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The 'Lack of Separation' Revisited: Small Business Owners and Risk

Author

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  • Susan Coleman

    (University of Hartford)

  • Richard Cohn

    (University of Hartford)

Abstract

The close link between the personal financial affairs of a small business owner and his or her firm has been noted in prior research. This article compares attitudes toward risk on the part of small business owners (SBOs) and non-small business owners (NSBOs). In addition, it compares the personal balance sheets of SBOs to those of NSBOs to determine if SBOs hold a higher level of risky assets. Results reveal that small business owners express a greater willingness to accept risk and hold a higher level of risky assets in their personal portfolios. This finding is consistent with small business owners' willingness to own and operate small firms which are, by their very nature, risky.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan Coleman & Richard Cohn, 2001. "The 'Lack of Separation' Revisited: Small Business Owners and Risk," Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management, vol. 6(1), pages 104-114, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:pep:journl:v:6:y:2001:i:1:p:104-14
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm Performance; Financing Policy; Financial Risk; Risk Management; Capital Structure; Ownership Structure; New Firms; Startups;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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