Victoria Martínez Vérez, Fátima Cruz-Souza, Paula Gil-Ruiz
et al.
This study explores artistic entrepreneurship as a strategy for cultural revitalization and social cohesion in rural contexts affected by depopulation. Drawing on a collaborative and participatory process of social mapping, the study analyzes how artistic practice can operate as a method that connects situated knowledge production, community engagement, and public cultural projection. The research is articulated around three analytical axes: (1) collaborative artistic practices as vehicles of memory, belonging, and recognition; (2) participatory mapping as a process of cultural placemaking and community leadership; and (3) the transformation of collaborative processes into public cultural outputs, with the exhibition understood as a form of artistic entrepreneurship with social projection. The methodology combines the analysis of discursive fragments and visual artefacts—intervened stones, photographs, and site-based installations—interpreted as symbolic mediations in the construction of place-based meaning. The results show that collective artistic creation not only strengthens identity and memory but also activates collaborative networks, fosters local leadership, and projects rural narratives to wider audiences. The findings highlight the capacity of artistic entrepreneurship to generate expanded cultural and social value beyond aesthetic outcomes, offering a replicable methodological model for sustainable cultural development and the strengthening of social capital in depopulated rural communities.
Arts in general, Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades
PurposeThe purpose of our study was to explore and identify the type of work and life domain strategies that Korean small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs in the USA implemented to mitigate challenges for achieving a work–life balance (WLB).Design/methodology/approachA total of 17 Korean entrepreneurs volunteered to participate in our qualitative exploratory case study, who shared successful strategies they developed to mitigate work–life challenges. A thematic analysis supported the data collected from interviews and a focus group meeting.FindingsA total of four themes emerged from the data analysis. The findings revealed that successful entrepreneurs achieved work–life balance by (1) having sufficient money, preparation, experience and family, (2) having delegated quality time for recreational activities and hiring more employees and (3) prioritizing and scheduling quality time for culture, family, health and faith. The fourth theme revealed challenges to acquiring business knowledge, health, money, skills and sufficient time.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations indicated potential research weaknesses outside the researchers’ control (Theofanidis and Fountouki, 2018). The most significant limitation was the identification of participants from the Western region of Korean Association for the research. Originally, 20 participants were planned: ten for interviews and ten for a focus group meeting. Maybe due to the reserved personality of Koreans, very few participants volunteered. From these seed volunteers, additional participants were recruited through a snowball sampling method. Due to this limited recruiting process, participants were not selected in a random fashion. Thus, the research results might not be generalizable.Practical implicationsThe findings may help policymakers, Korean community leaders and other minority group leaders train ambitious future SME entrepreneurs to maintain WLB from the onset of their businesses.Social implicationsThe findings may shed light on how Korean minority entrepreneurs coped with WLB, which may answer research needs for minority groups. The findings may contribute to the scarce Western literature and provide intervention tools to practitioners. By discovering behaviors and the leadership skills of the struggling Korean SME entrepreneurs in achieving WLB, this study may provide some intervention strategies to practitioners helping future entrepreneurs.Originality/valueWhile there is an abundance of WLB research about American SME entrepreneurs, studies on Korean SME entrepreneurs in the Western region of the USA were exiguous. Our study contributes to expanding the knowledge and understanding of WLB among Korean SME entrepreneurs.
Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades, Business
This paper investigates whether entrepreneurship training subsequently impacts artists’ labor market outcomes. Collecting data from major universities, we find that only 9.7% have arts entrepreneurship certificates; just 11.4% have any required arts entrepreneurship classes. Analyzing data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and controlling for demographic factors, fine arts graduates are 1.3% less likely to be employed and earn 8.7% lower annual earnings. However, individuals with both arts and entrepreneurial business training earn more and offset the earnings disadvantage by roughly a half. These results underscore the importance of integrating art entrepreneurship education with the sustainability of the arts sector.
Arts in general, Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades
Let $p$ be a large odd prime, let $x=\log p)(\log\log p)^{3+\varepsilon}$ and let $q\ll\log\log p$ be an integer, where $\varepsilon>0$ is a small number. This note proves the existence of small prime quadratic residues and small prime quadratic nonresidues in the arithmetic progression $a+qm\ll x$, with relatively prime $1\leq a<q$, unconditionally. The same results are generalized to small prime $k$th power residues and nonresidues, where $k\mid p-1$ and $k\ll\log\log p$.
