Most multilevel marketers lose money and quit within the first year of operations because of a lack of effective strategies for building and retaining a productive downline. The purpose of this multiple case study was to apply Cantillon's entrepreneurship theory to explore strategies used by 3 multilevel marketers from 3 different multilevel marketing companies with operations based in New York. Participant selection was purposeful and based on the number of years the participants had been in multilevel marketing and their generated income. Data collection occurred through semistructured interviews with open-ended questions of the participants and a review of company training documents and videos. Data from the interviews and training were examined, and key ideas were documented and analyzed using a 6-step data analysis process, including listing and grouping the collected data, considering all data before reducing or eliminating any, grouping the data by research questions, formulating the data into themes, documenting the experience, and presenting the data findings. Three themes emerged from the data: entrepreneurial mindset, strong leadership and support, and training and development. Adopting strategies described in this study may contribute to social change by increasing the success rate among multilevel marketers, thus reducing unemployment, resulting in more taxable income and increased tax revenue, and producing a positive effect on the economy in New York area.

The federal government has been inconsistent in meeting the mandated contracting set-aside goals of 3% to aid service-disabled veteran small business owners. Guided by the general systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore what strategies an owner and 2 senior managers of a small service-disabled veteran-owned business in the Washington, DC metropolitan used to obtain federal contracts. The owner and senior members represented those responsible for strategic vision, development of business opportunities, and the company acquisition process. Data were collected from semistructured face-to-face interviews and corporate documents. Member checking and transcript review were completed to strengthen trustworthiness of interpretations of the participants' responses. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data sources collected, 6 themes emerged from the data analysis as key strategies to obtain federal contracts: business practices, business development of opportunities to attain growth, marketing to obtain opportunities to bid, networking to gain industry knowledge on trends and markets, understanding federal government contracts which emphasized the federal acquisition system access and availability of procurement information, and contract bidding which emphasized the importance of solution development. The findings from the study may contribute to social change by providing insights and strategies for service-disabled veteran small business owners in sustaining profitability through obtaining government contracts. The data from this study may contribute to the prosperity of the veteran small business owners, their employees, their families, and local communities.

Research suggests that children of self-employed parents and children belonging to family businesses are much more likely to pursue entrepreneurial careers. But while nature is a critical driving force behind intergenerational entrepreneurship, nurture seems to be even more important. The next question, and the overarching goal of this dissertation, is how do enterprising families – defined as families who own more than one business, but don't necessarily do so together – nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs? Of particular importance to discovering the process of intergenerational entrepreneurship, is understanding why some siblings follow an entrepreneurial path while others actively avoid it. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, 35 family members across eight enterprising families were interviewed. The findings suggest a critical determinant of who becomes an entrepreneur is based on children's entrepreneurial sensemaking, which they form throughout their experiences in childhood and adolescence. Child-specific characteristics, such as entrepreneurial innateness, as well as the presence of family system facilitators, were critical factors that influenced the valence of children's entrepreneurial sensemaking (i.e., negative, positive, balanced), which in turn influenced their career trajectories (i.e., never entrepreneurs, legacy entrepreneurs, open professionals). These findings have important practical implications for the sustainability of enterprising families.

Does a Digital Divide exist between African and European American-owned small businesses in the South? There is no inferential statistical research literature on this subject. The literature available are usually conjectures made by small business observers who are quoting results from descriptive statistical reports whose samples originate from cities and states in the North. Research indicates that Northern businesses have vastly different racial, gender, educational, and economic characteristics than Southern businesses. Therefore, it is unlikely that business technology data generated from these locations are generalizable to cities in the South. Research also suggests that a technologically urbane small business environment in a given area can economically uplift its inhabitants. Considering that southern states?particularly regions in the ?Deep South? like Alabama and Mississippi?have some of the highest poverty levels in the United States for its African American population, a detail analysis is needed to determine whether a technological chasm exists between African and European American-owned small businesses in the above states. A potential technology chasm might be the reason for the poverty that characterizes the lives of the South?s African American population. The purpose of this study was to use a Multivariate Analysis of Variance to determine if a Digital Divide existed in both the access and the use of telephone, computer, and Internet technology when comparing small businesses owned by African and European Americans in Mississippi. The primary cities under analysis were Jackson and Gulfport?the two largest urban areas in the state. The results indicated that there was not a Digital Divide between these two groups?both were technologically lacking. However, the owners of these businesses did view technology positively?a factor that might ease future technology adoption.

No description available.

No description available.

