Brad Brown

REMOVING THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE HALO FROM FORTUNE'S "MOST ADMIRED" COMPANIES

Fortunes annual ratings of Americas largest corporations are shown to be heavily influenced by previous financial results, thus creating a halo that must be removed before these qualitative reput...

Networks and entrepreneurial development: the shadow of borders

This paper develops and tests a model that incorporates the social networks of individual entrepreneurs, the interorganizational networks of their firms, and entrepreneurial behaviour. In a transnational context the dynamics embedded in these relationships are likely to be affected by the density of these networks. A less dense local network makes access to networks in other countries or regions more important. Technological developments have enhanced information transfer, but there are political, social, cultural and economic factors embedded in national or regional borders that inhibit this tendency toward freer flows of information. In a time of growing international interdependence, borders can be viewed as constraints to the free flow of information and access to social and technical interorganizational networks that are so important to the encouragement of entrepreneurship.

Informational networks, entrepreneurial action and performance

This paper develops a model that incorporates personal and business networks, firm action, and performance based on the existing literature. It explores the links between information and entrepreneurial-type action, and action and performance. Survey data was collected from a sample of 100 manufacturing firms in Thailand. Results show that entrepreneurs value the information they receive from their networks. However, there is little statistical support for tangible links between personal or business networks and entrepreneurial action and performance, or between action and performance.

Is it time to regulate microfinance

In this article we suggest a new future for microfinance institutions (MFIs). In order to better serve the needs of the poor, we propose government regulation, improved organizational governance and business models for MFIs. With a strict definition of ‘microfinance’, true microfinance can be properly distinguished from other forms of financial activities. With adequate regulation and supervision, MFIs can take deposits from the poor thus providing a valuable service while obtaining money to lend. We propose that MFIs meet a strict definition and then be regulated and monitored to protect borrowers, which will also help to legitimize the microfinance industry.

Guanxi and the Dynamics of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurial Behaviour in Southeast Asia

This chapter focuses on the degree to which guanxi linkages and networks that are built using guanxi are important to the entrepreneurship and commercial success of many overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. A model of various factors’ influences on their use of guanxi is developed. Research proposals concern the sources of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs’ business ideas and business information, and the extent to which guanxi explains their high rates of business start-ups and the performance of their firms.