More and more women choose to start their own microbusinesses and have obtained significant achievements. But what are the key factors to run a lucrative microbusiness? It is an issue worthy of researching. Therefore, I try to find some common features of those women who run a microbusiness, for example, the motivation of the entrepreneur, the standard of choosing a profitable microbusiness, the business model of earning profit and how to overcome difficulties. By studying this interesting issue, I have finalized five characteristics of successful female microbusiness entrepreneurs: 1. They are successful in business with which they are highly familiar or interested. Most of them even had part-time jobs in same kind of business. 2. Almost all of them raise all the entrepreneur capital on their own. This means that they must take all the risk. 3. They all have their own unique business model. They know clearly from which they can gain returns, and what the niche of the business is. 4. All of them take finance seriously, including daily cash flows, the situation of daily and monthly income. 5. They strive to pursue the balance of work and life quality. In the past, most of them worked so hard that they ignore their own health condition. When it became a serious problem, they realized that achievement is nothing without a healthy body.

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Marketing plays an influential role in small business survival. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the mechanisms used by microbusiness retail store owners for collecting, monitoring, and transforming market data into operational marketing activities. Marketing orientation (MO) provided the conceptual framework for this study. Guided by an abridged interview protocol, 4 retail microbusiness owners from Delaware participated in audio-recorded, semistructured interviews. Saturation of data occurred after 3 interviews, confirmed when the 4th interview produced no new information. After transcribing the interviews, member checking occurred, as each participant received a summary of the interview, along with thematic interpretations to ensure accurate capture of their intended meaning. The data were triangulated using the audio-recordings, transcriptions, observations, field notes, and Internet documents. From the coded data, 3 main themes emerged: (a) role of business owner as marketing instrument, (b) human capital, time, and self, and (c) relationships and networking. Positive social change may result from helping retail microbusiness owners understand the (a) identity relationship that exists between retail microbusiness owners and their business, (b) importance of active owner involvement in marketing, and (c) significant influence of networking and relationships on profitability. These findings may also promote firm and local economic stability through greater understanding of microbusiness owner marketing orientation and effective mechanisms for the integration of marketing activities into operations.

As Micro, Pequenas e Médias empresas, MPME, são responsáveis por em torno de 30% do PIB e por mais da metade dos trabalhos formais no Brasil, tamanha importância aponta a crescente necessidade de pesquisas que suportem o seu desenvolvimento e amadurecimento. Neste contexto, esta tese teve como foco as MPMEs, procurando responder quais são as práticas de gestão que mais impactam na lucratividade, bem como a associação destas práticas de gestão ao porte. As práticas de gestão foram concebidas a partir da cadeia de valor, formando-se nove dimensões: Estratégia, Estrategista, Gestão de Pessoas, Gestão de Valor, Gestão Financeira, Gestão de Operações, Mercadológico, Sistemas de Informação e Governança. Para a construção do instrumento de coleta de dados utilizou-se as referencias conceituais apontadas ao longo do referencial teórico. Dessa forma, montou-se um questionário com 204 perguntas, sendo 160 ligadas diretamente à representação destas práticas e mais 44 que suportaram o alcance do objetivo proposto. Por conseguinte, obteve-se um instrumento robusto para ser respondido em 60 minutos. Foi formada uma amostra de 197 empresas respondentes de diversos setores da economia, sendo 91 micro, 65 pequenas e 37 médias. Para a análise destas respostas utilizou-se a metodologia quantitativa exploratória, uma vez que a amostra foi não-probabilística por conveniência. Foram utilizadas diversas técnicas estatísticas através do software SPSS. Primeiramente