Small business development centers and libraries: a survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Mort Feldmann
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Business Development ◽  
West Region ◽  
Small Business Development Centers ◽  
Mountain West

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate how small business development centers (SBDCs) are working with libraries and librarians to provide assistance to entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was distributed to SBDC offices in the mountain west region of the USA to discover if and how they are working with local public and academic libraries and librarians to provide information and services to entrepreneurs. Findings – Surveys were sent to 72 SBDCs with 31 responding (43 per cent). A total of 48 per cent indicated collaborating with public libraries and 36 per cent work with academic libraries. Resources and services provided by librarians and libraries are consistent with the reporting in case study literature. Responses to successes and issues with these arrangements indicate areas for improvement and consideration in collaborations. Research limitations/implications – This research was limited to findings from SBDC offices in the mountain west region. A national survey of efforts might provide more comprehensive results. Future research into whether these partnerships are worthwhile and benefit entrepreneurs and the local economy would be beneficial. Practical implications – The findings indicate areas in which improvements in collaborations could be made in communication and expectations. Social implications – This research might inform future collaborations as communities explore economic development and support of local entrepreneurs. Originality/value – This research provides the unique perspective of non-librarians about these working relationships with librarians. The findings may be useful to improving existing collaborations and in consideration of future partnerships.

Here I come to save the day? Reassessing the efficacy of small business development centers in the Internet Era

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-328
Author(s):  
M. Garrett Roth ◽  
Ryan Morris
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Sales Growth ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Business Development ◽  
Business Consulting ◽  
Consulting Services ◽  
Small Business Development Centers

PurposeThis paper assesses the efficacy of the 18 small business development centers (SBDCs) located throughout the state of Pennsylvania during 2013–2016 as a proxy for publicly funded, small business consulting services in general.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares the sales growth of SBDC clients, as reported in postconsultation surveys, to comparable growth measures for the corresponding business population using one- and two-sample t-tests.FindingsThe results show that respondent clients with existing businesses clearly outperform the broader population following consultation, both in aggregate and when decomposed by region and industry.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the best available data, the results are tempered by low response rates and self-reporting.Originality/valueThe paper empirically demonstrates that SBDC clients experience higher growth in sales and employment following their consultation than the broader business population. The net benefit of such services is, however, impossible to determine.

Love books: sustained success amidst uncertainties

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Verity Hawarden ◽  
Amy Fisher Moore
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Business Development ◽  
Women In Business ◽  
Loyal Customer

Subject area: The sub field of academia that the case is designed to teach is small business development, entrepreneurship or women in business. Study level/applicability: This case is appropriate for graduate and post-graduate, MBA and executive education students focusing on entrepreneurship, small business development or women in business. Case overview This real-life case is based on interviews that took place with Kate Rogan, the co-founder of Love Books, and other stakeholders associated with the small bookselling business that is based in the suburb of Melville in Johannesburg. It describes how Rogan’s past influenced how she saw and was open to the opportunity; and how, through passion, commitment, dedication and stakeholder management, she created a business that brought meaning to her and others’ lives. Rogan’s vast experience in editing, publishing and radio influenced how she evaluated the bookstore opportunity. For the past 11 years, she focused on building a loyal customer base through knowing her customers, staying on top of current industry and market trends and constantly thinking about how she could add value through minimal financial outlay. COVID-19 further complicated her thinking about how to traditionally market and sell books to her client base. As the case concludes, Rogan wonders how to build upon the foundations of her successful bookshop and grow profitability while remaining true to her and the business’s values. Expected learning outcomes The case allows students to consider the key enablers for assessing entrepreneurial opportunities and drivers of small business growth. Following discussion and analysis of the case, students should be able to: explore how cognitive dynamics affect an entrepreneur’s evaluation of opportunities; analyze the case against the 4Cs (continuity, community, connection and command) of competitive business advantage; evaluate building blocks for sustainable business profitability; and assess and recommend different learnings for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 7: Management Science.

Decision Support System Development Based On Android Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method For Determining The Middle Small Business Development Priority In Sorong City

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-39
Author(s):  
Luluk Suryani ◽  
Raditya Faisal Waliulu ◽  
Ery Murniyasih
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
Support System ◽  
Analytical Hierarchy Process ◽  
System Development ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Ahp Method ◽  
Small Business Development ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Usaha Kecil Menengah (UKM) adalah salah satu penggerak perekonomian suatu daerah, termasuk Kota Sorong. UKM di Kota Sorong belum berkembang secara optimal. Ada beberapa penyebab diantaranya adalah mengenai finansial, lokasi, bahan baku dan lain-lain. Untuk menyelesaikan permasalah tersebut peneliti terdorong untuk melakukan pengembangan Aplikasi yang dapat membantu menentukan prioritas UKM yang sesuai dengan kondisi pelaku usaha. Pada penelitian ini akan digunakan metode Analitycal Hierarchy Process (AHP), untuk pengambilan keputusannya. Metode AHP dipilih karena mampu menyeleksi dan menentukan alternatif terbaik dari sejumlah alternatif yang tersedia. Dalam hal ini alternatif yang dimaksudkan yaitu UKM terbaik yang dapat dipilih oleh pelaku usaha sesuai dengan kriteria yang telah ditentukan. Penelitian dilakukan dengan mencari nilai bobot untuk setiap atribut, kemudian dilakukan proses perankingan yang akan menentukan alternatif yang optimal, yaitu UKM. Aplikasi Sistem Pendukung Keputusan yang dikembangkan berbasis Android, dimana pengguna akan mudah menggunakannya sewaktu-waktu jika terjadi perubahan bobot pada kriteria atau intensitas.  Hasil akhir menunjukkan bahwa metode AHP berhasil diterapkan pada Aplikasi Penentuan Prioritas Pengembangan UKM.

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