Strategic planning in SMEs : an exploratory study in North Lebanon

Abstract

In an attempt to examine the strategic planning process of SMEs in the North of Lebanon, particularly their awareness of strategic management importance, managerial decision making, and the familiarity of firms with the clusterization, a qualitative research using in-depth semi-structured interviews was conducted with 14 founders or managers of SMEs located in the North of Lebanon. The choice of qualitative research was based on the fact that our research tackles a nascent topic in the Lebanese context. Hence, the qualitative approach has been more valid and appropriate. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts. Analysis has revealed that formal planning in North Lebanon is almost absent in these SMEs, and firms are still unaware of the urgent need for such a strategic process.