IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jadmsc/v15y2025i3p113-d1615499.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Developing a Conceptual Framework for Business Plan Drafting: Insights from Practitioners

Author

Listed:
  • Paolo Roffia

    (Department of Management, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy)

Abstract

Background: A business plan (BP) is an essential tool for companies, supporting strategic planning, financial acquisition, and stakeholder communication. Despite its importance, BP drafting lacks a standardized approach in both academic research and business practice. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework for BP drafting by integrating theoretical perspectives with empirical insights from practitioners. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed, involving 15 semi-structured interviews with experts from banks, companies, consultancy and audit firms, and investment firms. Data were analyzed using the Gioia methodology to identify recurring themes and patterns in BP drafting practices. Results: Findings reveal the absence of a universal BP standard, but highlight common principles regarding structure, authorship, and time horizons. Most BPs adopt a structured yet flexible approach, combining strategic top-down guidance with operational bottom-up input. The predominant time horizon is 3–5 years, with longer periods in capital-intensive industries. External BP auditing is uncommon, except in M&A and investment contexts. ESG considerations are increasingly relevant but inconsistently applied. Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by proposing a structured BP drafting framework that bridges the gap between theory and practice. Practical recommendations are provided to enhance BP quality and methodological rigor.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Roffia, 2025. "Developing a Conceptual Framework for Business Plan Drafting: Insights from Practitioners," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:113-:d:1615499
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/3/113/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/3/113/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michelangelo Bruno & Valentina Lagasio, 2021. "An Overview of the European Policies on ESG in the Banking Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Gruber, Marc, 2007. "Uncovering the value of planning in new venture creation: A process and contingency perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 22(6), pages 782-807, November.
    3. Joern Block & Jeffrey S. Petty, 2023. "How knowledge shapes the scope of early business planning," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(2), pages 411-440, March.
    4. De Massis, Alfredo & Kotlar, Josip, 2014. "The case study method in family business research: Guidelines for qualitative scholarship," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 15-29.
    5. Brian Gibson & Gavin Cassar, 2005. "Longitudinal Analysis of Relationships between Planning and Performance in Small Firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 207-222, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Giovanna Mariani & Davide Morelli & Leonardo Bartoloni, 2019. "Managing uncertainty in the start-up environment. Is a business plan an incentive or a limitation?," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2019(1), pages 73-96.
    2. Dong Xiang & Andrew C. Worthington & Helen Higgs, 2011. "Firm-level determinants and impacts of finance-seeking behaviour and outcomes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia," Discussion Papers in Finance finance:201115, Griffith University, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics.
    3. Brinckmann, Jan & Grichnik, Dietmar & Kapsa, Diana, 2010. "Should entrepreneurs plan or just storm the castle? A meta-analysis on contextual factors impacting the business planning-performance relationship in small firms," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 24-40, January.
    4. Gerald Juma & Prof. David Minja & Joash Mageto, 2016. "The Impact of Strategic Thinking on Organisational Performance: A Case Study of Uchumi Supermarket Limited," International Journal of Supply Chain Management, IPRJB, vol. 1(1), pages 75-94.
    5. Jeffery S. McMullen & Dimo Dimov, 2013. "Time and the Entrepreneurial Journey: The Problems and Promise of Studying Entrepreneurship as a Process," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(8), pages 1481-1512, December.
    6. Marco Caliendo & Alexander S. Kritikos & Claudia Stier, 2023. "The influence of start-up motivation on entrepreneurial performance," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 869-889, October.
    7. Mahto, Raj V. & Llanos-Contreras, Orlando & Hebles, Melany, 2022. "Post-disaster recovery for family firms: The role of owner motivations, firm resources, and dynamic capabilities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 117-129.
    8. Boris Rumanko & Zuzana Lušňáková & Monika Moravanská & Mária Šajbidorová, 2021. "Succession as a Risk Process in the Survival of a Family Business—Case of Slovakia," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-20, September.
    9. Bövers, Jana & Hoon, Christina, 2021. "Surviving disruptive change: The role of history in aligning strategy and identity in family businesses," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 12(4).
    10. Massimo Arnone & Carlo Drago & Alberto Costantiello & Angelo Leogrande, 2025. "Political Trust in Italy: How Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors Shape Confidence in Parties," Working Papers hal-04920996, HAL.
    11. Sander Hoogendoorn & Simon C. Parker & Mirjam van Praag, 2017. "Smart or Diverse Start-up Teams? Evidence from a Field Experiment," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 28(6), pages 1010-1028, December.
    12. Ahmed Imran Hunjra & Nuzhat Shamim & Babar Khalid, 2014. "Impact of Strategic Planning on the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Banks in Islamabad," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 3(2), pages 96-130, June.
    13. Susan Müller & Alyssa Lara Kirst & Heiko Bergmann & Barbara Bird, 2023. "Entrepreneurs’ actions and venture success: a structured literature review and suggestions for future research," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 199-226, January.
    14. Brewis, Claire & Dibb, Sally & Meadows, Maureen, 2023. "Leveraging big data for strategic marketing: A dynamic capabilities model for incumbent firms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    15. Azzeddine Allioui & Badr Habba & Taib Berrada El Azizi, 2023. "The Dilemma between the Pursuit of Sustainability and the Cultural Heritage of Moroccan Family Businesses: A Contextualization Study," RAIS Conference Proceedings 2022-2024 0272, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.
    16. Iulia Lupu & Gheorghe Hurduzeu & Radu Lupu, 2022. "How Is the ESG Reflected in European Financial Stability?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-14, August.
    17. Ignacio Alvarez de Mon & Jorge Merladet & Margarita Núñez-Canal, 2021. "Social Entrepreneurs as Role Models for Innovative Professional Career Developments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    18. Anneleen Michiels & Jelle Schepers & Pieter Vandekerkhof & Alessandro Cirillo, 2021. "Leasing as an Alternative Form of Financing within Family Businesses: The Important Advisory Role of the Accountant," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    19. Kandade, Kiran & Samara, Georges & Parada, Maria José & Dawson, Alexandra, 2021. "From family successors to successful business leaders: A qualitative study of how high-quality relationships develop in family businesses," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 12(2).
    20. Vanessa Diaz‐Moriana & Eric Clinton & Nadine Kammerlander, 2024. "Untangling Goal Tensions in Family Firms: A Sensemaking Approach," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(1), pages 69-109, January.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:113-:d:1615499. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.