Assessing the Key Factors Influencing the Closure Of Micro- Businesses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajebi.v5i1.6211Keywords:
Inappropriate Location, Lack of Customer Relation, Lack of Entrepreneurial Skill, Micro-Businesses, Poor Business PlanningAbstract
Business closure, though complex to define, generally refers to the point at which a company ceases operations due to financial instability, managerial inefficiency, or external constraints. While extensive research has explored the causes of closure among larger enterprises, there remains a notable research gap concerning micro-businesses, particularly those operating in rural settings with limited resources and institutional support. This study aims to identify and analyze the key factors influencing the closure of micro-businesses in Townsite, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon. Specifically, it examines the effects of inappropriate location, lack of customer relations, lack of entrepreneurial skills, and poor business planning on the sustainability of micro-enterprises. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected from 165 micro-business owners through a structured survey using a 4-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using regression analysis to determine the extent to which each variable influences business closure. Results revealed that all four factors significantly contribute to micro-business closure (p < 0.05), with inappropriate location emerging as the most influential determinant. Businesses situated in remote or low-traffic areas experienced greater risks of failure. Additionally, a lack of customer relations and entrepreneurial skills further heightened closure risks, while poor business planning was also found to be a substantial contributor. The study provides practical implications for micro-business owners and policymakers. It underscores the importance of strategic location selection, enhanced entrepreneurial training, and customer engagement initiatives to improve business survival. Furthermore, collaboration among local stakeholders is essential to create a more sustainable and supportive business environment, ultimately reducing closure rates and promoting economic resilience in rural communities.
Downloads
References
Abdul, K. (2019). Entrepreneurial Skills and Small Business Success. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 22(2), 1-10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371193609_Developing_entrepreneurial_skills_for_Small_and_Medium_Scale_Enterprises_SME’s
Abellana, J. J., & Alonzo, A. (2025). Distribution Channels and Innovation Strategies as Catalysts for MSME Growth: Insights from Northern Mindanao’s Bakery Sector. American Journal of Social Development and Entrepreneurship, 4(1), 49-60. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajsde.v4i1.4588
Abellana, J. J., & Alonzo, A. (2025). Factors influencing business growth among micro, small, and medium-sized (MSMEs) bakery enterprises in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 25(7), 27384–27409. https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.144.26100
Alonzo, A. A., Ganas, E. S., & Abellana, J. J. G. (2025). Roadblocks to Success: Examining the Resources and Performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. International Review of Management and Marketing, 15(5), 49-59. https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.19309
Accenture. (2022). Future-Ready Micro-Businesses: Unlocking Growth through digital transformation. https://servicepath.co/2022/02/accenture-forbes-gartner-servicepath-and-techtarget-top-digital-transformation-tech-trends-for-2022/
Adisa, T. A., Abdulraheem, I., & Mokuolu, B. O. (2023). Management Competence and Small Business Performance. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271530384_The_characteristics_and_challenges_of_small_businesses_in_Africa_An_exploratory_study_of_Nigerian_small_business_owners
Babu, A. (2022). Customer Relationship Management in Small Businesses. International Journal of Marketing and Management, 4(1), 1-9. https://ideas.repec.org/s/igg/jcrmm0.html
Bautista, R. M., & Manzano, G. V. (2019). Survival of Philippine Exporting Micro-Businesses. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 36(2), 147-164.https://www.pids.gov.ph/publication/philippine-journal-of-development/survival-analysis-of-export-relationships-of-philippine-msmes
Benn, S., Dunphy, D., & Griffiths, A. (2019). Organizational Change for Sustainability.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292358605_Organizational_change_for_corporate_sustainability_Third_edition
Borden, N. H. (1964). The concept of the marketing mix. Journal of Advertising Research, 4(2), 2–7. Retrieved from https://www.guillaumenicaise.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Borden-1984_The-concept-of-marketing-mix.pdf
Brinckmann, J., & Hoegl, M. (2021). Business planning and performance outcomes in micro-businesses: A meta-analysis. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(6), 1271-1295. https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=bT0-InAAAAAJ&citation_for_view=bT0-InAAAAAJ:u-x6o8ySG0sC
Burns, P., & Dewhurst, J. (2021). Small Business and Entrepreneurship. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-349-24911-4.
Burns, P. (2020). Entrepreneurship and small business. Palgrave Macmillan.https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/entrepreneurship-and-small-business-9781352012491/
Business Week. (2019). Why Small Businesses. Retrieved from Fail.https://parfreymurphy.ie/top-10-reasons-small-businesses-fail/.
Bushe, G. R. (2019). Why Small Businesses Fail. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2019/10/24/eight-common-reasons-small-businesses-fail/.
