The Sultanate of Oman is emerging as a developing stage and
the focus of the government is on mainly towards the development and growth of
small and medium sized enterprises. SME’s induces higher impact on the growth
and the economic conditions of the country. The development of the business in
Oman almost 95% depends on the economy of SME’s. The important consideration
for the work is to investigate the challenges and issues faced by the business
on different growth stage. The strong vision is towards the impact of mission
and goals of the strategies and how SME's achieve the goals (Bulushi & Bagum,
2017).
The challenges of appropriate strategies in the companies
specify the flow of cash through the proper process. The marketing strategies
have more importance for the budgets for instance in case of small companies
the higher budget is required for the strategic marketing (Bulushi & Bagum,
2017).
The government agencies are provided by Oman government for the growth of the
business through training and coaching of the staff. The business operation requires
training staff to make the growth of business in the desired manner (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014). In a simple way, the present research
deals with the investigation of issues and challenges faced by the companies in
Oman and the companies are particularly small and medium sized enterprises. The
implementation of growth strategies is based on the issues and challenges in
Oman (McCoy & Magd,
2014).
The prime purpose of the present work is to throw light on
the Problems, issues, challenges, and constraints faced by both the small and
medium sized enterprise (SMEs) in Oman. The suggestions are also considered in
the research work for the solution of problems. The quantitative research work
was based on the data gathered from the questionnaire and the descriptive
analysis defined nonparametric testing (Bulushi & Bagum, 2017). The analysis of
variance was based on the obstacles and constraint for the accordance with the
investment environment. The investment environment considers obstacles and
capabilities for the ownership of the business. The analysis considered
obstacles and constraints as faced by the enterprises of Oman (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014).
Problem Statement of Problems
faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate
of Oman
In the past from 2012 till now the government of Oman have
introduced new policies and has shown more concern regarding the growth and
development of Small and Medium Enterprises. The higher success of small and
medium sized companies has developed the country. The growth of business
improves the economy of the country along with the society towards higher
levels of success. In order to promote SME's, in 2012, the government of Oman
developed a lot of programs. The new programs reduced the rate of unemployment
in the country. Through the programs, approximately 74% of SME's were improved
their positions and rate of growth increased by expanding the business
operations (Bulushi
& Bagum, 2017).
The small and medium sized enterprises require a high level
of skills particularly managerial and leadership skills along with the
consideration of finance. SME's of Oman is not possessing enough resources for
the proper management of customer's demand and increasing rate of demands (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014). Even though the small and medium sized
enterprise has worked a lot to improve the skills and manpower but still the
strategies of the enterprise's required management for the increase of demands.
The other big issue faced by the companies in Oman is the lack of production
capacity particularly due to the terms of finance. The problem of companies is
based on the expansion of the business. The small and medium sized enterprises
of Oman wants to grow and improve the business, but still, there is a number of
issues faced by the enterprises. The problems include lack of finance,
identification of new customers, adoption of new technology and all the
problems are then directly related to the increase in the cash flow circle of a
company (Bulushi & Bagum,
2017).
In order to expand the operation, the small and medium sized
enterprises in Oman have decided to outsource important information and
operations with the specialists, identification of the new customers,
opportunities in the market and the marketing process. The process of planning and
implementation of growth strategies in the enterprises of Oman are really
complex and the government is provided opportunities to support the successful
strategies (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
The present research was aimed to highlight the issues and challenges through
the research. The solution of issues will address the ways to overcome the
problems by adopting the strategies of success in the business (Bulushi
& Bagum, 2017).
Theoretical Concepts and Framework
of Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions
within Sultanate of Oman
The theoretical framework is provided with a general concept
of the relation between the specific phenomena and things. In the present work,
the specific phenomena of research revolves around the issues and challenges
faced by the companies in Oman and the companies are growing on the basis of
business operations. The theoretical framework provides a relation between the
theories of testing and the specific timing of the work. The finding of the
work is based on the investigation of the process used for the development of
companies in Oman (Bulushi & Bagum,
2017).
The research work is based on the consideration of literature, challenges, and
issues faced by the small and medium sized enterprises of Oman. The process of
planning is required for the implementation of growth strategies. The framework
and theoretical concept are equally important in the research work and the
clear direction is provided to the research group to conclude the research. There
are four man independent variables used in the present work and one variable is
the dependent variable (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
The independent
variable stands alone and has more effect on the variation in the research. The
focus of small and medium sized enterprises of Oman is on the four basic
functions and success of the company heavily depends on the functional area of
these four functions. The essential component of the development of a
theoretical concept is financial management, operation management, marketing
management, and human resource management (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
The area of the
research is focused on the dependent variable and some other factors as their
type changes. The growth rate of small and medium sized enterprises highly
depends on the four functional areas for the company (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
The research deals with the estimation of direct and strong relationship
between the dependent and independent variables. The growth strategies of small
and medium sized enterprises depend on the proper management and the management
includes financial management, operations management, marketing management,
human resource management (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
Independent research variables
|
Factors that induce impact on
the issues and challenges for the small and medium sized companies in the
Oman and the growth strategies.
|
Financial Management
|
Lack of
Credit availability
Long term credits
Cost for the financing of
business
Working capital management (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014)
|
Human Resource Management
|
Lack of
Managerial skills for the management of circumstances in
the workplace.
