Description

This work presents the results of a comprehensive study on the influence of strategic management on the competitiveness of manufacturing microenterprises in the Southern Zone of Manabí, Ecuador. The book addresses a highly relevant topic, as microenterprises form the backbone of the local and regional economy but face significant challenges in remaining competitive in an environment marked by volatility, constant innovation, and global market pressures. The study highlights how the lack of a clear vision, limited environmental analysis, inadequate implementation of support policies, and weak adaptation of organizational culture are structural problems that affect microenterprises’ ability to formulate and execute effective strategies. Using a quantitative methodological approach with validated and reliable surveys applied to 62 individuals from 31 companies, the book analyzes strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, as well as the relationship between these practices and business competitiveness. As a proposal, it emphasizes the need to strengthen strategic management through clear, customized, and sustainable processes tailored to the characteristics and resources of each microenterprise. The results reveal significant correlations between organizational culture, performance evaluation, motivating vision, and customer knowledge, along with differentiated strategic profiles identified through principal component and cluster analyses. The work concludes that strategic management is not a luxury but an essential factor for achieving sustainable competitive advantages, improving efficiency, optimizing resources, and fostering economic development. This book offers a valuable guide for both researchers and entrepreneurs seeking to transform microenterprises into resilient and competitive organizations.

Suggested citation (APA, seventh edition)

Figueroa-Soledispa, M. L., Jiménez-Chinga, R., Zeta-Vite, A., Suárez-Carrasco, F., & Albañil-Ordinola, G. I. (2025). Strategy and competitiveness: Key insights for microenterprise management. Sophia Editions.