Micro-Entrepreneurship : Exploring Factors that Influence Failure, Success, and Sustainability of Microenterprises in the United States
出版項
2016
說明
1 online resource (214 pages)
文字
text
無媒介
computer
成冊
online resource
附註
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 78-07(E), Section: A
Adviser: Jama Bradley
Thesis (D.B.A.)--Northcentral University, 2016
Includes bibliographical references
Ninety-nine percent of all businesses in the United States are small businesses. Small businesses that have fewer than 10 employees are microenterprises. Microenterprises account for more than 80% of all U.S. small businesses, represent 11% of total employment, and produce more than 50% of the real domestic product. Nearly 90% of microenterprises in the U.S. will eventually fail. The problem explored in this study was why the majority of U.S. microenterprises fail during the first few years after inception. The purpose of the qualitative multiple case study was to gain insight into, and understanding of, the factors that influence the failure, success, and sustainability of microenterprises. Data were collected from interviews and business documents from a selection of 10 microenterprise entrepreneurs operating within the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia region. Findings revealed that some factors influencing microenterprise performance were distinctive to each business, while other factors had broad influence. Micro-entrepreneurs described primary factors that contributed to business failure including economy downsizing, partnerships, fear, and lack of financial resources. Factors that were described as primary contributors to success included word of mouth, education, building relationships, networking, technology, longevity, and work experience. The primary factors described as facilitating sustainability of a microenterprise included hard work, access to finances or line of credit, a business plan, faith, and passion. The findings of the study provided insight into the factors that contribute to business failure, success, and sustainability. The implications of the findings show that factors that influence business performance may be common among industries but also specific to the micro-entrepreneur experience or situation. Future research may be expanded that is distinctive to a microenterprise, which would result in more insight and understanding of the specific factors that influence microenterprise performances. Research may also be expanded to understand how failure, success, and sustainability related to business type, the size of business, or business environment. The significance of future research into the insight and clarification of factors that facilitate and impede microenterprise performance will help business practitioners, policymakers, and scholars identify measures to reduce factors that hinder performance and identify strategies to sustain success
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest, 2018
