Micro‐enterprise quality

In the developing world most citizens rely on self‐employment and micro‐enterprise operations as their only source of income. Given competition from large‐scale industrial outfits, most micro‐enterprises are finding it difficult to compete in terms of quality or price. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

The research employs case study methodology to examine how quality management could be employed in keeping such enterprises competitive.

A number of general propositions are developed and potentially fruitful research areas identified.

The paper compares the literature with actual field observations to provide practical insights that may be of value to micro‐enterprise owners, and might indirectly help raise their standard of living.