foi verificada a associação entre cada uma das 160 variáveis e a lucratividade através dos testes Qui-quadradado e Kendall. Como resultado foram identificadas 32 variáveis com associação positiva e significativa e mais 8 variáveis com associação positiva. Com base nestas variáveis foi aplicada a análise CATPCA que resultou em 9 dimensões, as quais foram submetidas à correlação de Spearman e à regressão múltipla. Estas análises forneceram fortes evidências sobre a correlação direta entre a adoção de práticas de gestão e a lucratividade e o porte. Para possibilitar a identificação de grupos similares dentro da amostra foi utilizada a análise de cluster, a qual possibilitou comparar grupos com diferentes graus de adoção e diferentes lucratividades. Verificou-se a existência de um cluster no qual mais práticas de gestão levam a maior lucratividade, bem como outro que apresentou menores práticas de gestão e menores lucratividades. Como contribuição à gestão das MPMEs foram levantadas algumas evidências através do gráfico de regressão e das disposições das empresas no gráfico. Foram apresentadas quais práticas de gestão são adotadas por empresas com maior lucratividade e estas foram comparadas a empresas do mesmo porte e mesmo setor com menor lucratividade, possibilitando recomendações para a adoção de certas práticas administrativas. Espera-se contribuir para que os dirigentes de MPMEs vejam seus negócios como empresas que podem evoluir através de técnicas de gestão e analisem a sua possibilidade de adoção, pois como apresentado no presente estudo a associação foi positiva em ambos os casos, com lucratividade e com porte. / The Micro, Small and Medium business, MSMBs account around 30 % of GPD and more than 50% of formal jobs in Brazil, such importance underscores a growing need for research to support its development and maturation. In this context, this study focused on MSMBs by seeking the management practices that most impact the profitability and how it is associated of the size management. Management practices are designed from the value chain, in nine dimensions: Strategy, Strategist, People Management, Management Value, Financial Management, Management Operations, Marketing, Systems Information and Governance. To build the data collection was used the conceptual references cited throughout the theoretical framework. Therefore, a questionnaire with 204 questions, including 160 questions directly related to the representation of these practices and 44 questions which bore the scope of the proposed objective. Consequently, there was obtained a robust questionnare to be answered in 60 minutes. Was coleted a sample of 197 respondents companies from various sectors of the economy, with 91 micro, 65 small and 37 medium busness. For analysis of these responses was used exploratory quantitative method, since the sample was non- probabilistic. Statistical techniques were used by SPSS software. First, was analysed an association between each of the 160 variables and the profitability through the Chi-square and Kendall tests. As a result were identified 32 variables with positive and significant association and 8 more variables with positive association. Based on these variables was applied to CATPCA analysis that resulted in 9 dimensions, which were submitted to Spearman correlation and multiple regression. These analyzes provide strong evidence about the direct correlation between the adoption of management practices and profitability and the size. To identify similar groups was used cluster analysis, which enabled comparing groups with different degrees of adoption and different profitability. Was noted the existence of a cluster in which more management practices lead to higher profitability, as well as other cluster who had lower management practices and smaller profitabilities. As a contribution to the management of MSMBs have been raised through the evidence regression graph and the provisions of the companies in the chart. Which management practices were presented are adopted by the most profitable and these were compared to companies of similar size and same industry with lower profitability, providing recommendations for the adoption of certain maneger practices. It is expected to contribute to the MSMBs leaders to see their business as companies that can evolve through management techniques and analyze their possible use, because as shown in this study, the association was positive in both cases, as profitability and size.

