The authors of this comprehensive study address why it is that some small firms perform well and others don't, and whether high-performing firms share characteristics that distinguish them from low-performing firms. By exploring bundles of resources and their interaction with other factors, the authors explain important small business outcomes such as growth, performance, entrepreneurial activity, and the chance of receiving debt or equity capital. The authors find that while resources may be valuable, it is essential that small businesses have the processes to facilitate the manipulation of resources into value-creating strategies. Rather than reaching the conclusion that more is always better, the authors tease out the conditions under which certain resources are particularly valuable, as well as the conditions under which these and other resources are less valuable. The resource factors examined range from aspects of the human capital of the small business manager, such as length of education or prior experience with business start-ups, to social capital variables and firm-level resources, such as access to financial capital and competence. Representing leading-edge research across several levels of analysis, this volume will be a useful resource for scholars and students of entrepreneurship and small business, as well as for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Policymakers will find the volume helpful in understanding the effect policies may have on small businesses and the subsequent impact on the economic performance of a region.

The purpose of this volume is to bring together the leading scholarly papers about how globalization has impacted the role of SMEs. In fact, globalization has affected SMEs in two major ways. The first has been to facilitate the transnational activities of SMEs. Transnational activities, ranging from exports to foreign direct investment to participating in global value chains have become easier as a result of globalization. The second impact of globalization has been to shift the source of competitiveness towards knowledge-based economic activity, which has led to an increased role for SMEs. The first section of this volume examines how globalization has affected the role of SMEs in the economy. The second section of the volume is devoted to global strategies by SMEs The third section focuses on an important type of global activity of SMEs, which involves foreign direct investment. The fourth section focuses on the role of clusters and networks in generating SME competitiveness in global markets. SME export strategies and performance is analyzed in Section Five. Section Six examines the impact that the international mobility of labour has had on SMEs. The seventh section focuses on the role that SMEs play in transnational technology transfer. Section Eight is devoted to SMEs in the context of developing countries. In the final section of the volume policy issues are raised. This includes identifying how policy needs to address barriers to internationalization confronting SMEs.

The ecological study of firms has often been restricted by the approaches commonly used in organizational ecology. Uniquely, Colin Jones and Gimme Walter use autecology to explain the selective survival of all manner of firms that researchers, customers and resource providers encounter daily. It is the first work to unite views on the topic previously considered 'alternative', while remaining compatible with most theories of the firm. Autecology encourages researchers to contextualize ecological processes of firms, namely, their adaptive behaviors, the structure and dynamics of the environment, and their environmental interactions. This book emancipates the firm and its actors from a host of environmental assumptions that they are thought to share with others. In doing so, the authors explain how and why firms can and should be investigated on an ecological level. Drawing upon the historical and contemporary renaissance of autecological thought, this book elevates the ecological independence of the firm and its actors' agency to solve problems in its environment. This study provides the means to consolidate the ecological study of firms and, more broadly, other forms of ecological study beyond the domain of social studies. This book will appeal to organizational and managerial researchers, sociologists, and anthropologists, given the manner in which human agency is promoted in an ecological context. Researchers interested in critical realism will also find this an engaging work.

Entrepreneurship education is an area of growing importance within entrepreneurship research. This book critically discusses innovation and entrepreneurship in new and varied contexts in Europe. Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Education explores the need for researching innovation and learning in family firms, micro firms, SMEs and in rural and network contexts. The chapters offer new insights into the antecedents of business performance in SMEs by investigating social capital and marketing capabilities. The book includes a new typology for analysing entrepreneurship education programmes, discusses opportunities in embedding entrepreneurship in teacher education and explores entrepreneurship in the informal learning arenas in universities. This book includes a wide range of studies from different analytical and methodological perspectives and from various regional and industrial contexts. As such, it is a valuable tool for advanced students wishing to gain an overview of research on European entrepreneurship. Researchers in entrepreneurship would also benefit from the up-to-date research analysis in this book. Contributors include: L. Aaboen, T. Aadland, K. Axelsson, D. Aylward, M. Belarouci, R. Blackburn, A. De Massis, V. Francois, U. Hytti, S. Joensuu-Salo, E.J.B. Jorgensen, F. Kelliher, S. Kettunen, K. Kohtakangas, C. Lafaye, E. Laveren, M. Markowska, L. Mathisen, P. Parkkari, L. Reinl, P. Rovelli, K. Sorama, F. Welter, M. Westerberg

Current models of corporate citizenship largely consider business as one coherent entity. This view of business as a corporate force overlooks the growing evidence that most businesses are run by families. Family businesses are the most common form of business in existence - across countries, continents and geopolitical divides - and yet we know remarkably little about their approach to corporate citizenship. Where families run businesses, they create a concentration of family values that - for good or ill - influence the way business practices and behaviours develop. The role of the family in business has, therefore, an influence on the development of society that is partially mediated through corporate citizenship. This book pulls together current thinking from several diverse research fields that intersect with family business research to offer insight into current research and examples of practice for those studying and researching in the fields of family business, business values and corporate practice. The book will also explore the fact that family businesses tend to take a longer-term approach to business and that this is reflected in their behaviour towards the environment, community engagement, employee development and innovation. Bringing together contributions from researchers in the diverse fields of family business, philanthropy, community engagement, corporate social responsibility, innovation and policy, this book explores the many ways in which family businesses contribute to the corporate citizenship agenda.

