Abstract:
This thesis illustrates that given the necessary resource and a structured Business
Growth Framework, Small and Medium Enterprises can lay the foundation for sustained
growth.
The author investigated the essence of Small and Medium Enterprises, conducted a
literature review in SME growth, and asserted the importance of the application of
structure to business processes in achieving sustainable business growth.
The author introduced the SME business process structure deficit, assessed its
implications on business growth, and elaborated that the business process structure
deficit can be addressed through the methodical application of six internationally
accepted UK initiatives already available in the SME domain.
The thesis establishes the characteristics of Business Growth for SMEs, leading to the
development of a Business Growth Framework, based upon a defined set of business
processes. This framework supports business growth. The framework provides
diagnostic assessment of business process performance, process specific improvements
embracing better practice through the innovative application of, for example DTI
publications, and internal Benchmarking linking, if desired, to the UK Benchmarking
Index.
The resulting Business Growth Framework, along with the Business Growth
Framework Implementation Methodology have evolved during this research and are the
key tools for sustained business growth developed by the author and discussed in this
thesis. The benefits of close integration of financial and manufacturing systems, like
ERP, with Business Processes is discussed.
The author demonstrated that Business Growth could successfully occur amongst Small
and Medium Enterprises if approached through a structured methodology. Intentionally
no new and complex business models have been proposed. The research showed that
there is sufficient literature available in this area already.
