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Small-scale business enterprises in the Philippines: survey and empirical analysis.
ABSTRACTThis paper is a two-part study of small-scale business enterprises in the Philippines: survey and empirical analysis, both of which are combined in an attempt to understand what determines entrepreneurial motivations and success in the Philippines. The survey was conducted in order to study entrepreneurship development and motivations in the Philippines and also to understand the challenges and sacrifices faced by Filipino entrepreneurs. In particular, this survey is quite comprehensive in scope and comprised 202 questions. Aside from data on the general characteristics of the business enterprise and the entrepreneur, the survey also asks questions about important issues in the study of entrepreneurship such as entrepreneurial intensity, sacrifice, motivation, business plans, the business' effect on the entrepreneur's quality of life, the entrepreneur's personal beliefs and attitudes, and difficulties and problems that the entrepreneur encountered at different stages of operating the business enterprise. This study also presents an empirical analysis of the determinants of success by Filipino small businesses. This analysis made use of the survey data and is based on the estimation of a regression model using Ordinary Least Squares technique.
Since the 1990s, there has been a resurgence of interest on the role of small-scaled business enterprises or small and medium enterprises (both will be referred to as "SMEs" hereafter) in national and international economic and social development. This is consistent with the overall shift of development strategies in many countries toward a more decentralized, even localized, approach. As such, many scholars, practitioners, and institutions involved in economic development have begun to recognize the important roles that smaller-scale business entities play in the economy and society. More and more people are becoming convinced that these entities can be a very effective means of achieving, not only economic progress, but social goals (e.g., a more equal income and a greater appreciation for diversity in gender and race) as well. All of these suggest a greater need to increase our understanding of the nature and capabilities of family businesses and SMEs and the kinds of policies and incentive systems that would be appropriate, necessary, and effective in encouraging and strengthening them.
Like those in other countries, SMEs in the Philippines make significant contributions to the overall economy and the country's pursuit of economic development. Data show Filipino SMEs to make up more than 99% of all businesses in the country, provide more than two-thirds of the country's employment, and is responsible for almost one-third of the country's income (Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, 2003). Given their economic importance (others also highlight their social significance), Filipino SMEs are an interesting subject of study. Consequently, one would expect to find numerous studies on them. This, however, is not the case, most probably because of a number of issues that complicate their study.
One of these issues has to do with the different perspectives on different aspects related to SMEs. Depending on which perspective the researcher uses as the primary source of insight and information, one gets a very different picture. In the study of Filipino SMEs, at least 3 different perspectives could be identified: that of policymakers, SME owners, academician and scholars.
Policymakers' Perspective
In Philippines, government support to SME looks very good on paper. Specific legislation (Republic Act 6977: Magna Carta for Small Enterprises, signed in 1991; amended as Republic Act 8289 in 1996), institutions (such at the Department of Trade and Industry/Bureau of Small and Medium Business Development, University of the Philippines-Institute for Small-Scale Industries, and institutions that provide credit or credit guarantee to SMEs); publications give the impression that the government pays careful attention and takes sufficient action to encourage SMEs. That the government would purposely choose to give such impression is not surprising for a number of reasons.
First, there is a "bandwagon effect". Since other countries in the region and elsewhere have similar programs (again, at least on paper), the Philippines or for that matter any other country would look very bad should it choose not to have an SME program.
Second, because it is difficult to deny how important SMEs are as an effective means to achieve both economic and social goals, no government would choose to appear unsupportive of SMEs.
Third, the government might also have a tendency to "maximize external support", including those provided by international organizations to support SME development. To the extent that these programs allow the government access to resources (often, financial and technical) whose use could not be perfectly monitored, acting in a way to attract these resources give the impression of being supportive of SMEs.
In reality, however, policymakers' intention to assist SMEs tends to be less than genuine. "Conflict of interest" among government officials gets in the way. Since a number of policymakers are linked to large enterprises by ownership or production relation (either as supplier or customer), one would expect policymakers to use their political influence to channel support toward their own commercial interests and away from SMEs.
SME Owners' Perspective
During the study period, I came across three prior surveys of Filipino SMEs, as namely:
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Survey on Small & Medium Enterprises, Coordinated by the Medium and Small Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Chinese Taipei (1993). http://www.actetsme.org/archive/smesurvey.html Hooley, Richard and Muzaffer Ahmad, Small and Medium-SizeEnterprises and Development Process in Four Asian Countries: An Overview (1980s) ASEAN-EU Partenariat '97 is supported by the European Commission within the framework of Asia-Invest, one of whose aim is to help encourage networking among SMEs from Europe and Asia. It became fully operational in September 1997. http://aeup.brel.com/sme/sme6.html
Although the above three surveys provide useful insights and direction for this study, all of them lack the depth that this study would like to reach. All three are most useful in highlighting the difficulties encountered by SMEs surveyed as well as in laying out the overall importance of SMEs in economic development. While these surveys could be useful in studying SMEs at a macroeconomic level, they provide limited insights into the entrepreneur's characteristics and decision-making process. Questions that pertain directly to the entrepreneur himself/herself, what the motivation was in starting the enterprise, the extent of sacrifice that the entrepreneur would be willing to bear, and others that are more microeconomic in nature are beyond the scope of the above surveys.
Academician/Scholar's Perspective
Several sources were found that particularly look into Filipino SMEs at a more theoretical and empirical levels. Rodriguez and Tecson (1998) looked at the impact of liberalization on Filipino SMEs in the manufacturing sector while Rebullida (2000) highlighted the area of human resource development as one where SMEs and the government need to focus in order to enhance productivity and quality.
Other sources covered the topic of entrepreneurship in general while allotting a section or chapter on business conditions and SME development in the Philippines. These include the works of Fajardo (1994) and Orcullo (2000).
There are also works that look at stories of successful entrepreneurs in the Philippines. Works by Fajardo (1994) and Orcullo (2000) both included section that features case studies of Filipino entrepreneurs. In addition, the University of the Philippines-Institute of Small-Scale Industries published a book in 1998 based entirely on 24 case studies of successful Filipino entrepreneurship in five different industries.
Other works that provided useful background materials for this study are listed at the end of this paper.
Another important issue in the study of SMEs questions the motivation for SME development. Existing studies show the need to distinguish between micro-enterprises and SMEs as each group responds differently to changes in economic conditions. In particular, while SME startups do not usually occur when the economy is performing poorly, many micro-enterprises startups do occur during the same period. Researchers point out that this shows how creation of micro-enterprises tends to reflect a "coping strategy" by their owners--since there are less opportunities for remunerative work during periods of economic recessions or stagnating economic development, some are forced to find a livelihood by starting their own small business.
Ideally, one must make a distinction between micro-enterprises and SMEs. Unfortunately, given the small sample size of Filipino SMEs participating in this survey, it is not possible to make this distinction at this time, that is, the sample included both types of business enterprise and that "SME" used in the subsequent sections covers both SMEs and micro-enterprises.
This paper is a two-part study of Filipino SMEs: survey and empirical analysis, which are combined in an attempt to understand what determines entrepreneurial motivations and success in the Philippines. In what follows, the survey instrument and process are first described, then the survey results are summarized. This is followed by a section that presents the empirical analysis of the determinants of success by Filipino SMEs. This analysis is based on using OLS method to process survey data.
SURVEY OF FILIPINO SMEs
The Survey Questionnaire
The questionnaire used in this survey was originally put together by several faculty at Alfred University's College of Business, located in Southwestern New York. Prior to use in this survey, the same instrument has been used in surveys conducted in China, Germany, New Zealand, Romania, Turkey, Tunisia, Venezuela, and Southwestern New York State.
The survey questionnaire has 202 questions, categorized into the following sections (number in parenthesis shows number of question for that section):
General characteristic of enterprise and entrepreneur (41) Entrepreneurial intensity (11) Extent of entrepreneur's sacrifice (21) Motivation for starting own business (38) Plans for next two year (19) Business' effect on entrepreneur's quality of life (11) Personal beliefs and attitudes of entrepreneur (21) Difficulties and problems encountered (40)
The Respondents
This survey was targeted toward SMEs that conduct business in the Philippines. An SME is usually defined according to volume of sales, value of capital/physical assets, and/or number of employees. Countries define SMEs differently. In the context of the Philippines, an SME would be a business enterprise that has total assets valued between one and forty million Philippine Pesos (or approximately $20,000-800,000 using exchange rate during the survey period) or having between 10 and 199 employees. A further distinction among micro, small, and medium enterprises uses the following definition:
Micro-enterprises have $2,000-$20,000 in total assets and 1-9 employees Small-enterprises have $20,000-$200,000 in total assets and 10-99 employees Medium-enterprises have $200,000-$800,000 in total assets and 100-199 employees
SMEs surveyed were located in the capital city of Metro-Manila, nearby provinces of Bulacan and Laguna, and the southern province of Cotabato. Surveys were conducted between the year 2000 and 2002. 88 survey questionnaires were returned and efforts were made to include each returned survey in summarizing the results of the survey. However, only 65 of these returned surveys were judged complete and usable for empirical analysis in the latter half of this paper.