Turn thoughts and words into real, concrete progress to a new goal In the newly revised 10th Anniversary Edition of Stop Talking, Start Doing: A Kick in the Pants in Six Parts, accomplished entrepreneur Shaa Wasmund delivers a powerful call to action for anyone looking to kick their life into high gear and start realizing their wildest dreams. In the book, you'll learn to harness that nagging feeling that you should be doing something more and turn it into a positive force for change. You'll move from words and thoughts to concrete actions, putting your fears and anxieties in their place and focusing on the rewards that await you right around the corner. An inspiring, can't-miss prescription for turning those hopes and dreams into reality, Stop Talking, Start Doing offers a powerful guide to help you take that all-important first step on your new journey.

Small businesses are the backbone of the tourism and hospitality industry and, depending on which statistics one uses, represent somewhere between 75 to 95 percent of all firms globally in this sector. The number of entrepreneurs has dramatically and uniformly increased globally over the last ten years. Divided into four sections, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in the Hospitality Industry takes an intuitive step-bystep progression through each stage of the entrepreneurial process: context, theoretical perspectives and definitions; Concept to reality; The business plan; Growth and the future. Ideal for students at any level, the chapters of this book invite you to ponder upon your reading through a series of 'reflective practice' activities. These, along with case studies, clearly defined chapter objectives, reflections, role-play activities and experiential exercises, allow you to both think actively about themes, concepts and issues and then apply them to a number of suggested scenarios. Perfect preparation for the up-and-coming entrepreneur!

World economics and the industrial environment has recently created a fertile ground for the creation of new enterprises and start-ups. This book skilfully identifies the challenges of building a new business venture from an idea to a marketable product. It highlights * Robust methods for keeping up with innovation; * Designing new ways to grow, improve and market your product; and * Managing the changes in the business environment, market dynamics and other uncertainties. The volume is rich with examples and case studies of many small and large businesses. It further reflects on the business and entrepreneurship ecosystem, the challenges and opportunities in India, entrepreneurship and women, e-commerce, the new generation of entrepreneurs, and exit strategies for entrepreneurs. An essential guide for entrepreneurs and professionals working in business management and marketing communications, as well as scholars of business administration and financial sciences, this book by an industry expert offers many new and practiced approaches, examples and lessons for innovative thinking and breaking new ground in business.

How to Organise and Operate a Small Business in Australia is the bestselling, hands-on guide to running your own business. This new edition contains information, skills and approaches that are up to date, easy to understand and simple to use. The large range of opportunities offered to business by the internet, the growth of franchising and the increased scope for exports are just some of the new developments covered. It also describes a system you can use to identify business opportunities with genuine commercial potential. * If you are tempted to strike out on your own, this book will help you to decide if you've got the right stuff. * If you want to go into business now, this book is your guide to getting started. * If you are already in business, this book explains a number of strategies for refining your operations and maximising your profits. The simplicity and clarity of the information in this book is a reflection of the author's ability to blend his professional training and practical first-hand experience. John English has successfully created and managed a number of his own businesses, and he has used this knowledge to introduce small business and entrepreneurship programs in several Australian universities. His unique blend of training and experience makes the eleventh edition of How to Organise and Operate a Small Business in Australia essential reading for anyone who wants to run a business of their own.

The fast and easy way to start and run an online business

Starting an online business is no longer a novelty. It's a fact of life for individuals and established companies alike. The good news is that e-commerce and the practice of selling goods and services through a Web site and is not only here to stay, but it's thriving. More good news is that the steps required to conduct commerce online are well within the reach of ordinary people, even if you have no business experience. All you need is a good idea, a bit of start-up cash, computer equipment, and a little help from the practical, hands-on information in "Starting and Running an Online Business For Dummies."

""With strategies to help you identify your market, design your website, choose services, trade securely, boost sales, and stay ahead of the competition; "Starting and Running an Online Business For Dummies" is just what you need to succeed. You'll discover how to open an online business in ten easy steps, how to select the right web host and design tools, why giving your e-business site structure and style is vital, techniques on attracting and keeping customers, and much more. Advice on how to get your business on the Web quickly and economically Completely revised and updated Includes the latest information on web hosting, search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, harnessing the power of social media marketing, and moreWhether you're a budding entrepreneur or a small business owner looking to expand your business online, this up-to-date and easy-to-follow guide covers all the essentials you need to know to get on the Web quickly and economically, without all the technical jargon and hype bogging you down.

