Growth Strategies among Small and Medium Enterprises - Case of Malay Entrepreneurs

• Main Author: Ummi Salwa Ahmad Bustamam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centre for Promoting Ideas, USA 2012
• Subjects: Small and medium enterprise; Small business growth; Barriers; Malay entrepreneur
• Online Access: http://ddms.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/5811

Small business operators are the backbone of economic activities in many countries. Interest in entrepreneurs often tends to revolve around high fliers like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates or, in Malaysia’s case such as Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary. Many businesses will never reach the heights of Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary but their contribution is still significant to their communities and to their country. In any businesses, entrepreneurs may confront particular challenges and barriers which impede business growth. This paper presents one case of a medium-sized Malaysian enterprise. The case attempts to analyze strategies used for preparing this business for growth. The case analysis is set within several contexts: entrepreneurship, the nature of ethnic small businesses, barriers and challenges of business growth and strategies for growth undertaken to overcome barriers and challenges. This paper concludes with a discussion of the lessons and implications as well as the accomplishments of this particular entrepreneurial venture.