Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
Isabel L. Wan
Abstract
AbstractSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute a crucial driving force for global economic growth. Some SME business owners face challenges in adopting business sustainability strategies to stay in business beyond five years. The ravages of unemployment due to business closure negatively impact the socio-economic wellbeing of the local community residents. Grounded in the sustainable development theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies SME business owners in South Africa use to stay in business beyond five years. The participants comprised six SME business owners from six industrial sectors in the Gauteng province of South Africa who effectively adopted business sustainability strategies to stay in business beyond five years. The sources of data collection included company documents, field notes, observations, and semistructured interviews. Four themes that emerged from the thematic analysis were: business planning and marketing, people management, financial management, and adherence to environmental and governance issues. A key recommendation is for SME owners to train and motivate employees to optimize workplace productivity and growth. The implications for positive social change include the potential for SME owners in South Africa to create job opportunities, provide social amenities and welfare, and promote the regional communities’ economic development.
Recommended Citation
Aharanwa, Celestine Chiedo, "Business Sustainability Strategies of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 10375.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/10375
