Research

Interise White Paper Abstract: 

Strategies for Economic Success Employed by Resilient Small Employers During the Recent Recession

Small businesses play a significant role in economic development in the United States, yet understanding is limited regarding the adaptive strategies that successful small employer firms in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities have used to maintain fiscal stability, as well as retain and add jobs, particularly through the most recent recession. How have successful small employer firms created jobs, despite economic downturns? How have small employer firms adapted to the particular challenges of the recent recession and how, if at all, do strategies differ from those used in previous recessions? What impact does the local economic environment have on small employer firms and what issues do the strategies used by small employer firms raise for those who seek a better understanding of local economic environments?

This practitioner-based study contributes to existing small business research regarding job creation, women- and minority-owned businesses, and strategies for navigating recessions. The primary goal of the study is to identify the critical strategies and tactics employed by resilient small business owners.

Full abstract available here.

Copies of the final paper will be available at the end of February.  To reserve a copy, please contact smcnary@interise.org

 © Interise, 2011.