Nonagricultural micro-enterprise development among the Pennsylvania Amish: A new phenomenon

Smith, Stephen; Findeis, Jill L.; Kraybill, Donald B.; Nolt, Steven M.

doi:10.1016/s0743-0167(97)00018-1

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Emotional support in the context of running a business, usually provided by a spouse, parents or children, which includes legitimizing the founding of the business in the first place (Malach-Pines and Schwartz, 2008;Sa'ar, 2007;Shabbir and Gregorio, 1996). In ultra-religious groups such social legitimacy is crucial, as starting a business is may be seen as a deviation of the woman's traditional role (Nwankwo and Gbadamosi, 2013), for example micro-enterprises in the context of the Amish community (Smith et al, 1997). Culture and religion can affect the legitimacy of entrepreneurship, and at times view it negatively, for instance in terms of being unnatural and unholy, or alternately as a means of giving charity or leading the community, thus affecting the chances of a woman becoming an entrepreneur (Dana, 2009;Kurtulmus and Warner, 2016).…”

Section: Social Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The surprising lack of connection between social networks and the enterprise success of ultra-religious female micro-entrepreneurs

Monnickendam-Givon

Schwartz

Gidron

2018

JEC

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Purpose The utilization of social networks is known to have an impact on micro-enterprise success. This study aims to examine the contribution of social networks in acquiring resources and their role in the enterprise’s success. Design/methodology/approach A business’s success is influenced by its network structure and the network’s resources. The authors examine whether unique religious-cultural characteristics affect the social networks contribution to a business’s success. This model examines the network utilization of women entrepreneurs who own micro-enterprises in ultra-religious groups. The sample consists of 123 surveys completed by Jewish ultra-Orthodox women entrepreneurs in Israel. Data collection was conducted between February and June 2013. The authors used a snowball sampling approach where interviewees were asked to refer us to other entrepreneurs. In the hour-long interview, a questionnaire was used with open and closed questions. Findings Findings indicate that strong personal ties provide a micro-enterprise with social legitimacy, emotional support and assistance in the management and operation of daily activities. However, contrary to the existing literature, network utilization did not contribute to enterprise success. That is, in religious communities in particular, social networks enable the existence of businesses, but do not contribute to their success. Practical implications The practical implications of this paper are the mapping of the social network resources used by the business owner, such as financial consultations or professional assistance, as well as distinguishing between strong and weak ties, which reflect the intensity of the contact for better use of the social network by the entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study examined social networks’ contribution to the acquisition of resources, as well as the part they play in the success of ultra-orthodox women micro-entrepreneurs and perhaps other religious and minorities groups.

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Section: Social Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The surprising lack of connection between social networks and the enterprise success of ultra-religious female micro-entrepreneurs

Monnickendam-Givon

Schwartz

Gidron

2018

JEC

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“…Strong ties are usually held by family and friends, and are good for emotional support, loans, assistance with everyday tasks and help in times of crisis. Weak ties are generally held by a wider circle of friends and acquaintances, and are useful in expanding social circles, obtaining informal information and business opportunities (De Carolis and Saparito, 2006;Granovetter, 1973;Pescosolido and Rubin, 2000;Smith et al, 1997). Counting the number of weak and strong ties can give us the potential of accessibility to these different resources.…”

Section: Social Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Network Not Utilized: The Case of Ultra-Orthodox Female Micro-Entrepreneurs in Israel

Monnickendam-Givon

Schwartz

Gidron

2016

J. Dev. Entrepreneurship

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The study examines the role of social networks in the Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel as a tool for promoting micro-entrepreneurial success. To date, research has shown that social network structure is a salient factor in the successful management of micro-businesses. We explored network size, number of strong, weak and betweenness ties of Ultra-Orthodox female micro-entrepreneurs, a distinct social-religious enclave that remains largely unexplored. Contrary to literature, our findings show that Ultra-Orthodox female micro-entrepreneurs have a narrow network in all parameters explored. Although they have a far-reaching social network, it is virtually unutilized in promoting their micro-businesses. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

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“…These changes could be due to the large number of Amish who have begun to branch out of the agricultural field and into others, such as furniture, hardware, and handicrafts, as documented in Smith, et al (1997). These new enterprises may have allowed some Amish to rise into a higher income bracket, while others remain in the $35,000 to $49,999 bracket.…”

Section: Household and Family Incomementioning

confidence: 99%

Amish Economic Transformations: New Forms of Income and Wealth Distribution in a Traditionally “Flat” Community

Moledina¹,

McConnell²,

Sugars³

et al. 2014

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

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The basic contours of the Amish economic transformation over the past few decades have been well documented, including the demographic squeeze that pushed many Amish out of farming, their embrace of cottage industries and, to a lesser extent, factory labor, and the social and cultural dilemmas created by successful entrepreneurship. Yet the effects of increasing market entanglement on the distribution of income and assets in Amish communities are still poorly understood. In this exploratory study, we draw on publicly available data from the U.S. Census, the Ohio Amish Directory, and records from real estate transactions to map out the distribution of income and land wealth in one predominantly Amish-populated Census Tract in Holmes County, OH. Our findings illustrate economic differentiation within the Amish community, as well as the ways in which affiliation and church leadership are associated with land holdings. Our case study raises important questions about growing economic inequalities that merit further exploration.

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Nonagricultural micro-enterprise development among the Pennsylvania Amish: A new phenomenon

Cited by 16 publications

References 12 publications

The surprising lack of connection between social networks and the enterprise success of ultra-religious female micro-entrepreneurs

The surprising lack of connection between social networks and the enterprise success of ultra-religious female micro-entrepreneurs

Network Not Utilized: The Case of Ultra-Orthodox Female Micro-Entrepreneurs in Israel

Amish Economic Transformations: New Forms of Income and Wealth Distribution in a Traditionally “Flat” Community

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