The Institute has enlisted leading researchers from universities across the country to study a pilot community that has long been considered a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity - Elkhart County, Indiana. Despite its relatively small size, Elkhart County has a long history of successful entrepreneurship across diverse industries, making it the ideal community for understanding factors that drive entrepreneurial success.
Research spans four key themes:
History: Factors that have historically prompted the overwhelming growth of entrepreneurial communities.
Entrepreneurship: The role of philanthropy and mentorship as drivers of entrepreneurial success.
Sociology: The experiences and success stories of business leaders in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Economics: The effects of international trade, global supply chains, and trade diversification on regional growth.
Our Research
Research Teams
Ball State Research Team: Exploring the effect of Quality of Life on Entrepreneurship
Dr. Michael Hicks is a distinguished Professor of Economics & Business Research and Director of the Center of Business Economics Research. As an established author and award-winning social science researcher, Dr. Hicks is widely respected for his contributions to the field of entrepreneurship.
Collaborators:
Dagney G. Faulk, PhD, Ball State University
Emily Wornell, PhD, Ball State University
David Terrell, MBA, Ball State University
Amanda Weinstein, PhD, Center on Rural Innovation
Ali Enami, PhD, The University of Akron
The Ball State Research Team, led by Dr. Michael Hicks, is dedicated to understanding and measuring entrepreneurial activity. The research focuses on uncovering the driving forces behind geographic differences in entrepreneurship and analyzing the impact of quality of life on entrepreneurial changes over time.
Key Research Questions:
How can we accurately measure entrepreneurial activity?
What factors contribute to geographic variations in entrepreneurial activity?
To what extent does quality of life explain changes in entrepreneurial activity?
How does Elkhart County compare to similar regions in terms of entrepreneurial activity and quality of life over time?
This research sheds light on the complex dynamics of entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on how quality of life and local amenities shape the entrepreneurial landscape across the United States.
Butler Research Team: Exploring Entrepreneurial Success and Economic Well-being
Dr. Stephanie Fernhaber is a Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Butler University. As an established author, Dr. Fernhaber has been published in prominent journals such as the Journal of International Business Studies, Strategic Management Journal, and Journal of Business Venturing. She also serves as Field Editor for the Journal of Business Venturing and co-owns Renewing Management, bringing practical entrepreneurial experience to her academic work.
Collaborators:
Hessam Sarooghi, PhD, Butler University
Marleen McCormick Pritchard, PhD, Butler University
The Butler Research Team, led by Dr. Stephanie Fernhaber, is investigating the configurations of firms that drive greater economic well-being within a region. Through statistical analysis, the team aims to examine key drivers of entrepreneurial success and the role of industry clustering.
Key Research Questions:
What is the definition of an entrepreneurial community and how does it compare to entrepreneurial literature?
What firm configurations lead to enhanced entrepreneurship and economic well-being in a region?
What are the drivers of entrepreneurial success, and how can they be measured statistically?
This research is designed to offer a deep understanding of how firm structures and industry clusters influence regional economic well-being, providing valuable insights for both entrepreneurs and economic development leaders.
The Catholic University of Americas Team: Showcasing Entrepreneurial Success
Andreas Widmer is the Director of the Arthur & Carlyse Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Andreas Widmer brings extensive business and academic expertise, both in the United States and internationally. As an accomplished author on entrepreneurship and ethical leadership, Andreas has made significant contributions to the field. His diverse background includes serving as a former officer in the Swiss Guard, adding a unique dimension to his approach to leadership.
The CUA team recently completed a case study featuring an established entrepreneur from Elkhart, highlighting key insights and lessons in entrepreneurship. This case study is part of a broader effort by the IEC to explore real-world examples of entrepreneurial success to expand the curriculum to reflect learnings from the manufacturing sector and entrepreneurial communities.