Small Business of Home Economists: A Case Study of Home Economics Graduate, Kasetsart University

Abstract

     The objectives of this research were to study: 1) the means to enter in small business of home economics graduates of Kasetsart University; 2) the management and procedures of small business; and 3) problems encountered in doing their business. A qualitative approach was used in gaining the necessary information for facilitation business success. Fifteen small business owners were purposively drawn from a list of home economists. A semi-structured interview was conducted to collect in-depth information. Content analysis was continued with an effort to "learn from them." The results revealed that of 15 home economics graduates from Kasetsart University, 13 home economists started their own business and 2 home economists inherited a family business. Two influential factors on their decisions for creating their small business were: (1) internal factors including personal characteristics, need, performance, entrepreneurial, experience and age; and (2) external factors including forced situation, income, opportunity and competition business potential, and family. Business procedures included (1) marketing, (2) finance (3) production, and (4) personnel administration. Problems encountered in marketing were high competition, uncertainty of economics and the owner's lack of knowledge in business marketing; financial problems were insufficient capital, and non-system accounting; use of old and out of date machinery in production, and personnel administration problems were those who have less knowledge, and a lot of turn outs of those who have improved knowledge and skills.