Strategy Formulation in Zimbabwean Manufacturing SMEs

This paper is designed to look at how the owner/managers of Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe formulate business strategies to enable their organizations to get the competitive edge over their counterparts in the large organization sector. The sample size of this research paper consisted of 1000 SMEs located in 5 out of a total of 10 Zimbabwean Provinces, namely Bulawayo Metropolitan, Harare Metropolitan Province, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands. The research instrument used was the self administered questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using both inferential and descriptive statistical tools. Results obtained from the study revealed that strategic management is not fully practiced in these SME organizations and the fact that strategic management is not in full operation simply point out that strategy formulation is not done. The paper recommended the use of formal strategic management processes by SMEs for the success of their organizations.