We have designed an innovative portfolio rebalancing mechanism termed the Cascading Waterfall Round Robin Mechanism. This algorithmic approach recommends an ideal size and number of trades for each asset during the periodic rebalancing process, factoring in the gas fee and slippage. The essence of the model we have created gives indications regarding whether trades should be made on individual assets depending on the uncertainty in the micro - asset level characteristics - and macro - aggregate market factors - environments. In the hyper-volatile crypto market, our approach to daily rebalancing will benefit from volatility. Price movements will cause our algorithm to buy assets that drop in prices and sell as they soar. In fact, the buying and selling happen only when certain boundaries are crossed in order to weed out any market noise and ensure sound trade execution. We have provided several numerical examples to illustrate the steps - including the calculation of several intermediate variables - of our rebalancing mechanism. The Algorithm we have developed can be easily applied outside blockchain to investment funds across all asset classes at any trading frequency and rebalancing duration. Shakespeare As A Crypto Trader: To Trade Or Not To Trade, that is the Question, Whether an Optimizer can Yield the Answer, Against the Spikes and Crashes of Markets Gone Wild, To Quench One's Thirst before Liquidity Runs Dry, Or Wait till the Tide of Momentum turns Mild.
Purpose – To understand how narratives used by entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) in Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem shape transitional entrepreneurs' social reality. We offer theoretical and practical insights to elicit critical support, formulate policies and programs and guide ongoing empirical examination of transitional entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – We adopt a multi-case study approach, looking at two ESOs in Detroit: one focused on promoting high-growth entrepreneurship and securing financial capital for technology entrepreneurs, the other focused on promoting everyday entrepreneurship (especially among underserved communities) and amassing a more diverse array of resources. We conduct a thematic analysis of organizational texts and interview data with ESO leaders. Findings – ESO narratives shape Detroit's transitional entrepreneurs by constructing entrepreneurs' social identity, orienting them to the ecosystem and envisioning a collective future in which transitional entrepreneurs are key. Originality/value – This study offers insight into the definition of transitional entrepreneurs by extending existing conceptions by highlighting the role of institutional actors, like ESOs, and the narratives they adopt in shaping opportunities and challenges for transitional entrepreneurs. Moreover, we push the boundaries of transitional entrepreneurship, including technology start-up entrepreneurs in the definition and call attention to the role of transitional entrepreneurs in post-industrial cities by showcasing their role in community and urban development.
Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades, Business
Quantum computing is an advancing area of computing sciences and provides a new base of development for many futuristic technologies discussions on how it can help developing economies will further help developed economies in technology transfer and economic development initiatives related to Research and development within developing countries thus providing a new means of foreign direct investment(FDI) and business innovation for the majority of the globe that lacks infrastructure economic resources required for growth in the technology landscape and cyberinfrastructure for growth in computing applications. Discussion of which areas of support quantum computing can help will further assist developing economies in implementing it for growth opportunities for local systems and businesses.
(I) We revisit the algorithmic problem of finding all triangles in a graph $G=(V,E)$ with $n$ vertices and $m$ edges. According to a result of Chiba and Nishizeki (1985), this task can be achieved by a combinatorial algorithm running in $O(m α) = O(m^{3/2})$ time, where $α= α(G)$ is the graph arboricity. We provide a new very simple combinatorial algorithm for finding all triangles in a graph and show that is amenable to the same running time analysis. We derive these worst-case bounds from first principles and with very simple proofs that do not rely on classic results due to Nash-Williams from the 1960s. Our experimental results show that our simple algorithm for triangle listing is substantially faster in practice than that of Chiba and Nishizeki on all examples of real-world graphs we tried. (II) We extend our arguments to the problem of finding all small complete subgraphs of a given fixed size. We show that the dependency on $m$ and $α$ in the running time $O(α^{\ell-2} \cdot m)$ of the algorithm of Chiba and Nishizeki for listing all copies of $K_\ell$, where $\ell \geq 3$, is asymptotically tight. (III) We give improved arboricity-sensitive running times for counting and/or detection of copies of $K_\ell$, for small $\ell \geq 4$. A key ingredient in our algorithms is, once again, the algorithm of Chiba and Nishizeki. Our new algorithms are faster than all previous algorithms in certain high-range arboricity intervals for every $\ell \geq 7$.
Media hype and technological breakthroughs are fuelling the race to adopt Artificial Intelligence amongst the business community, but is there evidence to suggest this will increase productivity? This paper uses 2015-2019 microdata from the UK Office for National Statistics to identify if the adoption of Artificial Intelligence techniques increases labour productivity in UK businesses. Using fixed effects estimation (Within Group) with a log-linear regression specification the paper concludes that there is no statistically significant impact of AI adoption on labour productivity.
