Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Commons^™

The Evolution Of The Modern Library Brand: Transforming Community Engagement Into Sustainable Revenue, Slone Williams

Georgia Library Quarterly

This article examines the development of the Cobb Library Shop, an e-commerce initiative launched by the Cobb County Public Library to generate sustainable funding through brand engagement. Built on a modest startup budget, the shop integrates a multichannel sales strategy and leverages internal talent to create a scalable, community-centered retail model.

The project achieved a full return on investment within 14 days and continues to demonstrate steady revenue expansion. By combining entrepreneurial practices with public service values, this case study highlights how libraries can diversify funding streams, enhance community engagement, and establish a replicable model for revenue-generating library systems.

How Does An Advanced Educator Utilize Digital Language Teaching And Learning By Integrating Linguistic, Cultural, And Business Life Perspectives?, Hely Westerholm, Pirjo Takanen-Körperich, Ph.D.

International Journal for Business Education

This paper explores advanced educators’ digital working capabilities in online language teaching, with a particular focus on sharing Finnish language and culture in a foreign context. Cultural and linguistic knowledge play a significant role in enhancing students’ motivation to study foreign languages. In today’s educational environment, digitalisation and globalisation exert an increasing influence on foreign language teaching and learning.

The digital learning environment has brought about a paradigm shift in foreign language didactics. Digital language learning is both challenging and holistic in nature. Continued foreign language learning is simultaneously an individual and a social process, as digital learning cultures impose …

How Grades Changed Before, During And After Covid-19 In A Business College, Douglas R. Moodie, Alison Keefe, Robin Cheramie

International Journal for Business Education

Purpose: This study examines how undergraduate business student grades changed before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic using a large institutional dataset from a business college in a US university between 2015 and 2024.

Method: The analysis includes over 390,000 student-course observations and incorporates instructional modality, student demographics, course characteristics, and prior academic performance.

Results: Results show a substantial increase in mean course grades during the COVID-19 period, followed by a partial reversion post-pandemic to levels that remain above pre-pandemic trends. These patterns are consistent across modalities, demographics, and departments.

Implications: The findings raise important questions regarding the interpretation of …

Three Decades Of Digital Marketing: A Systematic Literature Review Of Strategic Shifts, Ethical Issues, And Innovation Paths, Winarto Poernomo, Denny Bernardus, Christina Utami, Liliana Dewi

ASEAN Marketing Journal

Manuscript type: Review Paper.

Research Aims: This study aims to examine the evolution of digital marketing over the past three decades and identify the technological, strategic, and behavioral transformations shaping contemporary digital marketing practices.

Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) approach by synthesizing previous academic studies related to digital marketing development, emerging technologies, consumer behavior, and marketing strategies across digital platforms.

Research Findings: The findings reveal three major phases in the evolution of digital marketing: the foundational era of website-based marketing, the expansion of social media and mobile engagement, and the current era characterized by artificial intelligence, …

Offline Fashion Shopping Trends: Factors Influencing Millennial And Gen Z Purchase Decisions, Muhammad Alfikri, Ma'mun Sarma, Irni Rahmayani Johan

ASEAN Marketing Journal

Type of manuscript: Scientific Paper

Research Objective: This study aims to identify the characteristics and behaviour of millennials and generation Z in Medan City in purchasing fashion products, and analyse the influence of various factors such as information, lifestyle, word of mouth, technology, place, promotion, product, and price on their purchasing decisions, which include aspects of product choice, quantity, and time of purchase.

Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected online using Google Forms from 350 respondents. Respondents were millennials and generation Z who had shopped in person for at least the last 3 months, and the data was analysed using …

3t Of Tech, Taste, And Transformation In Coffeepreneurship, Razinda Tasnim Abdul Rahim, Mohd Faizuddin Muhammad Zuki, Nur Syamilah Md Noor

International Conference on Business and Management Research (ICBMR)

The global coffee industry is rapidly transforming due to digitalization, evolving consumer preferences, and sustainability trends. Coffeepreneurship, blending entrepreneurial innovation with coffee culture, has emerged as a competitive business model. This study applies the 3T- Technology, Taste, and Transformation to assess digital innovation, consumer experience, and business adaptation in coffee entrepreneurship. Despite opportunities in digital transformation, coffeepreneurs face challenges such as market saturation, financial constraints, and regulatory barriers. Limited access to fintech solutions and supply chain inefficiencies further hinder scalability. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing how technology, branding, and financial literacy influence coffeepreneurs' long-term sustainability using the VRIO …

When Social Fundraising Is Active But Hard To Measure: Nonprofit Lessons From Social Media Roi Research, Dr. Blair W. Loveland

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article examines a nonprofit measurement problem that appears when social media is used to support fundraising but the organization cannot clearly connect that activity to a measurable financial result. The article draws on a non-experimental quantitative survey of 106 participants in roles tied to marketing, sales, or revenue reporting. The findings showed that social media use was common, but visibility into spending, formal ROI tracking, and end-to-end attribution was often weak. Seventy percent of respondents who answered the spend question did not know their organization's annual social media spend, 59 percent of respondents who answered the ROI question said …

Enhancing Creativity Through Systematic Teaching: A Case Study In Management Education, Uri Sternberg, Sarit Moldovan

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This article presents a case study of an innovative teaching approach within an MBA course titled “Systematic Creative Thinking.” It demonstrates how the course applies the creativity principles it teaches to its own instructional design, embodying theory in practice. By utilizing ideation templates such as the Multiplication and Division, the course incorporates diverse teaching methodologies, including flipped classrooms, multimedia resources, and experiential group activities. This design fosters student engagement by addressing varied learning preferences and encouraging active participation. Qualitative and quantitative evidence indicate increased student satisfaction, improved performance, and deeper understanding, achieved through the synergy of theoretical instruction and …

The Nexus Between Entrepreneurial Ingenuity Antecedents And Market Penetration Of Tanzanian Formal Retail Businessesmarket Penetration: Entrepreneurial Ingenuity: Formal Retail Business, Salum Makangila, Omari Khalifa Mbura

Business Management Review

The entrepreneurial ingenuity is a fundamental strategy employed by business proprietors and operators to navigate market penetration challenges when formal and informal retail businesses operate simultaneously in the same commercial environments. Guided by positivism research philosophy and cross-sectional design, quantitative data were collected from randomly selected sample size of 520 business proprietors and operators through structured questionnaire. The study hypothesized and tested the relationship between entrepreneurial ingenuity antecedents and market penetration of Tanzanian formal retail businesses using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The empirical results reveals that entrepreneurial ingenuity antecedents namely creative, innovative and open-minded behaviour positively and significantly influences market …

The Differential Impacts Of Internal And External Corporate Social Responsibility Activities On Consumer Trust After Covid-19, Kennadi C. Mccoy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores the strategic role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in helping small businesses recover from crises, with a specific focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. Different from many traditional studies that highlight the ethical or reputational aspects of CSR, this research will examine its practical effects: how CSR initiatives during crises influence business success by enhancing consumer trust, particularly by examining the differential impact of Internal CSR versus External CSR. The study suggests that, compared with internally focused CSR, external CSR activities will have a greater impact on consumer trust. In addition, the dissertation suggests that this effect is …

Heartbeats: Sustainable Practices In Business, Natalie Pham, Shareef Awadallah, Lily Lisco, Logan Blissenbach, Nikolaos Verginis

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

HeartBeats Co. LLC is a premier audio and software technology brand that brings renewed character and performance to a stagnant space, revolutionizing the listening experience by engineering a digital music platform and headphones that possess distinct style and exceptional performance. While our team identifies and tracks trends in the market, we strive to establish market trends rather than to follow them. We are a company founded on innovation, redefining the music streaming market by combining the importance of wellness with the latest audio and software technologies and innovative functionalities. This document outlines a ten-year plan for efficient and impactful scaling, …

Pillpetz: A Smarter Way To Encourage Medication Adherence In Children, John H. Begley

CMC Senior Theses

Medication adherence is usually framed as a problem of patient behavior, but this thesis argues that it is equally a problem of design. Children who take daily medication face barriers that adults often do not: developing executive function, dependence on caregivers, shifting school and home routines, privacy concerns, and stigma around being perceived as different. The standard prescription bottle, by contrast, was designed primarily for dispensing efficiency, safety, and accidental ingestion prevention—not for sustained daily use by a developing child.