Problems Encountered While Conducting Survey
During the survey, it was found that respondents' willingness to participate and cooperate were limited by a number of factors:
The questionnaire was too long (11-13 pages) Some questions are repetitive Some answers are not easy to recall Respondents already participated in a number of previous survey Respondents expected to receive some benefits (usually financial and, in some cases, to be received immediately) from participating in the survey. Respondents were worried about disclosing certain information (especially financial figures) for fear that competitors or government tax authority might have access to survey
Due to these problems, on several occasions, surveyors ended up interviewing respondents, going through each question, and literally filling out the entire questionnaire for them. In some cases, surveyors had to visit the same respondent more than once as many respondents became impatient with the survey or felt that they had given as much time that particular day accommodating the survey. Other respondents who filled out the questionnaires themselves returned incomplete surveys, in which case the surveyors had to return to their place of business to fill out portions of the questionnaire left unanswered. Even then, respondents refused to reveal some information (as above noted).
Other problems encountered during the survey were heavy traffic congestion around Metro-Manila, which made travel to one survey respondent a whole-day event. Bad weather presented another problem, with heavy rains and flooding experienced on a number of occasions.
For the particular year 2000, the economic and political situation in the Philippines also made conducting the survey more difficult. The economy was destabilized by a series of hostage-taking in the Southern provinces of the country and the prolonged negotiations to release hostages that resulted from them. This was later (in October) followed by corruption charges against then-President Estrada that led to impeachment hearings in December, related episodes of bombings of several public places, and in early 2001, persistent mass demonstrations to pressure then-president Estrada to resign. Finally, by a Supreme Court decision, power was turned over to the former vice president and current president, Arroyo.
In addition, even if surveys could have been conducted in 2000, one would worry about the "accuracy" of responses, given an overall mood of restlessness, unease, frustration, and fear. Under the circumstances, responses would be more negative and pessimistic than they otherwise would have been.
Characteristics of Enterprises
Of the 88 enterprises surveyed, only 70 provided information on number of employees, which revealed that 42 are actually classified as micro-enterprises (with less than 9 employees) and 28 are SMEs (with between 10 and 199 employees) (In fact, only one enterprise is medium-sized, with more than 100 employees while 27 are small-sized enterprises (with 10-99 employees). The average number of employees is 18.3.
Because of the sensitive and private nature of financial information, very few respondents provided information on value of sales or business assets so it was not possible to classify SMEs using the SME definition based on total assets.
The survey represents ten economic sectors: service, retail, finance, transport, professional, distributor, manufacturing, construction, computer, and all others. The sector most represented is retail, with 38 (or 45%) SMEs surveyed, followed by 12 (or 14%) in the manufacturing sector (Table 2).
By type of enterprise, survey shows 83% are sole proprietorships, 19% partnerships, and 8% corporations (Table 3).
When asked how the entrepreneur came to own the business at the present time, 64% said that they originated them, 19% inherited them, and 16% purchased them (Table 4).
In terms of SME's "age" or survival, the majority (57%) were started in 1990 or later while a significant proportion of SMEs (35%) were started in 1970s and 1980s (Table 5).
Most SMEs surveyed have between one and three family members involved in the business, with more than one-third of the total having two family members involved.
As to the extent that family members are investors in SMEs, survey shows the mode for this number to be either one or two family member(s) (Table 7).
In almost two-thirds of SMEs surveyed, only one family member is involved with the management of the business and 24% said two family members are involved (Table 8).
Characteristics of Entrepreneurs
The average age of entrepreneurs surveyed is 43.7 years, with almost 75% belonging to age group 30-59. Along gender lines, there seems to be an even split between men and women entrepreneurs. Along marital status, 82% are married. The average number of children is 3.4, with those having five or more children, accounting for 24% of the distribution.
Our survey reveals that Filipino entrepreneurs attained relatively high levels of education. On average, entrepreneurs had 14 years of education, which is equivalent to 2 years of post-high school education. Only 11.5% of entrepreneurs had less than a high school education (Table 13).
As regards entrepreneurs' experience in their line of business, the average is 13 years, with more than 50% having from one to nine years of business experience (Table 14). When asked about the number of years of work experience, 24 % of entrepreneurs have between one and four years of experience and almost less than 14 years of experience. The average length of work experience is 19 years (Table 15).
In the following sections, answers to the survey questions or statements (e.g., "My business is the most important activity in my life") are from 1 to 5, with 1 representing a situation where the respondent strongly disagrees with the statement being answered and 5 where the respondent strongly agrees. Questions are grouped according to the sub-headings below and, for each question, a simple average is taken.
Entrepreneurial Intensity
Entrepreneurs surveyed indicate that it is important for their businesses to make a contribution to society. They also value the idea of "being their own boss" and would be willing to pass up working for someone else, even if they expect to earn more in the latter. The survey also reveals that entrepreneurs give higher priority to their family over their business, placing more value on time spent with family.
Extent of Entrepreneur's Sacrifice
The survey reveals the extent to which entrepreneurs will bear sacrifices for their businesses. Examples of these include acquiring additional skills at their own expense and performing any task that would be helpful to their businesses. Entrepreneurs said they would be least willing to sacrifice their marriage, families, and friends.
Motivation for Starting Business
When asked what motivated them to start their own businesses, many conveyed a sense of optimism by believing that their own business will be a source of higher income and financial security for them and their families. A second reason for starting their own businesses is that it offers them a more flexible (perhaps more manageable) schedule between family and work life. Not many started their businesses because of frustration from previous job or desperation (that is, doing business is the only thing they could do).
Entrepreneur's Plan in Next Two Years
The most commonly cited business plans in the next two years are introducing new product or service and expanding the scope of current activities. Entrepreneurs surveyed are least likely to engage in offsite training of employees, replace existing equipment and upgrade their computer systems in the next two years.
SME's Effect on Entrepreneur's Quality of Life
When asked about businesses' effect on the quality of their lives, entrepreneurs replied that their businesses provided sufficient income and financial stability, as well as improved standard of living and offered a sense of having fulfilled some personal goals.
Entrepreneur's Personal Attitudes and Beliefs
Most entrepreneurs gave greater importance to the government's role of meeting everyone's needs, as well as providing employment for the masses and keeping prices stable, even at the expense of government-imposed restrictions on their businesses. Along side this view of the government's role in the economy, most entrepreneurs agreed that a good economy depends on the ability of businesses to operate profitably. Many expressed ethical concerns about making money by all means or the presence of social differences.
Difficulties Faced by Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs surveyed found stiff market competition, fatigue from long work hours, and having to balance work and family activities as the most serious difficulties they faced while operating their businesses. Many expressed comfort in having received family encouragement.
In an attempt to study factors that affect the business success of Filipino entrepreneurs, a simple regression analysis was performed using data obtained from the above survey. Largely due to limitations in data, the proxy used to measure SME success is the number of years an SME has been in business, using the year 2001 as the benchmark year and subtracting from it the year when the business was started.
On the one hand, this measure works well in distinguishing surviving SMEs from failing SMEs, at least as far as it is able to exclude SMEs that were not in existence by year 2001. On the other hand, this proxy has problems or limitations. Using this definition, although an SME that has been in business the longest may be viewed as most successful, the converse is not necessarily true, i.e., a new or start-up SME cannot be necessarily viewed as less successful but perhaps simply not having existed long enough to show whether it will succeed or fail. Ideally, profit rates will make a better measure of business success. Unfortunately, privacy issues and the delicate nature of this type of information make them unavailable and difficult to obtain. For these reasons, the reader must exercise caution in interpreting the regression results below. In some cases, the limitations of the SME success variable affect the interpretation of the results.
As for sample size, although 88 surveys were completed, some observations were incomplete (the respondents declined to answer some survey questions) so that only 65 observations were actually included in the regression model.
The regression equation is as follows:
SME SUCCESS = [a.sub.0] + [a.sub.1]AGE + [a.sub.2]MALE + [a.sub.3]MARRIED + [a.sub.4]EDUC + [a.sub.5]PURCHASE + [a.sub.6]ORIGINATE + [a.sub.7]SOLO + [a.sub.8]PARTNER + [a.sub.9]INTENSITY + [a.sub.10]SACRIFICE
The next section discusses each explanatory or independent variable of the above regression model and the expected sign of the corresponding regression coefficient.