In Nigeria, many small businesses fail before their 5th anniversary. Small businesses make up a major percentage of the businesses in Nigeria and provide jobs for 50% of the populace. The purpose of this qualitative multi-unit case study was to explore the factors required by small businesses in Nigeria to sustain operations beyond the first 5 years. The conceptual framework grounding this study was general systems theory. A review of the literature focused on small business failure and factors required to sustain a business longer than 5 years. Data collection occurred through semistructured interviews of a purposeful sample of 3 successful business owners in Port Harcourt, who described their experiences. Data analysis strategies consisted of using qualitative software, key words, phrases, and codes, which contributed to identifying the following themes: (a) effective strategizing, (b) flexible financial capital management, (c) human capital development, (d) market positioning and sales, and (e) stable power supply. The findings indicated that these 3 small business owners were passionate about starting up their businesses and had the necessary skills to strategize effectively and manage capital, thus sustaining their business beyond 5 years. Information derived from this study may assist small business owners in starting successful companies, that support employees, other companies, communities, and families, contributing to the development of the Nigerian economy.

M.A. / Small enterprise development is considered a priority in most developing countries and, South Africa’s not an exception. The rationale for prioritising SMMEs is premised on their potential ability to contribute to the alleviation of the socio-economic challenges facing most developing countries such as unemployment, poverty and low levels of economic development. For South Africa, SMME development is seen as an appropriate strategy that could assist government in its endeavours of bridging the gap that exists between the two economies (first and second economy). To date, the government has utilised various business models to facilitate the entry and development of small enterprises in the mainstream economy. These models include amongst others a close corporation, cooperative and private company. Whilst all three models have been effectively applied across all sectors of the economy such as agriculture, retail services, manufacturing and others, the cooperatives approach/model has not been successfully exploited for the development of small enterprises within the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Using international case studies, this study has been able to demonstrate the critical role that could be played by the cooperative model in facilitating an accelerated development of viable small enterprises within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in South Africa. Internationally, cooperatives have played a pivotal role in their contribution to economic development in both developed and developing countries. The model has the potential to promote economic growth at the community and regional level, building on the spirit of cooperation that is already prevalent in rural areas. In the ICT sector, the cooperatives approach has been applied as a model for the development of sustainable ICT small enterprises. In actual fact, the model has been instrumental in enhancing small enterprise development in countries such as Argentina, Poland, USA and Bolivia, just to mention a few. It therefore becomes critical for South Africa to consider lessons from these countries, so as to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the cooperative model. However, government needs to put in place appropriate ICT sector specific support structures that would assist people willing to start cooperative enterprises within the ICT sector. In the United States, government introduced a sector-specific bill to facilitate the establishment of the Rural Telephone Administration. The bill made it possible for long-term loans to be made to telephone cooperatives at low interest rates, thus accelerating the development and procurement of rural telephone systems. In Poland, government established a sector-specific Trust Fund referred to as “Balazs Social Trust Fund” solely to support the development of ICT cooperatives in rural areas. Thus, for South Africa to accelerate its pace of development it might need to adopt and customise this model. To ensure continuous monitoring and measurement of the impact of these interventions, government needs to put in place appropriate measurement tools.

