This volume fills a major gap in the literature by systematically and scientifically analyzing 500 small entrepreneurial firms and isolating the reasons for their successes and failures. The authors examine whether there are any laws of success and failure that are applicable to small and mid-size companies and identify profitable strategies in various industries and under differing industry conditions. Designed as a reference book for corporate executives, small business owners, and consultants, this book will also be extremely useful to graduate students interested in researching the application of strategic management concepts to entrepreneurial companies.

Following an introduction, the authors delineate the strategic profile of profitable small companies and examine the impact of competition on small firm profitability. Subsequent chapters assess profitable strategies in high-growth, mature, and declining industries; strategies for cyclical environments; profile start-up, buy-out, and family firms; consider the impact of organizational life-stage on small company strategy and performance; and discuss how to perpetuate the family firm. A separate chapter addresses strategies that are particularly applicable to women-owned firms. The conclusion reviews effective strategies and presents the practical implications of the research studies upon which the book was based. Two appendixes provide additional information about the research methodology.

The contribution of a good non-Executive Director can make a huge difference to a small to medium sized business. But who should fulfil the role? Someone steeped in the culture and methods of a large corporation may not be able to make a valuable contribution to the governance of a small company. If someone already has a job, will they have time to do the role justice? This book addresses the question of what the input of the non-Executive Director should be and how their strengths can best be accessed and applied. The result is a well-researched yet personal discussion of what is entailed, in theory and in practice, in the role of the non-Executive Director.

During the 1990s, a new type of controversy began occurring across the United States: controversies over the siting of superstores, also known as big box stores. In these disputes, which often involve Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, local citizens mount organized opposition to the proposed siting of a superstore in their town or neighborhood. Opponents criticize Wal-Mart superstores for putting local independent merchants out of business, siphoning money from the local economy, providing substandard jobs, disrupting residential neighborhoods, contributing to the "McDonaldization" of society, inducing sprawl, destroying downtowns and Main Streets, and undermining local uniqueness and small town charm. More generally, these David-and-Goliath controversies represent particularly stark examples of the conflict of interests between local communities and large corporations that have become common in contemporary society. Small Towns and Big Business uses fieldwork and archival sources to comprehensively examine these controversies and the underlying issues. While Wal-Mart is usually able to site its stores at its preferred locations, in some cases local opponents have been able to thwart its plans. Using detailed case studies of anti-superstore controversies in six small cities in five states, Halebsky employs a comparative-historical approach to construct an explanation of how some of these local social movements managed to prevail against Wal-Mart. This explanation is then extended to provide the basis for a model of the general conditions under which local communities may be able to constrain unwanted corporate action. Thus, this is both a study of social movement outcomes and an investigation of community-corporate conflict. Small Towns and Big Business provides insight into the potential of the local state to control large corporations, the inherently problematic nature of corporate retailing, the possibilities for resisting McDonaldization, and the fate of local anti-corporation acti

This powerful study of the threats to business survival draws compelling parallels between the Titanic and family firms, serving to motivate family business stakeholders into corrective action before it's too late. Family-owned businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, responsible for 65 percent of wages paid, adding 78 percent of all new jobs, and contributing over half of the nation's GDP. Unfortunately, less than one-third survive the transition from first to second generation of family ownership. Now more than ever, many family businesses are in danger of going under as rising health care costs, lack of access to capital, and increasing costs of doing business shrink profit margins. Sink or Swim: How Lessons from the Titanic Can Save Your Family Business provides critical strategies for identifying and managing risks-obvious and hidden-that threaten family business survival. In part 1 of the book, the authors relate the design, construction, and operation of the ill-fated Titanic to the challenges facing family-owned businesses today. Part 2 examines the five fatal flaws that contributed to Titanic's sinking and reveals how family firms can have the same vulnerabilities. The final section supplies guidance that will help family-run businesses avoid unanticipated tragedy. Contributions from leading researchers, advisors, and family business owners, providing personal, professional, and academic insights A chronology of events originating from the early periods of the industrial revolution to the modern era Diagrams, tables, and charts related to family business Photographs of Titanic in various stages of development, as well as of Titanic's owners, builders, passengers, and crew Bibliography of sources citing leading researchers, advisors, and family business owners; and of primary and secondary sources relating to Titanic

