Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Commons^™

Developing High-Growth Businesses In Rural Areas: A Study Of Four U.S. States, William B. Lamb, Hugh Sherman

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Those who would establish high-growth businesses (HGBs) in rural settings face significant challenges. We report findings from more than 80 in-depth interviews regarding the obstacles that rural HGBs face and identify approaches for overcoming these obstacles. First, interviews confirm the need for improved access to a full range of financing options to support HGBs across different development stages. Second, HGBs need in-depth, sophisticated technical assistance, which is generally unavailable in rural areas. Finally, cooperation among financial and technical service providers is vital to program success. Based on these findings, a model is proposed for successful development of HGBs in rural …

Does Employee Ownership Increase Innovation?, Robert Garrett

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

One way that firms attempt to innovate is through investment in R&D activity. However, there is much heterogeneity in innovations among firms making comparable R&D investments. This article explores employee ownership’s moderating effect on the relationship between R&D intensity and innovative output. The basis for the moderation is that ownership increases motivation and commitment to the innovation agenda of the company, and retains employees’ entrepreneurial efforts for internal opportunities. Using hierarchical regression, the data support the hypothesis that employee stock ownership positively moderates the relationship between R&D intensity and innovative output. Implications for future research and practice are addressed.

Psychographic Segmentation Of The Self-Employed: An Exploratory Study, Matthew G. Kenney, Art Weinstein

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Although it is well established in the academic literature that entrepreneurs share common traits, there has been limited research dedicated to evaluating psychographic profiles of the self-employed. Using the Nominal Group Technique, the authors gleaned insight from a panel of experts in an effort to segment the self-employed based on personality traits and the benefits they receive from an entrepreneurial career. The findings show that self-employed individuals can be classified into four distinct segments: Exemplars, Generals, Moms and Dads, and Altruists. Each group derives different benefits from self-employment. Understanding these benefits can greatly assist entrepreneurship educators and marketers of small …

Raising Venture Capital For The Serious Entrepreneur, Michele K. Masterfano

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Berkery, Dermot. Raising Venture Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. ISBN 9780071496025

Raising Venture Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur is a fascinating journey through the world of venture finance. It provides an interesting, even absorbing view into the arcane world of how venture capitalists determine what companies they will finance, how they decide on the level of investment,and what they expect in return. It further provides important tips for entrepreneurs as they begin their planning for equity financing and the negotiations with VCs for that financing.

Marketing And Economic Aspects Of Entrepreneurship: Raising Cane In The Low Desert-A Case Study, Carol Ann Dorn, Nancy Scannell

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This article chronicles a collaborative effort between entrepreneurial farmers in Southern California's Imperial Valley and University of California researchers to introduce cane sugar into the Valley.

Corporate Entrepreneurship: A Strategic And Structural Perspective, Joao Ferreira

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Researchers have found that a firm's external environment plays a profound role in influencing corporate entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship, Competitiveness And Local Development, James Bronson

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by James W. Bronson.

Luca Iandoli, Hans Landstrom, and Mario Raffa, eds. Entrepreneurship, Competitiveness and Local Development. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc., 2007. ISBN 9781847203274

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Fall 2009

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

The Entrepreneurial Motivations Of Nonemployer Entrepreneurs, Robert Barbato, Richard Demartino, Paul H. Jacques

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

A nonemployer business is one that has no paid employees.The number and revenues of nonemployer businesses are increasing at a faster rate than other businesses, and they are an increasingly important alternative to other forms of entrepreneurship.Yet very little is known about these businesses. This study uses a survey of 1,600 MBA alumni to compare the entrepreneurial motivations of nonemployer entrepreneurs to conventional entrepreneurs and no entrepreneurs. The findings indicate that nonemployer entrepreneurs differ in important ways, and future research is needed to understand more fully this large and important group of entrepreneurs.

