Date of Conferral

10-13-2026

Date of Award

October 2026

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Dr. Inez Black

Abstract

Inflation has the potential to adversely affect the sustainability and long-term viability of small businesses. Small business owners are concerned with maintaining organizational resilience because prolonged inflation can increase operating costs, reduce profit margins, and threaten business continuity. Grounded by Fiedler’s contingency theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the financial and strategic planning strategies successful small business owners use to maintain profitability and operational stability during periods of inflation. The participants were 10 small business owners who had operated their businesses for at least 3 years and were responsible for strategic decision making. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and review of relevant public documents. Through thematic data analysis, eight themes were identified: (a) business resilience, (b) economic pressure, (c) financial planning, (d) external support systems, (e) operational stability, (f) performance evaluation and monitoring, (g) strategic decision making, and (h) technology utilization. A key recommendation is for small business owners to establish a proactive management approach that allows businesses to anticipate and respond to inflationary pressures before those pressures significantly affect profitability or daily operations. The implications for positive social change include supporting sustainable small businesses, potentially preserving employment opportunities, strengthening local economies, and improving community economic stability through adaptive leadership and evidence-based financial and strategic planning practices.

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