Strategic planning in micro and small companies:

case study in the auto parts sector

Abstract

Strategic planning (SP) is a tool for formulating business objectives and the path to achieve them, considering conditions both external and internal to the organization. In the Brazilian context, micro and small enterprises (MSEs) represent the basis of the economy, although there is little evidence and application of administrative instruments in their management. The objective of this study was to analyze the use and contribution of strategic planning in MSEs in the auto parts sector served by the SEBRAE ALI Project in João Pessoa-PB. Specifically, we sought to identify the MSEs that adopt SP, verify the benefits of SP and identify the difficulties in its use. This is a qualitative research, based on a case study, covering six MSEs in the auto parts sector served by the ALI Project, with data collected through semi-structured interviews, treated by content analysis. Only one organization continuously used SP, whose greatest benefits were: control of financial resources, purchase of a property to expand the establishment, reduction of expenses with electricity and acquisition of equipment. The difficulties involve employee resistance to change and the costs involved in implementing the plan. It is concluded that the SP represents a tool for decision-making security and a competitive advantage for SMEs. The research advances the theoretical understanding of the SP in specific contexts such as SMEs and helps guide managers on the advantages of using SP, since it allows better use of the potential and resources, which are often scarce, of these organizations.