Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

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

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Meridith Wentz

Abstract

AbstractMinority business enterprises contribute notably to the growth of the U.S. economy. Minority business enterprise owners who do not use successful strategies to maintain cash flow to remain in business longer than five years have a significant chance of failure. Grounded in Greiner’s growth model and Scott and Bruce’s five stages of growth in small business model, the goal of this qualitative single case study was to explore the strategies senior leaders of a minority business enterprise use to maintain adequate cash flow to stay in business longer than five years. Participants comprised one senior leader and two trusted advisors of a minority business enterprise in the Washington, D.C. area. Data collection included semistructured interviews, organizational documentation, and archival data. Yin’s five step theme analysis process was used to analyze the data. The key themes that emerged were (a) openness to partnerships that could increase cash flow opportunities, (b) building stronger relationships with customers, and (c) being prepared to adjust the strategic plan. A key recommendation for minority business enterprise leaders is to be flexible in their strategic plan to deal with unforeseen economic, social, and technological challenges by investing in software that identifies specific trends that may impact current or future business decisions. One of the implications of positive social change may be that minority business enterprises have an opportunity to remain in business, which may boost local economies.

Included in

Business Commons

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