The formal relation that is bonding between the owner of
the enterprise and the workers
Knowledge for the hiring process of workers (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014)
|
Marketing management
|
Lack of
Marketing budget
Marketing knowledge
Identification of new market
|
Operation Management
|
Lack of
Proper knowledge about the suppliers and outsourcing
Access to the latest technology
Environmental issues
|
Literature Review of Problems
faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate
of Oman
In the economy of Oman, the small and medium sized
enterprises are considered as one of the major strategic buster. The important
role is linked with the economic success of the country. The importance of the
growth is related to the developed, underdeveloping, and the developing small
and medium sized companies (Bilal, 2010). The claim of some
successful countries has a definite role in the wealth creation in the country.
Some researchers have worked significantly for the GDP rate of SME as 20 % and
50 % as compared to the world levels. In the previous research, the importance
of strategic management is developed for business growth. The previous research
criteria define some important factors such as total investment in the business,
the number of workers and employees, sales and demand considerations, market
shares and the annual turnover. The number of employees in the small and medium
sized enterprises was between 20 to 500 employees (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
Significance of Study of
Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within
Sultanate of Oman
Although a number of studies and research work have been
conducted to identify the issues and problems faced by the small and even
medium size companies in many countries, but besides the huge work there are
still some gaps, such as few studies considers the enterprises of Oman (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014). The concerning issues are the
obstacles and constraint. In the present work, the prime objective of the work
is to discuss the issue and challenges faced by the companies of Oman (Bulushi
& Bagum, 2017).
Objectives of the Study of
Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within
Sultanate of Oman
The major consideration of the present work is to determine
the strong and positive relationship between the dependent variables and the
independent variables related to the growth strategies.
The scope of the Study of
Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within
Sultanate of Oman
A number of variables are considered for the analysis and
research mentioned benchmark of SME for the failure and success. In the
previous researches, the success and failure of the entrepreneur perspectives
are considered. The research accomplishes the basics of case and objectives of
research considered achievement. The success of small and medium entrepreneur
in Oman is based on the individual process such as profitability, economic
stability, and orientation of business for the financial goals. The
motivational factors in the present work are social and economic fluences of
enterprises. The barrier on the employee education, financial investment in the
business, self-realization, and self-esteem of the employees are the factors
associated with the development of economics.
Chapter 2 Research Methodology of Problems faced
by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate of
Oman
Research Design
The qualitative and quantitative research designs are
considered for the reliable and valid evaluation of small and medium
enterprises in Oman. The quantitative research was based on the data collected
through the questionnaire and then the collected data was converted to the
numerical forms and statistical analysis were carried out for the data
interpretation (Bilal, 2010). The open ended
questions were included in the questionnaire and exact information was
collected to conclude the information about the issues and challenges faced by
the SME for the proper growth. The quantitative data provided reliable data to
define challenges and strategies related to the growth. On the other hand, the
qualitative research work was done through the open ended answers provided by
the respondents regarding the issues and challenges (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
Sampling Design of Problems
faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate
of Oman
The sample size of statistical data was directly related to
the number of respondents and number of observations. The sample data was
related to the population and characteristic of the whole populations. The population
of the study includes registered SMEs operations that work under the boundary
of the Sultanate of Oman. According to previous researches, 160,000 to 170,000
SMEs are working in Oman. The economic and social contributions of SMEs. The
convenience sampling techniques consider nonprobability for convenient
research. The sample size was 100 SME of Oman and the generalized data was
collected through the questionnaire. The questionnaire considered in the
research included questions about the age of firm, number of employees in the
firm, average monthly turnover in the firm, and form of the ownership in the
firm (Bulushi & Bagum,
2017).
Data Collection Method of
Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within
Sultanate of Oman
The primary, as well as secondary data, was collected and 10
respondents in the research were SME owners. The primary data was collected from
the interviews and questionnaire. While on the other hand the secondary data
was collected from the previous researches, magazines, books, journals, and
newspapers. The results of primary and secondary data were then compared with
each other to determine the accuracy of the research (Bilal, 2010).
Analysis of Data: Tools & Techniques of Problems faced
by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate of
Oman
The data collected from the primary and secondary sources
were then analyzed through the descriptive way. The collected research data was
undergone through the statistic tests, ANOVA test, and Chi-Square test and
accurate outcomes are generated through the statistical analysis. The collected
data was first converted to the tabulating. The quantitative research data was
then represented through the graphs, tables, and charts (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
Limitations to the Study of
Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within
Sultanate of Oman
The study successfully addressed all the questions included
and accepted the hypothesis but still there are some limitations to the
research findings.
The shortage of cross-sectional data induces limits on the
research outcomes. The direct impact of the limitations of success is on the
growth of SMEs. The longitudinal research conducted in the research worked to
overcome the challenges and issues.
