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

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.

Small business development centers and libraries: a survey

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.