Over 35 years of gross economic mismanagement and business failures led Liberia's gross domestic product to collapse by 90% in less than two decades. As a result of a general lack of business skills, up to 80% of Liberian small-business entrepreneurs fail in business beyond the first year. Based on the theory of constraints, the purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the business skills that Liberian small-business entrepreneurs used to succeed in business beyond the first year. Data came from semistructured face-to-face interviews with 5 central regional Liberian small-business entrepreneurs who had succeeded in business beyond the first year. Participant observation, the use of company documents, and the use of member checking allowed for methodological triangulation and verification of the themes. Analysis of data involved using pattern-matching technique and date coding to evaluate, organize, code, and analyze the raw data. There were 3 prominent themes that emerged among entrepreneurs during data analysis: business knowledge, bookkeeping, and pricing skills. The data from the results indicated, within this particular context, Liberian small-business entrepreneurs used business skills for knowledge, finance, and marketing. Focusing on these practices may lead to increased profit and business success beyond the first year for other Liberian small-business entrepreneurs. The findings from the study could provide mechanisms for social change by giving Liberian small-business entrepreneurs additional ideas for using their business skills in their businesses. Furthermore, the findings may aid the Liberian communities to create training programs and curriculums for numerous Liberian colleges and institutions for future Liberian small-business owners.

Denna uppsats undersöker hur riskmedvetenhet och krisberedskap ser ut hos småföretagare i besöksnäringen, vilka förutsättningar som finns för dem och vilka behov de har. Med rätt förutsättningar blir de mer motståndskraftiga och får en bättre möjlighet att förebygga risker och hantera uppkomna krissituationer. Det finns en utsatthet i deras småskalighet vilket kan innebära behov av stöttning från sina branschorganisationer, både i hanteringen av själva krisen som i arbetet med riskmedvetenheten. Forskningen spelar en viktig roll och den är omfattande inom krishanteringens alla områden men brister i kombinationen småföretagare, besöksnäring och krishantering. Den saknar en gemensam terminologi vilket skulle underlätta och förbättra den gemensamma forskningen i framtiden, både nationellt som globalt. Dessutom behöver dagens utbildningsunderlag, krisledningsmodeller och planer nyanseras och anpassas till en mer småskalig verksamhet. Uppsatsen utgår från en pusselbitsansats och har antagit en kritisk realistisk position. Med stöd av forskningen och genom undersökningar av myndigheter, branschorganisationer och småföretagare undersöks vilka mekanismer som påverkar och vilka pusselbitar som saknas. Uppsatsens analys och slutsats bidrar med sex pusselbitar till framtida forskning och utveckling; kommunikation, nätverk, medlemsorganisationer, utbildning samverkan och forskning. / This essay examines what risk awareness and crisis preparedness look like among small business entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry, what conditions exist for them and what needs they have. With the right conditions, they become more resilient and have a better opportunity to prevent risks and handle emerging crisis situations. There is a vulnerability in their small scale, which may mean a need for support from their member organisations, both in handling the crisis itself and in the work with risk awareness. The research on this topic plays an important role and it is extensive in all areas of crisis management, but it is lacking in the combination of small business entrepreneurs, the hospitality industry and crisis management. It lacks a common terminology, which would facilitate and improve joint research in the future, both nationally and globally. In addition, today's training material, crisis management models and plans need to be nuanced and adapted to a more smallscale operation. The essay starts from a puzzle piece approach and has adopted a critical realist position. It is investigating which mechanisms have an impact and witch pieces of the puzle are missing, with the support of research and through surveys of authorities, industry organisation and small businesses. The essay's analysis and conclusion contribute six pieces of the puzzle to future research and development; communication, networks, member organisations, education, collaboration and research.