Business-Strategy-Entrepreneurs 111

Republic of the Philippines
NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

San Miguel Campus
San Miguel, Surigao del Sur 8301
CHAPTER I
The Problem and Its Setting
Introduction
Small business entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy. It
creates jobs, innovation and to stimulate economic growth. Running a small
business can be challenging in today's economy. Small entrepreneurs face many
obstacles, including tight credit markets, taxes, regulation and competition from
larger business. The worst thing that can happen to a small business is when it
fails. To attain survival of business, entrepreneurs must hone their skills and set
clear goals by knowing strategies that can create value for the business,
customers, employees and suppliers. There are lots of entrepreneurs right now
who doesn’t seem to know the usefulness of business strategies which it leads
their business into failure and having a hard time to cope up with the situation.
According to (Bengtsson and Johansson 2014) small business
entrepreneurs face challenges as they attempt to create and sustain business
ventures. They lack of key resources, have limited market presence and depend
on comfortable customer base. Small business owners have a difficult time
keeping their business from failing because few of them have access to enough
financial and non-financial resources (Falker and Hielb,2015). They found that
the most commonly used strategies were: working to create a competitive
1
San Miguel Campus
advantage, maintaining innovation, lowering cost, maintaining product/service
levels and creating a first-mover advantage (Lussier et al, 2001). Business
strategies provide overall direction to the enterprises and involve specifying the
organization's objectives, developing policies and plans to achieve objectives.
Business strategies are important for directing a company’s goals to achieve
virtuoso performance. Business strategies focuses on improving the competitive
position of a company’s products and services in a particular industry or market
segment served by the company. Through a competitive position, the company’s
products can improve its performance, to achieve excellent results. A stronger
business strategy can also help companies create new ideas, open up
opportunities to penetrate the market and conduct experiments, despite the risk,
so they may become market leaders by implementing their long-term strategies
and goals. Business strategies differ from strategy at the corporate level.
Although many studies have examined the benefits of business strategies
towards the entrepreneurs to start a business, there still a lack of research on
how those strategies could affect the growth and survival of the business. This
research gap limits our understanding of how can a business strategies affect the
business in long run. Therefore, this study aims to explore how business
strategies affect the growth and survival of a small business entrepreneurs.
2
San Miguel Campus
The findings of this study may help to provide small business
entrepreneurs with knowledge about business strategies to solve problems and
promote products easier. The researchers conducted this study to provide
solutions, enable to help those entrepreneurs to operate their business to survive
beyond years.
3
San Miguel Campus
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to analyze business strategies affecting the survival of
small business entrepreneurs in Barangay Sagbayan, San Miguel Surigao del
Sur. The purpose of this study is to address the following questions:
1. The demographic profile of local entrepreneur in Sagbayan, San Miguel,
Surigao del Sur?
1.1. Name
1.2. Sex
1.3. Age
1.4. Educational attainment
2. What is the background of the business owned by entrepreneurs, in terms of:
2.1 Kind of business
2.2 Year Started
2.3 Number of years in operation
4
San Miguel Campus
2.4 Start-up capitalization
3. What are the business strategies affecting the growth and survival of small
business entrepreneurs in terms of;
3.1 Customer service
3.2 Marketing efficiency
4. What possible recommendations can be proposed?
Significance of the Study
The findings of this study may provide small business entrepreneurs with
a better understanding of the activities that go into business strategies that can
contribute to the growth and survival of small business. The result of this study
might contribute to the following individuals or group.
Entrepreneurs. The findings of the study may benefit them in terms of business
strategies for the growth and survival of business. With this knowledge, they may
hold possession as advocate to their business ventures.
Communities. Gain benefit of entrepreneurship because businesses help to
foster innovation, and create jobs. A successful business is likely to expand,
which generates taxes jobs and other benefits for the area.
5
San Miguel Campus
Students. This study will be an additional literature in the field of Technology
Livelihood Education that will serves as guidelines to their research study.
Future researchers. The study will help future researchers to uncover the
effects of business strategies through the entrepreneurs that many researchers
have not been able to explore.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study aims on small business entrepreneurs in agro-processing,
manufacturing and food industry, with business in Sagbayan, San Miguel,
Surigao del Sur. The research findings and conclusions from this study
conducted on the sample population may not be extendable to the population at
large. This study included small business entrepreneurs who have operated
businesses for more than a year.
6
San Miguel Campus
So
urce: http://maps.app.goo.gl/UQ3Hnayt1phajzWo6
