An exploratory study of predicting perceived success and survival of smallbusinesses

This study examined a variety of predictors as they related to survival of small businesses and their perceived success. Specifically, we assessed the relationships of perceptions of success and survival of small businesses w ith the motivational sources to begin the business, the four requirements c ited by Drucker (1985), marketing and business planning activity, financial base, handling of business problems and identified sources of assistance w ith those problems, and demographics or business backgrounds of the small b usiness owners. 128 small business owners representing the service, manufac turing, and retail sectors were interviewed. The marketing variables were t he only ones that were predictive of success, suggesting the need for a mor e comprehensive framework to assess success of small businesses.