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.
Reference:
Van der Merwe, M., Grobbelaar, S., Meyer, I.A., Schutte, C. & Von Leipzig, K. 2020. A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid. Sustainability, 12(22). http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12030
Van der Merwe, M., Grobbelaar, S., Meyer, I. A., Schutte, C., & Von Leipzig, K. (2020). A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid. Sustainability, 12(22), http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12030
Van der Merwe, MD, SS Grobbelaar, Isabella A Meyer, CL Schutte, and KH Von Leipzig "A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid." Sustainability, 12(22) (2020) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12030
Van der Merwe M, Grobbelaar S, Meyer IA, Schutte C, Von Leipzig K. A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid. Sustainability, 12(22). 2020; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12030.