Factors Impacting SMEs in Cameroon

This book discusses critical success and failures factors in the growth of small businesses in Cameroon against the theories of small business growth. The study applied both quantitative and qualitative research methodology to identify which factors contributed most to the growth of 75 small businesses in the littoral region of Cameroon. The empirical research was done by (1) identifying the mean characteristics of small businesses that had experienced their first disruption to growth after establishment (2) identifying the dominant reasons for the growth challenges (3) identifying the tools and/or actions employed to break the rules the first challenge to growth and (4) comparing these actions to small businesses that had not experienced challenges to their growth. This research found that the focus of small business development should be oriented on their propensity to grow faster and employ more skilled staff. The main recommendation made in this book is the publication to large audiences of success stories on efficient growth management along with the duplication of these successes.