The variable "AGE" indicates the age of primary entrepreneur, and its regression coefficient, [a.sub.1], may be either positive or negative: Older entrepreneurs have more experience and tend to be more successful. Younger entrepreneurs are more energetic, dynamic, and perhaps creative, all of which contribute to the success of the business. Keep in mind that the average age of entrepreneurs is 43 years old.
"MALE" is a dummy variable used to indicate the gender of the primary entrepreneur, where male entrepreneur (=1) or female entrepreneur (=0). The corresponding regression coefficient, [a.sub.2] may be positive, negative, or zero.
"MARRIED" is a dummy variable that captures that marital status of the primary entrepreneur where married entrepreneur (=1) or non-married entrepreneur (=0). Non-married entrepreneurs include both never married and separated (Note that divorce is not legal in the Philippines). The regression coefficient, [a.sub.3], may be either positive or negative: single entrepreneurs have more time to devote to their business, which will help them be more successful while married entrepreneurs have more stake on their businesses (as they and their families rely more on their businesses) and a greater determination to make their businesses successful.
"EDUC" represents the primary entrepreneur's number of years of education, and its regression coefficient, [a.sub.4], is expected to be positive: a more educated entrepreneur is more likely to be successful than a less educated one.
"PURCHASE" is a dummy variable that indicates whether the SME was acquired through purchase (=1) or not (=0). "ORIGINATE" is a dummy variable for whether SME was founded by the primary entrepreneur (=1) or not (=0). SMEs that are neither purchased nor originated are mostly inherited, which serves as the control variable. There are no a priori reasons to expect the regression coefficients [a.sub.5] and [a.sub.6] to be either positive or negative.
"SOLO" is a dummy variable that represents whether the SME is a sole proprietorship (=1) or not (=0). Similarly, "PARTNER" is a dummy variable for whether SME is a partnership (=1) or not (=0). SMEs that are neither sole proprietorship nor partnership are corporations (the control variable). The regression coefficients [a.sub.7] and [a.sub.8] may be positive or negative. Although a sole proprietor might work hard because all gains accrue to him/her and, as a result, be more successful, a partnership or corporation has more resources available for the business to support the business' operation and expansion and make it more successful.
The variable "INTENSITY" is intended to capture the primary entrepreneur's drive toward or determination to start and operate his/her own business. Its regression coefficient, [a.sub.9], is expected to be positive: a more determined entrepreneur is more likely to succeed.
"SACRIFICE" is the explanatory variable that represents the trade-offs that the primary entrepreneur is willing to make or the additional resources (such as hours, efforts) that he/she are willing to supply in the desire to start and operate a successful business. The regression coefficient, [a.sub.10], is expected to be positive: a rational entrepreneur weighs the costs ("sacrifice") of his/her business relative to the benefits from it. An entrepreneur is willing to make greater sacrifices if these are rewarding and compensated by greater business success.
An OLS regression model is performed and the following results are obtained (Table 16):
The regression results suggest the following profile of a successful entrepreneur: older, male, less educated, one who inherited or originated the business, a sole proprietor, and one who has a strong drive toward owning his business. Although the majority of this profile is consistent with one's expectations, some require further explanations.
First, the result that male entrepreneurs are likely to be more successful than female entrepreneurs might not be accurate. The question of who owns the business does not correspond perfectly with who makes the business successful. It is possible that the ownership was determined by who took care of processing the required paperwork (such as obtaining a business license) through government offices. Casual observation of married entrepreneurs suggests that the wife are more likely to run the business while the husbands are more likely (and perhaps are more effective) to deal with the bureaucracy associated with taking care of the legal requirements of the business.
Second, successful entrepreneurs tend to be less educated is opposite of what one might expect. We suspect this to be due to the limitation associated with how SME success is defined in this study. What this result might be suggesting is not so much that the more educated entrepreneurs are less successful but rather that newer businesses are started and operated by more educated entrepreneurs. This is consistent with a more optimistic economic and political environment since 1986 and moreso in the 1990s, owing partly to the effects of advancements in computing and the business opportunities that stem from them, which require a higher level of education. Such opportunities were obviously not available in the past (say, ten or more years before the survey was taken). In short, older businesses (which are proxied as being more successful) are more traditional and required less education of the entrepreneur while newer businesses are more high-tech and require a more educated entrepreneur
Third, entrepreneurs that inherited or originated their businesses are more successful than those who purchased their businesses from someone else. For inherited businesses, entrepreneurs have greater determination and will work harder to preserve the family tradition and nurture the family name or association with the business. For originated businesses, entrepreneurs also work harder to make a success of their businesses as they consider their businesses as their own creation, perhaps an extension of themselves, or a future legacy they could leave their family. Hence, these businesses are more likely to succeed than those businesses that were purchased from someone else.
Fourth, our results show that a sole proprietorship is likely to be more successful that a partnership or corporation. This might be suggestive that an entrepreneur who is solely responsible for both gains and losses of the business has a greater incentive and determination to make a success of the business in order to fully enjoy its rewards and to avoid the alternative, which is to fully bear the liability of a business loss.
That the age of the entrepreneur is found to be a significant determinant of SME success may be because of the definition of SME success, the number of years that the business has been in operation. Obviously, businesses that have been around longer are likely to have older owners, although one might still argue that older entrepreneurs have greater experience in the business and are more likely to be successful (The correlation coefficient between entrepreneur's age and years of experience is positive and high (0.73)). Hence, caution must be taken in interpreting this result.
Since the survey of Filipino SMEs presented in this study was completed in 2002, changes have taken place in the area of what was referred to in a previous section as "Policymakers' Perspective on SME". In mid-2002, the National SME Development Agenda was introduced (this agenda is known in the Pilipino language-Tagalog dialect as "Sulong Pinoy", where "Sulong" means move forward and "Pinoy" is a affectionate short-cut for the Filipino people). This agenda was a statement by the Philippine government to explicitly include SME development and support as a top priority of its strategy to pursue overall economic development for the country.
One and a half years later and with the support of from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the National SME Development Agenda was further reinforced and formalized by the preparation of a 125-paged document entitled "SME Development Plan (2004-2010)". These and related documents, including examples of individual SME stories, can now be accessed from the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry website (www.dti.gov.ph). This document also provides an updated definition of SMEs, which was effective since January 2003. While SME definition based on the number of employees remains the same, SMEs definition by value of total assets increased to the range of between three and one-hundred million pesos from the former range of between one and forty million pesos. In particular, the following SME definitions as well as micro-enterprise definitions are currently in use:
Micro-enterprises have up to three million pesos in total assets (or $56,844, at the exchange rate of 52.776 pesos to the U.S. dollar on July 5, 2006, information provided by the Central Bank of the Philippines) Small-enterprises have between three and fifteen million pesos (or $56,844 - $284,220) in total assets Medium-enterprises have between fifteen and one-hundred million pesos (or $284,220 - $1.89 million) in total assets
Also in 2002 (in November), the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises Act (also known as Republic Act 9178) was passed ("barangay" is an administrative unit equivalent to town or village). This act is designed to replace a previous law and to encourage micro-enterprise development and continue operation through fiscal incentives and simplified procedures. The above law, together with the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises of 1991/1996, makes up the cornerstone of the Philippine government's SME policies.
To what extent these policy changes have had an impact of Filipino SMEs is yet to be seen. At the time of this writing, casual observation and anecdotal references do not seem to indicate any noticeable impact of the above policy changes. A skeptic might draw from this the conclusion that these policy changes are just as ineffective as those before them and that the timing of their introduction was anticipatory of a presidential election and hence suspicious (President Arroyo was vice president to Estrada and took office to serve Estrada's unfinished term. Arroyo won the presidential election in May 2004 but her victory was later contested on grounds of election fraud). In due time, it will be of particular interest to the three perspectives on SME above noted (namely, those by policymakers, by the SME owners, and by academicians and scholars) to evaluate and quantify, if possible, any impact that the above changes might have on SME development and performance in the Philippines.
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Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation, Inc. and University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (1998), Dreamers, Doers, Risktakers: Entrepreneurial Case Stories, Philippines: SERDEF.
