Svotwa, Tendai Douglas and Du Plessis, Yvonne (2023) Business factors contributing to Zimbabwean Small and Medium Enterprises’ hostile survival: a qualitative study. In: 7th Biennial Conference: Transforming Organizations in the Digital Era: Dignity, Justice and Prosperity in Africa, 8th - 10th Jan, 2024, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the engines of growth for most developed and emerging economies. In Zimbabwe, SMEs play a critical role in the economy and account for 84% of the population’s livelihoods. The study used the theoretical lenses of the survival-based theory and the resource-based view in explicating the business success factors for SMEs. A phenomenological research design, using the principles of grounded theory was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of how the SME owner-managers were successful in managing their enterprises in view of the challenging business terrain. In collecting qualitative data, a purposive sampling method was used in identifying the owner- managers who possessed the needed information, based on semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that where SMEs sustained production over years and owner managed companies utilised up-to- date technologies their companies fared better than those which did not. Recommendations are made to Zimbabwean owner-managed SMEs to acquire latest technologies for their manufacturing processes to have a competitive advantage. Due to the limited number of interviews, generalizability of the findings may be difficult. Further research is suggested in other countries across the globe to understand how SMEs have fared especially in hostile market environments like the Zimbabwean economic environment.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	SMEs; business success factors; engineering and manufacturing SMEs; grounded theory; owner-managers; resource-based view
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business
Related URLs:	Organisation
Last Modified:	07 May 2024 11:21
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/47070

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