Necessity entrepreneurs are individuals in developing countries who start small enterprises out of necessity. While they range from street sellers to educated hopefuls with little access to formal employment, the one thing that unites them is the need to survive. This volume is the first-known compilation of theories contributed by international scholars who have worked together to establish a theory-based discourse on necessity entrepreneurship, microenterprise education and long-term economic development.

An estimated one billion individuals in both developed and developing nations can be defined as necessity entrepreneurs; individuals who have no other viable option for licit income than to start a small, income-generating activity. However, unless these 'necessity entrepreneurs' have access to meaningful education, they will never realize the powerful, economic potential to impact the economic development of their respective nations. This volume is the foundation upon which the budding discipline of necessity entrepreneurship can be built.

This book is an essential resource for policy makers, educators and academics interested in global economic development and sustainable business. Moreover, it will be an invaluable tool to those working in non-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations.

Contributors: E. Balan-Vnuk, J. Brewer, M. Coffey, J.C. Dencker, M. Dissanyake, W.G. Dyer, S.W. Gibson, M. Gruber, J. Hatch, R.D. Hisrich, C. Kearney, W.A. Lindsay, A. O'Connor