tailieunhanh - Strategic Management of Crises in Small and Medium Businesses

The main purpose of this study was to analyse what strategies small and medium businesses actually adopt when confronted with a major crisis such as a fire, flood or similar catastrophe, and determine what factors proved vital to the survival of the business. Up until this study, the research in the area has been focused on large public companies. This study extends the earlier research in a number of areas, including the Resource Based Perspective Model, Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Business Continuity Planning, Benchmarking, and Stakeholder Theory, as well as Risk Diversification and Insurance, but with a strong focus on small and medium enterprises | Strategic Management of Crises in Small and Medium Businesses Allan Manning This thesis is presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration School of Management Faculty of Business and Law Victoria University of Technology Melbourne Australia 2004 Acknowledgements The completion of this research degree would not be possible without the support from many individuals and organisations. I would like to acknowledge the enormous support and guidance offered to me by my supervisor Professor Anona Armstrong. Professor Armstrong was a constant source of encouragement inspiration prompting and where needed downright hassling. As a mentor and coach she was invaluable throughout the entire process from proposal to completion. Words cannot fully convey my sincere appreciation. My sincere thanks also go to the business owners and managers who so willingly participated in the study and provided invaluable opinion and insight based on their real life experiences. I am indebted to many work colleagues and friends who assisted from lively debates to regular encouragement. Thank you one and all. A very special thanks to Wendy Hunter for the proof reading and direction with the style layout. Last but by no means least I wish to thank my wife Helen and children Steven and Susan for their love encouragement patience and practical assistance from keeping the caffeine coming to returning library books. It meant more to me than you will ever know to have your unconditional support throughout. Allan Manning 29 June 2004 Allan Manning Strategic Management of Crises in Small and Medium Businesses Page ii CONTENTS Abstract 1 Chapter 1. Introduction to the Study 3 Setting the The The Benefits of the Contribution to Significance of the Further Chapter 2. .