Beyond the Business Case

Abstract

From 2009-2014, Gary Shaheen, MPA, ABD was primarily responsible for creating, and then co-taught a section of the Syracuse University, NY Whitman School of Management course: 'Emerging Enterprises Consulting' that was subtitled 'Inclusive Entrepreneurship', that received a Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence in 2010. This case study is a composite of a situation faced by an aspiring entrepreneur with a disability, and could be very representative of the challenges faced by people with disabilities as they create new, small scale business ventures. The case study is intended for students of social entrepreneurship, and is also appropriate for students of social work and disability studies who are intent on exploring the social value of assisting people with significant work-related barriers to become self-employed. The case study introduces the 'Inclusive Entrepreneurship Template' that provides a framework for aspiring entrepreneurs and those assisting them as business consultants to explore the individual (person-centered), venture (business operations) and context (environmental) factors that are necessary to consider in launching and growing small scale business ventures. The case example then proceeds to a description of the individual entrepreneur, including both his strengths and challenges, and allows students to examine these by responding to a series of questions using the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Template. Instructors can follow the Teaching Notes for use of the case example and refer to the references for additional class-assigned readings. By the end of the case exercise, students will develop improved awareness and knowledge of the challenges and barriers often encountered by small ventures prospectively owned by people with disabilities.