Defining a micro-enterprise framework

This works builds on our social enterprise work and is seen as crucial to developing a real understanding of the characteristics of micro-enterprise as a pathway to economic security and inclusion. While micro-enterprise has been in existence for some time, the defining characteristics are largely fluid and there is a risk that the term itself may be adopted by any project without fidelity and authenticity. Much of the research to date has focused on enablers and barriers, but little has examined what a micro-enterprise is and its purpose as a vehicle for employment by people with a disability.

This project will examine the literature on micro-enterprise with the view of producing a consensus model of the characteristics of real micro-enterprise. This research has started and is currently in the literature search and review phase.