Beyond numbers: meanings of growth by small entrepreneurs in the software industry

This research aims to understand the meanings of growth of businesses as attributed by small software entrepreneurs. Business growth was understood as a process, and the entrepreneurs are the agents of this process. Growth intentions and motivations are related to the meanings that entrepreneurs give to business growth (MORRIS et al., 2006). Methodologically, the study is exploratory, and the growth of business was analyzed in the subjective perspective of the phenomenon. It was developed based on a qualitative study with six small entrepreneurs of the software sector. Data were collected in open interviews and content analysis was applied complemented by the Iramuteq software. According to results, six classes of words were identified as meanings of business growth:a) maximization of results and competitivity; b) identification and exploration of opportunities; c) social dimension; d) quality of life; e) economics results and market results; f) integration of knowledge and external resources and impact in personal life. The main theoretical contribution was to show the multidimension of meanings for business growth, going beyond the economic dimension, even in the software sector that is dynamic nowadays.

Automated summary

This research aims to understand the meanings attributed by small software entrepreneurs to business growth. By conducting a qualitative study with six entrepreneurs in the software sector, the study identified six classes of words as meanings of business growth, highlighting its multidimensional nature beyond the economic dimension.