Impact of Strategic Planning on SMEs Performance and Survival in Palestine رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This thesis aims to examine the impact of strategic planning components on the performance and survival of small, medium enterprises (SMEs) in Palestine. The importance of strategic planning can be measured as far as the range to which it impacts business performance, which may influence its survival and existence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of strategic planning on SMEs performance and survival in Palestine. To achieve that the study asked five questions: what is the degree of strategic planning in SMEs? what is the degree of SMEs performance in Palestine? what is the degree SMEs survival in Palestine? what is the impact of strategic planning in SMEs performance? What is the impact of strategic planning in SMEs survival? What is the impact of strategic planning on performance regarding to gender, age and business type? Moreover, a survey questionnaire was used and distributed on the managers and owners in different SMEs in Palestine. statistical approaches are also used to conduct the study findings. This study found that firstly, there is a positive and significant relation between strategic planning components and SMEs Performance in Palestine. Secondly, the results show that there is a positive and significant relation between strategic planning components and SMEs Survival. Thirdly there are no differences between strategic planning level regarding to gender. Fourthly, there are no differences between strategic planning level regarding to age. Fifthly, there are no differences between strategic planning level regarding to business type. The implication of this study is that Strategic planning improves SMEs performance, which in the long run has a great influence on its survival and that strategic planning is affected by gender, age and business type. vi Therefore, the Palestinian SMEs should give more attention to improve their strategic planning focusing on component of strategic planning with involving the employees. Also working more on performance strategies such as liquidity and marketing strategies. Finally working on survival by finding new fund resources, differentiation, and minimizing risks.