Figure 1. Map of Sagbayan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur
Review of Related Literature & Studies
Foreign
Small business survival is lowest at the beginning phase of the business
(Lechner & Gudmundsson, 2014). Lechner and Gudmundsson (2014) felt that it
was critical for small business owners to develop effective business strategies at
7
San Miguel Campus
the start of the business if the business was to continue. Business strategies
involve decision makers proceeding, by aggressive and defensive actions, to try
to gain a position for the firm to realize a major return on investment (Porter,
1980). Ibrahim (2015) emphasized the importance of a small business owner
selecting the appropriate business strategy. The business strategy sets a pattern
of objectives, purposes, and goals for the business (Ibrahim, 2015). Owners and
managers designed different approaches to try to achieve their goals.
Some factors that contribute to small business performance include
business strategy, business characteristics, and owner-manager characteristics
(Blackburn, Hart, & Wainwright, 2013). The business owner’s decisions about
where and what to focus on form the business strategy of the company. The
business strategy is how the company owners align the business with its
environment to create and maintain a competitive advantage by maximizing its
assets, resources, and competencies in a systemic way (Gumusluoglu & Acur,
2016; Palmer, Wright, & Powers, 2001). Small business owners need to allocate
their limited resources to the activities that enhance their business strategies
(Blackburn et al., 2013; Lan et al., 2014). Mirabeau and Maguire (2014) analyzed
business strategies from the viewpoint that strategies emerged as the result of
autonomous strategic behavior. A business strategy emerged as small business
owners solved problems during the operation of the business and allocated
resources to meet business needs (Mirabeau & Maguire, 2014). McDowell,
8
San Miguel Campus
Harris, and Geho (2016) examined how younger and older organizations
approached strategic orientation. Younger business owners generally had fewer
resources and organizational structure which allowed them to have a more
adaptive strategic capability. According to (McDowell et al. 2016) found that
younger firms should have an external strategic focus if they wanted higher
performance. Karel, Adam, and Radomir (2013) researched and documented the
beneficial effects of strategic planning on the overall performance of micro, small,
and medium-sized enterprises.
In today’s dynamic business environment, it is difficult to explain why
some business survive rapid changes in the environment while others must close
their doors. One possible explanation may be the business knowledge of the
owners/managers of the companies. Block et al. (2017) found that an
entrepreneur’s socio-demographic characteristic, such as experience, was an
important factor in the innovativeness of the small business owner. Pucci, Nosi,
and Zanni (2017) researched the impact managerial capabilities had on firm
performance in new ventures. The researchers found that small business owners
with learning capabilities were better able to detect and cope with market
challenges.
Local
9
San Miguel Campus
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a significant role in
the Philippine economy due to their impact on employment, income, and overall
economic development. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, MSMEs
comprised 99.5 percent of all registered business establishments in 2019. They
generate 62.4 percent of the country's total employment, contribute 36 percent of
gross value added, and account for 25 percent of total exports.
Almeda and Pobre (2012) revealed that most local MSMEs are
managed by their owners, especially among microenterprises, and most (63%)
are led by women. Thus, most of them are microenterprises, such as sari-sari
stores and other businesses that offer goods and products that are readily
available.
Related Studies
Foreign
Business strategies have a positive impact on competitive advantage.
Defining Small businesses found in Thomas (2021) studies, business survive not
by competing head-on with global corporations, but by pursuing the market
niches larger operators ignore. Such a strategy requires constant attention to
detail, necessitating self-analysis well beyond the operational level; it is crucial
that everything from the basic business model down to the operation of the
mailroom is subject to rigorous study. This means determining what, precisely,
10
San Miguel Campus
the business is aiming to offer its customers, how this differentiates it from its
competitors, and how well it is delivering on these core products and services.
Mawyne Jones Sr., Dr JaQuane, and Adit Upadhyay, in their thesis entitled
"Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Sustaining Strategies" International Journal of
Scientific Research and Management 10, no. 10 (October 30, 2022): 4112–18.,
said that more than 20% of small businesses that started in March 2018 failed
within a year. Small business owners would benefit from strategies to identify and
mitigate constraints from inception for business survival because business failure
rates are higher among small businesses less than five years old.
Local
An investigation made by Mendoza (2015), analyzed the financial
performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the Philippines
using secondary data from financial statements for the past three
years. In the study, results showed the enterprises performed favorably in
liquidity, activity and leverage but suffered from a low-level profitability. Using
correlation analysis, the results show a significant linear relationship between