The article analyzes trends in changes in the fisheries business landscape within the framework of the ongoing state policy of supporting entrepreneurship; the author's approach to revealing the content of the concept of «business landscape» in relation to modern conditions for the development of Russian entrepreneurship is formulated; The main stages of the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the modern history of Russia are systematized according to the criteria of its actual state, trends and problems. The author has examined the effectiveness of government decisions in recent years on the development of aquatic biological resources in the Far Eastern basin and identified the formation of negative changes in the Russian business landscape over the past ten years, and especially in the context of sanctions restrictions on the development of the national economy. Based on a generalization of the results of foreign and domestic research, the article proposes the author’s definition of the economic category «business landscape», which is important for management purposes, and assesses the level of participation of Russian small and medium-sized businesses in the formation of gross domestic product in comparison with developed countries. Taking into account his own long-term practice of participating in the organization of management of business structures, the author proposed a staged development of entrepreneurship in Russia over the past 30-year period; Negative changes in the business landscape are outlined using the example of fishing activities in the Far Eastern basin, establishing the imperfections of government decisions taken in recent years to increase the tax burden and complicate the procedure for obtaining fishing quotas and environmental permits for fishing entrepreneurship. The results obtained in the course of the study allow us to consider the transition to a new paradigm of state management of the development processes of the Russian fishery business landscape in the interests of all levels of entrepreneurship and the national consumer market to be considered legitimate and appropriate.
The classical Cauchy--Davenport inequality gives a lower bound for the size of the sum of two subsets of ${\mathbb Z}_p$, where $p$ is a prime. Our main aim in this paper is to prove a considerable strengthening of this inequality, where we take only a small number of points from each of the two subsets when forming the sum. One of our results is that there is an absolute constant $c>0$ such that if $A$ and $B$ are subsets of ${\mathbb Z}_p$ with $|A|=|B|=n\le p/3$ then there are subsets $A'\subset A$ and $B'\subset B$ with $|A'|=|B'|\le c \sqrt{n}$ such that $|A'+B'|\ge 2n-1$. In fact, we show that one may take any sizes one likes: as long as $c_1$ and $c_2$ satisfy $c_1c_2 \ge cn$ then we may choose $|A'|=c_1$ and $|B'|=c_2$. We prove related results for general abelian groups.
As a region, Western Australia is the largest and most isolated state in Australia, and supports a community of vibrant Arts Organisations. The Arts is widely recognised for its creativity and innovation, but what about the managers of these organisations, are they equally innovative, or entrepreneurial? Rusak (2016) explored this question and found that their Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) matched the three core dimensions of Innovativeness, Pro-activeness, and Risk-taking, but the study did not include the other two EO dimensions of Autonomy and Competitive Aggressiveness. It did however observe that "arts companies don’t generally try to take offensive postures or aggressive responses to competitive threats and rather work collaboratively, as this sample shows". This assertion was not the focus of the article, nor was it explored in any depth in that paper.
There are at least two possibilities here: it could be a passive aversion to competitive aggression, or a more deliberate counter-behaviour of collaboration. Either of these would appear to contradict the EO construct, in particular the expectation that all EO dimensions covary, which makes it interesting from a theory perspective. This paper explores this challenge to the EO theory in some detail, using software-aided analysis to tease out the finer nuances in this dimension of Competitive Aggressiveness. While the sample size and its geographical confines limit the generalisations that can be made, there is solid evidence that in this sample of Arts Managers, the Arts acts as a powerful contextual modifier to the expectations of EO theory. The dimension of Competitive Aggressiveness has not simply been altered or toned-down by this context, it has been replaced by a polar opposite.
Arts in general, Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades
Gold-associated pathfinder minerals have been investigated by identifying host minerals of Au for samples collected from an artisanal mining site near a potential gold mine (Kubi Gold Project) in Dunkwa-On-Offin in the central region of Ghana. We find that for each composition of Au powder (impure) and the residual black hematite/magnetite sand that remains after gold panning, there is a unique set of associated diverse indicator minerals. These indicator minerals are identified as SiO2 (quartz), Fe3O4 (magnetite), and Fe2O3 (hematite), while contributions from pyrite, arsenopyrites, iridosmine, scheelite, tetradymite, garnet, gypsum, and other sulfate materials are insignificant. This constitutes a confirmative identification of Au pathfinding minerals in this particular mineralogical area. The findings suggest that X-ray diffraction could also be applied in other mineralogical sites to aid in identifying indicator minerals of Au and the location of ore bodies at reduced environmental and exploration costs.
Alistair P. Barros, Arthur H. M. ter Hofstede, Henderik A. Proper
et al.
By incorporating aspects of coordination and collaboration, workflow implementations of information systems require a sound conceptualisation of \EM{business processing} semantics. Traditionally, the success of conceptual modelling techniques has depended largely on the adequacy of conceptualisation, expressive power, comprehensibility and formal foundation. An equally important requirement, particularly with the increased conceptualisation of business aspects, is \EM{business suitability}. In this paper, the focus is on the business suitability of workflow modelling for a commonly encountered class of (operational) business processing, e.g. those of insurance claims, bank loans and land conveyancing. A general assessment is first conducted on some \EM{integrated} techniques characterising well-known paradigms - structured process modelling, object-oriented modelling, behavioural process modelling and business-oriented modelling. Through this, an insight into business suitability within the broader perspective of technique adequacy, is gained. A specific business suitability diagnosis then follows using a particular characterisation of business processing, i.e.\ one where the intuitive semantics and inter-relationship of business services and business processes are nuanced. As a result, five business suitability principles are elicited. These are proposed for a more detailed understanding and (synthetic) development of workflow modelling techniques. Accordingly, further insight into workflow specification languages and workflow globalisation in open distributed architectures may also be gained.