Maria Claret M. Ruane, Alfred University
Table 1: Average Number of Employees Number of Employees Number of SMEs Percent of Total 01 to 09 42 60.0% 10 to 19 13 18.6% 20 to 29 8 11.4% 30 to 39 3 4.3% 40 to 49 1 1.4% 50 + 3 4.3% Number of Respondents = 70 Table 2: SMEs by Type of Industry Type of Industry Number of SMEs Percent of Total Service 6 7.1% Retail 38 45.2% Finance 2 2.4% Transport 4 4.8% Professional 4 4.8% Distributor 10 11.9% Manufacturing 12 14.3% Construction 2 2.4% Computer 1 1.2% Other 5 6.0% Number of Respondents = 84 Table 3: SMEs by Type of Business Type of Business Number of SMEs Percent of Total Sole Proprietorship 72 82.8% Partnership 8 9.2% Corporation 7 8.0% Number of Respondents = 87 Table 4: How Entrepreneur Came to Own the Business Method of Acquiring Business Number of SMEs Percent of Total Purchase 14 16.3% Originate 55 64.0% Inherit 16 18.6% Other 1 1.2% Number of Respondents = 86 Table 5: Year When Business Was Started Year Number of SMEs Percent of Total 1900-1959 2 2.4% 1960-1969 5 5.9% 1970-1979 13 15.3% 1980-1989 17 20.0% 1990-1994 17 20.0% 1995-1999 28 32.9% 2000 + 3 3.5% Numbers of Respondents = 85 Table 6: Family Members Involved in the Business Number of Family Member(s) Number of SMEs Percent of Total 0 2 2.5% 1 16 20.0% 2 27 33.8% 3 12 15.0% 4 10 12.5% 5 7 8.8% 6+ 6 7.5% Number of Respondents = 80 Table 7: Family Member who Provided Financing in the Business Family Member(s) who Provided Financing Number of SMEs Percent of Total 0 4 7.0% 1 23 40.4% 2 21 36.8% 3 2 3.5% 4 2 3.5% 5 2 3.5% 6 0 0.0% 7+ 3 5.3% Number of Respondents = 57 Table 8: Family Member(s) Involved in Management Number of Family Member(s) as Manager(s) Number of SMEs Percent of Total 0 2 2.9% 1 44 64.7% 2 16 23.5% 3+ 6 8.8% Number of Respondents = 68 Table 9: Entrepreneur's Age Age Group Number of Entrepreneurs Percent of Total 20-29 13 15.3% 30-39 19 22.4% 40-49 24 28.2% 50-59 21 24.7% 60-69 6 7.1% 70+ 2 2.4% Number of Respondents = 85 Table 10: Entrepreneur's Gender Gender Type Number of Entrepreneurs Percent of Total Female 43 50.6% Male 42 49.4% Number of Respondents = 85 Table 11: Entrepreneur's Marital Status Marital Status Number of Entrepreneurs Percent of Total Single 12 13.6% Married 72 81.8% Separated 4 4.5% Divorced 0 0.0% Number of Respondents = 88 Table 12: Entrepreneur's Children Number of Children Number of Entrepreneurs Percent of Total Zero 9 9.8% One 18 19.6% Two 16 17.4% Three 18 19.6% Four 9 9.8% Five + 22 23.9% Number of Respondents = 82 When asked whether either at least one parent is an entrepreneur, 53% answered "no". Table 13: Entrepreneur's Education Years of Schooling Number of Entrepreneurs Percent of Total Less than 9 4 5.8% 9 0 0.0% 10 3 4.3% 11 1 1.4% 12 (high school) 18 26.1% 13 4 5.8% 14 6 8.7% 15 3 4.3% 16 (college) 21 30.4% 17 1 1.4% 18 1 1.4% 19 7 10.1% Number of Respondents = 69 Table 14: Years of Business Experience Years of Experience in Line of Business Number of Entrepreneurs Percent of Total 01 to 04 22 26.5% 05 to 09 20 24.1% 10 to 14 11 13.3% 15 to 19 5 6.0% 20 to 24 14 16.9% 25 to 29 4 4.8% 30 to 34 3 3.6% 35 to 39 0 0.0% 40 + 4 4.8% Number of Respondents = 83 Table 15: Years of Work Experience Years of Work Experience Number of Entrepreneurs Percent of Total 01 to 04 18 23.4% 05 to 09 11 14.3% 10 to 14 8 10.4% 15 to 19 2 2.6% 20 to 24 11 14.3% 25 to 29 7 9.1% 30 to 34 6 7.8% 35 to 39 2 2.6% 40 + 12 15.6% Number of Respondents = 77 Table 16: Regression Results (Dependent Variable: SME SUCCESS; Sample Size: 65 Observations) Independent Variables Coefficient Std. Error t-Statistic p-value CONSTANT -27.54 ** 12.69 -2.17 0.03 AGE 0.65 *** 0.11 5.91 0.00 MALE 4.46 * 2.42 1.84 0.07 MARRIED -3.72 3.27 -1.14 0.26 EDUCATION -0.67 * 0.39 -1.73 0.09 PURCHASE -7.26 * 3.89 -1.87 0.07 ORIGINATE -4.87 3.03 -1.61 0.11 SOLO 8.45 ** 4.19 2.02 0.05 PARTNER -1.09 5.74 -0.19 0.85 INTENSITY 3.21 ** 1.46 2.20 0.03 SACRIFICE 3.59 2.47 1.45 0.15 R-squared 0.52 Mean 12.95 dependent variable Adjusted R- 0.43 S.D. 11.32 squared dependent variable S.E. of 8.57 Akaike info 7.29 regression criterion Sum squared 3965.95 Schwarz 7.66 residual criterion Log likelihood -225.84 F-statistic 5.76 Durbin- 1.99 Prob 0.00 Watson (F-statistic) statistic In Table 16, note that *, **, *** indicate that coefficients are statistically significant at the 10%, 5%, and 1% level. Regression analysis is processed using the latest version of E-views.
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Title Annotation: | MANUSCRIPTS |
Author: | Ruane, Maria Claret M. |
Publication: | International Journal of Entrepreneurship |
Geographic Code: | 9PHIL |
Date: | Jan 1, 2007 |
Words: | 6556 |
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Bill Cosby isn't going down without a fight. So says Bill Cosby. The embattled 77-year-old actor issued … More » Bill Cosby: 'I'm Far From Finished'
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Story: Feb 11, 2015
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Cinematheque . Film Schedule . Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
United States | 2013 | Sam Fleischner
A 13-year-old Mexican-American boy with Asperger's syndrome wanders into the NYC subway system, losing himself for days in the cacophony, strangeness, and menace of the underground. Back home in Rockaway Beach, his undocumented mother frantically tries to locate him—as Hurricane Sandy approaches the city. This acclaimed, impressionistic, suspenseful indie drama may one day be remembered as one of the great New York movies. "Critic's Pick…A small miracle of a film." -The NY Times.
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Adam Schefter from ESPN said that the Jets are "determined" to deal cornerback Darrelle Revis before next month's draft.Fantasy Spin:Revis' trade value would have been significantly higher if he hadn't torn his ACL last season. Atlanta, Detroit, San Francisco and Tampa Bay have all been mentioned as potential landing spots for the Pro Bowl corner.
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Lyrics » Mirah Lyrics » Small Town Lyrics |
Lyrics Depot is your source of lyrics to Small Town by Mirah. Please check back for more Mirah lyrics. |
Small Town LyricsArtist: MirahAlbum: You Think It's Like This But Really It's Like This I'll see you around I wish you'd move Fall in a hole I wish you'd go It's a small town It's a small town
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Poquoson budgeted $2,300 this year for membership and dues for its Finance Department. The city pays dues to be a member of the national Government Finance Officers' Association and the Virginia Government Finance Officers' Association, said Theresa Owens, finance director for the city.
Most weekday mornings, the Krispy Kreme donut shop at the busy intersection of Mercury Boulevard and Big Bethel Road in Hampton is packed with customers getting their morning coffee and breakfast, and discussing the day's news.
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance has requested additional money from surrounding localities and up to a 90 percent increase in funding from York County.
The City of Poquoson budgeted $25,000 for computer consulting this year. The majority of the money is paid to BAI Municipal Software, the company that supports the city's financial management software called Bright, said Theresa Owens, finance director for the city.
WILLIAMSBURG – Two York County residents were arrested and charged with crimes related to felony larceny and abduction on the morning of Feb. 10 in Williamsburg.
Snow days piling up this week could become painful spring days for students still at their desks.
Two men are facing multiple charges, possibly felonies, and action by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission after officers discovered hundreds of poached protected fish over the weekend.
The Poquoson Police Department is searching for a woman who allegedly stole a bottle of alcohol at 4:58 p.m. on Jan. 22 from the Virginia ABC Store on Wythe Creek Road in Poquoson.
During a ride along with York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office Lt. Brian Eckstein the Daily Press saw the Virginia Department of Transportation clearing Route 17 and private companies clearing company parking lots. But back roads in the county remained covered in snow.
Folks from the Hampton Roads area came out to historic Yorktown Thursday with plastic sleds, cardboard and inner tubes to race down a hill off of Main Street.
In the midst of another winter storm the York County School Division has put its snow makeup day plan on hold, said York County School Board Chairman Mark Medford on Wednesday.
York County School Board member Cindy Kirschke announced Sunday that she is seeking a second term on the board as the District 2 representative.
