Competitive Sustainability of “Mom and Pop Shops:”

Carr, Kirsten

Competitive Sustainability of “Mom and Pop Shops:”

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/26278

Author(s)

Carr, Kirsten

Date Issued

April 4, 2012

Abstract

This Senior Project explores how a small business like Portman’s Farm Market is able to maintain competitiveness. The project investigates what drives, motivates, and distinguishes small scale firms and allows them to remain competitive. By conducting a case study of Portman's Farm, the project provides insights into what has enabled it to evolve with the changing times, yet remain a staple in the local economy since its founding in 1932. By looking at Portman’s evolution, conscious economic decisions made by the owners, and data found from studies on other small scale firms, I conclude that the following are important for competitiveness amongst small, family-owned firms: adaptive strategy making, owner knowledge, excellent staff, and quality products.

First Reader(s)

Onyeiwu, Stephen Z.