A process-based growth assessment model for Micro, Small, And Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Namibia

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are an important aspect of economic growth, but the evaluation of their growth is still disjointed and is not uniform across researchers. The purpose of this study was to come up with a process-based growth evaluation model for MSMEs in Namibia. The quantitative cross-sectional design was chosen, and the data was surveyed across 298 owners and managers of MSMEs through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. The results showed that MSME growth measurement can be conceptualized as a step-by-step process that includes four main steps which are: defining growth indicators, driving factors, controlling failure factors and observing success factors resulting in growth outcomes. Strategic capability and market orientation were found out to be the main drivers and financial capacity; technology capability and human capital were found to be the main constraints. Institutional support and network capability were identified to be supportive in facilitating growth. The study adds to the research by suggesting an empirically based, process-based model that incorporates internal capabilities and external conditions. The model offers a viable resource to MSME owners and policymakers to evaluate the growth of an enterprise systematically and improve it.