UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Pokalo, Gwen
Dept./Program:
Community Development and Applied Economics
Year:
2011
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Universities, are in the business of building the human capital of students and the community. It is the purpose of this thesis to describe the university-hosted Microbusiness Retail Incubator (MBRI) as a model for human capital development through entrepreneurship education and Economic Gardening. The model leverages students, faculty, small business development practitioners, and microentrepreneurs to work together to exchange knowledge, thus contributing to local-level economic and civic development. This research examines two sides ofthe Growing Vermont student-run MBRI at the University of Vermont. Students run a retail operation and offer technical assistance through coursework to microentrepreneur clients in the community, who in turn are given a chance to experiment with products in the retail environment and expose students to realworld business.
Student-Run Enterprises (SREs) provide a unique vehicle for building human capital through action learning and community outreach. Chapter 2 of this research examines models of SREs and develops a concept of the present state of service-learning in studentrun operations. Methods for this research are qualitative interviews and systematic literature review. The results are presented in the synthesis of a model for Student-Run Enterprises and service-learning. The chapter goes on to examine where the Growing Vermont student-run MBRI fits into the present state of SREs and present an opportunity for the incorporation ofservice-learning into an academic and co-curricular endeavor. The chapter concludes with a presentation of lessons learned.
Chapter 3 of this research examines the relationship of human capital to the technical assistance needs of the microentrepreneur community. The sample population is the microentrepreneur-clients of the Growing Vermont MBRI. The research methods consist of mail and internet survey which gathered information on the demographics, technical assistance needs and experience, value of technical assistance services, and information networks of the population. This chapter will provide a profile of this population of microentrepreneurs, followed by a review of the technical assistance services indicated as most helpful and most needed by this population. The study finds that there is a significant relationship between human capital parameters and packaging/product presentation, marketing assistance, product line development, and pricing strategy services. A discussion of the information networks of emerging micro-entrepreneurs follows, with implications for the business development services community.
Student-Run Enterprises (SREs) provide a unique vehicle for building human capital through action learning and community outreach. Chapter 2 of this research examines models of SREs and develops a concept of the present state of service-learning in studentrun operations. Methods for this research are qualitative interviews and systematic literature review. The results are presented in the synthesis of a model for Student-Run Enterprises and service-learning. The chapter goes on to examine where the Growing Vermont student-run MBRI fits into the present state of SREs and present an opportunity for the incorporation ofservice-learning into an academic and co-curricular endeavor. The chapter concludes with a presentation of lessons learned.
Chapter 3 of this research examines the relationship of human capital to the technical assistance needs of the microentrepreneur community. The sample population is the microentrepreneur-clients of the Growing Vermont MBRI. The research methods consist of mail and internet survey which gathered information on the demographics, technical assistance needs and experience, value of technical assistance services, and information networks of the population. This chapter will provide a profile of this population of microentrepreneurs, followed by a review of the technical assistance services indicated as most helpful and most needed by this population. The study finds that there is a significant relationship between human capital parameters and packaging/product presentation, marketing assistance, product line development, and pricing strategy services. A discussion of the information networks of emerging micro-entrepreneurs follows, with implications for the business development services community.