Business Commons^™

Adaptation Of Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises In The Food Sector During The Pandemic: Position The Brand As Part Of The Community, Hardian E. Nurseto, Nila A. Windasari, Prasanti W. Sarli

Journal of Global Business Insights

This study explains how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector adapted during the pandemic. In-depth, semi-structured, hybrid interviews were conducted with fifteen SME owners in the food sector in Bandung, Indonesia. The study describes five business adaptation strategies using service-dominant logic (S-DL) and structural-functionalism theory: (a) relationship adaptation with suppliers and landlords, (b) employee adaptation, (c) product and sales adaptation, (d) operations adaptation, and (e) promotion adaptation. Findings show a holistic view of actor involvement in the business adaptation process linked to altruism, in which the business and all actors (i.e., suppliers, landlords, customers, employees, government, online …

Mentoring Women Entrepreneurs: Perceived Needs And Benefits, David W. Whitlock, Ashley J. Hampton, Kitty Campbell

Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship

Women entrepreneurs are a rapidly growing demographic. Mentoring is a recurring theme in the literature as a valuable contribution in helping women entrepreneurs succeed. The roles of mentoring as well as the literature of mentoring relationships is presented, followed by a study in which the demand and perceived benefit for mentoring was conducted among women currently engaged or self-identified as aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs. Women who participated a conference for female entrepreneurs, jointly sponsored by Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center, were surveyed. The survey consisted of five sections: the first gathered respondent’s …

Business Plan For Destraal Bakery, Lauren Frazier

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Destraal Bakery is a bakery café that will offer patrons a space to slow down and treat themselves. Offering bread products and coffee, Destraal differentiates itself through product quality, shop atmosphere, delivery, and social responsibility. Destraal will eventually seek B- Corp status.

Located in West Colorado Springs, more specifically, Old Colorado Springs, Destraal will benefit from grants and loans offered to female entrepreneurs, high levels of tourism and foot traffic, and close proximity to the target demographic. In a growing industry, Destraal is forecasted to be profitable within the first year. The bakery café will achieve 14% profit margin in …

Bridging The Gap: A Comprehensive Guide To Implementing An Internship Program For Businesses, Ben Turner

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis outlines a comprehensive plan for implementing an internship program, from the perspective of a former intern. The paper emphasizes the importance of internships for businesses and aims to create a program that generates value for both the business and the intern. The plan is divided into three stages: Planning and Designing, Recruiting and Selecting, and Managing and Supervising. Each stage provides detailed steps for successfully implementing an internship program, including identifying needs and objectives, determining a timeline and structure, defining roles and responsibilities, developing a budget, setting performance expectations and goals, providing training and support, evaluating performance, and …

Turbocharge Tutoring Business Plan, Daniel Rugen Haller

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

College tutoring business plan.

Wakesurf Nwa: A Surfing Entertainment Business Plan, Ethan Carney

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

WakeSurf NWA is a thrilling entertainment facility that will fill a void in this highly affluent market. Our design is to bring surfing where surfing has never been before, in a land-locked location. With high-tech engineering to allow surfing on land, WakeSurf NWA will provide real surfing to the people in and around Northwest Arkansas. Our company will also be built around helping our community, donating a portion of proceeds to a local nonprofit. What sets WakeSurf NWA apart from other companies in the area is how we will bring something completely new to the region that can be enjoyed …

Discovering Data-Driven Solutions: A Practical Guide For Small Businesses Implementing Data Analytics, Katherine Richoux

Information Systems Undergraduate Honors Theses

In today’s highly competitive business environment, small businesses are under growing pressure to fight for market share. To do this, a competitive advantage must be established to outperform other business competitors both big and small. One way that small businesses can create a competitive advantage is by utilizing their data and applying basic data analytics. Data analytics is the process of collecting and analyzing large sets of raw data using statistical tests to identify patterns and insights to make conclusions that inform business decisions. The use of data analytics is not exclusive to large corporations and can be greatly beneficial …

You Don't Know What You Don't Know: A Collection Of Challenge And Acceptance From Women Owned Small Businesses In Johnson City, Tennessee, Nikki Vandusen