Five local lawyers and one local judge spoke before a joint panel of the Courts of Justice committee on Monday, making their case as to why they should get judicial seats in Newport News and York County.
In a few months, a pair of small unmanned drones will soar over forests and swamps in southwestern Nigeria, their onboard cameras scanning the ground for the remains of a lost civilization.
NEWPORT NEWS — It was the highest-profile piece of undeveloped land in the city — and the value of the 44 acres at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Oyster Point Road has plunged and soared with developer John R. Lawson's ability to negotiate a good price — and new zoning.
$329,697 for engineering
MATHEWS — Mathews County Public Schools will have a new leader at the end of this school year, and it is one of the division's own.
WILLIAMSBURG - Officials in Williamsburg-James City Schools on Wednesday announced a plan to make up for lost school time.
Hampton City Schools will make up four days missed last week due to inclement weather by using two makeup days at the end of the school year and extending two early release days, according to a statement from school district spokeswoman Diana Gulotta.
Christopher Newport University's Board of Visitors approved resolutions on Feb. 20 for debt issuance to expand dining facilities, construct residential housing and build residence hall VII on campus. The state essentially lends the money to CNU to build the residence halls, which is then repaid...
Virginia has enjoyed huge oyster harvests for the past two seasons, taking in 504,000 bushels last year and 409,000 the year before that. The season now winding down looks healthy, too.
Steve Jurczyk, director of NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton for less than a year, has been promoted to head the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Scientists have a handle on what happens to air pollution spewing from tailpipes and smokestacks in the summer when sunlight and moisture can quickly interact with and transform key pollutants.
Back in 1977, waterman J.C. West saw something you used to see once in a generation or two: the mighty James and York rivers frozen over.
GLOUCESTER – Construction crews will begin work Tuesday to widen a portion of Burleigh Road in Gloucester County and remove a tricky curve. The reconstruction will close roughly a quarter of a mile of the route and detour traffic for 10 weeks.
MIDDLESEX – The proposal to build a firearms training facility in northern Middlesex County has been withdrawn, according to Planning Director Wally Horton.
Feb. 24 update: Gloucester High School's VEX Robotics Team will be competing in the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship to be held April 15-18 in Louisville, Kentucky. Both teams A and B had a successful weekend at the Virginia State VEX Robotics Competition in Doswell, Virginia,...


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World-renowned designer Barbara Bui has been one of the leading lights of Paris' fashion scene since 1983, when she opened her first studio-boutique on the rue de Turbigo. Marked by muted hues and spot-on construction, the Barbara Bui aesthetic relies heavily on hard-edged, rock-and-roll details. Her recent ready-to-wear collections boast much in the way of asymmetry, tuxedo accents, second-skin fits and chic color-blocking. Just as razor-sharp are Bui's accessories — a tightly edited group of rockabilly boots, sacs (bags) and shawls, plus an array of chain-heavy jewelry — and her sleek, sexy shoes and boots.
Jimmy Choo and Casadei headline a collection of sublime dream heels and more.
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Tabitha Simmons. Rachel Roy. Giuseppe Zanotti. These are just a few of the designers we've rounded up in this curated crop of our absolute favorites. You'll find some of this season's hottest trends on offer — hello, metal-capped pumps — as well as classic picks you'll wear season after season, from embellished ballet flats and loafers to sleek black booties and wedges.


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Second Glance: All aboard - Oct. 28, 2012
Find the 12 differences between the original photograph, top, and the altered photograph, center. Answers at bottom. (Degree of difficulty: Advanced.) For more Second Glance puzzles, click here and here.
Second Glance puzzle by Randy Mays. Original photograph by David C. Kennedy; the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry at Maryland's Port of Oxford in September.


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The Myrtles....is it really haunted? Posted by Rougarou4lsu on 5/23 at 10:07 am You've probably seen it on TV being investigated by "paranormal experts" Or maybe you've toured it yourself. Do you believe it's really haunted? Hmmm? Thought it was also time to reopen this thread based on the feeling that some of you OTers are on the fence and a few more believers are coming forward with more evidence. This post was edited on 10/21 at 10:17 am Reply Back to Top |
Posted by JS87 on 5/23 at 10:11 am to Rougarou4lsu I have a friend who went and stayed for a weekend over there. She said she heard creepy noises at night, but didn't see anything. Reply Back to Top |
Posted by BooneTrails on 5/23 at 10:13 am to JS87 Grandmother lived there for a summer when she was young. Lot's of stories that don't make sense. So yes. I do. Reply Back to Top |
Posted by HeadChange on 5/23 at 10:13 am to Rougarou4lsu Depends on how old you areReply Back to Top |
Posted by Monday on 5/23 at 10:15 am to Rougarou4lsu Went eat dinner (overpriced BTW) and toured it. I don't believe it's haunted but I'm no expert.Reply Back to Top |
Posted by Jack Bauer7 on 5/23 at 10:16 am to Monday no it's notReply Back to Top |
Posted by Rougarou4lsu on 5/23 at 10:17 am to HeadChange quote: What's that got to do with it? Reply Back to Top |
Posted by WikiTiger on 5/23 at 10:17 am to Rougarou4lsu No. /thread Reply Back to Top |
Posted by Peazey on 5/23 at 10:17 am to Rougarou4lsu I went there for a weekend when I was younger with my family. It was funny watching people get freaked out about "cold spots" when they were just standing next to the A/C vent. I don't beleive in ghosts, so I'm going with no. It is not haunted. It was interesting to visit an old plantation though. Reply Back to Top |
Posted by AnonymousTiger on 5/23 at 10:18 am to Rougarou4lsu Image: https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQtVtccnGh91O8lFNSW5fYgQWJqiV63REt3wPGdDfoRQHqmVKVnReply Back to Top |
Posted by PhiTiger1764 on 5/23 at 10:18 am to Rougarou4lsu I don't believe in haunted buildings. Reply Back to Top |
Posted by Spaulding Smails on 5/23 at 10:25 am to Rougarou4lsu Ghosts are silly Believing in them is even more silly Reply Back to Top |
Posted by HeadChange on 5/23 at 10:26 am to Rougarou4lsu quote: Little kids with vivid imaginations or senile old people will believe it's haunted. And irrational adults too, I guess. Reply Back to Top |
Posted by pooponsaban on 5/23 at 10:27 am to Rougarou4lsu frick yeah it's haunted! Do you beileve in zombies? Like really believe? Reply Back to Top |
Posted by BugAC on 5/23 at 10:28 am to Rougarou4lsu quote: went there for a day tour. Based on the tour, i would say no. They basically justified theft of jewelry and watches, and blamed it on the ghosts. They stated that the ghost loves watches and jewelry, and have been known for lifting them right off of your wrist. Also, we went to the main room, or whatever it was called, and the guide walked over to a couch and said, "you see, these indentations on the couch? no matter how many times we fluff the couch, there is always a mark there as if someone just sat in it." Or, someone sat on the couch before the tour started, jackass. Reply Back to Top |
I am from the area, and have spent the night in one of the rooms before. They have some entertaining stories, and when you spend the night, you are left there alone with no electronics, so it's pretty freaking creepy. I don't believe in ghosts, but hearing animals run across the roof at night will creep you out. Reply Back to Top |
I live on part of the original plantation grounds. Yes it's haunted. Without a doubt it's haunted. From my own personal experiences and from discussions with a 7 year old boy who used to live in the house. Reply Back to Top |
Posted by Spaulding Smails on 5/23 at 10:37 am to BugAC I love these ghost threads...I like hearing ghost stories because they entertain me and they have some history behind them, but it's even better watching some people go full retard to prove they exist Reply Back to Top |
Posted by GeauxTigerTM on 5/23 at 10:38 am to WikiTiger quote: This thread will go pages, but this is obviously the answer. Reply Back to Top |
Posted by Broke on 5/23 at 10:39 am to GeauxTigerTM Maybe somebody can explain why my riding lawnmower was turned upside down in my locked shop with a note taped to it that read: "From the ghosts brah". Explain that.Reply Back to Top Refresh |
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Make Your "Five-Oh" Go Faster and Smoother
Learn how to pump up the volume in your pony.
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V-8 power makes this the best C1 ever.
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The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum auction by RM Auctions featured some interesting finds.
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The world's first cloned sniffer dogs have begun training in South Korea. Seven puppies have been created using cells taken from a labrador considered by customs officials to be their best sniffer dog. The puppies were born last year after the country's customs service paid a biotechnology company to reproduce a Canadian Labrador Retriever. Their handlers say they are already showing the same high level of skill as the original dog.Read more down at the BBC.
Ruling Knocks Down Challenge to 2012 L.A. Redistricting
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I just thought this was funny as hell and had to share.
Along I-35 near Wyoming, Minnesota there is a huge billboard with George W. Bush on it with the caption, "Miss Me Yet?"
