The Status of Planning in Smaller Family-Owned Business

1996 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie W. Rue ◽  
Nabil A. Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Financial Planning ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Computer Models ◽  
External Factors ◽  
The Status ◽  
Academic Publications ◽  
Long Range Planning

Numerous articles in academic publications as well as practitioner oriented journals have recognized the importance of planning for family owned businesses. Yet there is surprisingly little empirical work that has examined the techniques, tools, and approaches to planning that are actually being used in these types of firms. The present study is designed to fill this gap by reporting the results of a survey of 128 smaller family-owned businesses. Specifically, it seeks to determine (1) the types of objectives being used by these firms, (2) the external factors that serve as inputs to the long-range plans, (3) for those firms who plan for growth and expansion, how they intend to achieve such goals, (4) the types of financial planning undertaken by these companies, (5) the extent to which performance is periodically reviewed, (6) whether outside consultants are used to assist in the long-range planning process, and (7) the extent to which mathematical or computer models are utilized.

Context-Sensitive Solutions in the Planning Process

2005 ◽  
Vol 1904 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83
Author(s):  
Janet D'Ignazio ◽  
Julie Hunkins
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
North Carolina Department ◽  
The North ◽  
Long Range Planning ◽  
Institutional Challenges

During the past 5 years, there has been a national movement to integrate context-sensitive solutions (CSS) into transportation project planning and design. Applying CSS principles in the long-range planning process would help ensure that projects were CSS friendly from their earliest conception. This possibility has prompted CSS experts to discuss how CSS can be integrated into long-range planning. Two environmental stewardship initiatives under way at the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) provide a unique opportunity to explore this area. In the first initiative, NCDOT has a substantial CSS training program in place. To date, nearly 800 staff members and consultants have attended 3-day CSS training courses. In a separate stewardship initiative, NCDOT is redesigning the traditional thoroughfare plan process to create a new comprehensive transportation plan (CTP) process. Although these two initiatives have not been explicitly connected, this discussion examines how CSS principles are embedded in the proposed CTP process. However, substantial technical and institutional challenges must be dealt with before the CSS-based CTP process can be implemented fully. The conclusion of this discussion is that a state-of-the-practice, long-range transportation planning process should incorporate the CSS principles and decision-making characteristics that have been adopted in North Carolina.

Internet Outreach in Statewide Long-Range Planning: New Jersey Experience

2002 ◽  
Vol 1817 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Lebeaux ◽  
Joseph Meheski ◽  
Jennifer Stuart ◽  
Robin Christians
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Involvement ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Web Based ◽  
User Comments ◽  
Long Range Planning ◽  
Use Of Internet

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) recently tested the use of a public involvement website devoted to statewide long-range planning. The website, www.njchoices.com, was launched in April 2000 as a cornerstone of the public involvement program for the current plan update. This initiative allowed NJDOT to explore the use of Internet technology for dialogue concerning long-range investment priorities. In addition, NJDOT gained a better understanding of the technical and administrative requirements of maintaining an interactive site. Along with information on the planning process and statewide transportation issues, the website included mechanisms through which users could voice their concerns. Innovative features included a transportation budget game, an interactive demographic map, and an animated tutorial on the sources of traffic growth. These features received more use than an online survey on transportation priorities or a virtual suggestion box for user comments. Between April 2000 and July 2001, the website recorded 9,209 user sessions, reaching a broader audience than traditional outreach methods for statewide planning. Usage was shown to be strongly associated with publicity for the site. Other findings concern ways to integrate web-based and traditional outreach methods, the importance of user testing of site content, and the need to establish an organizational framework for institutionalization of the website.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document