Small businesses play a key role in the health of the U.S. economy; however, approximately 50% of small businesses fail within the first 5 years of operation. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies used by owners of small businesses to sustain their businesses for longer than 5 years. The conceptual framework used was the resource-based theory. The population of this study consisted of 3 owners of small businesses in North Carolina who sustained their businesses for at least 5 years. The data sources included semistructured interviews of the participants as well as business websites, social media pages, and documents. The data analysis process included data cleaning, uploading transcribed interviews into qualitative data analysis software, organizing, and coding. Member checking and triangulation with the data sources helped ensure methodological saturation and trustworthiness of interpretations. The thematic analysis led to the identification of 5 major themes contributing to company sustainability: strategic business planning and financial planning, risk management and cost control strategies, networking and relationship building, innovation and niche marketing, and environmental scanning. The results of further analysis indicated that the 3 strategies needed for success by owners of small businesses were strategic business planning and financial planning, networking and relationship building, and niche marketing. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to improve the competence of small business owners and business sustainability, increase small business profit, and provide a better quality of life to employees and better welfare for their communities, benefiting the entire U.S. economy.

Owners of small retail businesses who fail to implement adequate managerial strategies experience reduced profits and sustainability challenges. Small businesses account for 85.3% of the market, and 66% of small businesses fail within the first 5 years due to low sales and personnel issues. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the managerial strategies that owners of successful small retail businesses implemented to sustain their operations for longer than the first 5 years. The population for the study included owners of 3 small retail businesses in the southeastern region of the United States, who successfully implemented managerial strategies and remained in business for longer than 5 years. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with the owners and from a review of the company websites and social media pages. Systems theory and the general systems theory was the conceptual framework for the study. Data were analyzed in accordance with Yin's 5-phase data analysis process consisting of pattern matching, explanation building, time-series analysis, program logic models, and cross-case synthesis. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: updating the business model, addressing customer feedback, and enhancing business efficiency. The findings of this study could contribute to positive social change by providing insights for owners of small retail businesses regarding strategy execution for managerial approaches that increase business productivity, which may lead to the improved economic wellbeing of some employees as well as positive contributions to the communities' retail businesses serve.

Small businesses are considered the backbone of the U.S. economy with significant contributions in the areas of job creation and economic development. However, 79% of small businesses fail within the first 5 years. This multiple case study aimed to explore strategies and knowledge of resources that owners of small businesses used to sustain business operations for longer than the first 5 years. The population included 5 minority owners of small businesses in Texas. Chaos theory formed the conceptual framework. The data collection process included semistructured interviews, member checks, field notes, company artifacts, and archival documents. Data were analyzed using Yin's data analysis steps of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding. Three themes emerged from the analysis: effective management of the business environment, effective planning, and business owners' skills and knowledge. The U.S. Small Business Administration, local chambers of commerce, and owners of small businesses may benefit from the findings of this study by gaining an understanding of successful minority owners of small businesses' implemented strategies that enable business success and profitability. The implications of this study for positive social change include identifying sustainable strategies minority owners of small businesses can use to advance business growth, increase financial security, achieve employee job sustainability, and potentially stimulate the local community with job creation.

The absence of adequate crisis management strategies in small firms could result in a premature small business closure. A qualitative multiple-case study was used to explore the crisis management strategies that 3 small business owners have used to survive an unexpected operational interruption. The small business owners in this study were from different industries in the southeast region of the United States and each owner owned a business for more than 5 years and had survived at least a single crisis. The theory of crisis management and crisis intervention theory were the conceptual frameworks for this study. Data collection occurred through semistructured face-to-face interviews with small business owners; observations; and a review of company documents comprised of business plans, insurance policies, floor plans, and emergency exit routes. Data were thematically analyzed and then triangulated to ensure trustworthiness of interpretations. The findings included 3 emergent themes: the importance of developing survival strategies; transparency, open communication, and relationship building; and creative thinking as a survival strategy. Recommendations for action include securing adequate insurance coverage, investing in a worker's compensation policy, and maintaining transparent and fluent communications with vendors and consumers. Small business owners who implement survival strategies may contribute to positive social change by continuing to create employment opportunities that improve economic conditions in local communities.

There has been few research studies aimed at investigating strategy in small businesses. The current study sought to contribute to small business management and help small businesses attain success as they are important in any economy. Furthermore to close the gap as a response to the call for research in what people actually do when strategising. The following study explored the strategising practices of small business managers from the accommodation sector and the tools they use when strategising. A total of 12 interviews were conducted during the period 2014-2015 in the Tshwane metropolitan area. The findings of the study show that small business managers strategise although not in the way proposed by literature which may reveal that strategy-as-practice may be more appropriate for small businesses. The findings also show the tools that small business managers use in strategising. The research will serve as a contribution to the current challenges facing small businesses in the practice of strategic management or lack thereof in the managing of small businesses to ensure success. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Dans cette thèse, nous identifions les déterminants de la survie des nouvelles entreprises créées par les jeunes diplômés de l'enseignement supérieur, bénéficiant de prêts bancaires à taux bonifié. Un accent est mis sur l’impact des politiques d’aides publiques. Les données sont issues d’une enquête réalisée en 2013, sous la tutelle de l’Université de Sfax, sur une cohorte de 160 entreprises créées entre le 01/01/2008 et 31/12/2008, soit cinq ans après la création. Le taux de réponse était de 81,25%. Après avoir évoqué la problématique de survie de la petite entreprise nouvellement créée, nous recourons aux modèles de durée, et plus précisément au modèle semi-paramétrique de Cox (1972). L’analyse conduit à mettre en lumière qu’un entrepreneur voit son entreprise plus pérenne, lorsqu’il s’agit d’un homme étudiant qui s’est lancé dans les affaires l’année de l’obtention de son diplôme, ayant un entourage entrepreneurial qui stimule chez lui le goût d’entreprendre et d’indépendance. L’amélioration de la survie découle de la similitude entre l’activité préalable de l’entrepreneur et l’activité de son entreprise, et la détention d’un capital initial de démarrage qui dépasse les 30.000 DT. Les aides octroyées par l’Etat aux nouveaux promoteurs (subvention d’investissement, bourse d’accompagnement, allégement des charges sociales et patronales) ne contribuent pas à diminuer le risque de l’échec entrepreneurial, à l’exception de la prise en charge par l’Etat d’une partie des salaires. Par contre une entreprise bénéficiant d’une formation entrepreneuriale et d’un accompagnement post-création, voit sa probabilité de survie s’accroître. / In this dissertation we identify the determinants of the longevity and the probability of survival of small businesses created by young graduates benefiting from bank loans at enhanced rates. The focus is on the policy impact of public support for the creation of companies. The data are based on a survey conducted in 2013 under the tutelage of the University of Sfax (Tunisia) of a cohort of 160 companies five years after they were first formed. The response rate was 81.25%. After discussing the issue of the survival of newly-established companies and the factors that promote their survival, we use duration models specifically the Cox model (1972). This analysis allows us to shed light on a business is more likely to survive if the entrepreneur is a male who started his business within a year of graduating and comes from an entrepreneurial background, stimulating his entrepreneurial spirit. The improved longevity of small companies ensues from the similarity between the entrepreneur’s previous occupation and the activity of his own company, and from the initial start-up capital if it exceeds 30.000 DT. Aid granted by the State for new promoters (investment subsidy, grant, and reduction in social security contributions) does not help reduce the risk of entrepreneurial failure with the exception of State aid to support a portion of employees’ wages. On the other hand, a company benefiting from entrepreneurial training before creation and from support post-creation sees its probability of survival rise.