Strategies for Used Car Dealership Owners to Sustain Business in a Competitive Environment Jude Thaddeus Suh Walden University
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Strategies for Used Car Dealership Owners to Sustain Business in a Competitive Environment Jude Thaddeus Suh Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Accounting Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Jude T. Suh has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Roger Mayer, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Deborah Nattress, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Mohamad Hammoud, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Strategies for Used Car Dealership Owners to Sustain Business in a Competitive Environment by Jude T. Suh MBA, New Mexico Highlands University, 2008 BS, University of Buea, 2001 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2018 Abstract Small used car dealership ventures experience high business failures in the marketplace. Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies used car dealership owners and managers employ to remain profitable and sustain operations for longer than 5 years. In this study, 10 participants, including 5 owners and 5 managers from small used car dealerships in Colorado participated in face-to-face semistructured interviews. These participants have developed successful strategies to remain profitable for at least 5 years. Using methodological triangulation, field notes and documentary evidence supplemented the data collected through semistructured interviews. Through thematic analysis, 3 themes emerged from the research findings: customer care, aggressive marketing, and business knowledge. The findings showed the need for managers and owners of used car dealerships to employ strategies to compete in the marketplace and sustain growth. The positive social change resulting from this study includes the potential to increase small business successes, which could increase employment opportunities and the potential for job creation. The success of these small businesses could contribute positively to the economic empowerment of other related businesses and improve the economic wellbeing of communities through an increase in tax revenues and contributions to local nonprofit organizations. Strategies for Used Car Dealership Owners to Sustain Business in a Competitive Environment by Jude Thaddeus Suh MBA, New Mexico Highlands University, 2008 BS, University of Buea, 2001 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2018 Dedication I dedicate my doctoral study to God for blessings in my life and through my doctoral study. I also dedicate this study to my parents, Mary Ngum Benah and Chrysanthus Ambe, for their endless sacrifices to ensure their children obtained the best education through tough times. I also dedicate this study to my supportive wife, Josephine Chisanga-Suh, for taking care of me and our children during my doctoral journey. To my wonderful children, Ambe Suh, Chileshe (Chichi) Suh, and Afanwi Suh, the completion of my doctoral study is a testament that everything is possible if you work hard and have faith. Thanks to my siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends for their support and encouragement. Acknowledgments I would like to thank my Chair, Dr. Roger Mayer, for his support and guidance throughout the doctoral process. Dr. Mayer’s availability and positivity helped me tremendously in completing my doctoral study. I pray that God should bless you and your family abundantly. I want to acknowledge my committee, Dr. Debbie Nattress (second committee member), and Dr. Mohamad Hammoud (URR). Thank you for your support and timely feedback on my study. Thank you to Dr. Comfort Akuh, Walden University instructors, classmates, and staff who contributed to the successful completion of my study. Thank you to all the participants who took time off their busy schedule to participate in this study. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................2 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................4 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................4 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................5 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................6 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................7 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 7 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 8 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................9 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 9 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 10 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................10 The RBV Theory................................................................................................... 12 Alternative Theory ................................................................................................ 21 Competitive Advantage and Sustainability ........................................................... 27 i Competitive Business Strategy ............................................................................. 39 Overview of the Auto Retail Industry ................................................................... 46 Transition .....................................................................................................................54 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................55 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................55 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................55 Participants ...................................................................................................................58 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................60 Research Method .................................................................................................. 60 Research Design.................................................................................................... 62 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................65 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................67 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................69 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................72 Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................75 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................76 Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................79 Reliability .............................................................................................................. 80 Validity ................................................................................................................