scholarly journals Factors of Entrepreneurial Success: A qualitative multiple case study of new small businesses

2021 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 01026
Author(s):  
Jan Urban
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Total Employment ◽  
Sustained Development ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Start Ups

In most countries, small businesses represent a majority of firms providing close to fifty percent of the total employment. However, on average, more than half of new small-business start-ups usually fail within the first 5 years of operation. Therefore, learning from the success of small-business owners who have sustained in business for at least 5 years can provide helpful insights not only for individual firms, but also for the continued growth of local economies which usually rely on small business to a great extent. The purpose of this case study based article was to explore common approaches, strategies and skills of successful business founders/small business owner´s that contribute to their sustained development. The article is based on a qualitative survey of sixteen, locally operating, small, retail and service-industry firms which, having successfully survived at least 5 years in business, continue to grow. The method of the survey covered semi structured interviews led with individual entrepreneurs and focused on identifying the crucial business as well as personal approaches and skills important for their market survival.

scholarly journals The Adoption of e-business Technologies and Processes in Nigerian Small Business Enterprises.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Olakunle Olayinka
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Global Increase

Small businesses are often considered important to a nation’s economy. In Nigeria, the small business sector contributes about 48% to the GDP, and there is an increasing effort to support the small business sector as a way of combatting societal ills. Within the last decade, there has been a global increase in the use of e-business by both large and small companies. Today, it is generally acknowledged that e-business provides a range of opportunities for small businesses to operate and compete effectively; however, in developing countries such as Nigeria, there is very limited research on e-business adoption in the small business sector. This thesis examines the adoption of e-business technologies and processes in Nigerian small businesses. Using an inductive approach, informed by a case study strategy, a longitudinal study of six small businesses in Lagos, Nigeria was conducted. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires, and both thematic analysis and framework analysis were utilised to analyse the cases. Research results indicate that small businesses in Nigeria are utilising e-business systems. Key issues impacting upon e-business adoption and eight critical influencing factors that affect adoption were identified. Based on the case study findings, a framework for the development and implementation of e-business strategy in the Nigerian small business sector was developed and validated. This framework will be of value to small business owners involved in e-business operations, and also provides a basis for follow-up research in developing world countries.

EXPLORING THE SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP IN NIGERIA

2016 ◽  
Vol 05 (07) ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
Nana Shaibu Akaeze ◽  
Christian Akaeze
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Survival Data ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Business Programs

Notwithstanding the unstable nature of Nigeria economy small business owners created approximately 32 million jobs and contribute almost 45% to the nations GDP. However, startup small businesses fail at rate over 80% the first five years. Guide by theory of constraints, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore survival strategies required by some small business owners to sustain business in Nigeria beyond 5 years. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews with 3 owners with up to 5 years of experience in small business management from 3 different regions of Nigeria. The 3 major themes from final data analysis were cost efficiency, informal crediting and aggressive marketing which participants said were crucial for business survival. Data analysis also revealed two critical constraints confronted by small business owners as Government Policy and capital constraints. Findings of this study contribute to social change by indicating some strategies which prospective and existing small business practitioners may use to sustain for survival beyond first five years. The findings may prove useful for small business programs and training schedules to practitioners, managers and owners.

scholarly journals Micro & Small Enterprises in Ireland: A Brand Management Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Bobby Kennedy ◽  
Angela Wright
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Brand Development ◽  
Management Perspective

