Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

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

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Carol-anne Faint

Abstract

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic revealed obstacles for immigrant small business owners (ISBOs) to sustain growth. ISBOs need strategies for growth sustainability following emergencies because United States immigrant-owned small businesses accounting for 28% of the main street businesses, declined by 36% in revenues between January to April 2020 due to the pandemic. Grounded in the entrepreneurial ecosystem framework and business continuity management model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies four South Dakota ISBOs used to revitalize their businesses to ensure sustainable growth after the COVID-19 emergency. Data were collected by conducting semistructured interviews and reviews of organization documents and physical artifacts and analyzed using thematic analysis and Yin’s five-step approach. Six themes emerged: developing resilient personal capabilities and fostering business structure for growth; improving engagement and communications to enhance trust; leveraging financial, linguistic, and technology resources for business continuity; ensuring resilient tools for business sustainability; establishing business risk mitigation and compliance practices; and employing business continuity measurement tools. A key recommendation for ISBOs is to strengthen communication skills and channels to enhance engagement with customers and business partners to realize business and social value. The implications for positive social change include the potential for sustainable business growth, stability, and resilience in local communities' financial, social, and cultural foundations.

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