liquidity and activity, liquidity and leverage, and activity and leverage.
However, each of these measures has no significant relationship with
profitability. Using t-tests, the results show no significant difference in the
liquidity, profitability, and inventory turnover of the enterprises when
11
San Miguel Campus
grouped according to organizational form, business type, and asset size.
However, a significant difference exists in receivable turnover, asset turnover,
and debt ratios. The study recommends the MSMEs should revisit their
strategies for improving profitability and use financial performance
information in making critical decisions. Firms should connect financial
performance to the larger external environment of the business so they will
continue to play an important role in the growth of the economy.
Bautista and Manzano (2018) found that only six in every ten exporting
Philippine MSMEs survive after their first year of operation. This figure drops to
less than four in every ten by the end of their fourth year. Thus, the authors urged
the government to support exporting MSMEs. However, Quimba et al. (2021)
discovered that local MSMEs have low e-commerce adoption, with reported rates
of only 6.2 percent (for micro), 14.6 percent (for small), and 13.4 percent (for
medium enterprises) in 2015. This may be attributed to their preference to
maintain their current business model, security and privacy concerns, and
unreliable internet connection. According to Veronica Almase (2017) studies, that
educational attainment is significantly important when a business has to be
sustained and operated at its optimum advantage.
Synthesis
12
San Miguel Campus
The above-mentioned literature and studies both foreign and local provide
various results. It was evident that there are some factors that contributed to
small business performance including business strategy and its characteristics.
This reveals that the business strategies involved decision making proceeding by
aggressive and defensive actions that could help the business to grow and
survive through years. Other business owners or entrepreneurs designed
different strategies to try enable to achieve their own goals. Majority of the
studies found out that small business owners with learning capabilities on
business strategies were better to detect and cope up with market challenges.
The different literature and studies reviewed by the researchers point out
the similarities with the present research for it focused on the used of business
strategies that help the small business to grow and survive. This strategy focuses
more on improving the competitive position of the business products or services
in certain market segments. About the study, the work of cited authors stated that
among the studies they analyzed, business strategies could really help in the
development of a business.
13
San Miguel Campus
Conceptual Framework
Background of the
business owed by
entrepreneur:
 Kind of business
 Year started
The demographic
 Start-up
profile of local
capitalization
entrepreneur:
 Numbers of years
 Name
in business
 Sex PROPOSED
operation RECOMMENDAT
 Age ION
What are the business
 Educational
strategies affecting the
Attainment
growth and survival of
small business
entrepreneurs in terms of:
 Customer service
 Marketing
14
efficiency
San Miguel Campus
Input Process Output
Figure 2. Schematic Diagram of the Study
The figure indicates the schematic diagram of the study. This conceptual
framework begins in taking different respondents as of their name, age, sex, and
educational attainment as the input. Next, the process which the background of
the business owned by the entrepreneurs were included such as the kind of
business, year started, start-up capitalization and number of years in business
operation. The business strategies used by the entrepreneurs were also added in
terms of customer service and marketing efficiency. Lastly, is the output, were
the proposed recommendation, conclusion and suggestion is placed.
15
San Miguel Campus
CHAPTER II
Research Methodology
This chapter presents the research design, the research respondents,
research instrument, procedure of gathering data and the statistical treatment of
data.
Research Design
The researcher used survey research method using quantitative research
to gather quantifiable data from a set of respondents. Survey research advocate
to collect data pertaining the behavior of subject matter. The research question
dealt with how entrepreneurs used business strategies to sustain the growth and
survival of their business operation. The data collected from survey is the
statistically analyzed.
Research Respondents
16
San Miguel Campus
The principal respondents of this study will be 19 local entrepreneurs of
Sagbayan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The respondents were randomly
selected base on the business industry and entrepreneurs who have operated
business for more than a year.
Research Instrument
The researchers used a self-made survey questionnaire to collect the
data, the researchers used a survey questionnaire. A common Likert scale is
used in quantitative research to collect and analyzing data. This five-point Likert
scale is ranging from level 1=never and level 5=Always. This made for
respondents to capture the degree of agreement from negative, neutral or
positive response to a question. The scale rating of the respondents was by their
descriptive scores: five (5) for always disagree at the highest level, four (4) for
mostly disagree at the highest level, three (3) for often agree or disagree, two (2)
for seldom agree at a high level and one (1) for never agree at the highest level.
The survey questionnaire was divided into three (3) parts. The first part is
the profile of the respondents such as their name, age, sex and educational