Mason Biodiesel: A Family’S New Venture In A New Industry, Matthew Eriksen, George H. Tompson

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This case describes a real family that has been running a labor-intensive business since 1992. The father, Phil Mason, runs the business with the help of his wife and two of his sons in southwestern Rhode Island. The business is a franchisee of ServiceMaster Clean. In 2006, the franchise employed 20 full-time employees and was the 50th largest ServiceMaster Clean franchise among the approximately 1,200 franchises located in the United States. Annual revenue is approximately $2.5 million. In late 2005, one of Phil’s sons began researching the biodiesel industry. As he was growing weary of the labor-intensive nature of his …

From The Editors, Herbert Sherman, Joshua Shuart, Laurence Weinstein

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Strategic Flexibility And Smes: The Role Of Information Technology For Managing Internal And External Relations, Stephen K. Callaway, Kevin Celuch, Gregory B. Murphy

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

The purpose of the current study was to assess the impact of information technology on strategic flexibility for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Results of the study show that under conditions of low environmental dynamism, IT capabilities are associated with greater reactive strategic flexibility. Specifically, IT capabilities enabling the management of internal activities was significant. Under conditions of high environmental dynamism, IT capabilities are associated with greater proactive strategic flexibility. Specifically, IT capabilities enabling the management of competitor information was significant. Managerial as well as future research implications are discussed.

The Aging Population And Mature Entrepreneurs: Market Trends And Implications For Entrepreneurship, Robert P. Singh

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This article discusses the statistics and trends surrounding the rapidly aging U.S. population. Older workers will make up an increasing portion of the workforce and these individuals represent an important growing demographic target market. While much has been written about the aging population and the potential for entrepreneurs to target this growing market, little research has been conducted on older entrepreneurs. They are a unique group and this article provides empirical results and discussion about the differences and importance of older entrepreneurs to the economy and as contributors to American society. Practical implications and future research directions are discussed.

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Spring 2009

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

How A Plane Crash Changed My Life, Ted Leonsis, Miles K. Davis

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

In 1983 Ted Leonsis survived a crash landing of a plane he was on.This fateful event proved to be a pivotal point in his life. One of the byproducts of that near-death experiences is Leonsis’ list of 101 things to do before he died—a "bucket list” before the movie of that title came out. Leonsis has managed to accomplish more than two-thirds of the things on his list including owning a sports franchise (the Washington Capitals), changing someone’s life via a charity, sailing the Caribbean, and being on the cover of a magazine. As impressive as these accomplishments are, they …

Designing Clothes: Culture And Organization In The Fashion Industry, Lisa Hayes

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by Lisa Hayes.

Manlow, Veronica. Designing Clothes: Culture and Organization in the Fashion Industry. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2007. ISBN 9781412810555

Strategic Marketing Practice Considerations In Family Business In Nigeria, Omotayo Adegbuyi

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

The purpose of this study is to fill a gap in the literature by examining a medium-sized firm. Most modern economies are characterized by a significant group of middle-sized firms, still owner-managed, but with multimillion naira turnovers. Many of these remain family companies and constitute an important reservoir of business initiative. One such family business is the focus of this research. The results of the study suggest that neither the existing typologies of small firm approaches to marketing nor the formal models of marketing attributed to big companies necessarily characterize the marketing planning and management of family business in Nigeria.

Mentoring And Perpetuating The Entrepreneurial Spirit Within Family Business By Telling Contingent Stories, Robert Smith

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Family businesses do not perpetuate themselves. Entrepreneurs must nurture and propagate the values that led to the creation of the very thing most precious to them—their business.This of course depends on stability. Nor do these cherished values propagate themselves. To be made meaningful for others, and for future generations, family experiences, values, and achievements must be communicated to others via language, narrative and storytelling, or other forms embedded in the narrative such as symbols. Often a variety of different socially constructed stories may be necessary contingent upon situation, purpose, or need.

