Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 Sustainability Strategies for Small Business Restaurant Owners Alisa Williams Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations 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 Alisa Williams 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. Peter Anthony, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Erica Gamble, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Scott Burrus, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract Sustainability Strategies for Small Business Restaurant Owners by Alisa Williams MS, Grambling State University, 1994 BS, Southern Arkansas University, 1988 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University November 2017 Abstract Half of new businesses in the United States cease to exist after the first 5 years of operations, and the failure rate continues to increase after the first 10 years. The study was grounded on von Bertalanffy’s systems theory to explore business strategies that small business restaurant owners use to sustain their business beyond 5 years. Data were collected by engaging 3 small restaurant business owners in the Little Rock, Arkansas metropolis who sustained their business beyond 5 years. Information obtained from face- to-face interviews and data mining organizational document were analyzed with the support of qualitative software to generate themes. Data analysis included semistructured interviews and review of business documents using data mining and coding keywords for thematic analysis. A total of 5 themes were discovered from the findings, which included formal and informal training, customer relationship, startup resources, capacity building, and consistent quality of food and services. The social change implications of the study include identifying strategies to sustain small restaurant business to create more jobs for local residents, which can positively impact the economic viability of the Little Rock area. Sustainability Strategies for Small Business Restaurant Owners by Alisa Williams MS, Grambling State University, 1994 BS, Southern Arkansas University, 1988 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University November 2017 Dedication I dedicate this research study to the heavenly Father, who made it possible and granted the grace to complete this program. To my parents, Acie Lee Williams (late) and Cassio Williams, who supported and gave me a strong educational push even in their difficult moments. I also dedicate this study to my son, Jonathan Burns, for allowing me enough space to study. Acknowledgments I am thankful to God for the wisdom, grace, and strength he gave to pursue this program. Immeasurable thanks to Dr. Peter Anthony, my doctoral chair, who has been an amazing inspiration throughout this challenging Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) journey. May God richly bless him for all his support and time for me. I also acknowledge my committee members, Dr. Erica Gamble and Dr. Scott Burrus, who truly exhibited their competency and direction in every stage of my doctoral 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 ......................................................................................................... 3 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 .............................................................................................................. 7 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................. 9 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 9 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................... 9 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ............................................. 10 Transition .................................................................................................................... 38 Section 2: The Project ....................................................................................................... 40 Purpose Statement ....................................................................................................... 40 i Role of the Researcher ................................................................................................ 40 Participants .................................................................................................................. 42 Research Method and Design ..................................................................................... 43 Research Method .................................................................................................. 44 Research Design.................................................................................................... 44 Population and Sampling ............................................................................................ 46 Ethical Research.......................................................................................................... 49 Data Collection Instruments ....................................................................................... 50 Data Collection Technique ......................................................................................... 52 Data Organization Technique ..................................................................................... 54 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................. 55 Reliability and Validity ............................................................................................... 56 Reliability .............................................................................................................. 57 Validity ................................................................................................................. 57 Transition and Summary ............................................................................................. 59 Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ................. 61 Overview of Study ...................................................................................................... 61 Presentation of the Findings........................................................................................ 62 Theme 1: Formal and Informal training ................................................................ 63 Theme 2: Customer relationship ........................................................................... 65 Theme 3: Startup resources ................................................................................... 66 Theme 4: Capacity building .................................................................................. 67 ii Theme 5: Consistent quality of food and services ................................................ 68 Applications to Professional Practice ......................................................................... 70 Implications for Social Change ................................................................................... 70 Recommendations