We investigate the roles of (1) social capital and (2) firm type (formal versus informal) in shaping the relationship between entrepreneurial behavior and firm performance. To further investigate entrepreneurial behavior and its effect on firm performance, we develop two research themes based on two types of entrepreneurial behaviors - assertive behavior and nonassertive behavior. The first research theme focuses on the relationship between entrepreneurs' assertive behavior and firm performance. Taking entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior as an assertive behavior into account, we identify the conditions under with entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior results in better firm performance. In Model 1 (detailed in Chapter 2), we investigate whether and how firm type and social capital influence entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior and its effect on firm performance. Through a field study covering 300 entrepreneurs and the same number of employees, we found that firm type and social capital moderate the relationship between entrepreneurs'risk-taking behavior and firm performance. We further found that entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior is only beneficial for the firm if entrepreneurs have more social capital in their formal firms. The second research theme focuses on the relationship between entrepreneurs' humility as a nonassertive behavior and firm performance. In Model 2 (detailed in Chapter 3), we conceptualize and investigate the relationship between entrepreneurs' humility and firm performance via social capital in different firm types. Through the same field study, we found that social capital mediates the relationship between entrepreneurs' humility and firm performance. We further found that the indirect effect of entrepreneurs'humility on firm performance via social capital is stronger in informal firms. The theoretical and practical implications of the two studies are then discussed.

We investigate the roles of (1) social capital and (2) firm type (formal versus informal) in shaping the relationship between entrepreneurial behavior and firm performance. To further investigate entrepreneurial behavior and its effect on firm performance, we develop two research themes based on two types of entrepreneurial behaviors - assertive behavior and nonassertive behavior. The first research theme focuses on the relationship between entrepreneurs' assertive behavior and firm performance. Taking entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior as an assertive behavior into account, we identify the conditions under with entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior results in better firm performance. In Model 1 (detailed in Chapter 2), we investigate whether and how firm type and social capital influence entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior and its effect on firm performance. Through a field study covering 300 entrepreneurs and the same number of employees, we found that firm type and social capital moderate the relationship between entrepreneurs'risk-taking behavior and firm performance. We further found that entrepreneurs' risk-taking behavior is only beneficial for the firm if entrepreneurs have more social capital in their formal firms. The second research theme focuses on the relationship between entrepreneurs' humility as a nonassertive behavior and firm performance. In Model 2 (detailed in Chapter 3), we conceptualize and investigate the relationship between entrepreneurs' humility and firm performance via social capital in different firm types. Through the same field study, we found that social capital mediates the relationship between entrepreneurs' humility and firm performance. We further found that the indirect effect of entrepreneurs'humility on firm performance via social capital is stronger in informal firms. The theoretical and practical implications of the two studies are then discussed.

Why do some businesspeople run for political office, while others do not? Sending directors into elected office is one of the most powerful but also resource-intensive ways firms can influence policymaking. Although legislative bodies are populated with businesspeople in countries worldwide, we know little about which firms decide to invest in this unique type of nonmarket strategy. In response, I argue that businesspeople run for elected office when (1) they cannot trust that the politicians they lobby will represent their interests and (2) their firms have the resources available to contest elections. My theory predicts the probability of politician shirking (reneging on their promises) depends on whether rival firms have representatives in parliament and political parties are capable of enforcing informal quid pro quo agreements. Evidence to test my arguments comes from an original dataset of 8,829 firms connected to candidates to regional legislatures in Russia from 2004-2011. I find that both greater oligopolistic competition and weaker political parties incentivize businessperson candidacy, while the ability to cover campaign costs depends on the level of voter income and firm size. Do firms with directors holding elected political office then benefit from political connections? Using the same dataset but restricting the analysis to elections in single-member districts, I next employ a regression discontinuity design to identify the causal effect of gaining political ties, comparing outcomes of firms that are directed by candidates who either won or lost close elections to regional legislatures. I first find that a connection to a winning politician can increase revenue by roughly 60% and profit margins by 15% over their time in office. I then test between different mechanisms potentially explaining the results, finding that connected firms improve their performance by gaining access to bureaucrats and reducing information costs, and not by signaling legitimacy to financiers. Finally, winning a parliamentary seat is more valuable for firms where democratization is greater, but less valuable when firms face acute sector-level competition. This finding suggests that the intensity of economic rivalry, rather than the quality of political institutions, best explains the decision to send a director into public office.

