Home-based business enterprises: conceptual and methodological developments

There is little known about the home-based business sector (HEB) in Far North Queensland (FNQ). Australia. Assumptions based on anecdotal evidence are that diversity exists in nature, distribution and sustainability. Industry and university partners agreed to develop a research programme. The industry partner needs conceptual development and empirical evidence on the nature, distribution and profiles\ud of HBBs. University researchers are interested in location, class and gender analyses of this economy. Both partners are interested in the viability and sustainability of this\ud sector. Synthesis of existing conceptualisations and identification, access, rapport building, sampling, collection and analysis strategies was the critical first project