Abstract:
Citizens owned fuel transport companies in Botswana are startups and are operating at a small to medium scale. Being startups or Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), they are faced with similar challenges that confront most new small businesses. The aim of this study was to assess the challenges faced by citizen-owned fuel transport companies in Botswana and their influence on enterprise growth. The role of finance, human resources, industry experience, and government support was examined to explicate their role in the growth of these enterprises. This study adopted a descriptive survey design whence a questionnaire was administered to 105 respondents who were employees of the fuel transport companies in Botswana that were covered in the study. A total of 100 questionnaires were successfully completed and returned representing a 95.2% response rate. The findings revealed a correlation between the independent variables (unavailability of trained personnel, lack of finance, and lack of industry experience) and the dependent variable (the growth of citizen owned fuel transport companies). The study revealed gaps in human resource management, company finances, company strategies, and operations as well as support from government. To enhance the growth of these citizen-owned enterprises, it is recommended that they join forces and collectively lobby for policies that protect them against well established and resourced foreign entities. Again, these enterprises must forge partnerships with experienced foreign firms, outsource services to third party specialists to obtain expert support where they are lacking, and consider approaching potential investors for equity financing, amongst other growth strategies.
