Performance of small businesses in Tangier: the perceptual role of location

Purpose This study seeks to investigate perceptions of the role location on performance small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tangier, as understood by local owner-managers. Design/methodology/approach To explore performance/location relationship for SMEs 20 in-depth online semi-structured interviews were conducted with selected owner-managers SMEs. The judgement sample was their experiences, beliefs attitudes respect location. Findings revealed that “location” is a salient factor that, minds respondents, materially influences Tangier. Location mentioned extensively interviews, relation “free zones”. showed firms located within free zones enjoyed favourable economic conditions, particular those related taxation competition, compared counterparts outside zones, which excluded from these benefits. Furthermore, perceived unfair competition (financial fiscal incentives zones) damages These findings suggest placement business respondents' perception thus became an important financial emotionally significant perspective equality success. Research limitations/implications could encourage government adopt policies will assist indigenous benefit advantages are comparable available zones. Greater attention perceptual effects would be advantageous. However, exploratory nature means results cannot necessarily generalised beyond setting data collected. Future research should examine impact broader countries. Originality/value among few studies Middle East North Africa (MENA) region themselves not based aggregate or data. It supports previous several contributes additional evidence suggests significance levelling playing field its SME contemporary African context.