The article presents the results of research of the support practices of local governments for small and medium-sized businesses in a rural municipal district — the Tyumentsevsky District in the Altai Territory. Based on the analysis of the target indicators of the municipal program for the development and support for small and medium-sized businesses in 2014-2019, of the data from the reports of the Tyumentsevsky District Administration on its implementation and the expert survey results, the effects of the entrepreneurship development and its municipal support are shown. A weak correlation is found between the implementation of the target indicators plan and the actual municipal support practices. According to the results of a survey of local entrepreneurs, the level and dynamics of the development of small and medium-sized businesses and the practices of the local government for their support are assessed. Institutional barriers to the development of small and medium-sized businesses, a low level of their self-organization, insufficient information and consulting business support, and a number of other problems are identified. Conclusions are drawn about the relatively low effects of the implemented practices of municipal support for small and medium-sized businesses. Low quality of planning the targets, small opportunities and results financial security of the municipal program are shown. Proposals are made to improve the quality of planning in the development and implementation of municipal programs to support small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas, and to improve the municipal practices for their support, including distance learning and information support, businesses self-organization stimulating and development of their integration connections.
This paper assesses the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium-sized enterprises in Armenia. The analysis of representative nationwide survey data reveals that as compared with large-company employees, SME employees are more affected by the crisis, having been laid off or having reduced work hours and pay. Logistic regression results show that being employed by an SME doubles the likelihood of layoff and pay reduction. There is also support for the hypotheses that employees in sectors which allow for remote work, e.g., education and information and communication services, as well as those who have medium to high professional qualifications, have been less affected by the crisis. The findings call for more targeted government assistance to SMEs and low-skilled workers.
Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades, Business
Context: Digitalization brings new opportunities and also challenges to software companies. Objective: Software companies have mostly focused on the technical aspects of handing changes and mostly ignoring the business model changes and their implications on software organization and the architecture. In this paper, we synthesize implications of the digitalization based on an extensive literature survey and a longitudinal case study at Ericsson AB. Method: Using thematic analysis, we present six propositions to be used to facilitate the cross-disciplinary analysis of business model dynamics and the effectiveness and efficiency of the outcome of business modeling, by linking value, transaction, and organizational learning to business model change. Conclusions: Business model alignment is highlighted as a new business model research area for understanding the relationships between the dynamic nature of business models, organization design, and the value creation in the business model activities.
Juan Diego Sánchez Sánchez, Luz Chacón León, Edgar Hernandez Vasquez
La presente investigación contempla la conceptualización y estructuración de un modelo de definición y medición del riesgo en la gestión de las MIPYMEs, denotándose cuatro tipos de riesgo de relevancia: Financiero, Legal y Operativo, áreas que definen la gestión en las empresas; al abordar esta metodología desde una perspectiva aplicada, es decir, por medio de un estudio pre exploratorio, en el cual se aplica la herramienta desarrollada a cinco empresas de naturaleza MIPYMEs, donde se establece la definición estructural de la composición del riesgo, así como la evaluación de este factor en el giro de negocio de cada institución analizada; los datos que son presentados de igual forma en términos correlacionados y ordenados, permitiendo probar la efectividad de la herramienta desarrollada para una eventual gestión gerencial.
Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades, Business
Companies that develop software have a pressure from customers to deliver better solutions, and to deliver solutions faster and cheaper. Many researchers have worked with suggestions on how to improve the development process; software process improvement. As software development is a very knowledge intensive task, both researchers and industry have recently turned their attention to knowledge management as a means to improve software development. This often involves developing technical tools, which many companies have spent resources on. But the tools are often not used in practise by developers and managers in the companies, and it is often unknown if the tools improve how knowledge is managed. In order to build efficient knowledge management tools, we need a better understanding of how the tools that exist are applied and used in software development. We present and analyse eight case studies of knowledge management initiatives from the literature. We found evidence of improved software quality, reduced development costs and evidence of a better working environment for developers as a result of these initiatives. Further, we examine success criteria in knowledge management codification initiatives, based on Intranet tools in medium-sized software companies. In addition, we investigate how knowledge management tools are used for different purposes by different groups of users in two software consulting companies. They use tools both as support for personalization and codification strategies. The consulting companies are two medium-sized Norwegian companies with 40 and 150 employees, which work in development projects that lasts from a few weeks to several years.