Undergraduate Honors Theses

With over 11.6 million establishments, women owned small businesses hold a crucial part in supporting the US economy’s wellbeing. However, owning a small business comes with numerous challenges that not all can overcome. This study investigates the challenges of ten women-owned small businesses in Johnson City, Tennessee. The interview results display that women struggle with similar challenges as men; however, they have more difficulty balancing gender roles and societal expectations with owning a small business. This research concludes that men and women do not have equal opportunities when it comes to owning a small business and women are at a …

Market Analysis And Strategy Formulation For Appalachian Cast Iron, Perry Kate Chumbley

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Marketing as a revenue generator for businesses seeks to entice consumers into making a final purchase. How this is achieved varies greatly depending on the size of firm, the goods or services being advertised, distribution channels, and other factors. This manuscript includes the creation of a marketing strategy for a small, online business, Appalachian Cast Iron, through the investigation of current literature, and analyses of the external and internal environments. The results provide strategies for areas in which the firm has opportunities to improve.

Independent Restaurant Owners’ Strategies For Acquiring, Managing, And Retaining Organizational Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities, Alice Nelson Sidibe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Independent restaurant owners face challenges of slim profit margins and postpandemic labor shortages without the benefit of additional support their franchised counterparts receive. Independent restaurant owners are concerned about these external pressures making them more vulnerable to closure during economic downturns. Previous researchers have not explored how to use organizational knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to achieve success within an independent restaurant. Grounded in resource-based view theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies that independent restaurant owners use to acquire, manage, and retain KSAs and sustain their business beyond five years. The participants were three …

Digital Platforms And Entrepreneurial Support: A Field Experiment In Online Mentoring, Saurabh A. Lall, Li-Wei Chen, Dyana P. Mason

Management Faculty Publications

The benefits of entrepreneurial mentorship are well documented, but there is limited research on how entrepreneurs connect with mentors, especially in digital settings. We partnered with an online platform that connects entrepreneurs to potential mentors to conduct a field experiment in online mentoring. Drawing on literature on entrepreneurial mentorship and Social Cognitive Theory, we compared the effects of three interventions on the likelihood of reaching out and making a connection with a mentor in a digital setting. We find that showing entrepreneurs a video of a successful mentor–mentee relationship increases the chances that they will reach out to a potential …

Exploring Strategies For Measuring Team Innovation In Small Financial Business, Kimberly Nicole Whitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small financial business leaders cannot maintain a competitive advantage without effectively measuring work team innovation. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to explore the strategies that small financial business leaders use to measure work team innovation to maintain a competitive advantage. The conceptual framework undergirding this study was Schumpeter’s innovation management theory. The research question asked what strategies small financial business leaders use to effectively measure work team innovation to maintain a competitive advantage. Interview data were collected from 15 small financial business leaders who employ less than 100 employees in Madison, Chester, Gibson, Henderson, and …

Irresponsible Contagions: Propagating Harmful Behavior Through Imitation, Andrew Bryant, Jennifer J. Griffin, Vanessa G. Perry

School of Business: Faculty Publications and Other Works

‘Monkey see, monkey do’ is an old saying referring to imitating another's actions without necessarily understanding the underlying motivations or being concerned about consequences, such as propagating harmful behaviors. This study examines the likelihood of firms imitating and proliferating others’ unethical, irresponsible practices thereby exacerbating harmful effects among even more firms; in doing so, irresponsible contagions can rapidly spread more broadly, negatively affecting even more consumers. Building upon rivalry- and information-based imitation theories, we examine if harmful behaviors of others, in combination with misbehavior of referent firms, influences the likelihood of a firm to engage in irresponsible consumer-related practices. After …

Launching An Online Boutique And Analyzing Digital Marketing Strategies Used, Kayla Weyers

Honors Theses

Digital marketing is becoming more relevant and widely used in the marketing industry. In order to use the marketing skills that I have learned through my marketing major in a real-world scenario, I launched an online women’s clothing store called Ash + Grae. This paper examines the start-up process and legal obstacles of opening a small business. It also analyzes the different marketing techniques by comparing digital marketing strategies such as social media, influencer, email, and SEO marketing.

