Leo Paul Dana

AN INQUIRY INTO CULTURE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: CASE STUDIES OF BUSINESS CREATION AMONG IMMIGRANTS IN MONTREAL

ABSTRACT It has been recognized that marginality is the explanatory variable for entrepreneurship among marginal groups, however, not all marginal groups are entrepreneurial. Some ethnic groups, and as Haitians interviewed in this empirical study, have a culture which neither looks favourably upon, nor encourages entrepreneurship as a desirable means of livelihood. For some, entrepreneurship tends to be seen as an occupation of last resort, considered only when other possibilities have failed. On the other hand, ethnic origin is by itself not an adequate explanatory variable either. Indian entrepreneurs often complain that they would not be entrepreneurs in their native environment. Environment (regulation, taxation, ethnic network etc.) may enhance or curtail entrepreneurial spirit. For some groups, entrepreneurial behaviour is culturally desirable; among others, it is a means of coping with marginality, i.e. necessity breeds entrepreneurship. This study also suggests that its respondents had entrepreneu...

Entrepreneurial Education in Europe.

Abstract Interest in entrepreneurship education in Europe is relatively new yet rapidly emerging. This study reports on a cross section of programs existing in several European countries. Comparing trends in Europe with those in the United States, the author found that the principal strength of prominent programs in Europe was their practical approach. Another difference was that entrepreneurship education has spread more rapidly into rural areas in Europe than into nonurban America. Strengths of programs in the United States included a greater diversification of courses and numerous doctoral activities, two elements that European counterparts may soon wish to adopt.

Environment for Entrepreneurship: A Model of Public Policy and Economic Development

What can public policy do to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship? What, if any, should be the extent and nature of governmental intervention in the economic sphere to achieve this purpose? These questions have been a subject of long debate. The author of this paper has attempted an answer, based on field research relating to six island economies of the Caribbean. The study, using soft concepts and measures, is exploratory in nature and is meant to provoke further research in this area.

TOWARDS A SKILLS MODEL FOR ENTREPRENEURS

ABSTRACT Although universities attempt to give their students a cognitive understanding of which strategy may enhance the probability of effective results in a given business setting, they often underestimated the importance of training individuals to develop skills, such as those essential to the success of small business. This paper correlates aptitudes with styles of learning, and discusses types of skills and how these could be improved, suggesting that it may be desirable for a university policy to emphasize entrepreneurial skill development, as opposed to concentrating only on the traditional courses with mostly management content.

ON THE INTERNALIZATION OF A DISCIPLINE: RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY IN CROSS-CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL-BUSINESS STUDIES

ABSTRACT Given the globalization of markets, the internationalization of entrepreneurship has become inevitable, resulting in a need for a greater emphasis on cross-cultural entrepreneurship research. Reviewing the literature, this paper identifies four categories of cross-cultural studies distinct from intracultural research. From a methodological perspective, the author then addresses problems which arise in cross-cultural studies. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research.

SMEs—ADAPTING STRATEGY TO NAFTA: A MODEL FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

ABSTRACT The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) not only has introduced unprecedented opportunities for profit, but also new threats and challenges. In the long-term, the abolition of tariffs is Darwinian; in the absence of government protection, those less capable of competing effectively may wither away. This paper introduces a “scaling up” strategy which new ventures and small or medium-sized firms may find useful in the strife for success in the emerging NAFTA market. It proposes a strategic mechanism to achieve higher goals with the assistance of expert service providers at bounded risks and known costs and resource requirements. Scaling up could be used in combination with other potent strategies.

KINDLING ENTREPRENEURSHIP: THE AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE AND WHAT CANADIANS MIGHT LEARN FROM IT

ABSTRACT In the last issue of the Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Richard Woods addressed small-business policies in the future. This article makes suggestions for reforming entrepreneurship policy in Canada, based on a successful campaign by the Australian federal government to rekindle a spirit of entrepreneurship since 1986, in response to a deteriorating economic situation. Portions of the present hive been delivered at the 1987 World Conference of the International Council for Small Business (1). Response was overwhelming, and thus it appears appropriate at this time to elaborate the contents and make them accessible to a wider audience.

A FRAMEWORK FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICY ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP: CONTRASTING SIX MODELS

ABSTRACT Attempts by governments to increase prosperity have been vastly different, and experience has shown that some government policies tend to encourage entrepreneurship more than do others. This study is almost a controlled experiment in economic development: Similar neighbouring islands have been ruled by their respective policies. This paper identifies six distinct policy approaches, as used by six island economies. Each of the six models is classified on a grid according to level of intervention and affinity for entrepreneurism. The author develops a new model, and applies it. An analysis of neighbouring Caribbean islands supports the hypothesis that using GDP as a measure of economic success, successful communities tend to have a policy of minimal government intervention coupled with a higher affinity for entrepreneurism. The number of governmental programs meant to encourage new ventures is not an explanatory variable; more important are socio-demographic factors along with type of public policy.

INFLUENCE DU FACTEUR CULTUREL SUR LA TRÈS PETITE ENTREPRISE À STRASBOURGE

ABSTRACT This paper reports the findings of an empirical field study investigating a sample of 296 owner-managers engaged in micro-enterprise within the metropolitan area of Strasbourg, in the Bas-Rhin department of France. The purpose of this inquiry was to research the impact of ethno-cultural origins on self-employment. A qualitative methodology was used, incorporating open-ended interviews. Various groups were found to be clustered in broad sectors in the Alsacian economy. Furthermore, motivations were found to vary along geographic and religious lines. Although 35% of the respondents specified that self-employment was NOT their primary career choice, only about 20% of the sample expressed regrets about being self-employed.

Towards a Theory of Intermodal Marketing

Horizontal coordination in the marketing of transportation services creates new opportunities. The purpose of this research is to contribute a theory of intermodal marketing. It would be useful to determine under which conditions such coordination becomes an optimal strategy.