This thesis proposes PillPetz, a smart pill case and digital companion that uses routine, play, dose confirmation, and caregiver-connected support …

Helping Craft Beer Hunters Make Their Next Great Beer Discovery, Mark Mitchell, Sheila Mitchell

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The number of craft beer producers and consumers in the United States has increased dramatically over the last ten years. This manuscript provides an overview of the craft beer marketplace in the United States with a focus on the craft brewers and retailers as well as the consumers who favor craft beers. Craft beer enthusiasts are a “consumption community” or, a group of consumers who share a deep involvement with the craft beer category. This study presents a list of common business practices designed to appeal to this unique consumer group.

Ingenious Impulsiveness Of Environmentally Motivated Female Entrepreneurship For Sustainable Development, Saranya Senthilnathan, Chandrasekar Kaliyaperumal

Management Dynamics

Women's roles are crucial to the economic prosperity of any nation, with their participation in entrepreneurship being a key driver of sustainable development. This study focuses on the contributions of women entrepreneurs in India, highlighting their potential to advance economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The purpose is to examine the role of female entrepreneurs in promoting sustainable practices within the economy, society, and ecology. The study employs a descriptive research design to assess how integrating environmental factors into female entrepreneurship impacts the growth and sustainability of the Indian economy. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 355 …

Brand Awareness The Case Study Was Applied To Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. Ltd In Saudi Arabia, Soumaya Kaakour, Pierre Mouawad

Al Jinan الجنان

This paper examines the factors affecting brand awareness in Saudi Arabia Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. Ltd. An electronic survey was distributed to 203 employees. The results indicated a positive correlation between credibility and brand awareness, while a negative correlation between the following variables (social media, influencer, E-wom) and brand awareness. These results imply that companies like Nesma & partners should not rely on social media, influencers, and E-wom to reach brand awareness. Future research is needed to investigate more factors affecting brand awareness in construction companies

Surveying The Effects Of In-Person And Word Of Mouth Appeals To Gen-Z On Fundraising Outcomes, Stephanie Huynh

Honors Theses

Fluctuations in consumer behavior and perceived disposable income are a concern for nonprofit budgeting. Even with recurring donor subscriptions, donations can be an unreliable source of income. As Gen Zers become more prevalent in the workforce, it is a matter of time until they form the majority of the donor pool. This study explored the efficacy of repetition as a fundraising tool in appealing to Gen Zers. The sample was Gen Z students at the University of South Alabama, and a voluntary exploratory quantitative survey was administered. 113 responses were gathered. Through analysis with Spearman’s correlations and descriptive statistics, it …

Marketing Communications Mix Practices Among Micro And Small-Scale Enterprises, Marge Ethan A. Urbiztondo

The South East Asian Journal of Management

Research Aims: In developing and emerging economies, MSMEs are pivotal in generating income and fostering economic growth. However, in regions like Mindanao Island, Philippines, there are significant challenges to fostering equitable MSME-induced growth. This study delves into practices related to the marketing communications mix among micro and small enterprises in this region.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A mixed-methods approach is used, including quantitative analysis of the marketing communications mix practices among MSMEs, as well as qualitative analysis of interviews with micro and small enterprise owners.

