A sustainable business strategy framework for small and medium enterprises

Orientation: Business sustainability in today’s world is primarily arduous owing to global economic and financial crises. In the first quarter of 2019, according Statistics South Africa, Gross Domestic Product deteriorated by 3.2%. Similarly, KwaZulu-Natal, state small medium enterprises (SMEs) was on decline majority (75%) SMEs failed after operating for 3 years.Research purpose: To formulate a business strategy assist achieve sustainability.Motivation study: Small KwaZulu-Natal do not sustain themselves long-term periods, underlying problem being poor formulation hence, need sustainability.Research design, approach method: A mixed methodology used this empirical study. target population 488 000 SME’s were considered with sample size 384 expected respondents. total 200 responses ( 52% size) obtained from questionnaire within capped period 30 days. The Social Package Sciences software quantitative aspect. particular cross tabulations, central tendencies, group difference techniques analyse data. addition, grounded theory employed 20 individuals who interviewed investigate opinions towards development KZN NVivo qualitative aspect.Main findings: core element ‘Strategy’ sub-elements ‘Change’, ‘Purpose’ ‘Leadership’ investigated. It found that main contributors achieving sustainability. Furthermore, systems thinking model successfully indicate interdependencies purport goal Ultimately it ‘Strategy’, required ‘sustainable strategy’.Practical/managerial implications: Due cognisance should be taken leaders, perspectives ‘Leadership’, sustains business.Contribution/value-add: conceptual framework sustainable developed enterprises.