Business DNA: an Analysis of Micro and Small Companies in the State of Santa Catarina

This article analyzes the factors linked to the genesis and operation of micro and small companies (MSCs) in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, according to the perception of their owners. These factors are important for these firms’ competitiveness and longevity. The theoretical framework covers the context of MSCs in the national and statewide scenario as well as factors for success/failure found in the national and international literature. The perceptions were assessed by application of structured questionnaires.Treatment of the data revealed the profile of the companies and identified the factors that can promote competitiveness and longevity of these firms. The results show that the owners surveyed are most capable of influencing the success of their undertakings by searching for knowledge about the market, the ability to deal with new situations and the use of administrative control instruments than on external factors such as access to seed capital,reduction of the market and competition.