Strategies for Sustaining Small Businesses in the U.S. Health Care Sector

Strategies for Sustaining Small Businesses in the U.S. Health Care Sector by James Utobunwa Nwachukwu MS, State University of New York, Maritime College, 2004 MBA, Abia State University, 1994 BS, University of Calabar, 1989 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2018 Abstract In the United States, many small businesses fail within the first 5 years due to poor implementation of sustainability strategies. Researchers and business practitioners have indicated that small business owners face challenges on how to maintain their businesses beyond 5 years due to lack of sustainability strategies. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies that health care small business ownersIn the United States, many small businesses fail within the first 5 years due to poor implementation of sustainability strategies. Researchers and business practitioners have indicated that small business owners face challenges on how to maintain their businesses beyond 5 years due to lack of sustainability strategies. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies that health care small business owners and managers in New York State use to maintain their businesses beyond 5 years. Sustainability development theory was used for the study’s conceptual framework. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 6 purposively-selected participants who had owned and managed health care small businesses for more than 5 years together with companies’ official documents on strategies used to sustain their businesses to achieve goals. The 5 themes that emerged from the thematic analysis of the interview data are education, training, and experience; customer-centricity, information technology update, development of business plan, and relationship and networking. The findings indicated that participants use similar strategies to sustain small businesses. The results from this study may contribute to positive social change by providing area healthcare small business owners and managers with more knowledge on strategies for sustaining businesses. By sustaining their businesses, these business owners and managers can improve economic growth by offering employment opportunities and paying more corporate taxes, which the municipal government could use to provide social amenities to local citizens. Strategies for Sustaining Small Businesses in the U.S. Health Care Sector by James Utobunwa Nwachukwu MS, State University of New York, Maritime College, 2004 MBA, Abia State University, 1994 BS, University of Calabar, 1989 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2018 Dedication I dedicate the achievement of this life ambition to my God, who led me throughout this journey. To you, my wife, Mrs. Priscilla Nkechi Utobunwa-Nwachukwu, and my five children: Bumma, Oluebube, Somtochi, Cherechi, and Chizaram, thanks to each of you for your understanding and perseverance during this period. Their support, sacrifices, and patience during this period of my study were my inspiration. Acknowledgments I use this opportunity to pay special tribute to my chair, Dr. Gregory Uche, whose indefatigable direction and motivation built my strength to continue; my second committee member, Dr. Steve Roussas, for his persistent advice and corrections; and my program director, Dr. Susan Davis. Without the cooperation, collaboration, and dedication of this team, this mission would have been futile. Please, accept my fervent “thank you. ” On the same note, I thank Dr. Fred Walker, for his help and directives and Mr. Gary A. Smith for his motivation and care during the study process. Mrs. Dinnadra St. Louis, your help will forever be recognized, thank you. I am also indebted to Dr. Joy Amadi, Mrs. Josephine Odume, Mrs. Joy Uwasomba, Mr. Kingsley Omeh, Mrs. Ezenyanyi Omeh, and Mr. Peter Imana for their contributions to the successful completion of this study. To others not mentioned here, you are remembered and not forgotten. The memories of all your contributions will remain alive in my heart.