Microbusinesses Practices During Disruptor Events: Perceptions, Adaptations, And Performance, Debra Lynn Frank

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During COVID-19 closures, business owners and managers experienced a disruptor event that pushed them to find new ways to navigate their businesses practices. The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn how business owners and managers adapt their business models to survive disruptor events. The objective was identification of factors owners and managers of microbusinesses perceived as critical to avoiding closures, assessment of the effectiveness of the adaptations adopted during closures that enabled businesses to remain open, and analysis of the results of those adaptations. Owners and managers of businesses in the craft brewing industry were interviewed. The four …

Hytch Rewards: Incentivizing Sustainable Behavior, Jeff Cohu

Faculty Publications

Mark Cleveland, Co-founder and CEO of Hytch Rewards, was facing a dilemma. His technology- based startup, Hytch Rewards, was at a critical juncture in the company launch. The company

had just recorded its best quarter in company history, but the pandemic had placed the company’s future in jeopardy. Mark pulled together his team of advisors and investors and asked the question, “Should we pause, pivot, or continue to pursue the launch of the company?”

The team came back equally divided among the three options. “Some of our group said we should stop development work and place the company on hold …

Small Business Cybersecurity: A Loophole To Consumer Data, Matthew R. Espinosa

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

Small businesses and small minority owned businesses are vital to our nation’s economy; therefore legislation, regulation, and policy has been created in order to assist them in overcoming their economic stability issues and ensure they continue to serve the communities that rely on them. However, there is not a focus on regulating nor assisting small businesses to ensure their cybersecurity standards are up to par despite them increasingly becoming a victim of cyberattacks that yield high consequences. The external oversight and assistance is necessary for small businesses due to their lack of knowledge in implementing effective cybersecurity policies, the fiscal …

Pandemic Start Ups: Experiences Of Grade 10 To 12 Students Of St. Stephen’S High School In Starting Small Businesses During The Covid 19 Pandemic, Bea Sytin C. Chua, Liza B. Chua

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges that affected people’s lifestyle, including those related to business operations. However, with it emerged numerous small businesses run by student entrepreneurs. This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of student entrepreneurs in opening up their own small businesses during the pandemic, specifically tackling their experienced advantages and disadvantages, their inspirations, management styles, and insights on legal procedures. The six participating grades 10 to 12 student entrepreneurs from St. Stephen’s High School who opened up their own small business during the pandemic were interviewed via Zoom. Three master themes labeled “Situationer: Small …

Without Fear, Marina Chloe Avelino, Alyssa Joyce P. Fernandez, Joshua Luis J. De Borja, Angelina Cai R. Hartshorne, Si Hyeon Song

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Without Fear is a sole proprietorship business that offers a self-defense keychain that contains alcohol, pepper spray, a leather keychain, an emergency alarm, a leather keychain tag, and an eco-friendly whistle. The business was launched on November 12, 2021, with the goal of addressing one of the pressing social issues, human violence. At the beginning of the operation, the investment made by Without Fear’s members was PHP 11,495. As of the month of March 2022, Without Fear gained a total sale of PHP 16,100 which is a sufficient amount to replenish stocks, promote products, and operate the business. Without Fear …

Creating A Social Media Marketing Strategy For A Small Business, Kaila Trowbridge

Theses

As the world continues to digitalize, it has never been more crucial to use and understand social media when running a business of any size. Social media is where people share their ideas, experiences, and information with the world. People can reach a larger audience once they grow their profiles and understand who the audience truly is. From a business standpoint, social media should be used to display products, services, and develop an open relationship with the audience and customers.

Determining The Best Practices Of Social Media For A Small Business: A Case Study On The Salt Cave Of Perrysburg, Michelle Timms

Honors Projects

This study is about finding the best social media practices for a small business. I used The Salt Cave of Perrysburg, which is located in Perrysburg, Ohio, as my testing subject for the implementation of the social media practices that were found through primary research, such as surveys and waiver forms, and secondary research, such as previous research papers, textbooks, and previous surveys. Through primary and secondary research, this paper will describe how to research and then implement the best practices for a small business. With the research I have found, I then implemented those findings to The Salt Cave …

Small Town To The World Wide Web: Designing A Website For A Local Business, Madison Cozzens

Honors Projects

The Raspberry and The Rose is a small business in Medina, OH, and had a multitude of visual communication issues that needed to be solved. But what's an online presence without a website? "Small Town to the World Wide Web: Designing a Website for a Local Business" focuses on fulfilling a local business's need for a strong online presence. It dives into how a user's experience on the website can impact brand loyalty, foot traffic, and overall perception of a business. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide insight into how a non-e-commerce website can impact a business.

