Modeling Critical Survival Factors of Small and Medium Size Enterprises in Cameroon

The survival of SMEs is a crucial commitment for the attainment of economic emergence by 2035. However, the sustainability of majority of SMEs has been highly critical as they are confronted by disparate challenges. To this effect, this study seeks to model a survival framework of SMEs in Cameroon. The proposed model is developed based on the philosophical underpins of interpretivism epistemological and subjectivism ontology. A composition of ten focus group (10) consisting of fifty (50) SMEs operators’ was purposively sampled and data for the analysis was gotten through in-depth interview technique. The analysis of qualitative data was completed using the provisions of grounded theory approach to achieve theoretical saturation through open, axial and selective coding processes. The study revealed that high taxes are the major impediment to the success of SMEs. However, other evolving reasons include: lack of management skills, poor leadership abilities and insufficient assets. The study further identified proposed survival strategy for SMEs which constitute an integration of both financial resources and appropriate composition of management skills. The study concludes that survival cannot be guaranteed if these variables are treated in isolation. However, specific attention to the survival strategy include: taxes reduction, availability of credit facilities and development of managerial capacity of SMEs operators. Based on these outcomes, the study suggests that government should reduce taxes and ease financial credits to SMEs as survival strategies.