Business Commons^™

The Region And The Smaller Enterprise: A Discussion Of Appropriate Investigative Methodologies, Ian Pownall

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Regional policy instruments are typically driven by economic rationales, from either a firm or industrial perspective. Yet too often, these rationales are taken as ex ante to the contexts within which firms and industries compete. Recent regional development research has urged a better link be developed between the individual, the firm, and their context, so as to understand the role of regions in supporting effective competitiveness of organizations. In this article, recent research themes are explored that may shed light on the nature of this relationship and that can be developed into an investigative methodology that could aid policy practitioners …

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Fall 2003

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Musings Of A Serial Entrepreneur — Reconciling Theory With Practice, Joseph E. Levangie

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

To reminisce about my entrepreneurial career with appropriate self-importance, I might note that I have helped create companies and jobs. This contributes in a small way to economic growth. Economic growth is, however, an often illusive concept to characterize. Job growth is an essential component of a dynamic, innovative process. In the late 1970s jobs growth research suggested that the vast majority of new jobs are created by small business formation. Such empirical research is difficult to support with theoretical constructs. Classic macroeconomics analysis discounts size-offirm as irrelevant. Entrepreneurial contribution is therefore difficult to assess.

Supplier Selection And Development: The Relationship Between Small Manufacturing Enterprises And Mass Merchandisers, Stephen C. Jones, Tami L. Knotts, Gerald G. Udell

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This study examines the results of a program intended to act as a selection tool for mass merchandisers and a development tool for small manufacturers. The evaluation program assessed the management practices and products of potential suppliers. Based on past experience, buyers for mass merchandisers consider small manufacturing enterprises a poor risk as potential suppliers of retail goods. As part of the evaluation process, firms were asked 34 closed-end questions regarding their management practices, and each product was evaluated on 41 specific qualities necessary for the mass merchandising market. Of the 1,690 firms that participated in this project, about 5 …

Marketing Orientation In Smes: Effects Of The Internal Environment, Richard C. Becherer, Diane Halstead, Paula J. Haynes

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Marketing orientation refers to a culture in which organizations strive to create superior value for their customers (and superior performance for the business) by focusing on customer needs and long-term profitability. Some studies have found that firms with a high degree of marketing orientation experience improved performance; others have found mixed or nonsignificant results. The marketing orientation of small businesses has not been thoroughly investigated, however. This study of more than 200 small business CEOs examines the marketing orientation levels of small to medium-sized firms (SMEs) as well as the impact of various internal variables (sales/profit performance, company characteristics, and …

International Franchising In Emerging Markets, Nadia Ballard

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by Nadia Ballard.

Ilan Alon and Diane H. B. Welsh, editors, International Franchising in Emerging Markets: Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America. Chicago: CCH Inc., 2001.

Ilan Alon and Diane H. B. Welsh, editors, International Franchising in Emerging Markets: China, India and Other Asian Countries. Chicago: CCH Inc., 2001.

Applying Entrepreneurship To Health Care Organizations, Kristina L. Guo

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This study examines entrepreneurship and assesses its relevance to health care organizations through a detailed description of the optimal environment, organizational factors, and managerial roles in the entrepreneurship process. The article finds entrepreneurship processes to be especially useful to health care organizations as they struggle to survive in the competitive managed care environment.

From Intrapreneurship To Entrepreneurship: Is Technical Expertise Sufficient?— A Case Study, John Woodilla

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Following a successful career in industry, Dr. Douglas V. Shick, a newly minted entrepreneur, established NRS Associates, LLC, to perform consulting services based on two highly technical computer-modeling programs. Doug was heavily involved in the development of one program, an innovative computer simulation software for modeling a particular manufacturing process, through intrapreneurial activity during his corporate experience. Doug established his business on September 1, 2001, and on September 10 announced his services by e-mail to everyone he knew. The unforeseen events of the next day, September 11, produced some unexpected aftereffects that Doug had to factor into his developing business.

Collective Entrepreneurship In Family Firms: The Influence Of Leader Attitudes And Behaviors, Jun Yan, Ritch L. Sorenson

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Collective entrepreneurship is the synergism that emerges from a collective and that propels it beyond the current state by seizing opportunities without regard to resources under its control (Stevenson and Jarrillo 1990). This study provides a conceptual model of collective entrepreneurship and its relationship with leadership and team dynamics in the context of a small family business. It proposes two types of prerequisites for collective entrepreneurship: attitudinal and behavioral. The attitudinal prerequisite is family business members’ commitment to the family business. The behavioral prerequisite includes collaboration and task conflict among family business members. Further, the article argues that leadership behaviors …

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Spring 2003

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Propensity To Trust, Purchase Experience, And Trusting Beliefs Of Unfamiliar E-Commerce Ventures, Gregory B. Murphy

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Trust has become a major issue among online shoppers. This underresearched subject will predictably determine the success or failure of e-commerce vendors. The lack of face-to-face interaction, the inability to inspect goods and services prior to purchase, and the asynchronous exchange of goods and money all contribute to the perceived risk of purchasing online and the resulting need for trust. Trust is particularly critical for small and new Internet ventures confronted by the liability of newness (Stinchcombe 1965). Lacking, among other things, a name that is readily recognized in the marketplace, entrepreneurial Internet ventures require trust if they are to …

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Fall 2002

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Encouraging Technology-Based Ventures: Entrepreneurship Education And Engineering Graduates, Teresa Menzies, Joseph C. Paradi

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This article examines entrepreneurship courses offered by engineering faculties in Canada. The venturing rate of engineering students, whether the venturing rate increases if students have taken a course in entrepreneurship, and the type of ventures created are also explored. A recent census and an empirical study of two groups of engineering graduates from a Canadian university were utilized. Findings have implications for educators and administrators and for policy-makers interested in encouraging economic growth.

Someone Old Or Someone New? The Effects Of Ceo Change On Corporate Entrepreneurship, J. L. "Bert" Morrow Jr.

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Boards of directors often attempt to foster corporate entrepreneurship by replacing a firm’s chief executive officer (CEO). Compelling theoretical arguments and anecdotal evidence suggest that when firm performance has suffered, a new CEO is best suited to lead the firm’s creative endeavors. On the other hand, among firms that retain their existing CEO after a decline in performance, manipulating the CEO’s compensation package is a common governance practice used by boards to encourage innovation. In these cases, some have argued that increasing the CEO’s pay will encourage corporate entrepreneurship, because the CEO has been compensated for assuming additional risk. Counter …

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Summer 1998

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Franchising And Entrepreneurship: High Reward Or High Risk?, Gad J. Selig

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

According to the Department of Commerce, start-up, small, and family businesses are among the fastest growing areas of employment. Even under the best economic environment, starting a business is risky. To reduce the risks and to establish their own businesses, an increasing number of entrepreneurs and corporate converts are buying franchises.

Franchising has enjoyed a major increase in popularity during the early 1990s, fueled largely by the growing pool of available candidates made possible by significant corporate and government downsizing. According to the Department of Commerce, franchising accounts for nearly one-third of all U.S. retail sales and employs over 7 …