Wichita State study: New Kansas businesses add few workers
WSU News Services
New research shows that most new firms in Kansas since 2000 have only a few employees.
More entrepreneurs are starting "lifestyle" businesses, which are essentially designed to support the owner or a few employees.
The following is an excerpt from the April 28 issue of The Wichita Eagle. about research from Wichita State University Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship Chris Broberg.(Subscription may be required to view full story.)
Chris Broberg
One of the hidden reasons for Kansas’ slow growth in recent decades is the changing nature of start-up companies here, a Wichita State University professor said Thursday.
Chris Broberg, associate professor of entrepreneurship, unveiled research at WSU’s conference on the State of Entrepreneurship in the Regional Market, held at the Hyatt Regency Wichita.
He said his analysis showed that while the total number of firms in Kansas continues to rise, the average size of firms is getting smaller and the average number of people they employ is falling. The trend started in about 2000, he said.
More entrepreneurs are starting "lifestyle" businesses, which are essentially designed to support the owner or a few employees. They aren’t interested in or capable of expanding these businesses rapidly.
