The Application of Strategic Planning in SMEs: A Southern Africa Perspective

The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of strategic planning application by small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and to establish how SMEs can be enabled to practise strategic planning better. A qualitative approach was followed, and the study adopted case studies as a research strategy. A sample of nine case studies from SMEs in the food and beverages manufacturing industry in South Africa were identified, using theoretical sampling. The data was collected through in-depth interviews with SME owner/managers from the nine case studies and with industry experts. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study provides SMEs with (i) an understanding of why organisations engage (or do not engage) in strategic planning, (ii) a strategic planning framework they can use to practise strategic planning, and (iii) a guideline they could also use to understand better the key strategic management concepts associated with the strategic planning process.