Strategic Challenges Faced by SMEs in Tobago Cottage Industry

This project report investigates the strategic challenges encountered by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the cottage industry in Tobago. The research begins with an introduction outlining the background, problem definition, rationale, research question, aims, and objectives. Chapter 2 provides a literature review, defining SMEs, discussing their contribution to economic development, and analyzing the specific strategic challenges faced by the cottage industry in Tobago, such as lack of credit, high transportation costs, old machinery, insufficient skilled labor, undeveloped markets, and scattered distribution. The chapter also proposes solutions to these challenges, including developing market identity, product promotion, establishing market infrastructure, e-marketing, and improving transportation linkages. Chapter 3 details the research design and methodology, including the research paradigm, methodology, data collection methods (questionnaires and interviews), sampling method, data analysis techniques, ethical considerations, limitations, and a research timetable and project plan. The study uses a positivistic paradigm and a quantitative data analysis approach to examine the challenges and propose potential solutions for SME development in Tobago's cottage industry.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODS FOR BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Research Topic: Strategic challenges which are faced by the small and medium sized enterprises
into the cottage industry in Tobago
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
1.1 Background............................................................................................................................3
1.2 Problem/Issue Definition.......................................................................................................3
1.3 Rationale................................................................................................................................4
1.4 Research question..................................................................................................................4
1.5 Research aims........................................................................................................................4
1.6 Research objectives...............................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................5
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................5
2.2 Definitions of SME................................................................................................................5
2.3 SME contribution towards economic development and growth............................................5
2.4 Strategic challenges of SME cottage industry in Tobago......................................................6
2.5 Solutions to the challenges for SME in cottage industry.......................................................7
2.6 Conceptual map.....................................................................................................................9
Chapter 3: Research Design and Methodology...............................................................................9
3.1 Research paradigm...............................................................................................................10
3.2 Research methodology.........................................................................................................10
3.3 Data collection.....................................................................................................................10

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3.3.1 Questionnaire................................................................................................................11
3.3.2 Interviews.....................................................................................................................11
3.3.3 Sampling method..........................................................................................................11
3.4 Data analysis........................................................................................................................12
3.5 Ethics...................................................................................................................................12
3.6 Limitations to methodology.................................................................................................13
3.7 Research Timetable.............................................................................................................14
3.8 Project Plan..........................................................................................................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17

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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background
The research is based on the strategic challenges which are faced by the small and
medium sized enterprises into the cottage industry in Tobago. Small and medium sized
enterprises (SME) such as cottage industry faces challenges when they are approaching products
providers for project fixed capital asset as well as market standards (Regnier 2017). The cottage
industry is one that runs by individual with help of the family members with little capitals. Into
the cottage industry of Tobago, the industry is facing strategic challenges related to lack of credit
facilities, higher cost, old design and machines, insufficient skilled labor, undeveloped market
and scattered distribution of products (Bakht and Basher 2015). SME are faced challenges for
the international marketing standards. The cottage industry is developed out of need for
additional sources of income, because of relative ease to acquire required raw materials to set the
industry. The products of the cottage industry satisfied the local demands.
1.2 Problem/Issue Definition
The issues into small scale and cottage industries are divided into two groups such as
internal and external. The external problems into cottage industry are availability of power,
communication and infrastructural facilities (Karadag 2015). The internal problems are
organizational structure, training and distribution of products. The internal problems coupled
with the external problems put threat into business operations of SME.