<p class="ber"><span lang="EN-GB">Branding aids companies in the acquisition of new customers, allows them to build a favourable reputation, leads to increased customer loyalty and, ultimately, is a driver of profitability. Although there is an impressive quantity of academic literature related to both large corporate and product line branding, there has been less focus regarding the research on branding of small businesses, despite their economic importance. </span></p><p class="ber"><span lang="EN-GB">In the specific case of SMEs in Ireland, branding studies are scant. There is little understanding of the branding practices of SME founder-owners in Ireland, and, moreover, a lack of clarity as to their knowledge levels apropos the strategic brand management process. Essentially, many small business owners may not even realise that their business is a brand, partly due to a lack of understanding of what the concepts of a brand and branding actually mean. This paper presents findings from research associated with the brand development practices of Irish micro and small enterprises. A <span>qualitative data collection tool, leveraging semi-structured interviews is employed to collect substantive and relevant data from </span>10 Irish micro and small business owners. The study extends the knowledge of the brand development process being undertaken by these companies. </span></p><p class="ber"><span lang="EN-GB">The findings in this study reveal an unfavourable picture in terms of branding practices in Irish SME’s and demonstrates a lack of understanding and devotion on behalf of founder-owners towards the process. These conclusions have direct implications for branding literature, specifically in relation to Irish and international SMEs and also for managerial practice within those organisations. </span></p>

scholarly journals Innovation in small family firms: A qualitative multipla case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-28
Author(s):  
Jan Urban ◽  
Zdeněk Caha
Keyword(s):  
Family Firms ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Local Economies ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Market Competitiveness ◽  
Multiple Case

Family firms, accounting globally for the majority of companies, are the backbone of many national and local economies. Despite their importance as both employers and producers/service providers, research on these firms, analyzing their innovative behavior or comparing it with other forms of companies, has often been describing them as more conservative and less risk-raking, generating thus less innovation compared with other types of businesses. The goal of this study was to analyze the scope innovative activities in family owned companies on the basis of an empirical qualitative survey, founded on descriptive multiple-case study analysis of fifteen small, locally operating family owned firms in retail and service-industry, which have successfully survived 5 or more years in business. It used semi structured interviews with family owners and focused on identifying their attitudes to innovation as well as their skills to apply innovations of various types, important for their market competitiveness. The results of the survey, contrary to some earlier findings pointing to family firms ́ conservativeness, showed that these firms, due to their specific organizational culture, rely on innovations substantially, though the main focus of their innovations tends to be on product/technological changes as well as innovations in clients ́ relations.

scholarly journals Social Media Marketing Adoption Strategies: An Exploratory Multiple Case Study of Landscape Industry Small Businesses

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Crystal Lupo ◽  
Jason R. Stroman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Multiple Case

Despite research contending that marketing is a pivotal factor in small business success, many small business owners continue to underutilize low-cost marketing options available to them. Of these options, social media marketing is a useful tool to maintain competitiveness in the larger marketplace. However, the adoption of social media best practices in small business remains deficient. The landscape industry is a large and growing field with small businesses making up a large and growing share of the industry. Yet some landscape industry small business owners lack strategies to adopt innovative social media marketing strategies to help ensure business viability. This study incorporated a qualitative, exploratory multiple-case study design to explore how landscape industry small business owners use social media marketing strategies to help ensure business viability. Results indicated that successful marketing strategies tended to incorporate Facebook as the primary social media tool and included content such as service, education, and holiday posts. Benefits of social media marketing primarily centered on low-cost marketing options for improved visibility, while challenges included a trial-and-error learning curve. Results of this study might help small businesses improve their long-term viability through social media marketing strategies.

scholarly journals Regional small businesses’ personal and inter-firm networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 1957-1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalleh Sharafizad ◽  
Kerry Brown
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Firm Networks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of personal and inter-firm networks and the elements that contribute to the formation and management of these networks for regional small businesses. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 small business owners located in regional areas. Findings The findings highlight key characteristics of regional small business owners’ networks. Findings indicated that participants relied strongly on their personal networks for business purposes. This study shows that while personal networks adapted and changed into informal inter-firm networks, weak-tie relations within inter-firm networks were unlikely to develop into close personal networks. Novel findings also include a preference for “regional interactions” and included regular collaboration with local business competitors. Although the participants used social media to manage their business through personal networks, results confirmed there was a lack of awareness of the benefits of inter-firm networks with businesses outside the local region. Originality/value While it is acknowledged small business owners use personal and inter-firm connections to maintain and grow their business, there is a lack of research examining both of these networks in the same study. This research addresses this gap and presents five propositions as a useful direction for future research. This paper adds to the evolution of existing knowledge by expanding understanding of the formation of business networks and conditions of business trust relations within a regional context.

