The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same: A Longitudinal Study of Small Retail Firm Resources

This paper reports research from a longitudinal study of the resources that predict performance in small, independent retail firms in Tasmania, Australia. Surveys were mailed to potential respondents in 2013 and in 2016. Responses from each administration (2013, n=401; 2016, n=376) revealed the same findings: informational (business information systems) resources and access to financial capital were positively related to firm performance, as measured by average annual sales turnover. On the other hand, informational (web) resources, including social media, were negatively related to performance. Strategic orientation and planning capability were examined as possible mediators of the resources-performance relationship. The results from this research demonstrate, on replication, which firm resources do, and do not, relate to small, independent retail firm performance.