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BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS OF GROWTH IN BLACK ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BLACK BOX

Conley, Natasha
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522882124350055

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Management.
The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that only 1% of Black companies generate over a million dollars in sales yet they are responsible for 61% of all jobs created by minority-owned firms. How can more Black businesses be positioned to contribute? This research seeks to better understand Black business growth by employing an exploratory sequential mixed methods design approach beginning with a qualitative study followed by two quantitative studies. This three-part research project unfolds by first exploring barriers that high performing African American and non-minority firms are confronted with when trying to grow their businesses. Findings revealed that African American firms are faced with a number of different forms of racial discrimination. Gender bias is found to be a barrier for women-owned firms and access to capital is still found to be an obstacle to growth for African American firms. These barriers were overcome by leveraging numerous types of relationships, utilizing preferential procurement programs and relying on faith and prayer. The findings from the first study informed measures for a quantitative phase to determine to what extent leadership attributes such as emotional and social intelligence and faith/prayer reliance correlate with small business growth attitudes among minority entrepreneurs. Findings suggest that the sense of God at work has a positive relationship with small business attitudes, specifically the importance of sales and employment growth. Additionally, perceived shared vision fully mediates the effect of emotional and social competency inventory (ESCI) Leadership traits on the importance of sales and employment growth. It is the integration of these two studies that prompt a deeper look at Black business growth. The third study measures discriminatory business practices and its association with business growth as well as other factors that may contribute to growth. The following factors were measured: faith, entrepreneurial perseverance, perceived shared vision and external networking. The findings from this study revealed that discriminatory business practices have a negative association with business growth and perceived shared vision fully mediates the effect of entrepreneurial perseverance on business growth. Post-hoc analysis also revealed direct relationships between faith and entrepreneurial perseverance as well as faith and external networking. These findings extend concepts in black entrepreneurship and faith-based literature.
Diana Bilimoria (Committee Chair)
Richard Boyatzis (Committee Member)
Julie Exline (Committee Member)
John Butler (Committee Member)
James Gaskin (Committee Member)
African American Studies; African Americans; Business Administration; Business Community; Religion; Spirituality
Black entrepreneurship; minority entrepreneurship; minority business growth; Black business; shared vision; faith at work, networking; entrepreneurial perseverance; preferential procurement programs

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Conley, N. (2018). BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS OF GROWTH IN BLACK ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BLACK BOX [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522882124350055

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Conley, Natasha. BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS OF GROWTH IN BLACK ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BLACK BOX. 2018. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522882124350055.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Conley, Natasha. "BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS OF GROWTH IN BLACK ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BLACK BOX." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522882124350055

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.