As Micro, Pequenas e Médias empresas, MPME, são responsáveis por em torno de 30% do PIB e por mais da metade dos trabalhos formais no Brasil, tamanha importância aponta a crescente necessidade de pesquisas que suportem o seu desenvolvimento e amadurecimento. Neste contexto, esta tese teve como foco as MPMEs, procurando responder quais são as práticas de gestão que mais impactam na lucratividade, bem como a associação destas práticas de gestão ao porte. As práticas de gestão foram concebidas a partir da cadeia de valor, formando-se nove dimensões: Estratégia, Estrategista, Gestão de Pessoas, Gestão de Valor, Gestão Financeira, Gestão de Operações, Mercadológico, Sistemas de Informação e Governança. Para a construção do instrumento de coleta de dados utilizou-se as referencias conceituais apontadas ao longo do referencial teórico. Dessa forma, montou-se um questionário com 204 perguntas, sendo 160 ligadas diretamente à representação destas práticas e mais 44 que suportaram o alcance do objetivo proposto. Por conseguinte, obteve-se um instrumento robusto para ser respondido em 60 minutos. Foi formada uma amostra de 197 empresas respondentes de diversos setores da economia, sendo 91 micro, 65 pequenas e 37 médias. Para a análise destas respostas utilizou-se a metodologia quantitativa exploratória, uma vez que a amostra foi não-probabilística por conveniência. Foram utilizadas diversas técnicas estatísticas através do software SPSS. Primeiramente foi verificada a associação entre cada uma das 160 variáveis e a lucratividade através dos testes Qui-quadradado e Kendall. Como resultado foram identificadas 32 variáveis com associação positiva e significativa e mais 8 variáveis com associação positiva. Com base nestas variáveis foi aplicada a análise CATPCA que resultou em 9 dimensões, as quais foram submetidas à correlação de Spearman e à regressão múltipla. Estas análises forneceram fortes evidências sobre a correlação direta entre a adoção de práticas de gestão e a lucratividade e o porte. Para possibilitar a identificação de grupos similares dentro da amostra foi utilizada a análise de cluster, a qual possibilitou comparar grupos com diferentes graus de adoção e diferentes lucratividades. Verificou-se a existência de um cluster no qual mais práticas de gestão levam a maior lucratividade, bem como outro que apresentou menores práticas de gestão e menores lucratividades. Como contribuição à gestão das MPMEs foram levantadas algumas evidências através do gráfico de regressão e das disposições das empresas no gráfico. Foram apresentadas quais práticas de gestão são adotadas por empresas com maior lucratividade e estas foram comparadas a empresas do mesmo porte e mesmo setor com menor lucratividade, possibilitando recomendações para a adoção de certas práticas administrativas. Espera-se contribuir para que os dirigentes de MPMEs vejam seus negócios como empresas que podem evoluir através de técnicas de gestão e analisem a sua possibilidade de adoção, pois como apresentado no presente estudo a associação foi positiva em ambos os casos, com lucratividade e com porte. / The Micro, Small and Medium business, MSMBs account around 30 % of GPD and more than 50% of formal jobs in Brazil, such importance underscores a growing need for research to support its development and maturation. In this context, this study focused on MSMBs by seeking the management practices that most impact the profitability and how it is associated of the size management. Management practices are designed from the value chain, in nine dimensions: Strategy, Strategist, People Management, Management Value, Financial Management, Management Operations, Marketing, Systems Information and Governance. To build the data collection was used the conceptual references cited throughout the theoretical framework. Therefore, a questionnaire with 204 questions, including 160 questions directly related to the representation of these practices and 44 questions which bore the scope of the proposed objective. Consequently, there was obtained a robust questionnare to be answered in 60 minutes. Was coleted a sample of 197 respondents companies from various sectors of the economy, with 91 micro, 65 small and 37 medium busness. For analysis of these responses was used exploratory quantitative method, since the sample was non- probabilistic. Statistical techniques were used by SPSS software. First, was analysed an association between each of the 160 variables and the profitability through the Chi-square and Kendall tests. As a result were identified 32 variables with positive and significant association and 8 more variables with positive association. Based on these variables was applied to CATPCA analysis that resulted in 9 dimensions, which were submitted to Spearman correlation and multiple regression. These analyzes provide strong evidence about the direct correlation between the adoption of management practices and profitability and the size. To identify similar groups was used cluster analysis, which enabled comparing groups with different degrees of adoption and different profitability. Was noted the existence of a cluster in which more management practices lead to higher profitability, as well as other cluster who had lower management practices and smaller profitabilities. As a contribution to the management of MSMBs have been raised through the evidence regression graph and the provisions of the companies in the chart. Which management practices were presented are adopted by the most profitable and these were compared to companies of similar size and same industry with lower profitability, providing recommendations for the adoption of certain maneger practices. It is expected to contribute to the MSMBs leaders to see their business as companies that can evolve through management techniques and analyze their possible use, because as shown in this study, the association was positive in both cases, as profitability and size.

