Research Paper - Entrepreneurial Strategy Matrix

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page .............................................................................. 0

Table of Contents ............................................................................. 1

List of Figures .............................................................................. 3

Abstract .............................................................................. 4

1. The Problem and Its Background .......................................... 5

1.1. Introduction .................................................................. 5

1.2. Background of the Study ...................................................... 5

1.3. Theoretical Framework ...................................................... 6

Conceptual Framework ...................................................... 7

1.4. Research Paradigm ...................................................... 8

1.5. Statement of the Problem ...................................................... 9

1.6. Objectives .............................................................................. 9

1.7. Hypotheses .............................................................................. 9

1.8. Significance of the Study ...................................................... 10

1.9. Scope and Limitations of the Study ...................................... 10

1.10 . Definition of Terms ...................................................... 11

2. Review of Related Literature Studies

2.1. Related Literature .................................................................. 13

Foreign .............................................................................. 13

Local .............................................................................. 16

2.2. Related Studies ................................................................... 17

Foreign ............................................................................... 17

Local ............................................................................... 18

2.3. Relevance of the Related Literature and Studies

to the Present Study ....................................................... 19

3. Research Methodology

3.1. Research Design ................................................................... 20

3.2. Population and Sampling ...................................................... 21

3.3. Setting and Respondents ....................................................... 21

3.4. Research Instruments ...................................................... 21

3.4.1. Preparation .................................................................. 21

3.4.2. Validation .................................................................. 22

3.5. Data Gathering Procedure ...................................................... 22

3.6. Statistical Treatment of Data .................................................. 23

4. Presentation and Analysis of Data ........................................... 25

5. Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations ............................... 30

Bibliography ................................................................................. 36

Appendix ................................................................................. 40

LIST OF FIGURES

ABSTRACT

This descriptive study of 100 small firms identified strategies most frequently used by their managers. These strategies were identified using the Entrepreneurial Strategy Matrix, a situational model in which the identification of levels of innovation and risk lead to prescriptions of appropriate strategies. Concurrently, this model was empirically tested and its validity supported. Of the strategies used, the five most common were: "work to create a competitive advantage," "maintain innovation," "lower the costs of developing and/or maintaining one's venture," "defend product/service as it is now," and "create a first mover advantage." In addition, there were no differences between the use of strategies by entrepreneurs in service and manufacturing industries.

CHAPTER 1 - THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION

There is a comprehensive body of literature on strategic planning (Porter 1996), the effects of strategic planning on performance (Veliyath and Shortell 1993), and the effects of strategic planning on small business performance (Covin and Slevin 1991; Watts and Ormbsy 1990). Much of the research on the effects of strategic planning on small business performance focuses on comparing differences between those that conduct formal planning and those that do not (Robinson and Pearce 1983). However, this study found no empirical investigations that focus on non-formal small