ERIC Number: ED588420
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 113
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3398-5141-9
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
What Makes Information Strategic? An Examination of Access to Information Resources for Entrepreneurs and Business Performance
Zhang, Yao
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of South Carolina
The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of the relationship between the access to and use of information resources of entrepreneurs and their business performance. The survival and competence of organizations relies heavily on their recognition of information as important strategic resource. Entrepreneurs, specifically, face a constantly changing environment and are in a disadvantaged competitive position in finance and experience compared with large companies. Access to, and use of information resources, will help them improve their business performance. This study collects both qualitative and quantitative data, investigating the entrepreneurs' business performance and their behaviour in accessing and using information resources. The qualitative data is applied to explore the technology incubator consultants' understanding of business performance indicators for entrepreneurial businesses. For the quantitative data collection, entrepreneurs are selected from technology incubators in the U. S to participate in a questionnaire survey. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is used to process and analyze the data reflecting the business performance, access to information resources, and use of information resources. A preliminary Access-Performance model and a Use-Performance model are presented. The results indicate that the use of information resources has a positive influence on the performance of entrepreneurial businesses. No strong relationship is revealed between the access to information resources and business performance. However, there is a high probability that the entrepreneurs have other information resource accesses options than those covered in the original model. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Access to Information, Entrepreneurship, Information Utilization, Business Administration, Behavior
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A