Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

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

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Dr. Peter Anthony

Abstract

Small business owners need effective strategies to increase profitability. One such strategy is the adoption of information technology (IT). The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies used by small business enterprise (SBE) owners to implement IT solutions for increased profitability within 3 years of opening their business. The population consisted of 3 small business owners in Orange County Southern California who were profitable by their third year of business. The conceptual framework for this study was based upon general systems theory. Data for this study were collected through semistructured interviews and a review of company documents. Transcript review and member checking were included for validity and reliability purposes. Methodological triangulation, achieved through analysis of business plans, financial documents, and probability trends documents allowed identification of 4 emergent themes: Essential strategies small business owners use to implement IT solutions for increased profitability, the essential relationship between network orientation and successful IT implementation, the relationship between IT consultants and successful implementation, and the relationship between internal IT resources and successful implementation. The findings from this study could impact social change because when SBEs are profitable, SBE owners will contribute to the affluence of their workers, communities, local economies, and society.

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