Critical variables of venture turnarounds : a liabilities approach

Abstract

Paper presented at the 19th Annual Conference of the Southern Africa Institute for Management Scientists, 19-21 September 2007, Johannesburg, South Africa. Potential failure is a threat that businesses face during any stage of their life cycle while turnaround from decline is essential to protect from failure. The scientific literature on turnaround is however focused on strategy and process. This study’s line of enquiry firstly reviews the documented research (both theoretical and empirical) encompassing the phenomenon “turnaround”. The methodology applied is fundamentally based on an in depth literature review and grounded theory with a focus on classifying the identified relevant liabilities. Despite every situation’s uniqueness, the results suggest firstly that successful turnarounds are dependent on overcoming some universal liabilities. A conceptual framework is then proposed for liabilities associated with the turnaround situation. Secondly the results suggest that the odds against a successful turnaround are stacked against the turnaround manager. Successful turnaround depends on an integrated approach overcoming these liabilities. Finally the skills of the turnaround manager depend heavily on leadership and strategic management abilities, less on accounting and legal skills that rather suggest the investigation of a team approach to support the turnaround manager for future research.