| This case study explored the role that hope played in selected small businesses and especially the role of hope in the leaders of those businesses. This study built on the work of Kanter, Csikszentmihalyi, and Snyder. These three authors described the positive effect hope has in the success of individuals and organizations. The cases consisted of four small businesses: a restaurant, a toy store, a corporate convenience store, and a leather shop. The businesses were either single- or family-owned and each employed less than 30 people. The businesses were successful or thriving at the time of the research. The study approached the cases through the application of three research questions: (a) what does hope mean, (b) what does hope mean in the context of success, and (c) what roles, if any, do hope and the leader's ability to promote it play in the successful organization?The case study was based on nine interviews of five participants and business correspondence, advertising samples, and journals. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Analysis followed the recommendations of Stake and Creswell.The results suggested that hope occupies a central role in the creation and management of small businesses. There were four findings: (a) hope can be shared back and forth with others in an organization, (b) hope is a defense against complexity, (c) small and incremental changes contribute to sustaining hope, and (d) hope compels organizations and individuals to progress.The results of this study indicated that hope is an equivoque that changes definition and form depending on its use. The study also indicated that hope provides options for leading in times of organizational crisis. Finally, the research also pointed to hope's providing compelling motivation for business success. |
