Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Paper
Session Abstract or Summary
Institution Building for Sustainability: A Multi-Case Analysis
of Entrepreneurial Networks in Distressed Rural Regions
Distressed rural regions exist throughout the United States and the world. Appalachia has several such sub-regions. Various economic and social interventions have been made by governments, non-profit agencies, and other institutions to provide relief, often with limited results that were not sustainable. The support of entrepreneurs who start businesses that are locally owned and do not engage in business practices that create environmental and social hazards are seen as a central component in the revitalization distressed regions. However, local businesses often lack the resources that are available to large corporations. Networks in distressed regions that provide social capital, marketing assistance, and enhance other essential skills are found to have enjoyed success in various settings throughout the world and provide resources otherwise unavailable to small, local businesses started by entrepreneurs. The results of this study show that networks do increase the number of sustainable enterprises and improve the triple bottom line in distressed regions as well as increase the availability of capital in those regions. Future study, focused in Appalachia, is recommended to examine alternative funding measures for non-profit networks, methods to deepen network relationships, and innovative strategies to develop infrastructure to reduce dependency on outside capital and absentee ownership.
Presentation #1 Title
Institution Building for Sustainability: A Multi-Case Analysis of Entrepreneurial Networks in Distressed Rural Regions
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
nstitution Building for Sustainability: A Multi-Case Analysis of Entrepreneurial Networks in Distressed Rural Regions Distressed rural regions exist throughout the United States and the world. Appalachia has several such sub-regions. Various economic and social interventions have been made by governments, non-profit agencies, and other institutions to provide relief, often with limited results that were not sustainable. The support of entrepreneurs who start businesses that are locally owned and do not engage in business practices that create environmental and social hazards are seen as a central component in the revitalization distressed regions. However, local businesses often lack the resources that are available to large corporations. Networks in distressed regions that provide social capital, marketing assistance, and enhance other essential skills are found to have enjoyed success in various settings throughout the world and provide resources otherwise unavailable to small, local businesses started by entrepreneurs. The results of this study show that networks do increase the number of sustainable enterprises and improve the triple bottom line in distressed regions as well as increase the availability of capital in those regions. Future study, focused in Appalachia, is recommended to examine alternative funding measures for non-profit networks, methods to deepen network relationships, and innovative strategies to develop infrastructure to reduce dependency on outside capital and absentee ownership.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. G. Aubrey Lee is an Associate Professor of Management at King University in Bristol, Tennessee. A native of rural Appalachia, he has observed the rise and decline of economic activity in the region.
Institution Building for Sustainability: A Multi-Case Analysis of Entrepreneurial Networks in Distressed Rural Regions
nstitution Building for Sustainability: A Multi-Case Analysis of Entrepreneurial Networks in Distressed Rural Regions Distressed rural regions exist throughout the United States and the world. Appalachia has several such sub-regions. Various economic and social interventions have been made by governments, non-profit agencies, and other institutions to provide relief, often with limited results that were not sustainable. The support of entrepreneurs who start businesses that are locally owned and do not engage in business practices that create environmental and social hazards are seen as a central component in the revitalization distressed regions. However, local businesses often lack the resources that are available to large corporations. Networks in distressed regions that provide social capital, marketing assistance, and enhance other essential skills are found to have enjoyed success in various settings throughout the world and provide resources otherwise unavailable to small, local businesses started by entrepreneurs. The results of this study show that networks do increase the number of sustainable enterprises and improve the triple bottom line in distressed regions as well as increase the availability of capital in those regions. Future study, focused in Appalachia, is recommended to examine alternative funding measures for non-profit networks, methods to deepen network relationships, and innovative strategies to develop infrastructure to reduce dependency on outside capital and absentee ownership.
