Michael W-P Fortunato

Community entrepreneurship development: an introduction

An emerging area of scholarship can be found at the nexus between entrepreneurship and community development. Beyond a mere focus on firms and their contributions, this growing nexus in the literature seeks to understand the complex ways that entrepreneurs benefit their communities, and that communities enhance or inhibit entrepreneurship. This exploration is fundamentally economic, sociological, psychological, strategic, behavioral, and cultural; it should incorporate many contributions of scholars across a wide range of disciplines. This introductory article examines the current state of research at the nexus of community and entrepreneurship, and conceptually positions entrepreneurship as deeply embedded in – and inseparable from – community, social, and economic structures. The article presents community entrepreneurship development as a multidimensional and challenging strategy economically speaking, but one that produces many benefits beyond economic growth. The article discusses both the challenges and benefits of promoting entrepreneurship in the community, presents the articles comprising the special issue, and ends with a call to action and scholarship in this exciting conceptual space.

Interaction and Purpose in Highly Entrepreneurial Communities

In an attempt to understand more about community-level variation in entrepreneurship, this research article focuses on two possible sources of variation within the local society: the amount of interaction among entrepreneurs, and between entrepreneurs and local institutions; and the purposive nature of these interactions. Theories about social interaction, such as Granovetter’s (1973) theory of weak ties and Burt’s (1995) theory of structural holes, are used to understand how large, diverse networks may impact not only information exchange, but information and skills necessary for entrepreneurship. Also, Wilkinson’s (1991) interactional field theory is presented as a way to understand how not only network ties, but the content that flows over those ties in the form of a common community purpose, can equally structure behavior around entrepreneurship. Hypotheses are generated from these social theories and tested empirically using a six-community case study involving both entrepreneurs and institutional actors/representatives in both high- and low-entrepreneurship communities. Interaction and purpose are examined to understand how these may differ across communities with different levels of entrepreneurship. The implications of the findings for entrepreneurship development at the community level is discussed, with a focus on how entrepreneurship can be supported more effectively, quickly, and inexpensively using the communitys interactive capacity.In an attempt to understand more about community-level variation in entrepreneurship, this research article focuses on two possible sources of variation within the local society: the amount of interaction among entrepreneurs, and between entrepreneurs and local institutions; and the purposive nature of these interactions. Theories about social interaction, such as Granovetter’s (1973) theory of weak ties and Burt’s (1995) theory of structural holes, are used to understand how large, diverse networks may impact not only information exchange, but information and skills necessary for entrepreneurship. Also, Wilkinson’s (1991) interactional field theory is presented as a way to understand how not only network ties, but the content that flows over those ties in the form of a common community purpose, can equally structure behavior around entrepreneurship. Hypotheses are generated from these social theories and tested empirically using a six-community case study involving both entrepreneurs and institutional actors/representatives in both highand low-entrepreneurship communities. Interaction and purpose are examined to understand how these may differ across communities with different levels of entrepreneurship. The implications of the findings for entrepreneurship development at the community level is discussed, with a focus on how entrepreneurship can be supported more effectively, quickly, and inexpensively using the communitys interactive capacity.

Weighing the universal service obligation: introducing rural well-being as a consideration in the viability of the United States Postal Service

Due to the rise in web-based communication, such as e-mail and declining surface mail volume over the past decade, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has been forced to reconsider its universal service obligation (USO). The USO ensures that all American citizens, regardless of geographic location, receive postal service six days a week. Considerations of postal service reductions have largely been couched in analyses that examine the financial efficiency from a public service provision perspective, like maximizing postal delivery while reducing cost. However, little consideration has been given to the impact of postal service cutbacks, reductions in delivery dates, limitations on routes, and post office closures, on the well-being of rural citizens. Since most postal service reductions are occurring, or will occur, in rural areas, rural citizens are likely to be most profoundly affected by the diminution of the USPS. The USPS is an iconic institution with historical and social importance in many rural communities, and may have disproportional importance in places with few other communications and shipping alternatives. This article examines the history of the USO, and discusses some of the likely impacts of postal service cutbacks on rural areas, and how this may affect the well-being of rural citizens, businesses, and communities.

A manikin-based evaluation of a teaching modality for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular longitudinal in-plane axillary vein cannulation in comparison with ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation: A pilot study

Background and Aims: Ultrasound (US)-guided infraclavicular approach for axillary vein (AXV) cannulation has gained popularity in the last decade. Material and Methods: In this manikin study, we evaluated the feasibility of a training model for teaching AXV cannulation. The learning pattern with this technique was assessed among attending anesthesiologists and residents in training. Results: A faster learning pattern was observed for AXV cannulation among the attending anesthesiologists and residents in training, irrespective of their prior experience with US. It was evident that a training modality for this technique could be easily established with a phantom model and that hands-on training motivates trainees to embrace US-based central venous cannulation. Conclusion: A teaching model for US-guided infraclavicular longitudinal in-plane AXV cannulation can be established using a phantom model. A focused educational program would result in an appreciable change in preference in embracing US-based cannulation techniques among residents.