The strategy of data triangulation was missing in the
research work that reduced reliability and validation of the data (Bilal,
2010).
The issues and challenges faced by SME of Oman are
highlighted but sufficient suggestions are not provided to overcome the issues (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014).
The ethical manners for the filling of respondents were
neglected and resulted in the wastage of time.
The research measured issues faced by companies in Oman and
ignored UAE challenges (Bulushi & Bagum,
2017).
Chapter 3 Results & Discussion of Problems
faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate
of Oman
In the research, more than 250 respondents were included to
fill the questionnaire and all the repo dents were categorized on the basis of
age limits. The business experience highlighted issues and challenges during
the expansion and growth of the business. The data was then further categorized
according to gender consideration (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
Oman is mainly male dominating country and they never provide equal rights to
the women, therefore, business companies are owned by the males but rare data
was collected from the female respondents. According to the respondents SMEs of
Oman are not facing available for the credits of long term. The working capital
management was not appropriate and up to the requirement (Bilal, 2010).
The
response of the majority of the respondent about the cost of the finance
defined the higher cost of financials in Oman. The growth strategies were
considered for the hurdles, challenges, and issues. The gain of finance should
be lower for the appropriate growth so the small and medium size enterprises
can easily pay the loan back. Majority of the respondents showed that lack of
access toward the new technology induced a negative impact on the development
and growth strategies (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
The prime cause is lack of use of technology in the workplace. The main reasons
for the issues are an investment in R and D for the proper technology
selection, lack of capital, lack of development and research (Bulushi
& Bagum, 2017)
Findings of the Study of
Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate
of Oman
The qualitative research measured Responses of interviews
questions and the analysis was based on the four types of the major constraints
for the growth strategies of SME in Oman. The constraints considered marketing
management, human resource management, operation management, and financial
management. The significant issues faced by the enterprise in Oman is growth
strategies and the cost of finance for the expansion of business (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014).
Discussion on findings of the study
of Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their solutions
within Sultanate of Oman
The major issues and challenges were analyzed through the
quantitative and qualitative strategies for small and medium enterprises. The
theoretical framework considered major functions for the data collected and the
relationship between the data (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
The data collected in the research was analyzed through the content analysis
and SPSS. The short-term basis for the financial management and the constraint
consideration were considered for the finance (Nusrat & Suresh,
2017).
The expansion and growth of the business were considered as SMEs owners were
not able to manage the working capitals through an appropriate and desirable
manner. The loans are not provided to the SMEs at the low-cost finance that
induces limitations on the development strategies and business. The core activity
of the SME requires an increase in sales without having major hurdles (Christina,
Neelufer, & Amri, 2014). Both the qualitative and quantitative results
of the research indicates that SEM of Oman is not working under the formal
structures of organizations. The informal relation between the owner and
employees have impact on the productivity of business. The other major issues
includes lack of managerial skills that cause major challenge for the growth of
constraints in the business (Bilal, 2010).
Chapter 4 Conclusions of Problems faced by the
small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate of Oman
Oman is now considering economic diversification in the
business and economy of the country. The economic diversification results in
the motivation of local people to initiate new business of SME in various
sectors. The important feature is successful and specific stage to determine
the challenges and issues in the development of strategies and expanding of
business. Considering the situation the theoretical framework was developed to
determine growth strategies. On the basis of research, it can be concluded that
SME of Oman is going through lack of marking knowledge and marketing budgets.
The growth and expansion of business require identification of new products and
a new market for the successful development.
Chapter 5 Suggestions & Directions for Future
Research of Problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and their
solutions within Sultanate of Oman
The small and medium enterprises in Oman are playing a
significant role in the economic success and the major concerns for the
companies are to provide new strategies for business growth. The higher
investment is required in resources, operations, and finance and marketing
sectors. The internal and external support is essentially required. The
competitive business environment can develop a new market, a new product line,
new deals, and new projects. The government should develop a social and
economic environment for the social success and growth of business (Christina, Neelufer,
& Amri, 2014).
References of Problems faced by
the small and medium enterprises and their solutions within Sultanate of Oman
Bilal,
Z. O. (2010). Challenges and constrains faced by small and medium enterprises
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MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2 CHALLENGES AND
CONSTRAINS FACED BY SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN AL , 11(02), 01-10.
Bulushi, B. H., & Bagum, S. (2017). GROWTH STRATEGIES OF
SME IN OMAN- ISSUES AND CHALLENGES. International Journal of Small Business and
Entrepreneurship Research, 05(02), 21-61.
Christina, B., Neelufer, A., & Amri, S. A. (2014).
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY THE SMES OWNERS IN Muscat. International
Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, 02(03), 01-13.
McCoy, M. P., & Magd, H. A. (2014). Entrepreneurship in
Oman: Paving the Way for a sustainable future. Emerging Markets Queries in
Finance and Business, 15, 1632-1640.
Nusrat, S., & Suresh, S. (2017). Issues and Challenges
of Financing Needs Faced By SMEs in Oman. Proceedings of 12th Asia-Pacific
Business Research Conference, 29(06), 01-05.