Entrepreneurship in the Mekong Region: Problems SME Entrepreneurs Face

Although the problems that business operators face tend to be fairly standard around the world, as research has indicated, there are some issues in the Mekong Region that tend to be distinctive, owing to the intersection between location, geographic and cultural factors. In this article, I will focus on small scale entrepreneurs, since the problems they face are more likely to be the kinds of problems that most entrepreneurs face and, at the smaller scale, the local issues are more distinctive.

Read the full article here.

Understanding and Strengthening the Health of Family Businesses in Laos

Announcing:

Walsh, John and Nittana Southiseng, “Understanding and Strengthening the Health of Family Businesses in Laos,” Information Management and Business Review, Vol.2, No.1 (January, 2011), pp.12-8, available at:
http://www.ifrnd.org/IMBR/2(1)%20Jan%202011/Understanding%20and%20strengthening_health%20of%20family%20businesses.pdf
.

Abstract:

More than 90% are family-businesses and are concentrated in retail, handicrafts, and personal services sectors. More than half are female-owned and managed, although baseline information about business and family management are limited. This paper reports on qualitative research aimed at understanding family business practices, impact of education in family businesses in a range of activities in Laos. Most such businesses remain based at or very close to home, and along the main road with any growth managed by hiring additional family members. Firms were run on traditional lines, while the management decisions were generally taken by senior family members depending on their existing prejudices. Although family businesses in Laos are still largely disorganized, they play critical roles in creating job opportunities and boosting household income for local residents as well as helping family members to utilize their existing talents, time, and resources. In promoting this sector, the Government of Laos has significant roles in developing policies, establishing a relevant governing agency, and encouraging training and involvement from the private sectors and from key international organisations.

Keywords:

 Business development, Entrepreneurial development, Family business, Laos, SMEs

Integration of the Mekong–Ganga Region

Announcing: Singh, Amarjeet and John Walsh, “Integration of the Mekong–Ganga Region: An Identification of Determinants Related to Small & Medium Enterprise Start Ups by Indian Entrepreneurs in Bangkok,” paper presented at International Colloquium on Business and Management, Bangkok (January 26^th-28^th, 2010).

Abstract: 

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the real backbone of the Thai economy. However, the implementation of government policies aimed at promoting and creating small scale industries does not necessarily guarantee success. Operations have to be successful, too. Success in operating a small scale business is dependent on various factors which entrepreneurs have to consider before starting-up, such as managerial experience, education, sufficient capital, proper location, choice of business and business conditions. Since increasing numbers of business executives and entrepreneurs have been exposed to international business and entrepreneurs are usually the key actors in the recognition, exploration and exploitation of new opportunities and an improved understanding of the circumstances surrounding new venture foundation is necessary. Thailand has a similar culture to India in some respects but a higher level of development, available seaports, access to the entire Mekong region as well as other Asia Pacific countries and many other factors that generate better opportunities for penetration by Indian SMEs entrepreneurs in the Thai market. The research in this paper has the following objectives: (1) To identify key factors having significant effect on business start-ups in Bangkok by Indian SMEs entrepreneurs; (2) To identify the factors affecting entrepreneurs’ intention to internationalize.

The full paper should be available at the conference website.