Self-employment by US county: key predictors

Author(s):  
Nichole M. Bignall ◽  
Keith G. Debbage

Purpose Some US counties are more likely to generate entrepreneurial opportunities than others. This paper aims to determine the linkages between US counties with disproportionately high shares of entrepreneurs and specific attributes of the entrepreneurial support system. Design/methodology/approach Non-farm proprietorship (NFP) has been used as a proxy for entrepreneurship and self-employment. NFP employment data were collected from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis by county. Data on all independent variables were obtained from the US Census and Bureau of Economic Analysis by county and subject to stepwise linear regression analysis. Findings Results revealed a strong positive relationship between the percent of NFP employment by county and the percent real estate, rental and leasing employment and construction employment as well as percent Hispanic and median age. Practical implications In attempting to encourage NFP employment, policymakers should be more aware of the key predictors that shape county-wide entrepreneurial ecosystems to enhance competitive advantage. Better understanding of the needs and experiences of different types of entrepreneurs and ecosystems can enhance overall quality of life and economic opportunity levels in a community. Originality/value The explicit spatial context of this paper has sometimes been overlooked in the traditional entrepreneurship literature, as such, this paper helps fill that gap. The findings provide a disaggregated analysis that can help better understand the key predictors that can drive the local choices of entrepreneurs and help local policymakers to build more competitive communities.

Author(s):  
Keith Graham Debbage ◽  
Shaylee Bowen

Purpose The entrepreneurial process is a result of an interaction between an individual entrepreneur and the surrounding entrepreneurial ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether US metropolitan areas with disproportionately high shares of entrepreneurs are systematically linked to particular attributes of the entrepreneurial support system? Design/methodology/approach In this paper, non-farm proprietorship (NFP) employment data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis is used as a dependent variable proxy for entrepreneurship. NFP data are widely used in the entrepreneurship literature. Data on all independent variables were obtained from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics by metropolitan area and subject to a stepwise linear regression analysis. Findings The relative share of NFP employment by metropolitan area exhibited a strong positive relationship with percentage of employment in finance, insurance and real estate, median age, percentage of Hispanic population and median home value. It is argued that the combination of significant predictors captures both out-of-necessity self-employment (e.g. low-skilled Hispanic and aging populations) and a self-employment of opportunity (e.g. access to capital). Practical implications Public policies focused on nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems must account for these divergent explanatory frameworks when attempting to encourage NFP employment. Originality/value The paper has an explicit spatial context that tends to be overlooked in the traditional entrepreneurship literature. The focus on out-of-necessity versus opportunity-based entrepreneurship, and how it is shaped by some key predictors at the metropolitan scale, is a relatively new angle.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Gabaldon ◽  
Celia De Anca ◽  
Concepcion Galdón

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate alternative measures to better understand and measure success for self-employed mothers in addition to the usual financial indicators. Design/methodology/approach – The present study is a comparative analysis of time spent at work and undertaking childcare by female workers with children in Spain between 2009 and 2010, using a combination of descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis based on the Time-Use Survey 2009-2010. Findings – The results of the paper indicate that self-employed working mothers tend to spend more time with their children when these are under the age of ten, and that they work longer hours than salaried mothers. Research limitations/implications – This paper has some limitations due to the quantitative approach to secondary data. Further qualitative research could clarify some of the findings; moreover the study is based on Spain, so extending to other countries would help validate the results. Social implications – Policy makers, in general – but more specifically in high unemployment scenarios – can facilitate self-employment for both men and women to reduce unemployment and to offer workers the prospect of a more balanced life. Originality/value – This research contributes to the existing literature, which fosters a more holistic approach to the analysis of female-run ventures by measuring performance using not only economic indicators, but also personal achievements.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mark Silverman ◽  
Kelly L. Patterson ◽  
Chihuangji Wang