Carter, S. (2019). Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 26(4), 499-512.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371193609_Developing_entrepreneurial_skills_for_Small_and_Medium_Scale_Enterprises_SME’s.
Chong, K. W. (2003). The role of pricing in relationship marketing—A study of the Singapore heavy equipment spare parts industry. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2789514
Cromie, S., & John, B. (2020). Entrepreneurial Competencies and Small Business Success. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 31(2), 112.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371193609_Developing_entrepreneurial_skills_for_Small_and_Medium_Scale_Enterprises_SME’s.
Cromie, S., & John, B. (2021). Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 28(2), 149162.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371193609_Developing_entrepreneurial_skills_for_Small_and_Medium_Scale_Enterprises_SME’s.
Del Pilar, E. C., Alegado, I., & Bongo, M. F. (2020). Structural relationships among critical failure factors of microbusinesses. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 27(1), 148–174. Structural relationships among critical failure factors of microbusinesses | Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development | Emerald Publishing
Denton, L. (2020). Factors affecting the failure of small businesses: A conceptual framework.https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Conceptual-framework-for-the-failure-of-small-businesses_fig1_343256936#:~:text=A%20further%20study%20by%20Denton,lack%20of%20finances.%20
Department of Trade and Industry. (2020). MSME Development Plan 2017-2022.https://www.dti.gov.ph/negosyo/msme-resources/msmed-plan/
Detienne, D. R., & Wennberg, K. (2022). The Role of Micro-Businesses in Economic Development. Journal of Economic Development, 47(1), 115.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5044046_The_Role_of_Small_and_Large_Businesses_in_Economic_Development.
DiScipio, A. (2019). Customer Relationship Management: A Study of Small Businesses. Journal of Small Business Management, 57(3), 532-548.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361263837_Customer_relationship_management_and_its_impact_on_entrepreneurial_marketing_a_literature_review
European Commission. (2020). Annual Report on European SMEs 2019/2020.https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/849659ce-dadf-11eb-895a-01aa75ed71a1
Gartenstein, D., & Seidel, M. D. (2019). Strategic Planning and Small Business Success. Journal of Small Business Management, 57(2), 266281.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46702004_Strategic_Business_Planning_and_Success_in_Small_Firms.
Gonzales, M. M., & Gevero, R. D. (2024). University ecosystem, entrepreneurial characteristics and entrepreneurial intentions. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(5), 164-170. https://doi.org/10.47760/cognizance.2024.v04i05.015
Goi, C. L. (2009). A review of marketing mix: 4Ps or more? International Journal of Marketing Studies, 1(1), 2–15. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v1n1p2
Greiner, L. E. (1972). Evolution and revolution as organizations grow. Harvard Business Review, 50(4), 37–46. Retrieved from https://ils.unc.edu/daniel/131/cco4/Greiner.pdf
Gumel, M. (2020). Strategic Planning and Small Business Performance. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 31(2), 1-12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46702004_Strategic_Business_Planning_and_Success_in_Small_Firms
Hanlon, A. (2019). How to use the 7Ps marketing mix. Smart Insights. Retrieved from https://www.smartinsights.com/marketing-planning/marketing-models/how-to-use-the-7ps-marketing-mix
International Labour Organization. (2022). Sustainable Enterprises: Micro- and Small Enterprises in the Green Economy.https://www.ilo.org/topics/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises
Jayasekara, B. E. A., Fernando, P. N. D., & Ranjani, R. P. C. (2020). A systematic literature review on business failure of small and medium enterprises (SME). A systematic literature review on business failure of small and medium enterprises (SME)
Jenkins, A., & McKelvie, A. (2016). Business Closure: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(4), 105924.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366893001_Entrepreneurship_and_SMEs_under_COVID-19_crisis_A_literature_review
Kusumawati, A., & Budi, A. P. (2022). Application-based CRM relationship implementation for micro, small, and medium enterprises. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363340696_Application-Based_CRM_Relationship_Implementation_for_Micro_Small_and_Medium_Enterprises
Lotich, P. (2019). Why Small Businesses Fail. Entrepreneur.https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=101824
MacDonald, A. (2019). Understanding Customer Behavior in Small Businesses. International Journal of Customer Relationship Marketing and Management, 10(1), 1-12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346968917_Factors_Influencing_Consumer_Behaviour_A_Case_of_McDonald’s
Marivate, V. (2020). Entrepreneurial Skills and Small Business Success. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 23(1), 1-10..https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371193609_Developing_entrepreneurial_skills_for_Small_and_Medium_Scale_Enterprises_SME’s
Meyer, M. H., & Scheinberg, S. (2022). Entrepreneurial skills and their impact on small business success: A focus on micro-enterprises. Journal of Business Venturing, 38(4), 453-469. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294730085_Impact_of_Entrepreneurial_Skills_on_Success_of_Micro-entrepreneurs_A_Case_of_Jharkhand_Region_in_India
Mbonyane, B. (2020). Customer Relationship Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Journal of Business and Retail Management Research, 14(2), 1-11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361263837_Customer_relationship_management_and_its_impact_on_entrepreneurial_marketing_a_literature_review
Mbonyane, B. (2020). Entrepreneurial Skills and Small Business Success. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 31(1), 1-12..https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371193609_Developing_entrepreneurial_skills_for_Small_and_Medium_Scale_Enterprises_SME’s.