The U.S. Government (USG) sets aside $133 billion annually to procure goods and services from small businesses. To increase efficiency and effectiveness, the USG employs e-commerce procedures that continually change, forcing small and microbusiness owners (MBO) to learn new technical skills. This continuum of change is adversely affecting MBO who lack technical skills. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine whether a relationship existed between the independent variables of formal training consisting of third party providers, consultants, and higher education (INTM); previous federal employment (PFE); and government-sponsored training (GST) and the dependent variable of MBO winning a USG contract. The theoretical lens used to frame the study was the resource-based view. Participants included 259 owners of microbusinesses with fewer than 5 employees located in the United States. A Web-based survey provided data for logistic regression analysis, which showed a statistically significant finding that MBO who did not have GST were 2.6 times more likely to win a USG contract than MBO who had GST. INTM and PFE were not significantly associated with winning a USG contract. Implications for social change include encouraging government officials to develop training programs whereby MBO may benefit from increased business opportunities, which may spark business growth, reduce unemployment within communities, and contribute to the economy.

Four public private partnerships have been created in Lebanon to fulfill the promises of better public value and accelerated economic development for sustainable business development. The problem is some business owners embark on public private partnership projects without following known documented strategies that ensure business sustainability. The purpose of the single case study was to explore the strategies business owners used to sustain public private partnership businesses in Lebanon. The conceptual framework included the theory of X-efficiency and the new public management model. The Northern Lebanon public private partnership was chosen for the study. All 7 business owners participated through interviews for data collection. The emergent themes from the interviews were compared and contrasted across participants' responses and were cross referenced with the academic literature and printed agency reports. Data interpretations were triangulated through member checking. The business owners identified 7 specific strategies to monitor the agency's work. The top 3 strategies were proper selection of partners, the need for a strong technical director, and hiring of professional staff. Three additional strategies noted were the articulation of a clear mission and vision, followed by the development of bylaws and the identification of international best practices. Holding monthly partners' meetings to discuss emerging needs was the last strategy identified for consistent follow up and forward movement of the businesses. The findings over time could promote social change in Lebanon by revealing how municipalities can partner with the private sector and nongovernment organizations to reduce poverty, create jobs, and ensure local economic development.

A dynamic movement known as wealth creation education attracts many thousands of people seeking education for the vocation of an entrepreneur in the UK. Entrepreneurship education in these collectives includes venturing know-how but also co-constructs existential meaning and purpose for adherents, a role traditionally fulfilled by religion. This emergent sectarian movement is identified as wealth creationism. Led by charismatic entrepreneurs this newly identified research domain represents rich opportunities to study entrepreneurs in naturally arising settings, but has been neglected and understudied. While publicly subsidised educational support for small-business owners has suffered from low uptake, this study provides new knowledge about the kind of education that is engaged with in large numbers, despite being more expensive. This inquiry critically examines the attraction of these educational collectives and evaluates the social processes of eight wealth creation education providers in England. Teaching content and methods were also investigated. This qualitative study takes an interpreted approach through a social constructionism perspective. Using grounded theory methodology the providers were initially researched through participative observation in the educational settings followed by theoretically sampling data with various collection methods. Interdisciplinary theories, including the sociology of religion, accounted for findings, which were analysed at the meso-group level. The movement teaches entrepreneurship know-how and 'mindset' - ways of thinking and being. Insulating directives of behaviour and the construction of stigmatised out-groups maintain social boundaries. Employing similar narrative features and resources as religious sects, the socially constructed co-extensive nomos and cosmos privileges esoteric knowledge and is closely identified with modern Gnosticism. Participants do not acknowledge religious interpretations of their activities, yet three North American authors provide plausible canonical works that legitimise the movement. Wealth Creationists display entrepreneurial chauvinism, which equates employment with bondage, viewing the employed as slaves. Adherents choose educators with perceived entrepreneurial credibility to lead them on a purposeful mission for the type of knowledge that promises emancipation. This study is significant for both researchers of entrepreneurs and the sociology of religion. It offers participating entrepreneurs critical insights into the charismatic settings, which can be both enabling and disabling for venturing. This study has implications for academics engaged in outreach to small-business owners who may learn from the marketing tactics of these groups, although academics may still lack perceived credibility. Insights into business group formation will be of interest to business group researchers. A map of educational provision may interest researchers and educators of small and microbusiness owners, and those from the fields of entrepreneurial learning.