Scott Shane is the A. Malachi Mixon III professor of entrepreneurial studies at Case Western Reserve University. His books include Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths That Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Policy Makers Live by (Yale University Press, 2008) and Finding Fertile Ground: Identifying Extraordinary Opportunities for New Businesses (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005).
Why Entrepreneurs Choose Freedom Over Money
Starting your own business often means thankless hours, measly pay and the stress of being at the helm. Yet entrepreneurs report greater job satisfaction than their employed counterparts. Here's why.
The Pros and Cons of Franchising Your Business
Franchising could be your next big strategy for expansion or it could send your growing business down the wrong path. Here are some key considerations before deciding if franchising is for you.
Why Internet Sales Tax is Bad Public Policy (Opinion)
The Marketplace Fairness Act, expected to pass in the Senate on May 6, requires online retailers to charge shoppers their state's sales tax. Is the law a poor political move?
Why Filing a Patent Just Got More Complicated For Startups (Opinion)
The America Invents Act, which went into effect March 16, has changed the process for patenting. These developments might not help entrepreneurs after all. Here's why.
What Would-Be Entrepreneurs Fear Most About Starting Up
An unstable income is almost always guaranteed when just starting your business, but research shows it's one of the top fears that keeps Americans from becoming entrepreneurs.
Why Americans Love Small Business
The latest studies show consumers are willing to pay more to buy from a small business than a big one. Here's a look at five reasons why Americans are rooting for entrepreneurs.
Why Consumer Credit Matters to Small Businesses (Opinion)
Washington's recent efforts to protect consumers may be hampering small-business growth.
Entrepreneurship Is a Midlife Game (Opinion)
Contrary to popular opinion and the media's fascination with young entrepreneurs, baby boomers are more likely to run their own businesses than 20-somethings.
Jesse Jackson: Turn Big-Company Tax Dodging into Small-Business Funding (Opinion)
The liberal activist recently proposed using multinationals' overseas cash to fund U.S. small businesses.
We Need Smarter Business-Owner Retirement Plans, Not More (Opinion)
Small-business owners' optimism often hinders their retirement planning. Behavioral economics has some ideas about what it would take to get you to plan for your golden years.
It's the Uncertainty, Stupid (Opinion)
Washington policy makers would like nothing more than for small business to boost hiring and investment. The best thing they could do is come to some agreement on the deficit and enact rules about all
The Fiscal Cliff Deal and Small-Business Job Creation
While the political compromise in Washington might have been an overall plus for the U.S. economy, the measures are likely to damp small-business employment.
What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About What's Ahead in 2013 for the U.S. Economy
Given the business outlook for the coming year, it's hard to find any winners and the list of losers is long.
Are Small-Business Owners Going to Spoil the Mood? (Opinion)
Despite the headlines about rising consumer confidence, the U.S. economy isn't looking up. Business owners' pessimism remains a drag on the recovery.
Love Obamacare? Get Ready for More Health-Care Legislation
Most Americans don't like the 'market solution' to the problem of escalating health-insurance costs. The best option for employers and employees alike is to push for government policies that lower the
What's the Best Outcome for Small Business on the Fiscal Cliff? (Opinion)
Entrepreneurship professor Scott Shane's insights on how spending cuts and tax increases could affect you.
Closing the African-American Startup Gap (Opinion)
Targeted minority-lending programs have had only limited success in encouraging new-business creation among minorities. Could crowd-funding help close the startup gap?
Is Romney Right About Startup Rates Dropping? (Opinion)
Republican presidential candidate and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney set fact-checkers scrambling during this week's debate when he stated that new business startups were at 30-year lows.
Romney Is Right on Foreign Aid (Opinion)
The Republican challenger delivered an important message for economic development at the Clinton Global Initiative. U.S. foreign aid, he said, should be linked to efforts to promote free enterprise in
Should Small Business Fear the Fiscal Cliff? (Opinion)
Think concerns over the coming federal spending cuts and tax increases are overblown? Think again. Here's why.
Why the Fed Should Ease Up on Weak Small Banks (Opinion)
Lending to small businesses has dropped, but experts disagree on the reason.
Convincing Small Business that Prosperity Is Just Around the Corner (Opinion)
Optimism among small business owners has been slow to recover as the economy emerges from recession.
Incentives Needed to Spur Federal Agencies to Meet Small-Business Contracting Goals (Opinion)
The SBA reports that it has tried to increase the share of federal dollars going to small businesses by implementing new contracting provisions. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be working.
Young Entrepreneurs: Not the Cure for What Ails the Economy (Opinion)
Interest is high in supporting youth entrepreneurship and often seen as a way to help create jobs and turn the economy. But a closer look at the issues shows that these notions may be little more than
Senate Bill Would Undermine University Tech Inventions (Opinion)
A proposed measure intended to encourage more high-tech startups is misguided, our columnist argues. Increasing academic research funding is the better route for fostering innovation.
Small-Business Owners Still Waiting for a Rebound (Opinion)
Business owners have been hit harder than others in the Great Recession, largely due to their greater share of home-equity debt. Here's what's needed for a small-business recovery.
The Twisted Logic Behind the Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act (Opinion)
To spur job creation, Congress is voting soon on a moratorium on regulation. Columnist Scott Shane says it's not the answer to our business problems.
Should the U.S. President Have Business Experience? (Opinion)
Why success in the private sector doesn't necessarily translate into an effective leadership.
7 Reasons Small Business Supports Romney (Opinion)
Small-business owners overwhelmingly favor Mitt Romney over Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election. Here are seven reasons why.
Why Congress Shouldn't Fund Business Incubators (Opinion)
Before spending money on business incubators, Congress should first figure out whether we really need more in the U.S. and whether they actually help create jobs.Most Popular
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