Journal of Enterprising Culture

There is much evidence in the literature that small business growth has long been regarded as critically important for the economy and for employment growth. This paper focuses initially on an analysis of the impediments to business growth identified from the survey responses of small businesses in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne. From the survey information 25 small businesses were then selected for case study analysis to further examine the nature of impediments to growth and to examine how innovative and successful small business operators dealt with these impediments. A number of common impediments were identified, especially problems accessing finance, getting the right employee skills and the low use of support services. Analysis of the case studies yielded some insights as to:

▪ how successful small business operators deal with such impediments or obstacles to their innovation and growth;

▪ the low level of awareness and expectations small business operators generally have of the support programmes and services currently available to them;

▪ the nature of support small businesses would like to have to overcome perceived impediments to growth;

▪ strategies needed to successfully engage small businesses in support initiatives and to encourage innovation and growth.

The findings have significant implications for small business development initiatives, including the provision of management training and support for small business operators.

The aim of this paper is to propose some perspectives in entrepreneurship research based on an analysis of existing knowledge and the results of a study recently conducted with a sample of experts and professionals in the field. The conclusions of the research as well as our contribution, underline the necessity to reconsider the object of study in order to increase knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship. It seems essential to us that more research should be focused on the entrepreneurial process and the very close combination of the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial project.

This paper focuses on the study of inheritance, Chinese family business and economic development in Hong Kong. In this study, it is found that equal inheritance can assist economic development by generating competition and capital. Equal division is a criterion for sibling comparison. Comparison generates stress and anxiety with each son trying to outdo the other. Competition is therefore galvanized. Furthermore, initial capital that is released from partition can motivate sons, who want to be free from subjugation, to start their own business. This is the origin of the self-employment mentality. Both competition and capital are crucial factors for economic development to take place. The strong desire of self-employment mentality also drives Chinese family business to develop its own type of structure: jia-zu ji-tuan [family-based consortium]. Different family members can be diversified into different businesses or professions. These businesses or professions may or may not relate to each other. However, they maintain a certain level of interconnection under the banner of the family [jia-zu] and can support each other during time of crises and difficulties. They can maintain their domination in the community from generation to generation.

The perception of market opportunities is acknowledged as a major act in the entrepreneurial process that spurs economic progress and development.

This distinctive behavior is also emerging as a central theoretical concern for the discipline. Given the acknowledged importance of opportunity identification, it follows that it should be a central topic in programs that aim to train future entrepreneurs. However, little is known about whether and how this issue is addressed in education. This study examines how entrepreneurship educator-practitioners from fourteen top masters-level entrepreneurship programs in the US conceptualize and teach the opportunity identification process. The results indicate remarkable consistency across programs regarding pedagogical content and approaches. The implications of such consistency for the future of entrepreneurship theory and practice are discussed.