From Access to Action: How Program Design and Institutional Decoupling Discourage Targeted Veteran Entrepreneurs from Participation in Small Business Administration Loans

This research proposal examines why eligible and informed veteran entrepreneurs do not consistently participate in the Small Business Administration 7(a) loan program, asking how perceived program design and institutional decoupling shape institutional trust and participation intentions. Grounded in institutional theory, it plans a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with approximately 30 veteran entrepreneurs in the Tampa, Florida area, supported by descriptive firm data and thematic coding. Empirical findings are not yet available; the work aims to inform how federal capital access programs are structured and communicated to improve engagement.