Catalyzing Economic Growth: Entrepreneurial Strategies of Msmes in Marinduque Province

Abstract

This study examined the entrepreneurial strategies of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Marinduque Province and their implications for local economic growth. A descriptive survey design using a quantitative approach was employed. Data were collected from 259 owner-managers of registered and operational MSMEs across the six municipalities of Marinduque through a self-constructed questionnaire adapted from government and research-based instruments. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used in the analysis. Results showed that most owner-managers were 41 to 50 years old, female, married, and college-degree holders. Most enterprises were micro-sized, had operated for less than five years, employed fewer than six workers, operated at the barangay or municipal level, were engaged in food supplies or retailing, and had start-up capital not exceeding PHP 3 million. MSMEs often applied entrepreneurial practices across product, pricing, place, and promotion dimensions, with product alteration, going-rate and competitive pricing, intensive distribution, public relations, and personal selling emerging as key practices. Technology was identified as the strongest impediment to entrepreneurial practice, followed by marketing, information access, enterprise characteristics, and social networks. Kruskal-Wallis results showed a significant difference only in pricing strategies across enterprise classes, p = .001. The study concludes that MSMEs in Marinduque are active local economic actors but require stronger technology access, market support, and government-assisted upgrading programs. Revitalizing and localizing the DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program is recommended.