Strategic entrepreneurship: A management method for improving the performance of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs)

Abstract

With the increasing role of tourism in the global economy, many countries regard it as an effective tool for comprehensive development, a source of substantial foreign exchange revenues and a contributor to job creation. In this context, there is a growing interest in the performance and management methods of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) viewed as the main component of the tourist destination. The paper examines SMTEs by studying their specificity and both external and internal factors affecting their performance. Methodologically the article relies on the theories of strategic management and entrepreneurship. It focuses on the role of a tourism destination where a tourism company operates. The article also looks at strategic entrepreneurship (SE) as a promising management method suitable for running SMTEs. The study finds that there is a certain balance between SE and the factors affecting the performance of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. Thus, the application of SE in SMTEs enables managers and owners of such enterprises to overcome various challenges and shortcomings experienced and to exploit their resources in a way that delivers the best possible performance.

Keywords

• strategic entrepreneurship
• tourism
• small and medium-sized business (SMTE)
• tourism company performance
• management method