Business Operations of Micro Enterprises: Challenges, Improvement Strategies, and Best Practices

Abstract

Micro enterprises play a vital role in local economic development by generating employment, supporting entrepreneurship, and strengthening community livelihoods. Despite their significant contributions, retail construction supply microenterprises continue to face operational challenges that affect their efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability. This study explored the challenges, improvement strategies, and best practices in the business operations of retail construction supply microenterprises. A qualitative case study design was employed involving three purposively selected managers of retail construction supply microenterprises in Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City, Negros Occidental. Data were collected through validated semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Creswell's thematic analysis. The findings revealed five major themes: Customer-Centered Sales and Service Operations, Workforce Coordination and Role Management, Inventory, Sales, and Financial Control Practices, Operational Challenges and Business Resilience, and Operational Improvement, Adaptability, and Growth. The results showed that customer-oriented service, effective workforce coordination, systematic inventory and financial management, technology-supported communication, and performance-based decision-making enhanced operational efficiency and business sustainability. However, participants encountered supply shortages, price volatility, workforce limitations, workload pressure, and limited technological resources. The study concludes that resilient management practices, customer-centered strategies, effective operational systems, and technology adoption are essential for strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of retail construction supply microenterprises. The findings provide practical guidance for owners, policymakers, and future researchers in promoting sustainable business operations.