Speculation has run wild with folks wondering who actually paid for this billboard. According to Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Collins, who has done some investigative work, it seems that, Mary Teske, the general manager of Schubert & Hoey Outdoor Advertising reports, "The Bush Miss Me Yet? billboard was paid for by a group of small business owners who feel like Washington is against them. They wish to remain anonymous. They thought it was a fun way of getting out their message."
So there you have it.
James is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of HicksNewMedia, a Digital Publishing and Technology Consulting team providing effective and relevant solutions to individuals and businesses looking to more effective utilize the social interweb. Follow him on Twitter and on Facebook.
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The same billboard is here in NC as well.


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Upcoming Events
March 10, 2015
Race & Children's Literature Symposium, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN
"Was the Cat in the Hat Black?: Structures of Racism in Children's Literature." Keynote. 4:15 pm, Watson Forum.
Also, come and hear the great Michelle Martin's talk, "From the Kitchen to the Edges: Hair Representations in African American Children's Picture Books," at 7:30 pm in Prindle Auditorium.
Both talks are free and open to the public!
June 18-20, 2015
Children's Literature Association Annual Conference, Richmond, VA
"Is This 2015 or 1965?: Structures of Racism in Children's Literature." Paper. Details TBA.
August 8-12, 2015
Biennial Conference of the International Research Society for Children's Literature, University of Worcester, UK
"Childhoods 'outside the boundaries of imagination': Race, Genre, and the Segregation of African American Children's Literature." Paper. Details TBA.
February 13, 2015
Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Conference, Albuquerque, NM
Round table session on three SP/ACA Rollins Award Winners: my Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature, Kimberley Monteyne's Hip Hop on Film: Performance Culture, Urban Space, and Genre Transformation in the 1980s, and Justin S. Vaughn and Lilly J. Goren's Women and the White House: Gender, Popular Culture, and Presidential Politics. 9:45 am – 11:15 am, Sendero II.
I'm told there will be a book-signing afterwards.
November 9, 2014
American Studies Association Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA
"How to Read Uncomfortably: Affect, Power, and Resisting Racist Children's Books." 12:00 pm, Westin Bonaventure, San Gabriel C (L1).
September 26, 2014
Rowayton Historical Society, Rowayton, CT
"Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature." 7:30 pm, Rowayton Community Center, 33 Highland Ave., Rowayton.
September 24, 2014
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
"Not So Simple: The Genius of Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon." 4:00 pm, Co-op Bookstore at Storrs Center.
July 24-27, 2014
I'll be at the Fantagraphics booth (#1718), signing Barnaby books (which I co-edited with Eric Reynolds). Currently available: Barnaby Volume One: 1942-1943 (2013) and Barnaby Volume Two: 1944-1945 (2014).
Schedule of my signings (and the far more illustrious people who will be signing at the same time):
- Thursday, July 24, 4-6 pm: Don Rosa + Phil Nel + Trina Robbins (4-5 pm)
- Friday, July 25, 9 am-10 am: Phil Nel
- Sunday, July 27, 9:30-11 am: Paul Hornschemeier + Trina Robbins
Stop on by, even if it's just to say hi!
Oh, and click here for full schedule of Fantagraphics authors & editors.
July 2, 2014
Australasian Children's Literature Association for Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
"What We Talk About When We Talk About Race: Affect, Racism, and Classic Children's Books" (paper). 11 a.m.
June 20-21, 2014
Children's Literature Association Annual Conference, Columbia, SC
"Dreaming in Red: Russia and the Soviet Union in Anglo-American Children's Literature, 1905-1945″ (chair of panel, featuring panelists Julia Mickenberg, Kim Reynolds, and Jane Rosen). June 20, 11 a.m.
April 27, 2014
Academic Freedom and Responsibility in the Age of Social Media, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
"Fighting for Freedom of Speech: The First Amendment Under Attack." 3:30 pm, Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union.
January 11, 2014
Modern Language Association. Chicago, IL
"Queer Youth: Sexuality and Adolescent Transformations" (panel chair; session organized by Kristen Proehl). Features a response from Sarah Sahn, and these 3 papers:
- "The Queer Case against Willa Cather's Paul," Adam Sonstegard, Cleveland State Univ.
- "Queer Sentiments: Tomboys and Familial Belonging in Carson McCullers's The Member of the Wedding," Kristen Proehl, State Univ. of New York, Brockport
- "When Queer Isn't So Queer: The Absent Adolescent in the Work of David Levithan," Kent Baxter, California State Univ., Northridge
12:00 noon, Chicago F, Chicago Marriott.
November 24, 2013
American Studies Association Annual Meeting. Washington, DC
"Laughing from the Left: Crockett Johnson's Barnaby, and the Limits of Satire as a Means of Dissent" (paper, on panel "When Does Laughter Liberate?: Humor and Dissent in 20th-Century Popular Culture," which features papers by Juniper Ellis, Gary Richards, and a response from Lori Brooks). 8:00 am, Washington Hilton / A – Albright.
October 24-25, 2013
University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
"Not So Simple: The Genius of Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon" (invited talk). Oct. 24, 3:30 pm.
"Was the Cat in the Hat Black?: Seuss and Race in the 1950s" (seminar). Oct. 25, 12:00 pm.
October 21, 2013
New York Comics & Picture-story Symposium, Parsons School, New York, NY
"Crockett Johnson's Barnaby: The Greatest Comic Strip You've Never Read" (invited talk). 8:00 pm, Parsons School (2 West 13th Street), in the Bark Room (off the lobby). Free and open to the public.
October 19, 2013
Bookfest @ Bank Street, Bank Street School of Education, New York, NY
"Ruth Krauss, Crockett Johnson, and Other Little Rebels: Philip Nel in conversation with Lindsey Wyckoff." 9:35 am, Auditorium.
August 12-13, 2013
Biennial Conference of the International Research Society for Children's Literature. Maastricht, Netherlands
"Whiteness, Nostalgia, and Fantastic Flying Books: The Disappearance of Race in William Joyce" (paper). 12 Aug. 2013.
"Keywords for Children's Literature: A Roundtable Discussion": panel session co-chaired with Lissa Paul, and featuring Nina Alonso, Nina Christensen, Francesca Orestano, Emer O'Sullivan. 13 Aug. 2013.
June 25, 2013
Visual/Verbal Texts Symposium. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
"'He came up thinking fast'; or, How does Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon work" (invited).
June 14, 2013
Children's Literature Association Annual Conference. Biloxi, MS
"Manifesto for a Comics-Children's Literature Alliance" (as part of a panel titled "Taking a Risk: Manifestos for Children's Literature," which also features manifestos from Robin Bernstein, Marah Gubar, and Karin Westman).
March 22, 2013
Washington University, St. Louis, MO
"Was the Cat in the Hat Black? Seuss and Race in the 1950s."
March 18, 2013
College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
"Was the Cat in the Hat Black? Seuss and Race in the 1950s."
November 16, 2012
American Studies Association Annual Meeting. San Juan, Puerto Rico
"Getting a Race-Lift: Whitewashing, Marketing, and Resistance in Children's Literature" (as part of a panel session titled "Black, White, or Other?: Reading Race, Constructing Childhood in American Popular Culture"). 10:00 am, Puerto Rico Convention Center, 101A.
October 27, 2012
Children's Literary Salon, New York Public Library, New York, NY
"Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature." 2 p.m., Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, South Court Auditorium.
September 29, 2012
Children's Literature and the European Avant-Garde, Linköpings University, Norrköping, Sweden
"Surrealism for Children: Paradoxes and Possibilities" (invited talk). 2 pm.
September 15, 2012
Small Press Expo, Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Bethesda, MD
"Crockett Johnson's Barnaby and the American Clear Line School" (panelist), with Daniel Clowes, Mark Newgarden, and Chris Ware. 12 pm, White Flint Auditorium.
"Comics as Children's Literature" (moderator). Panel features Renée French, Françoise Mouly, Mark Newgarden, and Brian Ralph. 5 pm, White Flint Auditorium.
August 24, 2012
Nordic Children's Literature – A New Research Question? Oslo, Norway
"Keywords for Children's Literature: Mapping the Critical Moment" (keynote), with Lissa Paul.
June 14, 2012
Children's Literature Association Annual Conference. Boston, MA
"Don't Judge a Book by Its Color: Whitewashing, Race, and Resistance" (as part of a panel session, "Slipstreams of Race: Whiteness and Children's Literature").
March 26, 2012
Illinois State University, Normal, IL
"Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature." Lois Lenski Lecture. 7 p.m., 138 Schroeder Hall. Free and open to the public.
March 23, 2012
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
"Harry Potter: A Cultural Biography." 1:30 pm, 501 Cathedral of Learning.