attainment. The second one is the background of their business in terms of what
kind of business, business year started, number of years in business operation
and start-up capitalization. The third part is the business strategies that is noted
in a 5-point Likert scale ranging from level 1=never and level 5=always.
17
San Miguel Campus
Data Gathering Procedure
The school administration will grant permission distribute the
questionnaire and conduct the study. The researchers will individually distribute
survey questionnaires and conduct the study personally. The study will be
conducted throughout the time period specified in the approved letter. The data
will then be gathered and tabulated in order to produce the results and have a
discussion. The study will use two procedures to collect data: the first will be
obtaining permission from the barangay captain of Sagbayan for the study to be
done, and asking of permission from the entrepreneurs who will serve as
respondents. The second step is to distribute survey questionnaires to the
respondents. Following the completion of the survey, the researcher will have the
essential information to tabulate.
Statistical treatment/Data analysis
In analyzing the gathered data, the following statistical tool and procedure
are used:
Likert scale. A psychometric scale named after its inventor, American social
psychologist Rensis Likert. This rating scale used to measure opinions, attitudes,
or behaviors. It is consist of a statement or question, followed by a series of five
or seven answer statement where the respondent choosed the option that
corresponds with how they feel about the statement or question.
18
San Miguel Campus
Frequency Distribution. A frequency distribution is a presentation, either in
graphical or tabular format, that displays number of observations within a given
interval.
Percentage Distribution. A frequency distribution in which the individual class
frequencies are expressed as percentage of total frequency equated to 100.
Weighted Mean. It is an average computed by giving different weights to some
of the individual values. It represents the average of the given data.
CHAPTER III
Results
Demographic Profile
Table 1.1 Sex
Sex Frequency Percentage
Male 7 36.84%
Female 12 63.15%
Total 19 100%
19
San Miguel Campus
The gender of the respondents is shown in table 1.2. 7 of the 19
respondents are male, accounting for 36.84% of total population, while 12 of the
respondents are female, accounting for 63.15% of the total population.
Table 1.2 Age
Age Frequency Percentage
20- 30 years old 3 15.78%
31-40 years old 4 21.05%
41-50 years old 5 26.31%
51-60 years old 4 21.05%
61-70 years old 2 10.52%
71-above years old 1 5.26%
Total 19 100%
The age of the respondents is shown in table 1.1 indicates that 15.78% of
the respondents are between the age of 20-30 years old, 21.05% of the
respondents are between the age of 31-40 and 51-60 years old,26.31% of the
respondents are between the age of 41-50 years old, 10.52% of the respondents
are between the age of 61-70 years old and 5.26% of the respondents are
between the age of 71- above years old.
20
San Miguel Campus
Table 1.3 Educational Attainment
Educational attainments Frequency Percentage
Elementary Level 0 0%
Secondary level 10 52.63%
Collage level 9 47.36%
Total 19 100%
The level of the educational attainment of the respondents are 52.63% are
high school graduates, 47.36% are college graduate and undergraduates.
Table 2.1 Kind of business of the respondents
Kind of Business Frequency Percentage
Abaca Fiber 4 21.05%
Fish and Meat Vendor 6 31.57%
Rice and corn Mill 1 5.26%
Furniture 1 5.26%
21
San Miguel Campus
Eatery 7 36.84%
Total 19 100%
The table 2.1 shows that most of the respondents has eatery business, it
has 36.84%, second one is Fish and meat vendors, it has 31.57%, the next one
is abaca fiber, it has 21.05%, the last are the rice and corn mill and furniture that
has the same percentage of 5.26%.
Table 2.2 Year the entrepreneur started the business
Year of the business Frequency Percentage
1980-1990 1 5.26%
1991-2000 2 10.53%
2001-2010 3 15.79%
2011-2020 9 47.36%
2021-present 4 21.05%
The tables 2.2 shows what year the respondents started their business, it
indicates that 47.36% of the respondents started their business on 2011-2020,
21.05% of the respondents started their business on 2021-present, the 5.26% of
the respondents started their business on 1980-1990, the 15.79% of the
22
San Miguel Campus
respondents started their business on 2001-2010, lastly, the 10.53% of the
respondents started their business on 1991-2000.
Table 2.3 Number of years in business
Year of business Frequency Percentage
More than a year 4 21.05%
5-10 years 5 26.36%
10-15 years 5 26.36%
15-20 years 1 5.26
Specify the year 4 21.05%
The table 2.3 indicates the duration of the business that the entrepreneur
started, most of them had 26.36% with the duration of 5 year, others had 21.05%
with the duration of 4 years, then the 5.26% had the duration of 1 year.
Table 2.4 Business Capital of the Entrepreneur
Business Capital Frequency percentage
More than 50 thousand 5 26.32%
23
San Miguel Campus
pesos
20-30 thousand pesos 3 15.79%
15 thousand pesos 8 42.11%
10 thousand pesos 3 15.79%
The table 2.4 indicates their business capital, most of them started at 15
thousand pesos with 42.11% the next one is more than 50 thousand pesos which
is 26.32% and the last are 10 thousand pesos and 20-30 thousand pesos which
is 15.79%.
Business strategies used by the entrepreneurs during customer service
24
San Miguel Campus
Table 3.1
Frequency Weight Interpretation
Mean
1. Do you keep prices low to attract 87 4.57 Agree at
more customers? highest level
2. Do you sell additional products to
the same customer to increase

