Doing business with the US federal government: A survey of small businesses on Guam

Type Journal Article - Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal
Title Doing business with the US federal government: A survey of small businesses on Guam
Author(s)
Volume 16
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2010
Page numbers 9-9
Publisher Jordan Whitney Enterprises, Inc
URL https://search.proquest.com/openview/e5d94c4e32513419800bdc1941e29117/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=297​26
Abstract
The purpose of this research study was to identify factors that may explain why a significant
number of small businesses on the undiversified, island economy of Guam do not pursue contracts
with the U.S. Federal Government. The business opportunity provided by Federal contracts creates
an equivalent of an industry or economic sector that is between 6% to 9% of the local economy. In
addition, this business opportunity offers support to the island economy in its pursuit of renewed
economic growth and sustainable and participatory (broad-based) economic development. Through
the survey responses collected from participating small businesses, this paper examines factors that
may explain the gap that exists between the interests of small businesses on Guam to do business
with the U.S. Federal Government (equivalently, to engage in Federal Contracting) and their ability
and experience to pursue U.S. Federal Government contracts.
This paper is the first publicly available study of Federal Contracting by small businesses
on Guam. As such, it not only contributes to the academic literature but also fills in some previously
unanswered questions regarding the availability and analysis of reliable, current and relevant
economic data on Guam. It is hoped that this paper will provide policymakers, businesses and
communities, both local and international, with an effective tool to plan for future decisions and
courses of actions that will aid in Guam?s economic development. In particular, this study presents
some thoughtful content for those entities providing support to small businesses and how they may
enhance their processes to increase the capacity and capability of their clients to successfully pursue
business opportunities with the U.S. Federal Government.