Developing An Entrepreneurial Education In A Residential College: An Exploratory Case Study, James Mcalexander, Rachel Nelson, Chris Bates

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a source of innovation, job creation, and vibrancy for local and regional economies. As a direct result, there is a profound interest in creating an infrastructure that effectively encourages entrepreneurship and incubates entrepreneurial endeavors. Western State University has responded to this call by developing the Harvey Entrepreneurship Program, which is integrated in the Enterprise Residential College.The Harvey program provides a socially embedded experiential learning approach to entrepreneurial education. Faculty, students, entrepreneurs, and technical experts are drawn together in an environment that provides space for business incubators and an entrepreneurially focused curriculum. In this article, we present a case …

Entrepreneurial Expansion Plans: An Empirical Investigation Of Infrastructure Predictors, Jianwen (Jon) Liao, Harold P. Welsch, David Pistrui

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and the development of new business continue to be the forefront of socioeconomic development in virtually all economies today. Despite evidence of increasing research into entrepreneurial growth, the existing research is limited by the fact that most studies define entrepreneurial growth as a unidimensional construct and operationalize it as “realized” growth relying on financially based measures. Consequently, this article has two objectives: (1) to develop a set of accurate and comprehensive entrepreneurial growth measures; and (2) to test a series of hypotheses regarding precursors of growth intentions—more specifically, to what extent, infrastructure factors affect entrepreneurial growth intentions. These two …

Revisiting Doing Business In The Middle East, David Desplaces, Nancy K. Mcintyre

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This case engages students on a number of issues common to doing business in other countries, specifically in the Middle East. It is intended to be a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of the situation. The case seeks to integrate issues of international management and cross-cultural conflict and negotiation. Students are challenged to diagnose a cross-culturally sensitive situation and develop solutions in a team environment under limiting time restraints. This case is also designed to help students understand the cultural aspects of a situation and how different solutions could have major consequences …

From The Editors, Herbert Sherman, Joshua Shuart, Laurence Weinstein

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Ethical Compliance Behavior In Small And Young Firms: The Role Of Employee Identification With The Firm, Susan Houghton, Mark Simon, Ph.D.

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

We explored whether employees in smaller, younger firms would be more ethically compromised, and whether employee identification moderates this relationship.We collected survey data from 154 working professionals enrolled in an MBA program in the southeastern United States. We found that employees of smaller, younger firms selected more compromised ethical choices than employees of larger, older firms. Contrary to our expectations, employee identification had no effect in smaller, younger, firms, yet in larger, older firms, identification actually reduced ethical compliance, suggesting that there is not a simple relationship between identification and ethical compliance.

Entrepreneurship As Social Change, Lori W. Snyder

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by Lori Wagner Snyder.

Steyaert, Chris and Daniel Hjorth, eds. Entrepreneurship as Social Change. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006. ISBN 9781847206275

Integrity And Values: Interview With Dr. Jim Sinegal, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Miles K. Davis, James D. Sinegal

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

In describing his success, Sinegal attributes it to “just good business practices.” And while he was born into a Catholic family and supports Catholic causes, he does not necessarily tie his faith to the way he approaches business. That approach, he says, is based in learning how to do business with integrity and high values from an early mentor. The following interview outlines how Sinegal approaches business and how he works to establish integrity and high values throughout Costco Wholesale Corporation.

Some Entrepreneurship Pitfalls, Philip Wolitzer

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

All of us have at some point thought how great it would be to be the boss of our own destiny and build a new business. For some it’s a dream that won’t stop until we try. In the old days, all it would have taken was two months’ rent after we built our leasehold improvements. Oh, how times have changed.

From The Editors, Herbert Sherman, Joshua Shuart, Laurence Weinstein

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

From The Editors, Herbert Sherman, Joshua Shuart, Laurence Weinstein

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Spring 2008

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Awakening The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Exploring The Relationship Between Organizational Factors And Perceptions Of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy And Desirability In A Corporate Setting, Deborah V. Brazeal, Mark T. Schenkel, Jay A. Azriel

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

While efforts at understanding how the entrepreneurial spirit is awakened (e.g., unwrapping the cognitive “black box”) have been productive in the new venture context, it remains largely unexplored in a corporate setting.This study extends previous research by investigating the relationship between organizational antecedents and perceptions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and desirability of entrepreneurial activity. In a field study of organizations consistent with a corporate entrepreneurial archetype typology, we found that (1) individual work discretion and time availability impacted entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and (2) individual interest in work innovation influenced perceived desirability of innovative behaviors.