69 3.36 Agree at
profit without having new
high level
customers?
3. Does your business use
temporary discounts to increase

60 3.1 Agree at
sales?
high level
4. Do you accept negative feedback
to improve the product and to

66 3.47 Agree at
satisfy the customer?
high level
5.Are you giving free products to
your customers who keep coming

72 3.79 Agree at
back?
high level
25
San Miguel Campus
Legend= 5.00 - 4.00 - Agree at highest level
3.99 – 3.00 - Agree at high level
2.99 – 2.00 – Neutral
1.99 -1.00 - Disagree at high level
0.99 -0.01 - Disagree at highest level
The table 3.1 shows the business strategies used by the entrepreneurs
during customer service. The highest weighted mean is 4.57 which is the
interpretation is agree in highest level and 3.1 which is the lowest weighted mean
is the strategy used by the entrepreneurs with an interpretation of agree in high
level. This conforms that most entrepreneurs used business strategies in pricing
low to attract the customers which affect their customer service.
Business strategies used by the entrepreneurs in marketing efficiency
Table 3.2
Frequency Weighted Interpretation
Mean
26
San Miguel Campus
1.Do you automatically address Agree at
the barrier in your business? high level

59 3.10
2. Has your business built a
strong reputation for having

55 2.89 Neutral
exceptional customer services?
3.Have you ever expanded your
product line or add new features

66 3.47 Agree at
to increase its sales and profits?
high level
4. Do you have resources that
makes your business

69 3.63 Agree at
developed?
high level
5. Does your business set its
prices high to quickly recover the

90 4.74 Agree at the
expenditure for product/services
highest level
products?
27
San Miguel Campus
6. Did you introduce new
products into the market and

95 5 Agree at the
updated products that are able
highest level
to keep up with trend?
7. Do you have vision and
business objectives to reach

your goals?
highest level
8. Do you have tactics on how
the work should be done in order

66 3.47 Agree at
to maximize its efficiency?
high level
9. Do you measure your
business output to track

