Change management for Colombian entrepreneurs in displacement situation

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to propose new management techniques applied to Colombian entrepreneurs in displacement situation (EDS) based on education, solidarity, financial aid and social inclusion programs. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical study was conducted between March and September 2010 with a mixture of 92 direct interviews using Alfa Ti, and Delphi surveys to 92 entrepreneurs, of whom 46 were EDS. In order to distinguish between entrepreneurs and EDS, three methodologies were applied: classification into two phases; hierarchical classification (dendrograms); and K‐averages classification. Results were different for the three analyses, although they do have similarities (three clusters of outliers). Findings – The main findings are: distinction among opportunity effect, need effect and survival effect; conceptualization, characterization and classification of EDS; distinction between entrepreneurs and EDS; design of the “five Cs” pentagon; elaboration of the pyramid of micro‐corporate success for EDS. Originality/value – To date there is no theoretical model to develop administrative skills for EDS to carry out change management in third world countries with social conflicts.