Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

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

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Beverly Muhammad

Abstract

Entrepreneurs of small businesses fail because of the lack of strategies to improve business performance. Using the model of strategic entrepreneurship, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies entrepreneurs used to exploit entrepreneurial opportunities to improve their business performance. Three entrepreneurs from different fitness businesses in South Carolina shared strategies used to exploit entrepreneurial opportunities to business performance. Data were collected from semistructured, face-to-face interviews and a review of company documents such as business performance plans, consolidated financial statements, and a digital equipment user log. Member checking and methodological triangulation increased the validity of the data. The data analysis process involved compiling and disassembling the data into codes, reassembling the data, interpreting the meaning, and writing and reporting the themes. The information collected from 3 participant responses was insufficient to answer the central research question. Participants provided information but did not give rich feedback to confirm or disprove their use of strategies to improve business performance. The themes that emerged from the data analysis were planning to improve business performance and effective leadership. Both themes were entrepreneurial opportunities identified as strategies by entrepreneurs used to improve business performance. The themes identified as strategies might help other entrepreneurs improve business performance for small business success. Implications for positive social change include providing new insights for best business practices, better preparation to increase entrepreneurial survival, and good relationships leading to healthier community lifestyles.

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