95 5 Agree at the
deadlines, goals and budgetary
highest level
concern?
10. Are you aware of your
business strengths, weaknesses

or threats?
highest level
This table 3.2 shows the business strategies used by the entrepreneurs
during marketing efficiency. The highest weighted mean is 5 which is the
28
San Miguel Campus
interpretation is agree in highest level and 2.89 which is the lowest weighted
mean in the strategy used by the entrepreneurs with an interpretation of neutral.
This conforms that most entrepreneurs focused more on their business
marketing efficiency.
CHAPTER IV
Discussion
This chapter presents the findings of the research work undertaken, the
conclusion and the recommendations made as an outgrowth of this study.
The findings of this study were enumerated as follows:
The gender of the respondents is shown in table 1.2. 7 of the 19
respondents are male, accounting for 36.84% of total population, while 12 of the
respondents are female, accounting for 63.15% of the total population.
The age of the respondents is shown in table 1.1 indicates that 15.78% of
the respondents are between the age of 20-30 years old, 21.05% of the
29
San Miguel Campus
respondents are between the age of 31-40 and 51-60 years old,26.31% of the
respondents are between the age of 41-50 years old, 10.52% of the respondents
are between the age of 61-70 years old and 5.26% of the respondents are
between the age of 71- above years old.
The level of the educational attainment of the respondents are 52.63% are high
school graduates, 47.36% are college graduate and undergraduates.
As of table 2.1 shows that most of the respondents has eatery business, it
has 36.84%, second one is Fish and meat vendors, it has 31.57%, the next one
is abaca fiber, it has 21.05%, the last are the rice and corn mill and furniture that
has the same percentage of 5.26%.
The tables 2.2 shows what year the respondents started their business, it
indicates that 47.36% of the respondents started their business on 2011-2020,
21.05% of the respondents started their business on 2021-present, the 5.26% of
the respondents started their business on 1980-1990, the 15.79% of the
respondents started their business on 2001-2010, lastly, the 10.53% of the
respondents started their business on 1991-2000.
The table 2.3 indicates the duration of the business that the entrepreneur
started, most of them had 26.36% with the duration of 5 year, others had 21.05%
with the duration of 4 years, then the 5.26% had the duration of 1 year.
30
San Miguel Campus
The table 3.1 shows the business strategies used by the entrepreneurs
during customer service. The highest weighted mean is 4.57 which is the
interpretation is agree in highest level and 3.1 which is the lowest weighted mean
is the strategy used by the entrepreneurs with an interpretation of agree in high
level. This conforms that most entrepreneurs used business strategies in pricing
low to attract the customers which affect their customer service.
As of the table 3.2, it shows that the business strategies used by the
entrepreneurs during marketing efficiency. The highest weighted mean is 5 which
is the interpretation is agree in highest level and 2.89 which is the lowest
weighted mean in the strategy used by the entrepreneurs with an interpretation of
neutral. This conforms that most entrepreneurs focused more on their business
marketing efficiency.
Conclusion
On the basis of the foregoing findings, the following conclusions were
drawn:
Most of the respondents were in middle adulthood ranging from 31-60
years old. Therefore, they are more engaging in running a business than the
younger one.
31
San Miguel Campus
Based on the gathered data on the survey questionnaire, it is clear that
most of them used business strategies to help their business growth and survive
through the years.
The current study showed that business strategies affected the business
operation of the respondents in many ways.
Recommendation
Based on the conclusion it showed, the effects of business strategies to
the entrepreneurs had a positive impact on the growth and survival of small
businesses. Since it was proven through the gathered data, the researchers
recommended to apply business strategies for every entrepreneur to help their
business grow and survive through the years. This will give them assistance on
managing their business production, customer service and marketing efficiency.
Reference
Lussier, R.N., Sonfield, M.C., Corman, J. & McKinney, M. (2001). "Strategies
used by small business entrepreneurs", American Journal of Business,
Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 29-38. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1108/19355181200100003
32
San Miguel Campus
Lechner, C. & Gudmundsson, S.V. (2014). "Entrepreneurial orientation, firm
strategy and small firm performance". Vol 32, Issue 1. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242612455034
Bautista, M. & Manzano, G. (2018). Duration of export relationships of
Philippine MSMEs. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. Retrieved
from https://serp-p.pids.gov.ph/
Palmer, J. C., Wright, R. E., & Powers, J. B. (2001). Innovation and competitive
advantage in small businesses: Effects of environments and business
strategy. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 12, 30-41. Retrieved from
https://libjournals.mtsu.edu/index.php/jsbs/article/view/464
Ibrahim, A. B. (2015). Strategy Types and Small Firms’ Performance: An
Empirical Investigation. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 4, 13-22.
Retrieved from http://www.jsbs.org/
Gumusluoglu, L., & Acur, N. (2016). Fit among business strategy, strategy
formality, and dynamic capability development in new product
development. European Management Review, 13, 107-123. Retrieved
