Developing a Program Success Theory Model: A case study of microenterprise development in Vermont.

I recently presented a workshop on my Master's thesis work, "Developing a program success theory model: A case study of microenterprise development in Vermont", at the 2007 annual conference of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) on May 16, 2007 in Kansas City, MO.

This workshop reviewed my Master's thesis study conducted at the University of Vermont on factors that lead to client success in microenterprise development (MED) programs. A model of program success theory, including the relationships between client characteristics, program activities, interim outcomes, and impacts were examined through a path regression analysis of data from the Vermont Micro Business Development Program. Workshop attendees participated in an open dialog about the results of this study and provided insight on recommendations for program improvement and future study.

AEO is the national association of community-based organizations that provide entrepreneurial education, access to capital, and support to aspiring and active low-income entrepreneurs. AEO provides its members with a forum, information, and a voice to promote enterprise opportunity for people and communities with limited resources.

Microenterprise development program success: A path analysis of factors that lead to and mediate client success.

Through a path regression analysis of data from the Vermont Micro Business Development Program, this study examines the relationships between client characteristics, program activities, interim outcomes, and impacts, to understand factors that lead to and mediate client success in micro enterprise development programs and as entrepreneurs.

Statistics demonstrated excellent model fit to the data. The interim outcome of improved personal well-being was related to more sources of capital, course completion, being partnered and younger. Starting a business was related to having more financial resources and mediated by improved well-being. Clients who experienced an increase in income had previous business experience and an increase in assets. Increased income was mediated by improved well-being and business start. Reduction in public assistance was related to course completion, more sources of capital, not being in poverty, and increased assets. Increased assets were related to more education, not being in poverty, and more sources of capital. Being older, more sources of capital, a larger family, and improved well-being led to job creation.

Overall, access to more financial resources enabled clients to meet personal and business goals and work toward self-sufficiency. The results suggest implications for public policy regarding business training and loan financing.

Schmidt, M.C. and J. Kolodinsky. Microenterprise development program success: A path analysis of factors that lead to and mediate client success. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship; March 2007.

Short term change in attitude and motivating factors to change abusive behavior of male batterers after participating in a group intervention program.

The Domestic Abuse Education Project (DAEP), in Burlington, Middlebury, and St. Albans, Vermont, is a group based domestic abuse intervention program, based in a pro-feminist and cognitive-behavioral approach for domestic violence intervention and prevention. A pre and post-test instrument was developed and implemented to determine short-term change in attitude of participants and motivating factors to change behavior, after completing the twenty-seven session program. After the program, participants reported a positive change in attitudes regarding their abusive behavior and stereotypical beliefs about women. Participants were also more motivated to change their behavior by the effect abuse has on their family relationships.

However, many participants continued to agree that insecurity, jealousy, and alcohol and drug use can cause violence. The positive changes in attitude and motivational factors show that this is an effective model in changing underlying batterer attitudes that provide rationale for abusive behavior.

Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, G. Carsten, F. Schmidt, M. Larson, and C. MacLachlan. (2007). Short term change in attitude and motivating factors to change abusive behavior of male batterers after participating in a group intervention program based on the pro-feminist and cognitive-behavioral approach. Journal of Family Violence 22(2).