Mbonyane, B. (2021). Factors Affecting the Success of Small Businesses. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 28(3), 349-363.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228461885_Factors_Affecting_Business_Success_of_Small_Medium_Enterprises_SMEs_in_Thailand
Mbonyane, B. (2022). Poor Business Planning and Small Business Failure. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 29(2), 149-162.https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/jsbed
Mbonyane, B. (2022). Small Business Management: A South African Perspective. https://juta.co.za/catalogue-details/business-management-an-african-perspective-2_16
Mehralizadeh, M., & Sajady, H. (2020). Business Planning and Small Business Success. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 31(2), 112.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46702004_Strategic_Busi
Pickle, R., & Abrahamson, E. (2023). Location Decisions and Small Business Success. Journal of Small Business Management, 61(1), 1-18. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eme/jmbpps/jmb-08-2022-0041.html
Pillemer, J. (2019). The Four Stages of the Business Life Cycle. https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2018/01/11/business-life-cycle-spectrum-where-are-you/
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2024). 2019 Census of Philippine Business and Industry: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/manufacturing/aspbi
Schaefer, R. (2019). Poor Business Planning and Small Business Failure. Journal of Small Business Management, 57(3), 564-578.https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/jsbed
Schaefer, R. (2019). The Importance of Location in Small Business Success. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 30(1), 1-12. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eme/jmbpps/jmb-08-2022-0041.html
Sherman, H., & Seidel, M. D. (2019). Location, Location, Location: The Role of Location in Small Business Success. Journal of Small Business Management, 57(2), 251-265.https://ideas.repec.org/a/eme/jmbpps/jmb-08-2022-0041.html
Sibanda, M., & Ndhlela, T. (2019). Customer Relationship Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Journal of Business and Retail Management Research, 13(2), 1-10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361263837_Customer_relationship_management_and_its_impact_on_entrepreneurial_marketing_a_literature_review
Soliman, H. (2023). The Impact of Customer Relationship Management on Small Business Performance. International Journal of Customer Relationship Marketing and Management, 14(1), 1-12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361263837_Customer_relationship_management_and_its_impact_on_entrepreneurial_marketing_a_literature_review
Soriano, E. S. (2021). Micro-Businesses in the Philippines: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Business and Economic Studies, 7(1), 1-12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365361575_Opportunities_and_Challenges_of_Selected_One_Town_One_Product_Enterprises_in_Selected_Towns_of_Cavite_Amidst_Pandemic
Storey, D. J., & Greene, F. J. (2020). Small Business and Entrepreneurship. https://www.amazon.com/Small-Business-Entrepreneurship-David-Storey/dp/0273693476
The Small Business Advisor. (2023). Customer Relationship ManagementforSmallBusinesses.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361263837_Customer_relationship_management_and_its_impact_on_entrepreneurial_marketing_a_literature_review
Timmons, J. A., & Spinelli, S. (2021). New Venture Creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century. McGraw-Hill.https://www.amazon.com/New-Venture-Creation-Entrepreneurship-Century/dp/0073381551
Timmons, J. A., & Spinelli, S. (2023). Entrepreneurship: Theory, Process, and Practice. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 26. https://journalofbusiness.org/index.php/GJMBR/article/view/102798/2-Understanding-Entrepreneurship-Origin_html
Twin, A. (2023). Why small businesses fail: Top reasons for failure. Investopedia. Retrieved from [https://www.investopedia.com]
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2022). Building Resilience in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Post-Pandemic Agenda.https://www.un.org/en/observances/micro-small-medium-businesses-day
Van Aardt, C., van Aardt, S., & van der Poll, H. M. (2021). Cash Flow Management and Small Business Success. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(2), 251-265.https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-cash-flow-management-small-businesses-joe-waters
Van Horne, J. C., & Gaughan, P. A. (2019). Business Failure: Causes and Consequences.https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=101824
Weitzel, T., & Jonsson, M. (2019). The Business Life Cycle: A Review of the Literature.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316439265_Small_Business_Growth_and_Performance_A_Review_of_Literature
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rejene M. Buscaino, Marilou B. Compra, Jhonkhem N. Paña, Sweetlyn M. Rajal, Metonia M. Gonzales

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.









