Women entrepreneurs are an economic force within the American and Oregon economy. Women are starting businesses at two to five times the rate of men. There has been significant research detailing the demographics, barriers, and business management skills of women business owners. Yet, the research to date has been limited and has not contributed to the development of a conceptual model which describes the woman entrepreneur. The purpose of this research was to develop a conceptual model of a woman entrepreneur. Case studies of ten women entrepreneurs were constructed through extensive interviews. The women identified for this study were white middle class Americans. They were selected through a criterion-based sample technique. The attributes identified were: 1 ) women entrepreneurs who owned, controlled and operated their business; 2) women entrepreneurs who had been in business a minimum of two years; and 3) women who considered their business to be a full-time endeavor. Written case studies derived from the interview data were submitted to the participants for their validation. The data were qualitatively analyzed to determine emergent patterns and themes. Women entrepreneurs create their businesses, attract and retain their customers, interact with their vendors, overcome barriers, supervise employees and manage their businesses by developing and nurturing a network of relationships. These relationships are the foundation of the women entrepreneurs' businesses and represent the dynamic core of the way they view themselves as individuals in business. Women entrepreneurs create and maintain a web of interconnected relationships that can not be viewed in isolation, or negated. These results are supported by the psychological literature relating to women. Implications for small business counselors, consultants, and training specialists exist. / Graduation date: 1993

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Thesis (M.S.)--New York School of Social Work.

Zugl.: München, Universiẗat der Bundeswehr, Diss., 2009.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Leadership development in higher education is of vital importance to South Africa’s future. We present a case study that focuses on a leadership development programme (LDP) through action learning and action research (ALAR) for women academics in South Africa during 2000 and 2001. It identifies the effects of the LDP on participants five years after the programme. The evaluation process encouraged participants to reflect on their own learning, research growth and leadership capabilities, and on how they may further develop their practice and career. Reflecting on this evaluation, we have conceptualized the results and developed process models of leadership deve lopment through action research. These models may be used as a framework for designing, conducting and evaluating leadership or other professional development programmes in higher education.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

No description available.

No description available.