scholarly journals Small Business Startup Funding for Youth Employment in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Dr. Nana A. Akaeze ◽  
Dr. Christian O. Akaeze
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Support Programs ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Youth Leaders ◽  
Business Startup ◽  
Unemployed Youth

<em>Jobs are generated by initiating and growing small businesses within underdeveloped economies. Unemployment among youths is a critical problem confronting Nigeria (Nwogwugwu &amp; Irechukwu, 2015). Unemployment leads to less growth and a drop-in consumer spending. Increased unemployment generates lowered business output. Unemployment results in welfare loss from lowered output, income, and wellbeing which hinder social progress of nations. Nevertheless, unemployed youths with small business initiatives experience financial constraints and lack access to startup capitals. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of some owners who succeeded despite lack of access to formal and informal sources of initial capitals. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 small business owners in Lagos who started as unemployed youths. We purposefully selected participants, used thematic for data analysis, NVivo 10 software for coding and interpretation. Findings revealed 3 critical challenges to access initial capitals for startups by unemployed youths including: (a) inability to provide collaterals, (b) Reliance on insufficient private finance and short term overdrafts, and (c) bureaucracy. Result may become basis for future interventions and support programs. Authorities and youth leaders could use information for trainings and support programs to help unemployed youth access startup capitals for small business.</em>

EVIDENCE FROM THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SMALL BUSINESS

2021 ◽  
Vol 14(63) (1) ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Gianina BOSTAN MOTOAŞCĂ
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Impact

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected both individuals and the business environment in a profound and unexpected way. The restrictions imposed and the economic crises caused by them have led to the closure of some businesses, especially small businesses. The present research aims to study the opinions, perceptions, behaviour, and attitude of administrators, of small-business owners towards the impact of the pandemic in order to outline their emotional state and the sample of future needs. The qualitative study illustrates the combined analysis of the results of the answers of sixteen structured interviews, in-depth phone interviews. This research could represent the starting point of a more extensive research in this field

Measuring Success in Family Businesses: The Concept of Configurational Fit

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Hienerth ◽  
Alexander Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Comparable Data ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Success Measurement ◽  
Success Evaluation ◽  
As Effects

The problems associated with measuring success in small businesses are primarily caused by a lack of comparable data due to the ambiguity of “success” and by subjective biases. Success evaluation is dominated by the estimates of business owners, who tend to overestimate overall success and internal strengths. However, reliable success measurement instruments would be useful for small business owners/managers as well as small business policymakers. The main purposes of this article are to compare various measures of success, to explore the differences in their outcomes, and to analyze whether a model of success measurement using configurational fit can be used to overcome subjective biases. The study is based on a recent survey of 103 small family-owned businesses in the eastern Austrian border region. Our analysis of the data confirmed the existence of the measurement problems mentioned above. Although some individual indicators show significant biases as well as effects due to company age, size, and industry, the aggregated indicator based on the concept of configurational fit seems to be an appropriate means of overcoming most of these drawbacks.

Small Business Stories: Surviving and Thriving Amidst the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie McCall ◽  
Khaliid Scott ◽  
Urmi Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Entrepreneurial Spirit ◽  
Aid Programs

The COVID-19 pandemic will leave an enduring mark on North Carolina’s small business community. Using a phenomenological framework, we conducted a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews with small business owners about how they addressed the pandemic’s challenges. Four central themes emerged that illustrate the complexity and nuance of small business resiliency. Our data suggest that to survive and thrive, entrepreneurs had to: (1) be adaptable and willing to pivot, (2) have an entrepreneurial spirit, (3) leverage their social capital, and (4) have the knowledge and ability to apply for aid programs.

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