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Understanding the Small Enterprise Financial Objective Function

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  • Richard G. P. McMahon
  • Anthony M. J. Stanger

Abstract

This paper presents views on the small enterprise financial objective function that are sympathetic to existing financial thought, but which capture complexities arising in small enterprises that frequently receive minimal attention in the mainstream finance literature. It is argued that the small enterprise financial objective function should reflect the kinds of enterprise-specific risk that typically exist in small enterprises arising from liquidity, diversification, transferability, flexibility, control, and accountability considerations. A conceptualization of the small enterprise financial objective function by extension of conventional utility theory is presented. It is believed the resulting utility function holds promise as an explanatory framework for financial behavior in small enterprises in that it provides valuable insights into owner-manager decision making and small enterprise development. Consideration is also given to asset pricing model, which consequently might be used in small enterprise financial management.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard G. P. McMahon & Anthony M. J. Stanger, 1995. "Understanding the Small Enterprise Financial Objective Function," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 19(4), pages 21-39, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:19:y:1995:i:4:p:21-39
    DOI: 10.1177/104225879501900403
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    3. Romano, Claudio A. & Tanewski, George A. & Smyrnios, Kosmas X., 2001. "Capital structure decision making: A model for family business," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 285-310, May.
    4. Elżbieta Bukalska & Marek Zinecker & Michał Bernard Pietrzak, 2021. "Socioemotional Wealth (SEW) of Family Firms and CEO Behavioral Biases in the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, November.
    5. Simon, Mark & Houghton, Susan M. & Savelli, Sonia, 2003. "Out of the frying pan...?: Why small business managers introduce high-risk products," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 18(3), pages 419-440, May.
    6. Fuenzalida, Darcy & Mongrut, Samuel, 2010. "Estimation Of Discount Rates In Latin America: Empirical Evidence And Challenges," Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, Universidad ESAN, vol. 15(28), pages 7-43.
    7. Dressler, Jonathan B. & Tauer, Loren W., 2012. "An Estimate of Socioemotional Wealth in the Family Business," Working Papers 128814, Cornell University, Department of Applied Economics and Management.
    8. Jan Brinckmann & Soeren Salomo & Hans Georg Gemuenden, 2011. "Financial Management Competence of Founding Teams and Growth of New Technology–Based Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(2), pages 217-243, March.
    9. Ekanem, Ignatius, 2005. "‘Bootstrapping’: the investment decision-making process in small firms," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 299-318.
    10. Tansel Yilmazer & Holly Schrank, 2010. "The Use of Owner Resources in Small and Family Owned Businesses: Literature Review and Future Research Directions," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 31(4), pages 399-413, December.
    11. Francesco Barbera & Ken Moores, 2013. "Firm ownership and productivity: a study of family and non-family SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 953-976, May.
    12. Richard B. Carter & Howard Van Auken, 2007. "Capital Acquisition Attitudes: Gender and Experience," Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management, vol. 12(2), pages 55-74, Fall.
    13. José Rodrigues de Jesús & Luís Miranda da Rocha & Rui Couto Viana, 2001. "Avaliação de Pequenas e Médias Empresas e Gestão de Risco," FEP Working Papers 110, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    14. Slavec, Alenka & Prodan, Igor, 2012. "The influence of entrepreneur’s characteristics on small manufacturing firm debt financing," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 17(1), pages 104-130.
    15. Vaznyte, Egle & Andries, Petra, 2019. "Entrepreneurial orientation and start-ups' external financing," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 439-458.
    16. Joana Patrícia Friães dos Santos & Amélia Maria Martins Pires & Paula Odete Fernandes, 2018. "The importance to financial information in the decision-making process in company’s family structure," Contaduría y Administración, Accounting and Management, vol. 63(2), pages 35-36, Junio.

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