Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Thomas S. Schaefer
Abstract
Low plastic recycling levels impact the profitability of plastic recycling businesses. Business owners of small plastic recycling businesses have limited resources, and the plastic recycling industry is still in its developmental stages. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies used by owners of small plastic recycling businesses to improve their profitability. The participants were nine small business owners of the plastic recycling sector of southwest Nigeria who successfully improved their business profitability. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Through thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (a) develop strategies for sourcing quality plastic waste, (b) manage workers to improve profitability, and (c) establish an effective business strategy. A key recommendation is that business owners locate their plastic recycling business close to sources of plastic waste, process their waste, and increase their transformational leadership style with workers. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide employment opportunities with improved wages, undertake social projects, create communal wealth, and conserve the environment from plastic waste dumping.
Recommended Citation
Amene, Chukwudi Alexander, "Strategies Small Business Owners Use to Improve Profitability in the Plastic Recycling" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13160.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13160
