STUDY CONDUCTED BY MBA STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY

The latest incubator study for Cape Girardeau was conducted by Southeast Missouri State University's master of business administration students.

The report, presented to chamber and city officials recently, supports the need for an incubator service in Cape Girardeau. The report indicated that most new Cape Girardeau businesses fail within 15 months of operation, pointing out a need for consultation and financial support.

An incubator can provide these services and more.

The study pointed out that there must be a strong community support and reasonable financial expectations for an incubator here. It suggested the university, the Small Business Development Center and private enterprise should be able to provide consultation and training services.

The study was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Jack Sterrett.

"The survey is an example of experience projects that students get involved in," said the professor of marketing and department director for the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Business Management.

"This gives students an opportunity to get hands-on the real business world," added Sterrett, "and it helps chamber and city officials."

The study, conducted during the summer, is part of entrepreneurship and small business management course.

Conducting the study were:

Research: Michelle Terrell, Rick Smith, George Vestal, Janet Floyd, Kathie Huttegger, Karen Thambyrajah, Jennifer Baker, Angi Gremaud, Mona Angel.

Preparation: Angel, Floyd, Terrell.

Critiquing: Gremaud, Vestal.

Presenters: Gremaud, Smith, Baker, Huttegger, Terrell.

This marks the second survey conducted by a university class.

Earlier this year, the Introduction of Business Research class conducted an analysis of consumer attitudes and preferences of shopping district in Cape Girardeau for the Downtown Revitalization Committee of the Cape Girardeau Community Pride Coalition and the "Main Street" Steering Committee.

Twenty-five students, under the direction of Dr. Judy Wiles, associate professor of marketing, conducted the study.