Earning An Income Through A Jewelry Website, Jessica L. Walker

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Providing a form of income to your household when you are a stay at home mom can be tricky. I have created a unique way for me to earn a small income to help provide for my family through a website where I will be selling jewelry. Design, marketing, and audience will be my toughest areas of creating a sustainable business. Through innovation and creativity a website will submerge.

Exploring The Covid-19 Pandemic Impact On Hawai'ian Small Businesses, Farrel Anthony Blake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has a profound and devastating impact on small businesses across the globe, especially and noticeable in the state of Hawai’i. The virus outbreak has disrupted the operations of all small business industries. This qualitative case study addressed the general problem of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Hawai’ian small businesses. The research provided a detailed understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on key research questions to comprehend the problem statement. The case study findings provided an understanding of how small business owners and managers managed to remain sustainable since the start of the pandemic outbreak. Collectively, 15 …

Strategies Small Business Human Resources Leaders Use To Reduce Voluntary Employee Turnover, Kristina Afonso

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses are negatively affected when employees voluntarily leave their jobs. Small business human resources (HR) leaders who implement strategies can enhance employee job satisfaction to reduce voluntary employee turnover. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies small business HR leaders use to reduce voluntary employee turnover. The participants were five small business HR leaders from five different organizations in southern California who successfully implemented strategies to reduce voluntary employee turnover. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company document reviews. Data were analyzed using Yin’s five phases. Three themes …

Small Business Owners’ Approach To Business Continuity Management, Tarik Billingsley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

United States (U.S.) small business owners represent an estimated 25% of businesses that do not reopen following a major disaster. Small business owners must prepare because small businesses represent 99.9% of U.S. businesses and experience detrimental effects resulting from disaster-related events. Grounded in Paunescu and Argatu’s adapted business continuity framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies U.S. small business owners use to create disaster plans for business continuity. The participants were seven U.S. small business owners in the service sector. Data were collected by conducting semistructured interviews through in-person meetings, phone conversations, and documentation …

Pre-Mentoring Training On Financial Literacy For Small Business Owners, Marwa Abduljawad

Instructional Design Capstones Collection

Small business owners are continuously faced with challenges to grow their business. These challenges are not only related to market conditions, some of them are associated with the business owner's lack of knowledge or skills; thus, many of them seek mentoring opportunities. This project explores the knowledge gap between the mentor and mentee, with a focus on financial literacy and how it impacts mentoring outcomes. A needs assessment was done to assess this performance problem through interviewing project SME’s, surveying stakeholders, and literature review. Based on the findings, a self-paced micro eLearning was proposed with an instructional goal of the …

Financial Strategies For Long-Term Success In Women-Owned Small Businesses, Melissa R. Dyer

The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance

Failure of small businesses many times is because of poor implementation of long-term financial strategies. Women small business owners face many challenges in financing their small businesses because they may not have a financial plan. Interviews with 11 women small business owners in Cleveland County, North Carolina were completed to discuss ways to fund and sustain their small business. The success of women small business owners can strengthen the local economy by stimulating economic growth, increase the quality of life for the owner and their family, and can improve the standard of living in their community.

Study On Green Products Innovation Of Fashion Sme “Np”, Griba Raymundo Ginting, Lamtiur Hasianna Tampubolon

BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Organisasi

Innovation is a social and economic success due to the discovery of new solutions that significantly improve value offered to customers and benefits perceived by customers with cost exchanges as profits. Therefore, innovation becomes a competitive advantage for MSME to have the ability to compete and survive in dynamic markets. The purpose of this research is to examine innovations in the green products of MSME Fashion. The research uses qualitative methods with semi-structured interviews and observations. Data is obtained through in-depth interviews with three informants namely the owner and two employees of Fashion SME and triangulation to two consumers of …

Covid-19 Impact On Business, Meredith Headlee

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

COVID-19 has not only been a major public health crisis, but it has also caused an economic shock. Small businesses have been at the losing end of the U.S. economy for years, but nothing has hurt them as bad as the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has devastated thousands of small businesses while larger companies have fared well and, in some cases, thrived. Although there has been an increase in bankruptcy filings among public companies, the numbers are far lower than in the 2008 financial crisis (Lahart). This paper will explore what impact the pandemic has had on small businesses, large …