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1.3 Rationale
The research will provide support to SME to analyze the strategic challenges in the
cottage industry. It examines the challenges which reduce the growth of the industry as small and
medium sized enterprises.
1.4 Research question
Following is the research question for this research study:
1. What are the strategic challenges faced by (SME) Small and Medium – sized
Enterprises in the Cottage Industry in Tobago?
1.5 Research aims
The research aim is to analyze the strategic challenges into the small and medium sized
enterprises which affect the business operations of cottage industry. It assesses the challenges
which are faced by SME towards the international marketing standards in Tobago. The research
provides the solutions to the challenges so that the industry can meet its growth objectives and
increase its sales.
1.6 Research objectives
Following are the research objectives for this research study:
 To evaluate the current situation of SME in the Cottage Industry in Tobago
 To identify the strategic challenges faced by cottage industry in Tobago related to finance
and marketing
 To suggest suitable measures for development of SME in Tobago

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Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
The literature review is describing the aspects which are connected to the study of the
strategic challenges which are faced by SME in getting of credit in Tobago. The literature
provides some definitions related to SME which is being followed by characteristics of cottage
industry SME. In this literature, the researcher discusses the contribution of SME towards the
economic development along with growth. It also analyzes the strategic challenges which are
faced by SME cottage industry. It also provides the solutions against the challenges which are
identified in this section.
2.2 Definitions of SME
Eniola and Entebang (2015) stated that SME is defined into two ways: one is based on
number of employees in the organization and second is organizational fixed assets. According to
Ogechukwu, Akinlo and Goldman (2017), the size of the enterprise employment is considered as
key significant criteria in cottage industry. When SME is defined based on fixed assets, the
definition becomes outdated due to depreciation into exchange of rates.
2.3 SME contribution towards economic development and growth
The organizational sector is engine of economic growth; therefore it leads to increase in
growth of the business. Karadag (2015) discussed that economic development is a process for
economic transition involved transformation of economy plus income per head. () stated that the
researchers observed that SME are enhancing competition as well as entrepreneurship which

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provides direct governmental support which can boost the economic growth along with
organizational development.
2.4 Strategic challenges of SME cottage industry in Tobago
According to Meath, Linnenluecke and Griffiths (2016), the SME are facing challenges
mostly when they are compared with the large scale industries. Into SME, external uncertainty
influenced the industry most. Therefore, the market of SME is unpredictable due to which
uncertainties becomes a problem for small organizations. The challenges which are faced by
SME in cottage industry are as follows:
Lack of credit facilities: As the cottage industry is SME, therefore they have lack of
financial facilities (Hillary 2017). The commercial banks are not interested to provide finance to
this sector.
Higher transportation cost: The challenge is that there is non availability of the
transportation networks in the rural areas. It affects the movement of the SME products from one
region to another (Li et al. 2016). It results into increasing the cost of transportation, damage of
the products at the time of transportation and both of them contributes to lower economic return.
Old design and machines: The SME are faced of challenges into production due to old
machineries. SME such as cottage industry is not able to compete with the products for larger
scale industries (Zhou 2016). Due to aged and old design of products, the products are not able to
meet with the modern demand of the customers.
Insufficient skilled labor: The labors those are working into the cottage industry are not
having required skills to work as per organizational requirements (Du et al. 2015). They do not

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have knowledge about the products, how to sell the products and use of marketing strategies to
increase the market sales.
Undeveloped market: Due to undeveloped market in Tobago, the cottage industry is
facing of challenges related to marketing of the products. There is lack of organized market for
the industry (Bouazza, Ardjouman and Abada 2015). It is based on middleman to sell the
products. In case the market is undeveloped, the products are remained untapped.
Scattered distribution of products: The strategic challenge which affects the marketing
of the products in this region are scatted distribution of the products that is uneconomical along
with incompetent (Krishnan and Scullion 2017). It results into distress of sale of the surplus
products into the local market of Tobago as it is not able to attract the outside buyers.
2.5 Solutions to the challenges for SME in cottage industry
The SME plays a key role into the national economy, and the cottage industry should take
step to develop and promote their growth in the market of Tobago so that the customers should
know about their products (Meath, Linnenluecke and Griffiths 2016). The opportunities into
cottage industry require a holistic approach to develop the economy of Tobago. Following are
the solutions against the strategic challenges which are identified in the cottage industry:
Development of market identity: The cottage industry should develop their market
identity in the market of Tobago by working on the graphic designer; logo developed which
becomes a registered brand name of the organization. With increase into production of the
commodities, it is required for the industry to systematically market the products as well as
commodities (Lacity and Reynolds 2014). The brand identity is required to establish market for

