Addressing Challenges Faced by Small Business Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Houston, Texas

Addressing Challenges Faced by Small Business Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Houston, Texas by Yahya Alghafir LL.M Program Master of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, 2012 Law School, Arab Beirut University, 1993 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2017 Abstract Immigrant entrepreneurs play a significant role in the economic development of the United States. However, some small business immigrant entrepreneurs are less successful than small business nonimmigrant entrepreneurs. The purpose of this multicase study was to explore the strategies some small business immigrant entrepreneurs use to sustain and grow their businesses profitably. Using a purposeful sampling technique, the population for this study consisted of 5 small business immigrant entrepreneurs having sustained and grown businesses for a minimum of 5 years in Houston, Texas. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was a combination of Barney’s resource-based theory and the Light’s disadvantage theory of business enterprise. Data collection consisted of interviews, field notes about observations, and review of documentation related to business strategies. Data analysis involved a process of disassembling data into common codes, reassembling data into themes, interpreting meaning, and making conclusions. The following 4 themes emerged from data analysis: providing good customer service, offering lower prices than competitors, offering popular products, and keeping costs and expenses low. Results showed that small business immigrant entrepreneurs concentrate on differentiation and cost control to sustain and grow their businesses profitably. The implications for positive social change included the potential to provide small business immigrant entrepreneurs with knowledge to improve their business strategies, thereby enhancing their contribution to the prosperity of their families, their employees, and their local community.Immigrant entrepreneurs play a significant role in the economic development of the United States. However, some small business immigrant entrepreneurs are less successful than small business nonimmigrant entrepreneurs. The purpose of this multicase study was to explore the strategies some small business immigrant entrepreneurs use to sustain and grow their businesses profitably. Using a purposeful sampling technique, the population for this study consisted of 5 small business immigrant entrepreneurs having sustained and grown businesses for a minimum of 5 years in Houston, Texas. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was a combination of Barney’s resource-based theory and the Light’s disadvantage theory of business enterprise. Data collection consisted of interviews, field notes about observations, and review of documentation related to business strategies. Data analysis involved a process of disassembling data into common codes, reassembling data into themes, interpreting meaning, and making conclusions. The following 4 themes emerged from data analysis: providing good customer service, offering lower prices than competitors, offering popular products, and keeping costs and expenses low. Results showed that small business immigrant entrepreneurs concentrate on differentiation and cost control to sustain and grow their businesses profitably. The implications for positive social change included the potential to provide small business immigrant entrepreneurs with knowledge to improve their business strategies, thereby enhancing their contribution to the prosperity of their families, their employees, and their local community. Addressing Challenges Faced by Small Business Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Houston, Texas by Yahya Alghafir LL.M Program Master of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, 2012 Law School, Arab Beirut University, 1993 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2017 Dedication I thank God, for giving me the determination necessary to complete my graduate studies. I am also thankful to my family, and I dedicate this accomplishment to them. I thank my beloved wife, Edlyn Bustamante Alghafir, and my dear children, Maryam, Jabriel, Obed, and Fatima, for constantly supporting me through the challenges of graduate school and professional life. Without their understanding and encouragement, this DBA study would never have come to completion. I also dedicate this work to my parents, Racheda Said and Abdulrahman Alghafir, whose academic and professional accomplishments have always inspired me to endeavor for excellence. Acknowledgments This doctoral study is an accomplishment I want to share with everyone who offered assistance and words of encouragement. I thank my committee members, Dr. Klein, Dr. Gaytan, and Dr. Savard, for their academic guidance during the development of my DBA study. In each of their capacities, they taught me how to become a better scholar. I also want to thank my classmates for their support during this journey. We were a great scholarly community that constantly exchanged valuable feedback and cheered each other towards success.