Frederik Riar

2019

Although extant literature on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) suggests that strategic
management positively affects organizational outcomes, evidence supporting this suggestion is limited to a
few qualitative case studies. As many SMEs struggle with limited access to resources and with it no
opportunity to enact a large and complex strategic management concept. This thesis develops a strategic
management concept that considers these limitations. Drawing on resource- related arguments this study
presents a framework for how a strategic management concept can be designed and implemented at an
high-tech SME.
Methods: A single case study at a German technology company was applied, in which the strategy was
formulated with the strengths-, weaknesses-, opportunities- and threats- (SWOT) analysis and further, the
strategy was employed with the Balanced Scorecard. Therefore, an expert interview with the chief
execution officer (CEO) was conducted, and a team out of high-level employees of the enterprise was
assembled to discuss the steps of the developing processes.
Results: As it was possible to design and implement a framework that includes strategy -formulation and -
implementation with limited resources of the case company, this study extends the literature by providing a
reference case for other companies, especially SMEs. Furthermore, the paper provides evidence how the
SWOT analysis and BSC theories can be applicated in a practical case.
Keywords: Strategic Management, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SME, SWOT analysis, the Balanced
Scorecard, Strategic Planning