Research Findings: The study reveals a significant difference between advertising assessments grouped according to years of operations, classification, …

Connecting Emotionally: Examining The Impact Of Narrative Video Advertising On Consumer Involvement And Brand Attachment, Anni Rahimah, Shannon Saghava Aqfa Dzikrullah, Ameylia Ayu Astira

BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Organisasi

The increasingly competitive advertising landscape necessitates innovative strategies to engage potential customers effectively. This study investigates the impact of emotional and narrative-driven video advertisements on attitudes toward advertisements and advertisement involvement, ultimately fostering emotional brand attachment among viewers. This research adopts a quantitative approach, employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) using SmartPLS 4 software. Data were collected through a structured survey involving 131 respondents who had utilized the GoSend service in DKI Jakarta, Indonesia. The results demonstrate that emotional and narrative elements in video advertisements exert a significant positive influence on viewers’ attitudes toward advertisements …

Consumer Insights About Restaurant And Bar Preferences, Griffin D. Burt, Richard Kaminski, Zachary Eckenrode

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This study looks at how bar-restaurants, especially in small towns in Central Pennsylvania, can use market research and targeted marketing to attract and keep customers in today’s competitive landscape. As the market becomes more saturated and customer preferences shift, it's clear that offering quality food alone isn’t enough. Instead, businesses need to focus on creating a full dining experience, which includes great service, a welcoming atmosphere, and personalized touches. Using PJs Tavern as a case study, this research explores customer preferences, demographic factors, and the role of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook in driving customer engagement. By …

The Entrepreneurs Handbook: A Practical Meets Academic Guide For Both Current And Budding Business Owners And Risk Takers, Howard J. Friedman

Open Educational Resources

This work has been created with the intention of being used as a practical guide for the budding entrepreneur. The concepts are presented to optimize creative thinking and find a path to a fully realized business. From idea through funding, the company life cycle. This work is meant to provide the reader with all the materials that will be needed to make a real-world decision. Effort has been made to combine academic and practical data to offer a straightforward guide to finding, funding, and realizing your dream.

Building Brand Awareness Through Cultural Sensitivity: Factors Influencing Customer Loyalty In Indonesian Restaurants In Taiwan, Syahruddin Syahruddin, Sitti Mujahida, Muhammad Azizurrohman, Eka Kadharpa Utama Dewayani

The South East Asian Journal of Management

Research Aims: With cultural sensitivity acting as a moderating factor, this study investigates the effects of pricing strategy, cleanliness, meal quality, and service quality on customer loyalty and brand recognition of Indonesian restaurants in Taiwan.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Four hundred overseas respondents participated in a structured survey; partial least squares (PLS) and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to analyse the results.

Research Findings: The findings indicated that while service quality and cleanliness had no discernible impact, food quality and pricing strategy greatly enhanced consumer loyalty. Cultural sensitivity bolstered the favourable correlation between loyalty and food quality.

Theoretical Contribution/Originality: The study adds …

The Economics Of The ‘Buy Local’ Trend, Susweta Ray, Konstantinos Giannakas

Cornhusker Economics

The results of our study underline the significance of the explicit consideration of consumer and producer heterogeneity and the size and type of the locality when analyzing the market and welfare impacts of the ‘Buy Local’ trend. In addition to providing important new insights on the market and welfare impacts of the ‘Buy Local’ trend, our analysis can also provide a valuable theoretical grounding for empirical studies aimed at quantifying the economic impacts of the trend in different food product markets as well as the impact of current and emerging policies affecting the markets for local foods.

Biodiesel Recycling From Used Cooking Oil And Grease, Hyeong-Gyu Choi

Mountain Plains Business Conference

The proposed idea is to establish a biodiesel fuel operation by recycling used cooking oil, partnering with regional restaurants. Biodiesel can be produced by combining alcohol with vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease. Sourcing biodiesel from used vegetable oil and cooking grease promotes sustainability by minimizing waste and environmental risks, while potentially reducing health hazards. I have partnered with a firm that has achieved a highly efficient production state, but the company is struggling to recruit local restaurants willing to become supply chain partners. We seek ideas on how to recruit local restaurants interested in joining its sustainability …

