A qualitative study of managerial challenges facing small business geographic expansion

Geographic expansion is a common growth strategy used by small, entrepreneurial firms. Yet, despite the importance of geographic expansion as a growth strategy, it is a neglected area of small business research. To date, research in the area of small business growth has focused on broad issues, such as the common “obstacles” to firm growth and the relationship between firm growth and firm profitability. Whereas this literature is suggestive, it does not provide specific prescriptive advice to small business managers pursuing geographic expansion as a growth strategy.