Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

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

School

Management

Advisor

Jamie Klein

Abstract

Immigrant entrepreneurs play a significant role in the economic development of the United States. However, some small business immigrant entrepreneurs are less successful than small business nonimmigrant entrepreneurs. The purpose of this multicase study was to explore the strategies some small business immigrant entrepreneurs use to sustain and grow their businesses profitably. Using a purposeful sampling technique, the population for this study consisted of 5 small business immigrant entrepreneurs having sustained and grown businesses for a minimum of 5 years in Houston, Texas. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was a combination of Barney's resource-based theory and the Light's disadvantage theory of business enterprise. Data collection consisted of interviews, field notes about observations, and review of documentation related to business strategies. Data analysis involved a process of disassembling data into common codes, reassembling data into themes, interpreting meaning, and making conclusions. The following 4 themes emerged from data analysis: providing good customer service, offering lower prices than competitors, offering popular products, and keeping costs and expenses low. Results showed that small business immigrant entrepreneurs concentrate on differentiation and cost control to sustain and grow their businesses profitably. The implications for positive social change included the potential to provide small business immigrant entrepreneurs with knowledge to improve their business strategies, thereby enhancing their contribution to the prosperity of their families, their employees, and their local community.

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