THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Independent research into the recurring work behind running a small business in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Start with the work.
Follow the evidence.
We investigate the administrative, coordinative and operational work behind running small businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.
WHAT WE FOLLOW
We map the work as it actually happens, including the points where it changes shape.
From trigger to consequence.
What starts a task? What happens next? Who and which systems are involved? Where do exceptions arise, and what do owners do to keep things moving?
We are interested in recurrence and consequences, as well as the approaches that already work well. A new product is only one possible outcome; the evidence may point elsewhere.
RESEARCH PAPER 001
The Hidden Work of Running a Small Business in Aotearoa New Zealand
This working paper will be published with its version, date, summary, citation and limitations. It is not peer reviewed. The working paper is in preparation and will be added here when it is ready for publication.
EVIDENCE FIRST
The programme builds on existing evidence rather than assuming the topic has never been studied.
A bounded research question.
Within the literature identified by the structured narrative review, comparatively little publicly available New Zealand research was found that systematically maps recurring administrative and operational work from trigger through hand-offs, exceptions, workarounds, recurrence and consequence.
IMPORTANT LIMIT
This is a bounded observation about the literature identified, not a claim that nobody has researched small-business work.