ESR Center Research

Thanks to the support of generous sponsors, the ESR Center exists as an academic research center dedicated to finding and improving best practices of economic self-reliance initiatives. This research makes it possible for organizations around the world better serve those who need help the most.

Student Reports
The ESR Center has sent dozens of students on internships with practitioners around the world. Many MBA interns have come back with written reports of their research and learning experiences.

Microfranchising
Two books, Microfranchising and The Microfranchise Toolkit, are a direct result of the Microfranchising Initiative here at BYU. Led by Jason Fairbourne, this initiative seeks to simplify economic development by replicating small businesses. This has helped entrepreneurs become successful, and it has led to job creation all over the world.

Where There Are No Jobs
This five volume set of workbooks comes from the research and experience of Stephen W. and Bette M. Gibson who dreamed up The Academy for Creating Enterprise, a school in the Philippines that teaches business entrepreneurship skills. The workbooks contain practical skills on how to start a microenterprise, and these skills can benefit anyone going into business.

Small Fortunes
A production of BYU Broadcasting, Small Fortunes explores the impact of microcredit on people around the world. With the help of organizations involved in the movement and their beneficiaries, the documentary explains how a few dollars can lift a person out of poverty.

ESR Review
The ESR Review is a journal that combines the work of scholars and practitioners to present an up-to-date forum on economic self-reliance. Articles focus on best practices of developing self-reliance in individuals and communities. Organizations who serve in these development capacities can benefit greatly from this biannual publication.

ESR Conference
The Annual Economic Self-Reliance Conference occurs in late fall and brings practitioners and researchers from around the world to learn about and discuss economic development and poverty alleviation. The Conference is the work of BYU researchers and those outside the university who have found better ways to serve those in need. Archives of past years’ conferences are available on the website.