor,
they are self-help organizations which mobilize their own
resources, cover their costs and finance their growth from
their profits. With the expansion of the money economy, they
have spread into new areas and grown in numbers, size and
diversity; but ultimately, most have remained restricted in
size, outreach and duration. Are they best left alone, or
should they be helped to upgrade their operations and integrate
into the wider financial market? Under conducive policy conditions,
some have spontaneously taken the opportunity of evolving
into semiformal or formal microfinance institutions (MFIs).
This has usually yielded great benefits in terms of financial
deepening, sustainability and outreach. Donors may build on
these indigenous foundations and provide support for various
options of institutional development, among them: incentives-driven
mainstreaming through networking; encouraging the establishment
of new IFIs in areas devoid of financial services; linking
IFIs/MFIs to banks; strengthening NGOs as promoters of good
practices; and, in a nonrepressive policy environment, promoting
appropriate legal forms, prudential regulation and delegated
supervision.
BUILDING VALUES, BUSINESS ETHICS
AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INTO THE DEVELOPING ORGANIZATION
- Abstract
Little research has been conducted on the ways that smaller,
growing organizations establish and maintain their ethical
standards as they grow. In this study, the development of
business ethics and corporate social responsibility in growing
firms is studied using ten successful entrepreneurial organizations.
Both the "legal compliance strategy" and the "integrity
strategy" have been used by these firms to guide their
policies with respect to the stakeholders of the organization.
The values of the leader in each of these organizations have
been inculcated into the business via written policies and
by the patterns of ethical behavior established and modeled
by the founders.