from https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12070
33
San Miguel Campus
Bengtsson, M. & Johansson, M. (2014). Managing coopetition to create
Opportunities for small firms. International Small Business Journal
Researching Entrepreneurship 32(4):401-427. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12070
Blackburn, R., Hart, M. & Wainwright, T.(2013). Small business performance:
Business, strategy and owner-manager characteristics. Journal of Small
Business and Enterprise Development 20(1). Retrieved from
http://www.jsbs.org/doi:10.1108
Karel, S., Adam, P., & Radomir, P. (2013). Strategic planning and business
performance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Journal of
Competitiveness 5(4):57-72. Retrieved from
http://www.jsbs.org/doi:10.7441/joc.2013.04.04
Mirabeau, L. & Maguire, S. (2014). From autonomous strategic behavior to
emergent strategy. Strategic Management Journal 35(8). Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1.1002/smj.2149
McDowell, C., Harris, M. & Geho, P. (2016). Longevity in small business: The
34
San Miguel Campus
effect of maturity on strategic focus and business performance. Journal of
Business Research 69(5):1904-1908. Retrieved from
http/doi:10.org/1016/j.jbusres.2015.10.077
Pucci, T., Nosi, C. & Zanni, L. (2017). Firm capabilities, business model design
and performance of SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise
Development 24(2). Retrieved from https/doi:10.1108/JSBED-09-2016-
0138
Almeda, S. & Pobre, I. (2012). Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
in the Philippines: What we know and what we don't know. Asian Institute
of Management Working Paper No. 13 ― 022. Retrieved from
https:/www.loc.gov/business
Porter, M. (1980). Competitive advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior
performance; and competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing
Industries and Competitors. Free Press, New York. Retrieved from
https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/dstools/porters-generic-
competitive-strategies
35
San Miguel Campus
Jones, M., Sr., & Upadhyay, A. (2022). "Small and medium entrepreneurs
sustaining strategies". International Journal of Scientific Research and
Management Vol. 10, no. Retrieved from https:/www.doi:10: 4112–18
Mendoza, R. (2015). Financial performance of micro, small and medium
(MSMEs) in the Philippines. The International Journal of Business and
Finance Research, Vol. 9 (4) p. 67-80. Retrieved from https:/www.doi:10:
0152–18
Almase, V. (2017). Business Strategies of Micro Manufacturing Enterprises in
Quezon Province. Ascendens Asia Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Conference Proceedings Vol. 2 No. 3. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1177/028490
Block et al. (2017). Small businesses and entrepreneurship in times of crises:
The renaissance of entrepreneur-focused micro perspectives. Vol 40,
Issue. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426211063390
36
San Miguel Campus
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE RESPONDENT
Profile of the Respondents
Name(optional): Age:
Sex: Male Female
Educational Attainment:
Elementary Level Secondary Level College Level
Direction: Check the appropriate box that answer the question below.
Background of the small business owned by entrepreneurs in term of;
1. Kind of business
Abaca Fiber
Fish and Meat Vendor
Rice and Corn Mill
Furniture
Eatery
2. Year the business started
37
San Miguel Campus
1980-1990
1990-2000
2001-2010
2011-2020
2021-Present
3. Number of years in business operation:
More than a year
5-10 years
10-15 years
15-20 years
Please Specify: ________
4. start-up capitalization of business:
More than 50 thousand pesos
20-30 thousand pesos
15 thousand pesos
10 thousand below pesos
38
San Miguel Campus
Direction: Rate your level of business strategies used in your present business
establishment.
Table1
Levels Interpretation
1 Never It means you disagree with the given situation at the highest
level
2 Seldom It means you disagree with the given situation at a high level
3 Often It means you neither agree nor disagree with the given situation
4 Mostly It means you agree with the given situation at the high level
5 Always It means you agree with the given situation at the highest level
Part I. Business strategies used by the entrepreneurs during customer
service
Never Seldom Often Mostly Always
1.Do you keep your prices low to
attract more customers?
2. Do you sell additional products
to the same customer to increase
39
San Miguel Campus
profit without having new
customer?
3.Does your business use
temporary discounts to increase
sales?
4.Do you accept negative
feedback to improve the product
and satisfy the customer?
5.Do you give free products to
your customers who keeps
coming back?
Part II. Business strategies used by the entrepreneurs in marketing
efficiency
Never Seldom Often Mostly Always
1.Do you automatically address
the barrier in your business?
2. Has your business built a
strong reputation for having
40
San Miguel Campus
exceptional customer services?
3. Have you ever expanded
your product line or add new
features to increase its sales
and profits?
4. Do you have resources that
makes your business
developed
5. Does your business set its
prices high to quickly recover
the expenditure for product/
services productions?
6. Did you introduce new
products into the market and
updated products that are able
to keep up with trend?
7. Do you have vision in
business objectives to reach
41
San Miguel Campus
your goal?
8. Do you have tactics on how
the work should be done in
order to maximize efficiency?
9. Do you measure your
business output to tract
deadlines, goals and budgetary
concerns?
10. Are you aware of your
business strength, weaknesses
or threats?
42

