A study of the sustainable growth factors in legal practices: A case of Mawere and Sibanda Legal Practitioners (2009 - 2012)

Abstract

The research sought to explore how Mawere and Sibanda legal practitioners incorporate growth factors or strategies. The focus of the study included the analysis of the adoption of those strategies, the attitude of the partners towards growth factors and the underlying logic of those growth factors or strategies. A qualitative approach was chosen in order to explore the growth strategies at Mawere and Sibanda legal practitioners.

A case study was carried out, in which questionnaires were sent to nine employees. It was found that the firm makes use of strategies for growth, often combining the planning approach of strategy formulation. This firm made use of formal planning and pre-decision analysis. However, it was found that the firm has growth and there is positive attitude towards growth although there is no high level of flexibility to adapt to changing conditions or new opportunities as strategies are reviewed annually.

This means the strategies are rigid plans as they point to pre-determined course of actions. Due to the small size of the law firm, it was found that the firm is highly dependent on the external environment to formulate strategies, and also on its access to financial, human and social resources. The firm should therefore consider looking beyond its capabilities so as to sustain growth and conduct a regular environmental scanning and taking corrective action.