Understanding the Alternative of Not Growing for Small Mature Businesses

Abstract

A major characteristic of modern capitalist society is the idea of progress and development through economic growth. In this context, business growth in size is typically equated to management success, and not growing is hardly seen as an alternative or a choice. In this study, we explore what the fact of not having their businesses grow means for Brazilian owners of smaller firms with over 30 years of operation. Methodologically, this study is an exploratory qualitative research. We have investigated six mature small firms from the food and drink sectors, through semi-structured interviews. Empirical investigation resulted in three major findings. The first one is that the goal of business growth is not as univocal among smaller firms as the dominant management literature supposes. Secondly, we have identified what the absence of business growth means for sampled firms which inform a choice towards that course of action. Finally, we have found that business success has a much more diverse set of meanings than the mere idea of organisational growth that is found in mainstream literature.