The discussion section is used to discuss remarkable outcomes, limitations of the research, and give an advice to SSBD how to use this research. Looking at the big picture, there are not many remarkable outcomes. Mostly because the outcome is in line with the expectation, and when not its not far away form the expected outcome. However, noteworthy is the outcome of the financial aspect analysis. Considering that the theory discuss a strict framework based on established years in revenue in order to scale the company, and determine which financial aspects are in order. In practice it turned out that no company used a structure or method to fit the finances in the early stages. This process went completely organic, whereby the company adapted to the situation. Moreover, when the companies indicated that there was no need for such a framework.
A limitation to the study is that it focusses around business sensitive information. This makes it difficult to find companies who want to talk about it in an interview. On the other side, making it possible to discuss these business sensitive information made this research very valuable, not only to SSBD but also for the interviewed companies that can use this analysis to their own extend. Another limitation is that the theory for the general life cycle is quit old and thereby at some points outdated. Moreover, all new theories are not as extensive as the Greiner (1998) theory, but they surely all used the Greiner (1998) theory as a platform to build on.
For future research it is possible to deepen the research by finding more candidates to interview, even through this will be very difficult. However, it is also possible to extend the research more widely and not only discuss the current and next stage of the company, but examine the whole life cycle. The advice to SSBD is to not only read, but also discuss the research with the researcher and make based on the gathered business knowledge a revised business plan for the coming year. Advisable is to schedule a day to complete the business plan, based on the business canvas model, with each other. This business plan, should be revised every year to ensure that it fits in the current spirit of time.
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