A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid
Date
2020-11-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Enterprises operating at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) find it difficult to simultaneously
achieve economic (profitable growth) and social (poverty alleviation) outcomes. This study builds
on a previously published systematic literature review that identified the key growth-promoting
factors of the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in this space. A Grounded
Theory Approach was followed to identify six core focus areas, which form the basis of a practical
framework to evaluate SMMEs at the BoP, namely: Business modelling; business strategy; innovation;
marketing; strategic alliances; and sustainable development. Expert screening interviews were
conducted to evaluate the framework for credibility and confirmability. Thereafter, 57 for-profit
South African enterprises were surveyed to empirically explore how SMMEs view and implement
these framework components. The outcome of the study is a validated high growth-promoting BoP
portfolio framework against which SMME owners can evaluate their enterprises to identify areas of
growth and development.
Description
CITATION: Van der Merwe, M. D. et al. 2020. A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid. Sustainability, 12(22):9327, doi:10.3390/su12229327.
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
Keywords
SMMEs, Microenterprises -- Growth, Social inequality, Wealth -- Distribution (Economic theory)
Citation
Van der Merwe, M. D. et al. 2020. A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid. Sustainability, 12(22):9327, doi:10.3390/su12229327.