Purpose There is a dearth of basic analysis about how the demographics of residents living in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized properties relate to the quality of housing. This research vacuum is often filled by popular stereotypes. This study aims to address this gap by examining the relationship between the demographics of residents and inspection scores. Design/methodology/approach Two data sources are drawn from the analysis: the 2018 HUD Picture of Subsidized Households database and HUD’s 2018 REAC Public and Multi-Family Housing Inspection Scores. Linear and logistic regression analysis were conducted, and selected data were mapped using GIS software. Findings The analysis examines the demographics of site-based subsidized properties in relation to inspection scores. In 2018, HUD identified 31,225 traditional public housing and other site-based multi-family properties in its Picture of Subsidized Households database. Residents living in these properties are often stereotyped as a homogeneous group that is predominantly composed of single, minority women with children who are welfare dependent. Similarly, properties are often portrayed as dilapidated, high-rise projects in segregated urban communities. The results from the analysis do not support these stereotypes about HUD-subsidized multi-family properties. By contrast, the results indicate that a diverse group of households lives in HUD-subsidized multi-family properties. Originality/value There is a need for scholars, advocates and practitioners to more aggressively challenge the popular stereotypes about site-based subsidized housing. In particular, there is a need for enhanced public scholarship focused on the dissemination of evidence-based research.


Significance The US census is conducted every ten years. The survey contributes to public allocation of resources and determines how many US House of Representatives seats each state has. Although online, telephone and mail-in responses are ongoing, the census still requires face-to-face interviews and events. Impacts The 2020 census will still be susceptible to systemic factors that produce undercounting, impairing public policy effectiveness. Areas with minorities, poverty, poor internet access and college towns are at greater risk of undercounting. Republican presidential candidates could benefit from likely 2020-21 seat reapportionments from 2024.


Significance However, the rally in the US currency was reversed by Federal Reserve's dovish policy statement on March 18. It sputtered further with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)'s March 27 confirmation that the US economy slowed in the fourth quarter of 2014, raising questions of whether the dollar rally has stalled. Impacts The Fed's shift to data dependency has caused the dollar to weaken 2.3% against the euro since mid-March. The dollar's strength is weighing on US export growth prospects, while markets are turning bullish on the euro-area. The long-dollar trade is becoming overcrowded and the dollar could be overvalued. Recent sterling depreciation is due to a more dovish BOE and the uncertainty related to the upcoming election.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-297
Author(s):  
Bret Hicken ◽  
Kimber Parry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of rural older veterans in the US and discuss how the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is increasing access to health care for older veterans in rural areas. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive paper summarizing population and program data about rural veterans. Findings VA provides a variety of health care services and benefits for older veterans to support health, independence, and quality of life. With the creation of the Veterans Health Administration Office of Rural Health (ORH) in 2006, the needs of rural veterans, who are on average older than urban veterans, are receiving greater attention and support. ORH and VA have implemented several programs to specifically improve access to health care for rural veterans and to improve quality of care for older veterans in rural areas. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to describe how VA is addressing the health care needs of older, rural veterans.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arup Bose ◽  
Debashis Pal ◽  
David Sappington

Purpose This paper examines the effects of limiting the number of loans a bank can issue, reflecting a policy recently implemented by the US Federal Reserve. Design/methodology/approach This paper does so in a streamlined model of the banking sector. Findings This paper finds that a binding limit on loans can enhance welfare by motivating the bank to reduce the number of socially unproductive loans it makes. However, the limit can sometimes reduce welfare by inducing a reduction in the number of socially productive loans the bank issues, the quality of the bank’s loan portfolio, and/or the accuracy with which the bank screens loan opportunities. Practical implications The research demonstrates that limits on the loans a bank issues can have subtle and unintended consequences. Consequently, careful thought is warranted before such limits are imposed. Originality/value To our knowledge, the existing literature does not provide guidance on the merits of such loan restrictions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 52-58
Author(s):  
Breon S. Peace ◽  
Jennifer Kennedy Park ◽  
Robin M. Bergen ◽  
Nowell D. Bamberger