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different products as it is difficult for customers along with producers to get high identity. Both
brand name as well as logo helps to identify the products.
Promotion of products: The logo which is developed has firstly being promoted among
the community and customers (Boso et al. 2016). The products sold are marketed with the logo.
The products should be promoted through social media, offline advertising, workshop,
conferences and exhibitions.
Establish a market infrastructure: The cottage industry should provide with retail outlet,
storage centre as well as cold storage for streamlining the supply chain activities. The data are
collected from market as well as material availability and monitoring reports to help in effective
distribution along with marketing of products (Valentim, Lisboa and Franco 2016). The retail
outlet provides a platform to the community for selling of products to rural along with urban
customers.
E-marketing: It is done by promotion of the products under the governmental websites. It
provides such a platform to showcase the products that enables the buyers to contact with the
community for bulk businesses.
Transportation linkage: There should be better road connectivity which will reduce the
cost of transportation along with transportation time for the goods. The road connectivity should
transport the surplus products from one place to another (Herbane 2015). The organization is
facilitated to purchase of vehicles by the community groups that help into transportation of
materials. The transportation vehicles are carried out produce from the growers to the
marketplace.

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2.6 Conceptual map
Figure 1: Conceptual framework
(Source: Created by author)
Chapter 3: Research Design and Methodology
A well planned design research and methodology help the researcher to design along with
redesign of the products. A high quality of research methods is required for this research study.
Proper research approaches along with techniques are considered for this study to gather data on
the strategic challenges which are faced by SME in cottage industry. SME should set accurate
goals for research to limit the research theme in order to suit with the case. Taylor, Bogdan and
DeVault (2015) emphasized that the research aims should be clear for conducting the study with
use of proper research methods.
Strategic challenges of SME cottage
industry in Tobago
Lack of credit facilities
Higher transportation cost
Old design and machines
Insufficient skilled labor
Undeveloped market
Scattered distribution of products
Solutions to the challenges for SME
in cottage industry
Development of market identity
Promotion of products
Establish a market infrastructure
E-marketing
Transportation linkage

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3.1 Research paradigm
The research study is based on epistemology which includes of theory of knowledge
based on the selected research methods with scope among belief as well as opinion. Ontology
helps to set the concepts as well as categories into the subject area. Positivistic paradigm is used
in this particular study to assume that real world objects are apart from human knower. The study
is totally based on objective reality. Quantitative data technique is used to perform the statistical
analysis of the collected data. Inductive approach is used where there are uses of theories as well
as observations as the research methods.
This research is based on descriptive type of investigation. This research design is such a
study for depicting the participants into proper way. It describes people those are take part into
the study. The investigation and data collection for this particular study is based on survey using
online questionnaires (Bryman and Bell 2015). It aims to provide light on the strategic issues of
SME through process of data collection which enables to describe the situation properly. This
study provides different aspects of the situation.
3.2 Research methodology
Data collection: In this particular study, primary data collection method is used where an
online survey is done.
Data analysis: Quantitative data analysis is used to collect information from various
sources such as observation.
3.3 Data collection
Matthews and Ross (2014) discussed that data collection is such a process for collecting
information from relevant sources to answer the research question and find answer to the

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research problems and finally evaluate the research outcomes. Collection of data is required
aspect of this study. There are two types of research data collection method such as primary and
secondary methods. The data are collected is questionnaire through interview.
3.3.1 Questionnaire
The data collection is based on internet based research. The objective of questionnaire is
that a series of printed open ended questions are marked by the researcher and in the interview,
the questions are asked to the participants. The questions should be based on selected research
topic. This data collection method is quicker but also provides fewer details (Bryman and Bell
2015). The questionnaires are made use of checklist. It also helps to quantity the attitudes plus
behaviours of people.
3.3.2 Interviews
The objective of interview is face-to-face interaction between the researcher and the
participants or managers and employees. It is a best data collection method to have proper
information from the participants. It helps to get additional information from the respondents. It
also helps to establish mutual understanding between the cottage industry and participants and
builds a good company’s image.
3.3.3 Sampling method
Matthews and Ross (2014) defined that sampling is a method to select participants and
groups from large population for the research study. The target population is the total group of
individuals from which the sample size is to be taken. Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault (2015)
stated that the sample is the group of participants those are taking part into the research
investigation. There are two types of sampling methods such as probability and non-probability