Pam Sowder needed to bring in extra money for her family, but struggled to find a solution that would give her the flexibility that she needed to continue to be an active and present mother. Once she discovered the industry of direct sales, her life changed! No one thought she would succeed, including herself. But, she worked through her doubt and discomfort to create a multimillion-dollar business! Several decades later, Pam has touched hundreds of thousands of people globally. With this book, she shares her wisdom on how you too can go from wanting to earn an extra hundred dollars monthly to millions. In this book, you will learn how to: Find your why Create your dream day Get rid of your internal bully Change your money mindset Get out of your own way Let go of the cursed how And much, much more Rich Girl Poor Girl shows you that no obstacle is too difficult to overcome and that the game of direct sales can be won by anyone, from anywhere.

If you want to start, scale, and sell your own company, Grow and Sell Your Start-up is packed with the inspiration, information and practical advice you need to do it successfully and achieve an exit thats right for you. When youre immersed in the excitement of starting a business, the thought of selling it seems like a distant dream. But what if it that dream could come true, and you could sell your business for millions? What if, one day, you could wake up to a life-changing sum of money in your bank account, and the freedom to do whatever you wanted with the rest of your life? If this sounds like the sort of thing thats only for Silicon Valley start-ups, Fiona Hudson-Kelly is living proof that it can be achieved, even by you - and this book will show you how. Sharing her own hard-won experiences and everything shes learnt on her journey through starting and selling numerous businesses, Fiona arms you with vital insider expert knowledge and smart approaches, coaching you step-by-step through the best ways to grow your business now, so you can maximise your chances of selling it for millions later.

An idea is the first step in the process of creating a business. Most ideas, no matter how brilliant they may seem, never actually end up becoming a business. This book explains how to: Look for new small business ideas. Evaluate ideas for their commercial potential. Unlock the strategies that turn an idea into a business. English's focus is on finding the seed of an idea and the process of developing it into a genuine business opportunity. He includes practical diagnostic 'reality tests' developed in his small business workshops. He also includes an analysis of changes in the Australian small business environment as result of Covid-19. The practical, slim volume is ideal for any budding entrepreneur looking for guidance on how to evaluate a business opportunity and build a commercial strategy around it. It will also be an ideal secondary reading for books on entrepreneurship and small business courses.

* Provides tailored guidance for entrepreneurs who are also life partners, and women entrepreneurs, based on the authors' decades of successful experience * Covers such important issues for all entrepreneurs as risk tolerance and mitigation, infrastructure scaling, and exit strategy * Offers insights on trends and opportunities for entrepreneurs in a post-COVID19 world

This book puts successful startup tools in the hands of creators: performers, artists, entertainers, creatives, and media makers seeking to launch like a business and generate more income. Readers will learn essential entrepreneurial principles taught to founders in the startup community. Creatives who read this book will learn: How to launch their creative startups Ways to run and market their venture efficiently Effective methods to test new services, products, and experiences To incorporate their entire skill set in an authentic way That they can do all of this now, without business classes or special training With actionable information, real-world case studies as examples, and specific steps to build business acumen from an artistic perspective, this book puts entrepreneurial tools into the frameworks and mindsets of those working in creative fields. Paula Landry, MBA, is a creator, writer/filmmaker, and musician who has been teaching and coaching creatives for a decade, through undergraduate and graduate programs in New York City, as well as at various non-profits.

Master the evergreen traffic strategies to fill your website and funnels with your dream customers in this timeless book from the $100M entrepreneur and co-founder of the software company ClickFunnels. The biggest problem that most entrepreneurs have isn't creating an amazing product or service; it's getting their future customers to discover that they even exist. Every year, tens of thousands of businesses start and fail because the entrepreneurs don't understand this one essential skill: the art and science of getting tra­ffic (or people) to find you. And that is a tragedy. Traffic Secrets was written to help you get your message out to the world about your products and services. I strongly believe that entrepreneurs are the only people on earth who can actually change the world. It won't happen in government, and I don't think it will happen in schools. It'll happen because of entrepreneurs like you, who are crazy enough to build products and services that will actually change the world. It'll happen because we are crazy enough to risk everything to try and make that dream become a reality. To all the entrepreneurs who fail in their first year of business, what a tragedy it is when the one thing they risked everything for never fully gets to see the light of day. Waiting for people to come to you is not a strategy. Understanding exactly WHO your dream customer is, discovering where they're congregating, and throwing out the hooks that will grab their attention to pull them into your funnels (where you can tell them a story and make them an offer) is the strategy. That's the big secret. Traffic is just people. This book will help you find YOUR people, so you can focus on changing their world with the products and services that you sell.