Purpose To explain and analyze two Enforcement Advisories that set forth the factors the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Division of Enforcement may consider in assessing cooperation by companies and individuals in the context of CFTC enforcement proceedings. Design/methodology/approach Explains the background, including the 2007 Enforcement Advisory for Companies. Explains the 2017 Enforcement Advisory for Companies and the parallel Enforcement Advisory for Individuals, including policy-based considerations and factors such as the materiality, timeliness, nature, and quality of a company’s cooperation; the value of a company’s cooperation to the Commission’s broader law enforcement interests; and the company’s culpability, culture and other relevant factors. Provides examples of uncooperative conduct. Discusses a broader trend among enforcement authorities in the US and abroad of setting higher cooperation standards. Findings The new Advisories make clear that merely complying with requests for information from the CFTC staff will not be sufficient; a company or individual seeking cooperation credit as part of a resolution with the CFTC must go above and beyond its legal obligations in order to qualify for such credit. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced white collar defense, regulatory enforcement, civil litigation and arbitration lawyers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Shi ◽  
Lingxi Zhang ◽  
Jianping Wang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a rational and complete design scheme of seam type of outdoor clothing, so as to improve the seam efficiency and appearance of outdoor clothing, as well as to provide an optimal seam base for the subsequent pressure adhesive process. Design/methodology/approach Four types of common outdoor fabrics and four seam types were selected. Seam strength and thickness were measured. Seam efficiency and seam thickness strain were calculated to evaluate seam quality. Multiple linear regression analysis was adopted to analyze the influence of seam type essential factors on seam strength. Findings Among the component factors of seam type, based on two stitches, seam strength was significantly affected by stitch distance, followed by fabric layer on the seam side. The increase of stitch and the interaction among fabrics can effectively improve the seam efficiency. The methods are as follows: the increase of stitches, stitch distance shortening, the increase of fabric layers, etc. The change of seam type had no significant influence on seam thickness strain. A seam-type design scheme of outdoor clothing with good mechanical and appearance properties was designed by choosing the seam types FX1, FX2 and FX4. Originality/value This paper designed a practical scheme of seam-type design of outdoor clothing, which has been applied in the industrial production process. It is important for guiding the improvement of seam quality and the production efficiency of outdoor clothing.


Author(s):  
Miricho N. M. ◽  
Adedipe A.

There are specific quality requirements usually established in accordance with standards at either government or private levels for hotel accommodation facilities. One of these basic requirements is high quality of accommodation facilities which supposed to anchor room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. The attributes of quality of accommodation facilities comprised of room flooring, decorations, bed and beddings, lightings and heating, comfort of bedroom, cleanliness, comfort of bathroom, towels, furniture and furnishings, toiletries and amenities, space and ventilation of the rooms. However, hotels with more accommodation quality attributes are likely to attract higher and better room capacity utilisation. Therefore, the study sought to examine the relationship between quality of accommodation facilities and room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. The study hypothesized that there is no significant relationship between quality of accommodation facilities and room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. The target population involved all the 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. A census of hotel general manager and front office managers consisting of 60 respondents was conducted through stratification of all the hotels. Questionnaire was used as instruments for data collection with 95.1% response rate and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine variable characteristics while Pearson correlation was used to establish the pattern of relationship and association of the variables. Also, linear regression analysis was involved to determine the level of significant and test hypothesis. The Pearson correlation result (r=-0.542, p=0.000) indicated that quality of accommodation facilities had a strong positive relationship and association with room capacity utilisation. The regression analysis coefficient R=0.792 and adjusted squared coefficient R2=0.527 were recorded which implied that the study variables explained 52.7% of the variations of room capacity utilisation. The regression model revealed comfort of bedroom, comfort of bathroom, bed/beddings and cleanliness as the four attributes of quality of accommodation facilities that were significant variable predictors of room capacity utilisation. The null hypothesis was rejected as there is significant relationship between quality of accommodation facilities and room capacity utilisation. The study concluded that an improvement in quality of accommodation facilities will cause positive significant changes in room capacity utilisation. The study recommends improvement on comfort of bedroom, comfort of bathroom, bed and beddings as well as general cleanliness for better room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya


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