A brief definition of some fundamentals of microcomputers and of the ways they may be used in small businesses can help potential buyers make informed purchases. Hardware (the mechanical devices from which computers are made) described here are the video display, keyboard, central processing unit, "random access" and "read only" memories, cassette…

The text of a Senate Committee on Small Business hearing on the cost and availability of liability insurance for small business is presented in this document. The crisis faced by small business with skyrocketing insurance rates is described in statements by Senators Lowell Weicker, Jr., Robert Kasten, Jr., Dale Bumpers, Paul Trible, Jr., James…

Given the statistic that 97 percent of all new businesses fail, it is unwise to enter into a new small business venture. Many aspiring entrepreneurs lack the characteristics and background they need to survive and instead display several common characteristics which predispose them to failure, such as being non-aggressive and casual, failing to…

Analyzes data from the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation concerning business owners as distinct from the self-employed. Findings indicate that 11.9 percent of nonagricultural workers are business owners and that 70.8 percent of businesses are sole proprietorships. (CH)

Describes activities at Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University as well as the U.S. Department of Education's Task Force initiatives on entrepreneurship education. (SK)

Examines the involvement of college faculty in small business activities, indicating that university administrators have become decidedly more supportive of such ventures in recent years. A list of 14 start-up companies (showing type of services) founded recently by university analytical chemists is included. (JN)

Describes: (1) the Small Business Institute (SBI); (2) SBI in the Engineering Management Department at the University of Missouri-Rolla; (3) student engineering design projects with the small businesses; and (4) benefits of the program and lessons learned. (JN)

Argues for an institutional approach to theory and research on situated learning, which would allow for a different frame of reference than the concept of economic rationality as the objective of workplace learning. (SK)

A literature review shows that few fundamental differences between men and women business owners have been substantiated. Primary reasons for self-employment are not gender specific, and research on psychological differences is inconclusive. (SK)

Five small engineering businesses identified influences on their use of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) for worker training: (1) NVQs' separation of knowledge and competence is an obstacle; (2) NVQs must have relevance and value to the company; (3) they are most useful with entry workers; and (4) lack of an assessment and verification…

Surveys completed by 794 of 1,276 employees in 12 small/midsized businesses provided strong evidence of formal, informal, and incidental workplace learning; incidental was the most frequent. A positive significant relationship was found between workplace learning and overall job satisfaction, recognition, work enjoyment, and supportive work…

The European Community may provide new markets for small businesses. Two British initiatives to help small businesses compete are Business Growth Training (self-help kits for entrepreneurs) and a national network of Training and Enterprise Councils. (SK)

Senior enterprises--small businesses enabling older people to earn income and remain productive outside the traditional work setting--have been successfully developed in many countries. Program considerations include economic feasibility, relationship to social security and tax programs, linkages with the broader community, and training and…

Small outdoor recreation businesses can benefit from implementing the entrepreneurial or strategic management philosophy. A discussion of the behavior and characteristics of these firms includes research findings. Strategy formulation and implementation, and an analysis of five relevant business environments are included. (IAH)

A small company was studied before and after introduction of an employee stock ownership plan. Employees' commitment to the organization and job satisfaction were higher after plan implementation, while perceived worker influence levels did not change. Findings suggest that ownership changes employees' attitudes without changing employees'…