Economic impact of SMEs in the desert of Arica-Chile: an early evaluation of the business assistance provided by Sercotec's Arica Business Center program

The article analyzes under a case study methodology the first economic impact results of the Small Business Development Center program in Arica, a program financed by the Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC). The preliminary conclusion of the article suggests that the first economic impact results show that the 833 enterprises assisted by the program generate more sales opportunities, jobs and investments, creating positive income and fiscal returns, despite the enormous difficulties presented by the current pandemic facing the country and especially the region. From a public policy standpoint, the CDN's contribution to the regional economy helps create new employment opportunities in growing MSMEs. For their part, maturing companies contribute to job retention thanks to the advisory processes that help reorient their businesses, and the work with entrepreneurs contributes to the generation of new businesses that strengthen the regional economy.

Responsabilidad social y ambiental, análisis para tres microempresas en Ipiales, Colombia

Este estudio presenta un análisis del programa de responsabilidad social empresarial-RSE- con base en el estándar internacional Global Reporting Initiative – GRI, en tres empresas creadas bajo el modelo Small Business Development Center- SBDC del SENA - Centro Sur Colombiano de Logística Internacional - CSCLI. Para lo cual, en un primer objetivo, se realizó el diagnostico empresarial a través del método FODA (Fortalezas, Oportunidades, Debilidades, Amenazas); posteriormente se analizó el estado actual de las organizaciones en cuanto a las actividades y prácticas empresariales que desarrollan siguiendo los estándares internacionales GRI. En un segundo objetivo, se elaboró una propuesta para el Programa de RSE, para ello se realizó: estrategias e indicadores de gestión, por cada área de la empresa, y finalmente se estableció acciones para el cumplimiento de los estándares internacionales GRI; que, en un futuro, les permita a las empresas realizar un reporte de información ambiental y social, bajo este estándar

Engaging with entrepreneurs in academic and public libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how academic and public libraries support entrepreneurial researchers and, in doing so, demonstrate impact and share best practices. Design/methodology/approach – The authors discuss their own experiences as academic and public business librarians who support entrepreneurs. They do so by revealing the main services they provide to this unique user group and presenting examples from their own institutions. They also present what is done at other libraries by way of a literature review and an informal survey. Findings – After navigating the landscape of business librarian support of entrepreneurs, many commonalities were found among the types of support offered. Most libraries in this study collaborate with a business incubator, center for entrepreneurship, office of economic development or small business development center in some fashion. Numerous outreach and networking efforts were found that had positive effects on the local and national economies. Although public and academic libraries have different base user groups, both types of libraries serve current and potential entrepreneurs, as well as students, who are looking for similar data in the same kinds of resources. Originality/value – Although specific examples can be found in the literature, little has been published that provides an overview of the entrepreneurial services and resources provided at numerous libraries of different types as well as resulting impact. This paper fills this gap and should provide new ideas to librarians of all kinds wishing to reach entrepreneurs.

Priorities, Resource Stocks, and Performance in Family and Nonfamily Firms

This article discusses how the performance of family firms and nonfamily firms might differ as a result of the different priorities flowing from family influence, even when the two types of firms possess comparable levels of resource stocks. Using hierarchical regression to analyze data from a national study of the Small Business Development Center program, we find that family influence has both a positive and a negative moderating effect on the relationships between different categories of resource stocks and performance. Specifically, family firms benefit more from resource stocks based on external relationships while nonfamily firms benefit more from resource stocks based on functional skills.

Staying On The Cutting Edge Of Student Active Learning Through Real World Engagement

This paper introduces a new approach to teaching and learning that uses a partnership model that pairs small business owners (provided by the Small Business Development Center-SBDC) with teams of college students within a college course. The goal of this partnership model is to provide guidance and recommendations for the business owner through a comprehensive business plan that is completed by an assigned student team. This is an excellent opportunity for the students to engage in active learning by doing. This model provides students with real world experience to better prepare them for work and careers. The active learning concept and the importance of engaging the student will be examined.

CafBijoux: A Small Business Marketing Challenge

It was five minutes to ten oclock on Wednesday morning, April 7, 2004, and Jennifer Coleman was anxiously driving back and forth on B Street in Hayward, looking for a restaurant called CafBijoux. Jennifer had a ten oclock appointment with Julie Sanders and Mary Carter, the managers and co-owners of CafBijoux but there was no visible sign of the restaurant. After circling around several more times, Jennifer finally spotted a small sign in a window that said CafBijoux.Jennifer Coleman was a university professor of marketing and a marketing consultant in the city of Hayward, California. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of the university invited Jennifer to help CafBijouxs management as part of its cooperative effort with the city to provide assistance to small businesses in need of and interested in consulting services in the universitys service area. The purpose of the Jennifers meeting that morning was to go over the caf current business situation and to establish a mutual understanding about Jennifers deliverables.At 10:05 am, Jennifer walked into CafBijoux and introduced herself to Julie and Mary. Jennifer apologized for being late and indicated that she had some difficulty in finding the restaurant. Julie said, Yes, I know that we really need a store sign but we did not have enough money to get one. It would cost at least $2000. We had some customers complaining about that but we just couldnt afford it. Our business has been terrible and we were hoping that you would be able to tell us how we can improve. Jennifer replied, Thats what I am here for. But first, I need to learn as much about the caf business from you as I can. Jennifer explained that the primary goals of the meeting were for her to learn about the caf current situation and to explore the next course of action. Both Julie and Mary agreed upon the plan.

Are Family Firms Born or Made? An Exploratory Investigation

Do businesses tend to be born as family firms or do they become family firms at a later stage in their development? The question has important implications for family business studies. In this article we examine this question using data extracted from survey responses of small business clients of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program in the United States. The results suggest that most family firms are born that way but that a significant number of firms do arrive there through time. The relationship between age and family involvement appears to be concave—the rate of increase in family involvement slows as family firms become older and at some point family involvement may even decline.

The Influence of National Culture and Family Involvement on Entrepreneurial Perceptions and Performance at the State Level

This empirical study tests how dimensions of national culture affect entrepreneurs' collective perceptions of the business environment and the performances of newly created firms in the United States. The data are aggregated to the state level from survey responses of 3,619 preventure clients of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program. Dimensions of culture examined include region, urbanization, nativity, ethnic mix, and family involvement. Results indicate that only family involvement has a consistent impact on the perceptions and performance of new ventures in the sample.