Va Dent J January, February & March 2023

Virginia Dental Journal

In the January, February and March 2023 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• An Interview with Dr. Richard Roadcap: Virginia Dental Journal Editor (2007 – 2023)
• Through the Looking Glass: The Fantastical World of Oral Pathology
• Treatment Access and Outcomes for Craniofacial Care: Patient and Parent Perspectives
• Cheiloscopy
• We’re Taking on the Fight tor Fairness and Transparency: We Need More Dentists to Join the Fight
• Serving the Petersburg Community: VDA Foundation Collaboration with Central Virginia Health Services

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the Virginia membership including: editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, …

Developing And Modernizing Small Businesses In Dangriga, Belize, Abby Teague

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of the Small Business Development project located in Dangriga, Belize, and includes research on the challenges of entrepreneurship in developing countries. The project consisted of research and the implementation of marketing workshops to teach businesses how to manage their online and social media presence through the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) Dangriga. The impact of the project was significantly important because many Belizeans struggle to survive and succeed within their businesses. Belize contains multiple microenterprises that cannot meet their potential because of a lack of knowledge and communication. Overall, the project aims to give BTIA …

Hogs For A Cause: Art As A Medium For Community Engagement, Jaden Hendrix

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

With the power to influence various sectors of society, art is a dynamic medium for instituting change. To explore the power of art and its impact on communities, I am organizing an event in Fayetteville, Arkansas called “Hogs for a Cause.” Hogs for a Cause would double as an art competition and a community fundraising event for local charities, ultimately taking a multifaceted approach to enhancing our community through public art. This project will serve several purposes: showcase the work of local artists, support local charities, and foster community engagement and development. I will be collaborating with the …

Exploring Entrepreneurial Intention And Subjective Beliefs: A Comparative Analysis Of General Education Schools And Commercial Schools, Julia Riess, Bettina Fuhrmann, Gerhard Geissler

International Journal for Business Education

This study examines the entrepreneurial intentions of Austrian secondary school students, specifically comparing students from commercial schools with those from general education schools. We analyzed 2,329 data sets and found that subjective beliefs, primarily behavioral and control beliefs, significantly influence entrepreneurial intentions. In addition, demographic factors such as gender, language, acquaintance with entrepreneurs, and school type play a significant role in explaining the variance in entrepreneurial intentions.

Our detailed analysis shows that students from commercial schools have stronger entrepreneurial intentions and subjective beliefs. Particularly notable are the differences in behavioral beliefs, where students from commercial schools find all aspects of …

Organizing Special Events For Uri Greek Life, Jared Hewitt

Senior Honors Projects

Many student organizations at the University of Rhode Island host events throughout the year to support different causes. In my time at the university I have experienced several of these events, but noticed a lack of involvement from the greater community. Many students work or shop at local businesses yet the businesses don’t get involved with these events that could benefit everyone.

During my involvement with Greek Life I have participated and helped plan their annual Greek Week fundraiser in the spring. Through this personal experience I have noticed the large impact 3,000 students have on the community, but see …

Dentistry And The Law: Why Dentists Must Pay Attend To Antitrust Law, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this month’s Dentistry and the Law column, Dan Schulte, JD, MDA Legal Counsel, emphasizes the importance of understanding antitrust laws for dentists. He explains that agreements between competitors that restrain trade are illegal and highlights the risks of price-fixing and group boycotts. Dentists should avoid any activities that may be construed as anticompetitive. Enforcement of antitrust laws can lead to criminal or civil actions, making awareness crucial.

Leading Horses To Water During A Pandemic: Assuring Communication Learning For "Quants", Thomas Hall

International Journal for Business Education

Students who are attracted to quantitative disciplines of study can be reluctant to devote much attention to the important task of communicating, and previous research (Hostager, 2018) has identified statistically significant differences in learning approaches by major among undergraduate business students. This paper presents results of learning assurance for writing skills (direct measures) even when the content of the course relates to the highly quantitative topics of data analytics and finance. The approach combines various pedagogical methods in an undergraduate, writing-intensive setting: traditional testing but in an iterative framework, “flipped classroom” intensive work using spreadsheet software, repeated submission of brief …