Leveraging green skills in response to the COVID-19 crisis: a case study of small and medium enterprises in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Purpose The sustainable skills that informal manufacturers use in volatile times remain poorly understood. This study explored the skills that the informal manufacturers used to navigate the uncertain business environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach A total of 27 telephone interviews were conducted with informal entrepreneurs who were manufacturers of agricultural machinery at Mbare Magaba and Gaza home industry in Harare, Zimbabwe. Purposive and snow ball sampling were used to identify information rich sources. The authors used thematic analysis in identifying recurrent themes from this study. Findings The study results show that business agility motivated most informal manufacturers to restructure their business to sustain their operations. With the closure of formal companies, the informal manufacturers adopted slowing and narrowing loops through purchasing broken down agricultural machines for repairs or remanufacturing of durable machines for their low-income customer base. Most young and formally trained manufacturers adopted a prospector strategic behaviour as they used digital platforms to network with business associates for supplies, gathering market intelligence, making and receiving electronic payments and establishing virtual distant markets whilst the older manufacturers resorted mostly to a defender strategic behaviour of engaging their usual customers for repair jobs and a few referrals. Originality/value This study offers unique insights with respect to skills required for the sustainable and strategic management of small and medium enterprises during times of crisis.

Thrive during a crisis: the role of digital technologies in fostering antifragility in small and medium-sized enterprises

“…That is, they must become digitally competent. In a fluid context, such as the digital one, this facilitates agility even in the face of crises (Manyati and Mutsau 2021 ).…”

Adopt Digital Technologies or Ship Out of Business: Covid-19 Experiences of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe

“…It is a fact that many SMEs scaled down as they engaged the survival mode, as a result of reduced revenues (Sonobe et al, 2021). Many governments globally implemented various containment mechanisms to curb the spread of COVID-19, which obligated most businesses to survive through the adoption of green skills (Manyati & Mutsau, 2021). These allowed them to make use of digital platforms for networking purposes with suppliers, buyers, and other business associates (Corvello et al, 2022).…”

Guest editorial

“…The remaining studies included in the special issue have addressed issues of entrepreneurs and business affiliated with a particular sector or industry. Manyati and Mutsau (2021) conducted qualitative research among 27 Zimbabwean informal entrepreneurs operating in the agricultural manufacturing and home industry. The authors studied skills and abilities that helped informal entrepreneurs to sustain business activity despite the adverse times.…”

“…The research results reflected that sustainable manufacturing and metal fabrication techniques aiming to deliver higher quality products might also improve competitiveness and adopt greener production processes, providing thus informal entrepreneurs with an opportunity to keep their businesses operational. Manyati and Mutsau (2021) conclude their article with a series of recommendations for entrepreneurial training, highlighting the importance of sustainable business-related skills, agility and digital networking. The need for sustainability orientation was also discussed in a study by MacGregor Pelikanova et al (2021), who investigated the effects of the pandemic within the Czech hotel industry.…”