Entrepreneurial in-migrants and economic development in rural England

Counterurbanisation has generally been viewed as a negative phenomenon, but Stockdale and Findlay (2004) presented rural in-migration as potentially “a catalyst for economic regeneration” based on in-migrants’ business activity. More than half of rural microbusinesses in the North-East of England are owned by in-migrants and provide an estimated 10% of jobs in the rural North-East (Bosworth, 2006). In the light of these new drivers of rural development, exogenous and endogenous approaches alone are increasingly inadequate (Lowe et al., 1995; Murdoch, 2000; Terluin, 2003). Ray instead proposed Neo-Endogenous Development, defined as “endogenous based development in which extra-local factors are recognised as essential but which retains belief in the potential of local areas to shape their future” (2001, p.4). Preliminary research suggests that in-migrants tend to retain more extensive business networks while developing valuable local contacts (Bosworth, 2006). As endogenous actors with diverse networks, in-migrants are well placed to strengthen connectivity with the ‘extra-local’ and introduce new vitality to rural economies

Little Things That Count: A Call for Organizational Research on Microbusinesses

The purpose of this Incubator is to encourage organizational researchers to attend to the most common type of business in the United States—the microbusiness. After defining and describing these businesses, we propose research questions on defining and managing performance, organizational citizenship, and work–family conflict in this novel business setting

An Impact Analysis of Microfinance in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This paper applies the financing constraint approach to study whether microfinance institutions improved access to credit for microenterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to this approach, microenterprises with improved assess to credit rely less on internal funds for their investments. Thus, we compare investment sensitivity to internal funds of micorenterprises in municipalities with significant presence of MFIs to that of micorenterprises in municipalities with no (or limited) presence of MFIs using Living Standards Measurement Survey and MFI branch location data. Results indicate that MFIs alleviated microbusinessesí financing constraint. This approach is applicable to evaluating microfinance impact in other countries.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64359/1/wp915.pd

MicroCredit-NH boosts north country economy

Mill closings in New Hampshire’s northernmost county spurred local leaders and MicroCredit-NH to improve self-employment opportunities by offering hands-on training. The Coos County Entrepreneurial Program’s success is now creating increased demand.Small business - New Hampshire ; Self-employed - New Hampshire

An Impact Analysis of Microfinance in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This paper applies the financing constraint approach to study whether microfinance institutions improved access to credit for microenterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to this approach, microenterprises with improved assess to credit rely less on internal funds for their investments. Thus, we compare investment sensitivity to internal funds of micorenterprises in municipalities with significant presence of MFIs to that of micorenterprises in municipalities with no (or limited) presence of MFIs using Living Standards Measurement Survey and MFI branch location data. Results indicate that MFIs alleviated microbusinesses’ financing constraint. This approach is applicable to evaluating microfinance impact in other countries.microfinance, impact study, Microfinance Institutions, financing constraints, Eastern Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Education, mobility and rural business development

Purpose – In a period of rural economic change, knowledge and skills transfers and the generation of new economic opportunities are seen as essential for promoting rural development. The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence of the impact of educated in-migrants establishing new business activity in rural areas. Design/methodology/approach – The research employs qualitative interviews with rural business owners informed by an earlier postal survey of rural microbusinesses in the North East of England. The interview data are used to explore the implications of owners’ past education and work experience for the development of their businesses. The attitudes and networking behaviour of business owners are also explored in order to assess the extent to which social capital facilitates the exchange of valuable knowledge and opportunities between rural businesses. Findings – Data indicate that rural in-migrants, defined as having moved at least 30 miles as adults, arrive with significantly higher education qualifications than their local business-owning counterparts. It also indicates that those with higher levels of education are most likely to engage with networking groups and business advice providers. This leads to the conclusion that as well as bringing higher levels of human capital, the integration of in-migrants into local economies is indirectly increasing the potential levels of human and social capital across the rural economy. Originality/value – The research highlights important data concerning the levels of education among in-migrants and local business owners. It continues by developing theoretical explanations about the way that a business owner’s background can influence their business activity. This raises awareness of the diversity of skills and networks among rural business owners that are enhancing the stocks of human and social capital in the rural economy

Comments to Usda on Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program

Comments to USDA Rural Development Agency regarding the development of administrative rules for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill as submitted during USDA Listening MeetingRoom 107-A Whitten Building, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 12th and Jefferson Drive SW, Washington D.C. on January 26, 2009.�

Maximizing Gains from Postal Service Market Liberalization

The upcoming full liberalization of postal service markets under the European regulatory framework offers the chance to further increase regulatory efficiency. Obstacles to competition and barriers to market entry should be systematically removed, and existing obligations for all companies reduced as much as possible. In this connection, universal service obligations should be modernized and flexibly designed. Competitively neutral financing for universal service burdens should also be put in place. Moreover, national or company-specific protectionism should be avoided to boost fair competition and the long-term development of the market.Postal market liberalization, Postal regulation, Barriers to competition, Level playing field

The importance of housing and neighbourhood resources for urban microbusinesses

Economic research has rarely considered the significance of the home and neighbourhood context of where business owners’ live for their business. Conversely, urban and neighbourhood research has overlooked how housing and neighbourhood shape business and entrepreneurship outcomes. This paper investigates the importance of housing and neighbourhood resources for microbusinesses using a random sample of microbusinesses in Edinburgh (UK) including those that are informal and home-based, and various characteristics of the neighbourhood in which the business owner lives were attached to the survey records. The data capture whether business owners have business premises outside their homes, have used neighbourhood contacts, housing equity or space in the house for their business. In short, housing and neighbourhood resources are used by a large majority (82%) of microbusinesses. The findings challenge a number of common assumptions on the separation of commercial and residential functions, how neighbourhoods feature in the evolution of businesses, the nested conceptualisation of home within a neighbourhood and on the nature of home-based businesses. It is concluded that multi-use (rather than mixed-use) neighbourhood planning would help foster more flexible and dynamic use of neighbourhoods and urban districts, although recognising that this is a political issue