ABSTRACT
Start-ups have to pass through several transitional phases from inception to growth, maturity and decline, according to the life cycle of the product. These phases require different levels and styles of management skills and practices. At the start-up phase, everything revolves around the entrepreneur himself, and as business grows through several stages, the decision-making process becomes decentralised and the entrepreneur needs to develop the organisational capabilities to manage the business in that environment. The changing role of the entrepreneur during the various stages of product life cycle are discussed. This chapter deals in details the stages of organisation development and critical success criteria for steering the business through these phases of development. Long-term growth strategies for the business and organisational restructuring for effective management of the enterprise are also discussed with many short cases and examples. Sustainable growth, corporate social responsibility and product liability issues and implications are also discussed.
