Abstract
This study examines the problems, profit levels, and future plans reported by European business owners who started businesses in 2002 and were still personally operating them in 2005. To the extent that these firms had survived the first three years of operations, all participants were successful business owners. The majority of respondents stated that impediments to selling products and services included vigorous competition and lack of demand. Over half of the respondents also stated that they viewed their profitability as poor or barely sufficient, with women being more likely to report lower levels of profitability. Looking to the future, approximately 40% expected to increase sales and profitability, while 14% considered closing the business without starting a new enterprise. Women were more likely than men to report that they expected to cease operations.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 25-44 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | International Journal of Entrepreneurship |
Volume | 15 |
State | Published - 2011 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Business and International Management
- Economics and Econometrics
- Strategy and Management