Business strategies and the small professional services firm : evidence from the accounting profession

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to explore the concepts of strategy content and strategy process as it relates to small professional services firms. A case study approach based on grounded theory utilised in-depth interviews to collect data from five small professional service firms. The study found that it is worthwhile to conceive of strategy content and process in relation to small professional services firms. An emerging theory is presented. The research was limited by its small scale and single method to collecting data. Future research could include a wider sample and testing of the emerging theory. The emerging theory provides a valid and reliable measure for improving actions and decisions of practitioners. The emerging theory is practitioner-oriented and contributes to an area of research that is understudied.