In a country where inventors and innovators are noted as being at liberty to enter and contribute to the free market space, conversely studies have found that Black tech entrepreneurs face greater difficulty launching and growing their businesses. A review of the literature suggests that many of these difficulties stem from the lingering effects of historical inequalities. These inequalities have existed for decades due to laws and regulations that once limited home ownership, income earning, credit access, inheritances, and educational opportunities. Additionally, literature in the tech arena has demonstrated a lack of diversity in the field. Pattern matching or preconceived standards have also been said to impact Black tech entrepreneurs’ opportunities to receive investments to launch and grow their businesses. While great dialogue has taken place in the tech arena around these disparities, little is known in academic literature about how Black tech entrepreneurs engage in the process of creating innovative brands and marketing their companies. In light of this, the researcher conducted a qualitative case study designed to explore black tech entrepreneurs’ perceptions of how they learn to launch and grow their businesses. This study engaged participants who self-identified as tech entrepreneurs of Black or African descent who have launched apps, websites, or hybrid companies in the United States. Among the key findings that emerged from the study were: An overwhelming majority of participants described that seeking the counsel of “expert” others was a key action in securing funding to grow their companies. Further, a strong majority of participants indicated that having a positive self-concept was a key facilitator in growing their businesses; while, an equal number indicated that a misalignment between the investor and entrepreneur inhibited their ability to grow. The tech entrepreneurial field can evolve through the increased trying on of differing perspectives by both investors and entrepreneurs; the continued development of diversity tech ecosystems and support networks; and, sustained progress in increasing the investment opportunities for Black tech entrepreneurs.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--The University of Iowa, 2002. / Supervisor: H. Shelton Stromquist. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis is an examination of the relationships and conflicts between franchisors and franchisees in the Taiwan retail franchise market. Two examples, convenience stores and estate agencies, are compared as these typify the retail and service sectors. The method adopted in this research is a form of exploratory qualitative research, since the purpose is to provide insights and understanding of the nature of marketing. In this research, there are many points, which conflict with previous research, such as the performance between multi-unit and single franchising, monitoring issues, buying back franchisees, the resource constraints of management talent and financial capital,brand transference and so on. From the empirical findings, the author suggests this is related to local culture and operational customs. Further, in international franchising, the author's results show that there is no relationship between internationalisation and company scale. What is important is whether any two businesses have the same commercial objective. Some interviewees offer valuable insights, which have never been discussed before, for example, most of the previous researches on financial constraints focus on whether it is cheaper to obtain capital from franchisees as compared to stockholders or financial institutions. However, a valuable point interviewees have suggested is that the question should be related to whether the power of the brand is strong as compared with other factors. In other words, if the brand power is strong, then other constraints will be minimized. Based on the above findings, relationships and conflicts between franchisors and franchisees are then explored. Based on the nature of industry and ownership patterns, what the franchisees care about is autonomy in the convenience store sector, whereas brand power is highlighted in the estate agency sector. The common point is that both industries stress the importance of communication, but this function fails in this research for different reasons and these reasons can be traced back to the difference of ownership patterns. Therefore, aside from the contribution to theories, three models are developed for practical application from the perspective of communication. In conclusion, with smooth organizational communication and constructive interactions, both parties will benefit from each other and enjoy the synergy of increased brand power.

M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School. / Literature suggests that there are three main theories that explore the rate of entrepreneurialism amongst immigrants: the middleman minority, the ethnic market niche and the ethnic enclave economy. Immigrant entrepreneurs tend to target markets that are abandoned or neglected by local entrepreneurs and large chain stores. As a result, immigrant entrepreneurs often occupy business premises that would otherwise have been left vacant, thus providing the owners of the premises with a return on their asset and other benefits to the local community in which these businesses operate. However, there are few studies that have considered the extent to which immigrants contribute to the local economy of Brits in particular and South Africa in general. The study drew parallels between what is deemed as Foreign Direct Investment by multinational enterprises, and the actions of immigrant entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses in a host country. However, there are other characteristics that are associated with immigrant entrepreneurship that are not synonymous with multinational cooperatives, such as contribution to the informal economy and unregulated business practices. The study evaluated the impact of this form of Foreign Direct Investment on the economy of Madibeng Municipality, specifically the town of Brits. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of small businesses owned by immigrant entrepreneurs on the local community of Brits. This impact was analysed by assessing the impact of these businesses on employment creation, revenue to the municipality and investment in real estate, and called micro Foreign Direct Investment by small owned by immigrant entrepreneurs.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 86-96)

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--The King's Seminary, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.