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Earl Molander, Ph.D.
SBA Faculty Member
Portland State University
If you look in certain kinds of industries, you can't escape the need for size, particularly in the high technology area as they grow globally, the capital needs are so enormous that any kind of extensive growth in those kinds of business and those kinds of technologies is really going to come of of large organizations. I think there you're talking about how do you build entrepreneurial units within a large organization. And a lot of companies are doing that.
Posted by Earl Molander on October 28, 2005 at 03:00 PM
Let's hear what you have to say. Post a comment below.
He makes an excellent point.
Posted by Kristin Mihalko on November 3, 2005 at 02:26 PM
I am surprised that all of the speakers featured on your webpage to discuss the question concerning job creation are men. In our office over 75% of small enterprise businesses served are owned by women. Given that fact, having a large segment of the business population missing from the university-sponsored discussion is surprising.
I look forward to seeing university-sponsored discussions on this page from women in the future.
Mary J. Merrill, Director, Columbia Gorge Communtiy College
Small Business Development Center,The Dalles
Posted by Mary J. Merrill on November 30, 2005 at 11:25 AM
I would beg to differ. Internal venturing has not been very successful, based on my research while working on my MSEM (somewhat dated, 80's to 90's stuff). The problem is organizational inertia, in a nutshell. Yes, the need is there for entrepreneurial activity to arise from large organizations, and one would think that would be successful, due to the apparent availability of capital and brainpower. However, in reality, most large technology orgainizations are completely designed against innovation. There customers demand reliability and consistency, and that along with consistent shareholder value, drives the organization away from risk and complexity. I would like to get more current research if the trend has changed.
Tim Dugan
PSU Engineering Mgmt, MS 1998
Owner, Compression Engineering Corporation
11000 SW Stratus St Suite 310
Beaverton OR 97008
Ph: 503-520-0700
Posted by Tim Dugan, MSEM on February 2, 2006 at 11:56 AM
Here in Hungary governments force subsidizing SMEs believing to create 2-300,000 new jobs to push back unemployment rate of avg. 6,7%. Yes, big ICT globals mentioned by Earl have created thousands of jobs in Hungary but mainly for assembly work - these Pyrrhus-results now disappear as they move forward to Ukraine, Romania, or China. SMEs here can deduct taxes when employing unemployed, the EU gives support for re-training, etc: but, please, what to do with those who does not intend to be trained, to be supported - but enjoy (and force for!) more social care instead?
SMEs can only grow with SOME innovation, let it be of any kind. We know the nature of innovation: creativity is just a chance, money speaks first, second and third. In this meaning the triangle of an academia (creation)- the risk capital of the big players (company? state?) - and the realization power of the SMEs can really create jobs.
Otherwise our societies should learn to serve 10-12% of unemployed for a long time - not a bright future for my generation.
Posted by Peter Dobay, HUNGARY on February 5, 2006 at 03:00 AM