January 7, 2012
Modern Language Association, Seattle, WA
"Not Genres, but Modes of Graphic Narrative: Comics and Picture Books" (as part of a panel session on "Why Comics Are and Are Not Picture Books"). 5:15 p.m., 303 Washington State Convention Center.
January 5, 2012
Modern Language Association, Seattle, WA
"Filling the Gaps: The Future of Keywords for Children's Literature": panel session co-chaired with Lissa Paul, and featuring Jack Zipes (on "Fairy Tale"), Karin Westman (on "Genre"), and Kelly Hager and Talia C. Schaffer (on "Family"). 1:45 p.m., 205 Washington State Convention Center.
November 11, 2011
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
"Accidental Experts: Strategy, Serendipity, and the Places You'll Go," with Karin Westman. 2:10-3:45 p.m. Buttrick Hall 309.
October 26, 2011
Cambridge Festival of Ideas, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
"Keywords for Children's Literature," with Lissa Paul. (Lissa will be there, physically; I'll be participating via Skype.) 5:00-7:30 pm GMT. East Road, Lord Ashcroft Building, LAB 107.
October 23, 2011
American Studies Association, Baltimore, MD
"Re-Imagining America: Jeff Smith, Herman Melville, and American Dreamscapes," co-presented with Jennifer A. Hughes (as part of a panel session on "Transforming Melville"), 8 a.m., Hilton Baltimore: Douglass.
July 5, 2011
International Research Society for Children's Literature, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
"Erasing Race to Keep Kids Safe?: The Ideological Effects of Bowdlerizing Children's Literature" (second paper on panel session), 5 p.m., room Z306.
June 25, 2011
Children's Literature Association Conference, Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
"Radical Children's Literature Now!" (keynote), co-presented with Julia Mickenberg. 10 a.m., Babcock Auditorium, Dana.
November 20, 2010
American Studies Association, San Antonio, TX
"The Hope in the Joke: The Politics of Laughter in Dr. Seuss" (as part of a panel on "Laughing at Power: Subversive Humor in American Visual Culture"), 12:00 p.m., Grand Hyatt: Presidio C.
October 19, 2010
Young Harris College, Young Harris, GA
"Q&A," 3:30 p.m., Wilson Lecture Hall.
"Harry Potter: A Cultural Biography," 7 p.m., Wilson Lecture Hall.
October 11, 2010
Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI
"Dr. Seuss, American Icon: The Legacy of Theodor Seuss Geisel," 7 p.m., Park Library Auditorium.
Older Invited Talks and Conference Papers are listed on my CV.


text:
Easter devotions are here! Sign up for our Lent and Easter email devotions.
(whom God restores).
+ A priest in the time of King David eleventh in the order of the "governors" of the sanctuary. (1 Chronicles 24:12)
+ One of the latest descendants of the royal family of Judah. (1 Chronicles 3:24)
+ High priest at Jerusalem at the time of the rebuilding of the walls under Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 3:1,20,21) (B.C. 446.)
+ A singer in the time of Ezra who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:24)
+ A son of Zattu, (Ezra 10:27) and
+ A son of Bani, (Ezra 10:36) both of whom had transgressed in the same manner. (B.C. 458.)


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The Biology of Marijuana
From Gene to Behavior
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Marijuana is the prototypical cannabinoid, and is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Interestingly, cannabinoids are molecules found naturally in the human body and brain as well as in cannabis.This book provides an extensive reference on the biology of marijuana and the role of molecular techniques in elucidating neuropharmacological aspects of cannabinoid receptors and the endogenous compounds that act upon them. Contributions from experts from around the world describe the interaction of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids on a wide range of biological functions including movement, memory and learning, pain, emotions, endocrine functions and many more. The Biology of Marijuana: From Gene to Behavior will be of interest to all scientists and clinicians interested in the biological effects and pharmacology of this drug. less
CRC Press; August 2003
656 pages; ISBN 9780203219133
Read online, or download in secure PDF format
Title: The Biology of Marijuana
Author: Emmanuel S Onaivi
656 pages; ISBN 9780203219133
Read online, or download in secure PDF format
Title: The Biology of Marijuana
Author: Emmanuel S Onaivi
Buy, download and read The Biology of Marijuana (eBook) by Emmanuel S Onaivi today!
Subject categories
- Academic > Health Sciences > Internal medicine > Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry > Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system > Psychiatry > Psychopathology > Personality disorders. Behavior problems
- Academic > Health Sciences > Physiology > Animal biochemistry
- Academic > Life Sciences > Biochemistry > Animal biochemistry
- Medicine > Drug Guides
- Medicine > Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Medicine > Neuroscience
- Medicine > Pharmacology
- Science > Chemistry > Organic
- Science > Biology > Molecular Biology
- Science > Horticulture
- Science > Life Sciences
- Science > Botany


text:
His 2006 salary used to be listed as $545,000. It is now listed as $1,045,000. http://www.nflpa.org/members/playerProfile.asp?ID=33063
In the case of Branch, they might have slipped him a gratuity ... to forestall a Seymour-like scene. Or, could they have graced his extension with a wicked good signing bonus? Whatever the real story ... GREAT FINDS, Miguel !
Branch must have reached an escalator From my notes - "Tom Curran of the Providence Journal provided some details of Branch's contract while quoting Alan Herman, Branch's agent - "We finally worked out the five-year deal with $3 million worth of incentives, which will kick in during the fifth year if he meets the performance levels in his first four seasons." The incentives are based on receiving yards. Herman wouldn't be specific, but he did say that 900 yards is one of the first plateaus for Branch to hit. "
He actually had a slightly disappointing season to me, with a lot more drops than the year before. That said, I'm glad he got the money, he's one of my top five favorite Patriots.
From Tomasi's Agents column today in the Herald: "According to the NFLPA Web site and first noted at Patsfans.com, Branch's 2006 salary recently jumped from $545,000 to $1,045,000. The $500,000 bonus was not a gift to placate him before free agency, however. According to Branch's agent, Jason Chayut, the receiver merely kicked in a pre-existing escalator clause by reaching certain performances levels, including 900 yards. . . . " http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=128948&format=&page=3
I thought you'd get a kick out of that - although he could have mentioned you by name. Obviously Tomasi's recent baseball background taught him some about the value of lurking on certain internet message boards.


text:
John Paulson
Heidi Moore: The SEC already reached a 'no fault' settlement with Goldman Sachs, so how can it bring down Tourre for the same non-crime?
Dominic Rushe: US billionaire who lost $1bn in the gold slump is not the first hedge fund manager to fall victim to his own success
Hedge fund maestro Greg Coffey is retiring at 41 after a glittering career. And, after a distinctly lacklustre performance recently, many of his contemporaries are following suit
Stockmarket turmoil this year has dented personal fortunes of several business tycoons, Nils Pratley reveals
Some investors may regard this year's dreadful performance by many of Paulson's funds as a mere hiccup – but whatever happened to wealth protection?
Billionaire traders offer investors clashing opinions over future of falling commodities market
William Cohan, author of new book on Goldman Sachs, says bank will take years to reinstate its reputation. By Dominic Rushe
Hedge fund that anticipated the housing collapse sees its $3bn Recovery Fund, set up to benefit from a strong economic bounceback, lose 9% of its value
Richard Adams: The real scandal involving Goldman Sachs isn't what's illegal but what's legal. This is a bank that is ethically overdrawn
The story of one man's refusal to believe in the health of the housing boom tells us a great deal about the financial crisis but is not a gripping general read, says Heather Stewart
Hedge fund billionaire spends £50m to increase holding in Cadbury, which faces a hostile takeover bid from US food group Kraft
Hedge fund managers enjoyed one of their most lucrative years, with a 70-year-old maths teacher beating John Paulson and George Soros to the highest earnings. By Andrew Clark
Open thread: A hedge fund billionaire has made £100m betting on RBS shares falling. Given the market, how would you re-invest the money?
