Small and medium-sized entrepreneur development within public and private collaborations

Abstract

It is widely recognised that the development of SMEs results in multiple positive outcomes, including job creation and economic growth. These outcomes benefit both the public sector and private sector. Considering these benefits to the public sector and private sector, this study aimed to determine whether the collaboration of the two sectors through PPCs could enhance the development of SMEs. A qualitative exploratory research method founded on an inductive reasoning approach was used. 12 semi-structured interviews were held with senior experts in the fields of PPCs and SME development. These experts were members of the C-suite, executive director team and senior management in their respective organisations. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The key findings confirmed that PPCs had both the incentive and characteristics necessary to develop SMEs. They further suggested that PPCs would enhance the development of SMEs through greater interaction with other SME development programs and with the assistance of certain elements present within the macro environment. Further research to determine the effectiveness of PPCs in developing SMEs is needed. This study enhances how the public sector, the private sector and SMEs view the concept of collaborating with one another to enhance the development of SMEs to the benefit of all parties. Given how complex such an undertaking can be, the PPS model was presented as an illustration of how this collaborative advantaged could be attained.