Transformational place building: a mixed method exploration of small businesses

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of transformational business practices using the construct of organizational place building. The objective is to develop a more expansive model of place building that examines and the potential of their business practices on place. Design/methodology/approach – This project employed a mixed method research focusing on collecting, analyzing, and mixing both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or series of studies. Members from the chamber of commerce of three cities in Northern Colorado participated in two phases of research. Findings – The mixed method approach captured key themes that provided a discernable structure to the place building construct, and revealed that businesses build place in a variety of ways each according to their own culture and business model. Research limitations/implications – The traditional model of corporate social responsibility while important, is limited in scope and influence. In contrast, we have argued for a more expansive perspective which examines how transformational organizations value place and the potential of their business practices to enhance or diminish community well-being. Social implications – The paper presents a step in the direction of building a coherent theory of how organizations build place and poses new questions about the role of organizations in relation to places. Originality/value – A theoretical understanding of how organizations contribute to the construction of place would benefit from the work of economists, geographers, sociologists as well as management theorists.Organizational culture, Place building, Small business, Small enterprises, Social responsibility, United States of America