Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

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

School

Management

Advisor

Kenneth D. Gossett

Abstract

Some owner-managers of microenterprises (MEs) in Nigeria lack effective strategies to sustain their businesses beyond the first 5 years of operations. Owners of existing and new MEs would benefit from strategies to mitigate constraints for business survival because failure rates are higher among MEs. Grounded in the resource-based theory, the purpose of the current qualitative multiple case study was to explore the survival strategies some owner-managers use to sustain their enterprises in Nigeria. The targeted population was six purposefully selected ME owner-managers who survived in business for over 5 years in Lagos, Nigeria. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a reflexive journal. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-step thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: the need for owner-managers of MEs to practice resilience, build and leverage their relationships and networks, and develop sustainable business operations. A key recommendation is for owner-managers of MEs to implement strategies directed toward self-development of entrepreneurial resiliency to enhance survivability in a harsh environment. The positive social change implications include potentially decreasing unemployment, reducing poverty, improving wealth creation, and improving socioeconomic well-being in Nigeria.

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