Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

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

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Rocky Dwyer

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential to every nation’s economic growth, including the United States, but more than 67% of SMEs fail within the first 10 years. When SMEs implement long term business sustainability strategies, they continue to generate business and remain profitable, enabling SMEs to remain viable and contribute to local community employment opportunities. Using entrepreneurship theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies used by 3 SME owners in the northeastern region of the United States to sustain their businesses beyond 10 years. Data were collected using semistructured interviews as well as a review of business documents and external websites. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-phase cycle, resulted in 4 themes: personal investment and identification, proper financial management, strong advertising strategy, and supporting and accommodating staff. The implications for positive social change include the potential for SME business owners’ understanding of operational and management strategies required for their businesses' continued sustainability. By applying this understanding, SME owners may realize positive social change by reducing local unemployment rates, improving local tax revenue to municipalities, and enhancing local economic development.

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