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sample design. For this particular research study, probability sampling is selected which consists
of simple random sampling. It is the subset of individuals which are chosen from larger set of
population. Each of the research participants are selected randomly such that each participant has
same probability during the sampling process. The sample size of the research study is 5
managers and 20 employees of cottage industry in Tobago.
3.4 Data analysis
In this research study, the data analysis plan is focused on questionnaires for getting of
quantitative data. The questionnaires should enable use of various languages; therefore the
responses are gathered from wide range of target group. Matthews and Ross (2014) stated that
quantitative data provides of statistical manipulation of the collected data. This type of data are
counted as well as measured. Based on the collected data through questionnaire, they are
analyzed using statistical forms such as graphs and charts. This data analysis method gathered
the information of higher quality and it also provides deeper insight into the research study
(Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault 2015). The statistical data through use of quantitative data are
helpful to gather larger amount of sample size.
3.5 Ethics
It is possible that any unauthorized person can access to the research data, therefore the
researcher should keep the data through password protected. Any users are not able to access to
the data, therefore when any other person can require the data, they will not able to access it.
Therefore, the data and information are kept secured with proper authentication method so that
no other unauthorized person can access those data.

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At the time of performing this study, the researcher is required to follow the research
rules and regulations which help them to perform the work properly as well as efficiently. Before
following the ethical standards, the researcher analyzed following ethical issues which are faced
by the researcher to conduct the research study:
1. The ethical issues that the researcher must face are related to integrity as well as
trust. Integrity includes idea to conduct the study with honesty plus commitment
to treat the participants properly. The participants should provide honest answers
to the questionnaire questions. There should be a relationship trust among the
industry and participants for the success of the research.
2. An ethical response to the diversity starts when the participants are provided
respect and each of the participants should enjoy the data collection that values
the contributions into the research study.
3. There are ethical dilemmas at the time of collecting facts, evaluating the actions,
making of decision related to research as well as providing reflection on the
research outcomes.
4. The participants are mentally harassed at the time of doing the survey by asking
them such a question which would hurt their emotions. Therefore, such type of
questions should not be asked in the study.
3.6 Limitations to methodology
The study helps to expand the research outcomes for the selected research topic which
helps to identify the limits into the study. Into the research study, limitations are normal which
defines the restricted scope. These particular studies are concerned on various cultures as there is
risk to perceive questions from different cultural backgrounds that affects the way to answer the

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questions. Therefore, it is hard for the participants to provide answer to the research questions.
The researcher has limited time to do a detailed research on the study. In this way, a detailed
research analysis is not possible as this research is cross sectional. There is also limitation of the
research budget and due to lack of budget estimation; there is lack of research fund which
hampers the quality of the research study. The participants those are participated into the
questionnaire response are not focused on the motivational factors. The management team of the
industry are not motivated them to give their responses. It affects the findings of the research
study. Therefore, there is higher concern for reliability of the research study.
3.7 Research Timetable
Main research
activities
Week
1-3
Week 3-
6
Week
6-9
Week 9-
12
Week 12-
15
Week
15-18
Week 18-
21
Select a research topic 
Prepare a poster
proposal on the
selected research topic

Investigation and full
proposal preparation
 
Analyze the research
aims, objectives and
question

Perform a literature
review on selected
research topic

Collect the data
through primary
method

Prepare the survey
questionnaire

Take the interview
through the
questionnaire to the
participants

Collect the feedback 

15RESEARCH METHODS FOR BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
data
Analyze the collected
data

Rough draft writing 
Supervisor review 
Final editing 
Table 1: Gantt chart for the research study

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3.8 Project Plan
Figure 1: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by author)

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