Business-Strategy-Entrepreneurs 111

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Business-Strategy-Entrepreneurs 111

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Business-Strategy-Entrepreneurs 111

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Republic of the Philippines

NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

The Problem and Its Setting

Small business entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy. It

creates jobs, innovation and to stimulate economic growth. Running a small

business can be challenging in today's economy. Small entrepreneurs face many

According to (Bengtsson and Johansson 2014) small business

entrepreneurs face challenges as they attempt to create and sustain business

on comfortable customer base. Small business owners have a difficult time

the most commonly used strategies were: working to create a competitive

advantage, maintaining innovation, lowering cost, maintaining product/service

levels and creating a first-mover advantage (Lussier et al, 2001). Business

organization's objectives, developing policies and plans to achieve objectives.

Business strategies are important for directing a company’s goals to achieve

virtuoso performance. Business strategies focuses on improving the competitive

position of a company’s products and services in a particular industry or market

segment served by the company. Through a competitive position, the company’s

products can improve its performance, to achieve excellent results. A stronger

so they may become market leaders by implementing their long-term strategies

Although many studies have examined the benefits of business strategies

towards the entrepreneurs to start a business, there still a lack of research on

strategies affect the growth and survival of a small business entrepreneurs.

The findings of this study may help to provide small business

entrepreneurs with knowledge about business strategies to solve problems and

promote products easier. The researchers conducted this study to provide

solutions, enable to help those entrepreneurs to operate their business to survive

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to analyze business strategies affecting the survival of

small business entrepreneurs in Barangay Sagbayan, San Miguel Surigao del

Sur. The purpose of this study is to address the following questions:

1. The demographic profile of local entrepreneur in Sagbayan, San Miguel,

Surigao del Sur?

1.4. Educational attainment

2. What is the background of the business owned by entrepreneurs, in terms of:

2.1 Kind of business

2.2 Year Started

2.3 Number of years in operation

2.4 Start-up capitalization

business entrepreneurs in terms of;

3.1 Customer service

3.2 Marketing efficiency

4. What possible recommendations can be proposed?

Significance of the Study

might contribute to the following individuals or group.

hold possession as advocate to their business ventures.

Communities. Gain benefit of entrepreneurship because businesses help to

foster innovation, and create jobs. A successful business is likely to expand,

Students. This study will be an additional literature in the field of Technology

Livelihood Education that will serves as guidelines to their research study.

effects of business strategies through the entrepreneurs that many researchers

have not been able to explore.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study aims on small business entrepreneurs in agro-processing,

manufacturing and food industry, with business in Sagbayan, San Miguel,

conducted on the sample population may not be extendable to the population at

businesses for more than a year.

Figure 1. Map of Sagbayan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

Review of Related Literature & Studies

Small business survival is lowest at the beginning phase of the business