Entrepreneurs Held Hostage: Hang-Ups at Travelhangar.Com

Abstract

The Case Study section of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves two purposes. First, the case studies presented are concerned with problematical issues that are pertinent to students of entrepreneurship. Thus they constitute appropriate teaching and learning vehicles on a variety of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Each case study is accompanied by a set of guidelines for the use of tutors. Second, it is envisaged that those engaged in entrepreneurial activities will find the cases both interesting and useful. This case addresses how students might actually proceed in starting their own Internet company. It is inevitable that many students will currently be thinking about their big idea that will reshape the Internet. A story from this business area is easy to relate to for most students, and discussion flows readily. The case revolves around the two founders' issues with their business as they move further away from the university setting. When the venture was created, they did all the work, including sales. As they moved on to careers, they found students to replace them on the sales front. As they slowly moved out of the day-to-day workings of the enterprise, a problem arose with their new key sales person – he was doing all the work and only getting a portion of the returns.