李笑開. / Thesis (M.A.)--香港中文大學硏究院地理學部. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 439-472). / Li Xiaokai. / Thesis (M.A.)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue yan jiu yuan di li xue bu. / 謝辭 --- p.1 / 論文摘要 --- p.3 / 目錄 --- p.5 / 附表目次 --- p.17 / 附圖目次 --- p.28 / 圖片目次 --- p.30 / Chapter 第一章 --- 導言及文章檢讀 --- p.32 / Chapter 1.1 --- 小型集體工業之定義 --- p.33 / Chapter 1.2 --- 小型集體工業興起之原因 --- p.37 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- 發展社隊工業的原因和概念 --- p.37 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- 發展城鎮集體工業的原因　 --- p.42 / Chapter 1.3 --- 小型集體工業之基本形態 --- p.46 / Chapter 1.4 --- 小型集體工業的發展歷程　 --- p.50 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- 農村社隊工業的發展歷程 --- p.50 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- 城鎮集體工業的發展歷程 --- p.60 / Chapter 1.5 --- 發展概況及在國民經濟中的地位 --- p.66 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- 農村社隊工業 --- p.67 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- 城鎮集體工業 --- p.90 / Chapter 1.6 --- 小結 --- p.103 / Chapter 第二章 --- 研究目的與方法 --- p.129 / Chapter 2.1 --- 研究目的 --- p.130 / Chapter 2.2 --- 研究範圍 --- p.132 / Chapter 2.3 --- 研究方法 --- p.138 / Chapter 2.4 --- 研究之限制 --- p.141 / Chapter 第三章 --- 農村集體工業形態´ؤ´ؤ花縣個案研究 --- p.147 / Chapter 3.1 --- 花縣社隊工業之發展歷程 --- p.152 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- 花山人民公社 --- p.152 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- 新華人民公社 --- p.154 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- 花東人民公社 --- p.156 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- 三個公社社隊工業發展歷程綜述 --- p.161 / Chapter 3.2 --- 花縣社隊工業企業的特性 --- p.162 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- 資金籌集與人員供應　 --- p.167 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- 企業組織結構 --- p.170 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- 部門分劃與生產形態　 --- p.174 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- 工作結構與勞動管理 --- p.176 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- 核算制度與資金積累 --- p.178 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- 技術水平和質量管理 --- p.183 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- 工人工資及勞保福利水平 --- p.187 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- 企業才能 --- p.188 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- 職工構成 --- p.189 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- 調節方式 --- p.191 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- 經營方式及業務依據　 --- p.195 / Chapter 3.2.12 --- 企業原料來源及產品市場 --- p.197 / Chapter 3.2.13 --- 經營發展方向 --- p.200 / Chapter 3.2.14 --- 工資制度及誘因方法　 --- p.202 / Chapter 3.3 --- 花縣社隊工業企業面對的困難 --- p.207 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- 市場流通渠道的閉塞和隊碍　 --- p.208 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- 資金短缺不合理價格制度 --- p.212 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- 落後的技術和管理技巧 --- p.213 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- 其他困難 --- p.216 / Chapter 3.4 --- 小結 --- p.217 / Chapter 第四章 --- 城鎮集體工業形態´ؤ´ؤ羅湖區個案研究 --- p.228 / Chapter 4.1 --- 羅湖區城鎮集體工業之發展歷程 --- p.233 / Chapter 4.2 --- 羅湖區城鎮集體工業的特徵 --- p.240 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- 資金籌集與人員供應　 --- p.246 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- 企業組織結構 --- p.246 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- 部門分劃與生產形態 --- p.251 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- 工作結構與勞動管理 --- p.253 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- 核算制度與資金積累 --- p.257 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- 技術水平與質量管理　 --- p.261 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- 工人工資與福利水平 --- p.266 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- 企業才能 --- p.271 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- 職工構成 --- p.274 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- 調節形式 --- p.276 / Chapter 4.2.11 --- 經營方式與業務根據 --- p.279 / Chapter 4.2.12 --- 企業原料來源及產品市場　 --- p.280 / Chapter 4.2.13 --- 經營發展方向 --- p.282 / Chapter 4.2.14 --- 工資及誘因制度 --- p.285 / Chapter 4.3 --- 羅湖區城鎮集體工業遭遇的困難 --- p.289 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- 指令經濟下市場流通渠道閉塞 --- p.290 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- 潛在性「平調」與「統負盈虧」概念造成的資金短缺 --- p.295 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- 技術落後與管理知識貧乏　 --- p.299 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- 其他：企業欠缺自主權　 --- p.299 / Chapter 4.4 --- 小結 --- p.300 / Chapter 第五章 --- 花縣社隊工業與羅湖區城鎮集體工業之比較 --- p.306 / Chapter 5.1 --- 企業形態上的比較 --- p.308 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- 結構性特徵　 --- p.308 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- 營運性特徵 --- p.314 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- 花縣社隊工業和羅湖區城鎮集體工業形態上的總特點 --- p.318 / Chapter 5.2 --- 企業發展上困難的比較 --- p.323 / Chapter 第六章 --- 結論與討論　 --- p.330 / Chapter 6.1 --- 作用與評估 --- p.334 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- 花縣社隊工業企業的貢獻及評估 --- p.335 / Chapter 6.1.1.1 --- 為農業服務 --- p.335 / Chapter 6.1.1.2 --- 為當地人民生活服務 --- p.337 / Chapter 6.1.1.3 --- 為大工業服務　 --- p.347 / Chapter 6.1.1.4 --- 為出口服務 --- p.351 / Chapter 6.1.1.5 --- 其他作用　 --- p.352 / Chapter 6.1.1.6 --- 作用的評價 --- p.354 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- 羅湖區城鎮集體工業企業的作用及評價 --- p.362 / Chapter 6.1.2.1 --- 創造就業機會 --- p.363 / Chapter 6.1.2.2 --- 滿足當地需要 --- p.365 / Chapter 6.1.2.3 --- 為出口創匯 --- p.372 / Chapter 6.1.2.4 --- 為中國現代化引進技術 --- p.373 / Chapter 6.1.2.5 --- 為國內其他單位協作　 --- p.374 / Chapter 6.1.2.6 --- 其他作用 --- p.375 / Chapter 6.1.2.7 --- 作用的評價 --- p.379 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- 花縣社隊工業企業與羅湖區城鎮集體工業企業作用之比較和綜合 --- p.384 / Chapter 6.2 --- 小型集體工業發展的環境與潛力 --- p.392 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- 外在因素提供樂觀前景　 --- p.392 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- 內在結構性因素構成的限制 --- p.397 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- 對外加工與地域競爭 --- p.405 / Chapter 6.3 --- 結語：前景與展望 --- p.411 / 圖片 --- p.433 / 參考書目 --- p.439 / 附錄 --- p.473

by Yiu Chuen-lai. / Spine title: Deciphering small business owner's strategies. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-161). / Abstract / Acknowledgment / Table of Contents / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Small business characteristics --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Franchisees' knowledge about franchise relation --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Why and how franchisees join the franchises ？ A study of franchisees' working histories --- p.80 / Chapter Chapter Five --- What do franchisees do ？ In quest of their work and their role in the operation --- p.104 / Chapter Chapter Six --- Conclusion --- p.140 / Bibliography