Hedge fund manager profiting from betting on falling RBS share prices fuels debate on short-selling
• George Soros, Kenneth Griffin, Philip Falcone, Jim Simons and John Paulson appear before House oversight committee
• Financiers warn that regulation could push jobs to London
Billionaire John Paulson revealed as one of the hedge fund bosses who has been short-selling
Profile: John Paulson is the world's biggest-earning hedge fund manager
Sub-prime winner John Paulson had the brains to foresee a mortgage crash, but also the guts to bet on it
- Banking
- Hedge funds
- Goldman Sachs
- Financial sector
- Credit crunch
- Financial crisis
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- US economy
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- US housing and sub-prime crisis
- Investing
- Short-selling
- Global recession
- Economics
- Shares
- Housing market
- George Soros
- Recession
- Executive pay and bonuses
- Market turmoil


text:
RARERETROGAMES Registered: 24 January 2009 Feedback: 0% positive feedback over the last 12 months Location: UK Visit Store Contact Merchant
0% Positive Feedback *Based on last 12 months ratings Feedback Summary 1 month 6 month 12 month Lifetime Positive % 0% 0% 0% 94% Positive 0 0 0 109 Neutral 0 0 0 4 Negative 0 0 0 7 Total 0 0 0 120
Merchant Feedback History Results 1 – 50 (of 120) Feedback Comment Buyer Date Positive Great service. Arrived in perfect condition, and delivery was very fast. Thanks very much. Roberts01 16 November 2013 Negative Absolutely awful seller! Says items are from UK....they are not they are from Portugal. Says game is 'Fully in English' on listing. Game actually German. Rude and expects you to be a mind reader. Dishonest and writes misleading listings. Avoid! littlefluffyclouds 10 November 2013 Seller Response: Dishonest buyer and probably bipolar. Received game like expected and then wanted me to refund him and keept the game. I said i would refund if game was return. Said he wanted to keep the game but wanted the money as well. And bottom line presented case to play.com stating that game was not received and game was delivered to him 10 days ago with tracking number . RD289957657PT plus on this comment he says the game is in german so if he did not received it how can he know?? Sellers i recomend that you only sent him item with tracking number otherwise he will try to mislead you 10 November 2013 Positive Very good mcousins86 22 March 2013 Positive Very Good mcousins86 22 March 2013 Positive Everything was perfect! danipage 02 January 2013 Positive A highly recommended seller, a pleasure doing business with you A++ khalid786 30 November 2012 Seller Response: Many thanks:) 30 November 2012 Positive Extremely fast delivery, brand new product! E veio de Portugal! :) agrias 04 October 2012 Seller Response: Muito obrigado :) 04 October 2012 Positive Fast A+ Platypiainen 04 August 2012 Seller Response: Many thanks:) 04 August 2012 Positive Very good, no problems. MrWaggler 16 July 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 17 July 2012 Positive Recommended seller! I am delighted with my purchase and the way it was handled and shipped to me :-) swegamer 16 April 2012 Seller Response: Thank you very much:) 16 April 2012 Positive Thanks very much , looking forward to buy again dorellina 13 April 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 13 April 2012 Negative Not pleased with the Batman: AA Collector's Edition version, described as being in "very good" condition. The plastic cover had an ugly tear on it and several slashes. Batarang, too, had strange cuts on it. Disc was ok, so were the manual and books. Reginwald 12 April 2012 Seller Response: Very good condition means exactly that . If it was like new i would have stated that. Box has a cut in fact but The batarang was like that because it was the way it came out which means you do not know anything about the game. Poor buyer negative feedback doesn´t solve anything.Should have contacted first 12 April 2012 Positive Very reliable JytteFez 31 March 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 31 March 2012 Positive Everything perfect, fast delivery, game is also multilanguage ! Thank you!! hwoary 31 March 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 31 March 2012 Positive Perfect! Thank you very much!!! ItsAMeMario 07 March 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 07 March 2012 Positive When item arrived it was in a mess. After contacting seller I returned the item and within one week I had a new perfect game. Thanks very much for a quick, prompt replacement. Service A********** mathrades 14 February 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 15 February 2012 Positive product arrived intact however the envelope was badly damaged the game could have easily fallen out. I would suggest that if RARERETROGAMES were posting to distant countries that they used more secure or heavy duty envelopes. I hope this is helpful Alichinosmum 08 February 2012 Seller Response: Many thanks:) 10 February 2012 Positive Product was as described and well packaged. Thank you very much! Liddokun 11 January 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 11 January 2012 Positive Perfect! festning 04 January 2012 Seller Response: Thanks:) 05 January 2012 Positive got game in god time thanks pipeline 29 December 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 29 December 2011 Positive The item purchased arrived sound, safe and quickly by mail. The item was like new, as promised. Excellent! Snerken 26 December 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 27 December 2011 Positive wooow its very nice video game ireceive it today 26 of december and it come in saftey box and iam sooo happy to deal with this seller he is very nice person and freind and ihope to deal with him again, thanks alot . ^-^ gracias32 26 December 2011 Seller Response: Many thanks my friend:) 26 December 2011 Positive Great item Top Seller Very quick to reply to E-Mails 0410andy 22 December 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 22 December 2011 Positive Arrived fast and in good conditions. hyperthreading 21 December 2011 Seller Response: Obrigado:) 21 December 2011 Positive Item as stated. Many Thanks. A+++ kieranpreston 21 December 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 21 December 2011 Positive Super fast delivery fantastic game thank u so much....SORRY for late feedback and have a fab christmas hunni xoxo Dawniexoxo 20 December 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 21 December 2011 Positive This seller provided great customer support, replied to my questions very quickly and was able to help me with a problem that i had with one of the products. Great Work. Chippy1991 17 November 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 17 November 2011 Positive Game received today! many thanks for prompt despatch. memarco 04 October 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 05 October 2011 Positive Arrived just fine, cannot check product until next week however. Item arrived 1 day past ETA but that's the fault of the postal service I'm sure - thanks for the great service :) KennSan 04 October 2011 Seller Response: Thanks 04 October 2011 Positive smooth purchase amateurme 03 October 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 03 October 2011 Positive Arrived in perfect condition, my beard tingled with delight at this marvellous game! Thank you PLAYAGAIN1 my beardless bard. FireBeard 03 October 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 03 October 2011 Positive many thanks everything ok!!!!! ricky69 18 September 2011 Seller Response: Grazie:) 18 September 2011 Negative My account says this was posted to me on the 5/9 but it is now the 12/9 and it has still not arrived!!!!! lretop 12 September 2011 Seller Response: Tracking number is RC850310024PT. Game was posted on the 5/9 if i can not do the postal servce work and speed up things. if it did not arrived you could have contacted me . thanks 15 September 2011 Positive great condition Benny566 12 September 2011 Seller Response: thanks 15 September 2011 Positive Arrived on time and in perfect condition!! tahrkk 05 August 2011 Seller Response: Thanks :) 05 August 2011 Positive Excellent seller, swift delivery,highly recommended A+++++ david853 30 July 2011 Seller Response: Many thanks:) 31 July 2011 Neutral Maybe next time advise is full of adhesives and not only unsealed.. actarus 29 July 2011 Seller Response: Like explained the adhesives were from the price label. not to dificult to understand is it? 29 July 2011 Positive Fantastic! Product came in excellent quality, I'm very pleased! PollyPAWs 05 July 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 06 July 2011 Positive The game arrived safely and without problems. Totentanz 15 June 2011 Seller Response: many thanks:) 15 June 2011 Positive The game arrived safely and without problems. Atlas5 15 June 2011 Seller Response: many thanks:) 15 June 2011 Positive Fast shipping and item in perfect condition. grainsofsand 15 June 2011 Seller Response: thanks:) 15 June 2011 Neutral Arrived in eight working days rather than 6-7 as described. Everything else was as advertised in description and in good quality. Reasonable Seller. Kanmac 22 April 2011 Seller Response: You gave a neutral feedback because of 1 day delay??? Has you the know the 6 or 7 day delivery is a estimeted time give by Play.com not by the seller and the delivery is made by the postal service not by the seller. so the feedback hat you gave reveals that you dono not understand anything of haow it works so i strongly recomend that you read the play.com site to know how it works 23 April 2011 Positive Arrived Fast in Excellent Condition. Chaos11 06 April 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 06 April 2011 Positive Game in mint condition and superfast delivery. Excellent service throughout! Highly recommended seller! Plato67 08 February 2011 Seller Response: Grazie:) 08 February 2011 Positive took longer than expected but pleased anyway. good communication. kenkens 02 February 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 02 February 2011 Positive Very good service. Always prompt with email responses. Would definately purchase from again. clementb 01 February 2011 Seller Response: thanks:) 01 February 2011 Positive Excellent Condition TrustedTrader 30 January 2011 Seller Response: Thanks:) 30 January 2011 Positive Game is exactly as said and works nicely. Thanks for the fast service. vivienon 24 January 2011 Seller Response: thanks:) 24 January 2011 Positive Game is exactly as said and works nicely. Thanks for the fast service. vivienon 24 January 2011 Seller Response: thanks:) 24 January 2011 Positive Although posted during the recent bad weather I received assassins creed brotherhood within 2 weeks with exteria packaging in good condition and not a mark on the limited edition codex box itself. I would not hesitate to buy from this vendor again. 1980Scooby 17 January 2011 Seller Response: thanks:) 17 January 2011 Positive Arrived today very well packaged overall excellent. Would recomend A++ DoubleH 05 January 2011 Seller Response: Thank you:) 09 January 2011


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