This poster shares the researchers' methodological exploration of informal firms in peripheral urban spaces, highlighting their importance in management studies and enterprise development. Often excluded from traditional surveys, these firms represent a critical area of inquiry. We utilized a range of qualitative mixed methods, beginning with an original small-area census of enterprise activities to document informal firms within South African townships. Our findings prompted new approaches to understanding entrepreneurial behavior and firm dynamics. The first focus was on spatial influences, examining firm distribution at the micro (business place) and mezzo (neighborhood) levels. This analysis revealed dynamics in the spatial positioning of businesses relative to urban form. The second focus involved knowledge co-production to uncover social, cultural influences, and informal rules that shape entrepreneurial actions. This approach illuminated business strategies, particularly the practice of "selective visibility," where enterprises may obscure their operations to mitigate risks. Additionally, we employed participatory visual methods—such as photovoice, digital storytelling, and hand mapping—to deepen participant insights. The poster integrates maps showing the geospatial distribution of firms, spatial strategy illustrations, and both annotated and unannotated photographs. Ultimately, we demonstrate how these methods have been applied in academic research, practitioner contexts, and strategic management initiatives, providing new perspectives for understanding informal enterprises.
