Recent research reports have shown that empowerment and the delegation of authority(DOA) have not produced the kind of results that were expected in some cases. Other studies have explored the relation between DOA and moderator variables. The present study attempted to examine how relational empowerment i.e. the delegation of authority works more effectively. Empirical data for this study was based on a unique questionnaire survey of small and medium-sized firms regarding their organization and management practices. Statistical analysis was conducted on how DOA as an independent variable would influence dependent variables such as “the will to challenge” and financial performance (the return on assets). Moderator variables such as control activities, belief systems and new venture support activities were also taken under consideration. Results showed that DOA had a partial influence on the employees “will to challenge”. Also, some moderator variables were seen as having statistically significant effects on the relation between delegation of authority and dependent variables. Further empirical studies on delegation of authority are needed to better understand the complementary relations among moderator variables.

The law on the Promotion of New Activities by small and medium-sized enterprises was enacted in 2004. Based on this new law, the government will promote many projects as “new-alliance” business comprised of tie-ups between small and medium-sized enterprises, each of which will contribute their competitive features to such alliances. The purpose of this study is to examine success conditions of the government (SME Agency) designed a new-alliance system, which is called a “policy model”, in the following two points. First, we make a comparison between policy model condition and actually successful new-alliance condition, which is called a “real model”. In doing so, we make it clear what kind of condition is necessary for success of new-alliance. Second, we analyze success conditions of new-alliance from the viewpoint of product life cycle model, especially market introduction stage and growth stage. As success conditions of policy model lucks product life cycle, we elucidate what kind of condition is necessary for success of new-alliance in market introduction stage and growth stage. Specifically, we explore new-alliance in a stage of introduction and growth in Tohoku area. Therefore, we compare the success conditions of policy model to real model. As research methods, we apply technique of Boolean algebra approach and try rearranging of compound cause and effect condition for new-alliance to be successful.

This paper has found new type champions through three case studies of new business development. They are persons who have changed the attitude from/to champion to/from antagonist. This paper also explained the reasons they changed their attitude. They are (1) aggravation of outside environment, (2) claim evasion, and (3) sensitiveness to the intention and interest about the new business.

Until recently, most business management studies of venture enterprises have tended to examine the relationship between the entrepreneur’s network, business concept and financing. This paper is a case study of a small, regional art project in the Hiroshima area, managed by students and professors from Hiroshima City University, which started as a small project but eventually grew into a large-scale project which involved actors from various fields. The study will analyze differences in management related to small, social value creation focused projects, and general project management. It is based on an action research approach with detailed interviews that took place over the period of one year and are continuing. In our case analysis we found differences between the management of social value creation projects and general project management in the early stages of project funding. Especially, we found that the relationship between business concept and fund raising was not so important. After establishing financial support it took some time to create a business concept that could realize the project’s business goals. In the future, this study will be extended to include various areas, and continue intensive interviews as well as take a quantitative approach in order to generalize our research findings.