This volume presents current research on gender and culture from business, management and accounting perspectives with a multidisciplinary approach. Featuring selected contributions presented at the 4th IPAZIA Workshop on Gender Studies held at Niccolo Cusano University in Rome, Italy, this book investigates gender strategies adopted and tested by various companies and assesses the impact of their subsequent dissemination. The contents are structured into four sections each of which addressing a specific theme on gender studies as follows: I) Women in Academia and in the University contexts: A trans-disciplinary approach; II) Gender issues, Corporate Social Responsibility and reporting; III) Woman in business and female entrepreneurship; IV) Women in Family Business. The result is a book that provides an innovative and rigorous analysis of gender issues proposing new challenges and insights in gender studies. IPAZIA Scientific Observatory for Gender Studies defines an updated framework of research, services, and projects, all initiatives related to women and gender relations at the local, national and international. In order to achieve this objective, the Observatory aims to implement the literature on gender studies, to organize and promote scientific significant initiatives (workshops, seminars, conferences, studies, scientific laboratory) on these issues at the national and international level under an interdisciplinary perspective.

At this stage, it is very important to monitor and to reflect on the progress of e-commerce research in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to look at the e-commerce phenomenon in SMEs, at a specific time and place in different countries in the world. ""Global Electronic Business Research: Opportunities and Directions"" encourages researchers and professionals interested in SMEs and e-commerce to address the next phase in this field. This book points to some of the impending issues concerning e-commerce in SMEs, and highlights the need to do something in order to bridge the existing divide between the two. ""Global Electronic Business Research: Opportunities and Directions"" raises the importance of addressing the e-commerce phenomenon in SMEs at a global level.

"Over the past years social entrepreneurship has grown as a research field. In this third edited volume we have collected contributions studying particularly questions of values in Social Entrepreneurship as well as the identification and exploitation of Social Venturing Opportunities"--

This book deals with dynastic business families. Such families are characterized by a circle of owners comprising more than 50 family members, which typically face specific issues and challenges for which there has been little research knowledge and practical approaches until now. The book presents results and findings from a special research project on "big family management" where 7 representatives of dynastic families from Germany were studied over a 3-year period. The result was the identification of six topic areas that management in these business families has to deal with. At the same time, the study observes that dynastic business families hardly follow the logic of classic families anymore, but can rather be understood as networks with common family backgrounds. The study also reveals that a large number of business families are heading for large shareholder groups due to changed inheritance practices. The contents outlined here provide an orientation framework for the growing business family.

Service-learning and social entrepreneurship connect students to communities through courses and campus-based opportunities. Each offers students active learning opportunities tied to community engagement and problem solving. Enos presents strategies for creating campus-based programs that educate students for twenty-first century citizenship.

This book should be read by all entrepreneurs desiring angel investment who need to understand what is expected of them, what they need to prepare in advance of meeting an Angel, how they should approach Angels, how Angels will evaluate their opportunity and how working with Angel groups is different from other funding sources.

This book focuses on management challenges in different types of companies, ranging from small to large, from private to public and from service to manufacturing in the African context. With empirical data from countries as diverse as Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia, it discusses the increasing economic importance of the African continent, covering relevant topics on sustainability and environmental issues, exports, logistics, HR issues, innovation and financial reporting. Through different conceptual insights and empirical case studies, the research presented serves as a useful resource for academics, students, and policy-makers interested in in-depth studies on management challenges in Africa.

People's hope for a secure future is diminishing at an alarming rate. Their faith in big business is lessening. People's lives are in serious jeopardy when they discover that their jobs are threatened. Many are now becoming more aware that they cannot count on anyone but themselves. This book was designed to reroute your thinking and to get you started on another path, one that will lead you to a more fulfilling life. We do not want to lessen our faith in humanity. I have written this book to show you how you can own your own business and be successful at it. Please take a look and enjoy the ride that may never end; a ride that will lead you to success and a new beginning in your venture for secure employment by being your own boss. Bruce W. Petersen

This book analyzes various business exit strategies for both family-owned businesses as well as other businesses, both in the United States and throughout the world. Approximately 80% to 90% of all businesses in the world are family-owned. The book discusses, among other things, 12 common mistakes in attempting to sell a business to third parties, methods of marketing the business, negotiation of key sale terms, negotiating employment and consulting agreements, avoiding traps in sale agreements, creating a professional advisory team, and alternatives to a sale to an unrelated third party, such as ESOPs, leverage recapitalizations, selling to other family members or key employees, and going public transactions.

BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine is the premier business news source for African Americans. With thirty years of experience, Black Enterprise continues to chronicle the achievements of African American professionals while providing monthly reports on entrepreneurship, investing, personal finance, business news and trends, and career management. Now, Black Enterprise brings to you the Guide to Starting Your Own Business, the one-stop definitive resource for everything today's entrepreneur needs to know to launch and run a solid business.

Former Black Enterprise editor Wendy Beech knows that being a successful business owner takes more than capital and a solid business plan. She offers essential, timely advice on all aspects of entrepreneurship, including defining and protecting a business idea, researching the industry and the competition, confronting legal issues, choosing a good location, financing, and advertising. You'll even learn how to make the most of the Internet by establishing a Web presence. Plus, you'll hear from black entrepreneurs who persevered in the face of seemingly unbeatable odds and have now joined the ranks of incredibly successful black business owners. This exceptional reference tool also includes:

• The ten qualities you must possess to be a successful entrepreneur.
• A list of helpful resources at the end of every chapter.

  If you've ever dreamed about going into business for yourself, if you feel you've hit the glass ceiling in corporate America, if you have the drive and the desire to take control of your destiny, the Black Enterprise Guide to Starting Your Own Business will motivate and inspire you—every step of the way.

  Special Bonus.

  To help you stay abreast of the latest entrepreneurial trends, Black Enterprise is pleased to offer:

• A free issue of Black Enterprise magazine.
• A free edition of The Exchange Newsletter for Entrepreneurs.
• A discount coupon for savings off the registration fee at the annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference.

Business Principles for Landscape Contracting, fully revised and updated in its third edition, is an introduction to the application of business principles of financial management involved in setting up your own landscape contracting business and beginning your professional career. Appealing to students and professionals alike, it will build your knowledge of financial management tools and enable you to relate their applications to real-life business scenarios. Focusing on the importance of proactive financial management, the book serves as a primer for students in landscape architecture, contracting, and management courses and entrepreneurs within the landscape industry preparing to use business principles in practice. Topics covered include: Financial management and accountability Budget development Profitable pricing and estimating Project management Creating a lean culture Personnel management and employee productivity Professional development Economic sustainability.

This book examines the public policy challenge presented by government regulation of small generators of hazardous waste. The author includes both small quantity generators, typically regulated by the federal government, and conditionally exempt small quantity generators, generally exempt from federal requirements, in his discussion. . . . While its focus is on hazardous waste regulations, this book may be of interest to all those involved in the regulation of small business. "The Hazardous Waste Consultant"

Small businesses that generate hazardous wastes present a significant public policy challenge--and one that is fundamentally different from that presented by their larger corporate counterparts at whom most regulation is aimed. This volume examines policy questions posed by the special situation of small businesses based on both recent studies of hazardous waste management and compliance behavior of smaller generators and evaluations of smaller generator assistance programs. Deyle explores such key issues as the ways in which small businesses do and do not handle their hazardous wastes, the costs involved in instigating waste management programs, the proper role of government in regulating small businesses, and the extent to which education and assistance programs can help alleviate the problem.

Deyle begins with important background information that sets the context for the discussion that follows. He goes on to assess the options available to government for influencing private-sector environmental management and presents a detailed examination of small business compliance in theory and practice. A chapter contributed by Rosemary O'Leary discusses the liability exposure of small businesses who generate hazardous wastes and the implications of liability for smaller generator waste management practices. Finally, Deyle reviews the findings of several studies on compliance and presents the results of his own case study of smaller generator compliance in New Jersey. The volume concludes with an evaluation of federal and state programs that have been undertaken to enhance hazardous waste management by smaller generators. An important contribution to the public policy literature, this book will be of significant interest to both students and practitioners in the field.