Ronald G. Cook

Resources, Frequency, and Methods An Analysis of Small and Medium-Sized Firms’ Public Policy Activities

This study compared the public policy interactions over time between small and medium-sized firms. Hypotheses related to firm size, frequency of activity, and influence methods were developed and tested. Small and medium-sized firms had different patterns of public policy involvement, with medium-sized firms reporting less activity but more success in influencing the public policy process than did small firms. Of the influence methods, only letter writing was significant to reported success rates. A regression analysis revealed that firm size and letterwriting variables provided the best fit in a linear-relationship model.

An Experiential Market Research Analysis: A Partnership between Teaching and Library Faculty

The purpose of this article is to describe collaboration between entrepreneurship faculty and business librarians to improve the quality of market research conducted by the students in an Introduction to Entrepreneurship course. This article describes: the course objectives; the stumbling blocks experienced by students, faculty, and librarians; the business/library partnership solution; and the benefits for all stakeholders that have emerged from this partnership.

The role of gender in US microenterprise business plan development

Purpose – This paper proposes to examine the role that gender plays in a microenterprise program (MEP) that focused on developing quality business plans.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected over four years from 1,013 participants in a microenterprise business development program. Empirical evidence is presented on the outcomes of the program.Findings – Women and men had similar program completion rates and similar overall business plan scores. However, women scored significantly better on the presentation of their plan to judges. The level of formal education a participant had upon entering the program mattered, but only for women.Research limitations/implications – Further research could determine whether the type of formal education made a difference in producing higher scoring plans (liberal arts, business, etc.) or is it the process of formal learning that matters? Startups and existing firms, segmentation of firm type (retail, service, etc.) should be researched in conjunction with gende...

An Issue of Trust: Are Commercial Databases Really Reliable?

Entrepreneurial researchers utilize databases on new and emerging businesses that provide the contact data and other demographic information for research samples. Based on a literature review, the integrity of this data is often assumed, and the vendors claims as to its accuracy are relied upon. This article tests the accuracy and reliability of one such database, the U.S. New Business database from ReferenceUSA. Specifically, these businesses were contacted to test the validity of the information provided. The research findings suggest that the U.S. New Business database from ReferenceUSA is not a vetted database, and researchers cannot rely on the vendors promise of accuracy.