Pandemic to Endemic: A Review of Key Enablers of Small Medium Enterprise Resilience

Abstract

The existence of various COVID-19 variants from Delta to Omicron has led to speculation that the spreading of the virus will continue; hence, the endless battle to fight it persists. The uncertainties in its progress from pandemic to endemic, renders it necessary to understand the applied mitigation and adaptation strategies amongst SMEs to build their future resilience as they are vulnerable and have limited resources. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework of the key enablers of SMEs’ resilience during the pandemic. Specifically, these enablers will be examined from the point of view of strategies and capabilities. A reviewed research articles from the Scopus database has been conducted focusing on selected keywords in 2020 and 2021. The findings reveal that financial resources, government support, embracing digital technologies and changing business approach are the key enablers for SMEs’ resilience. This study further provides a unique snapshot of business decisions and expectations particularly during this pandemic. It is suggested for the policy makers to consider designing recovery aids as they contemplate the scale of the required interventions. Significantly, this study also explores and provides deep understanding on the survival strategies; adaptive strategies and dynamic capabilities of SMEs during the pandemic and most importantly it directs and points out their path, present and in the future.

Examining the Effects of the Pandemic on Entrepreneurial Activities among Urban Single Mothers: An Exploratory Study

“…These finding are consistent with the previous study by Ahmad et al (2019) on the positive and significant influence of economic empowerment towards the effectiveness of microfinance programmes in alleviating the well-being of women MSME entrepreneurs. Moreover, these results corroborate the earlier findings by Sri Rahayu et al (2023), Mohammad et al (2022), Hamdan et al (2021), and Che Omar et al (2020) on the need for digital empowerment for MSME entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the social empowerment factor is negative and significant at 1%.…”

“…It was found that microfinance facilities significantly and positively affect the borrower's household income and personal asset ownership. Furthermore, to overcome COVID-19 pandemic challenges, various assistance programmes were formulated by the Malaysian government, like the PRIHATIN package, to empower MSME entrepreneurs economically and financially (Mohammad et al 2022;Hamdan et al 2021;Che Omar et al 2020). Therefore, the first hypothesis statement of the study is the following: H 1 : There is a positive relationship between economic empowerment and the effectiveness of microfinance programmes.…”

“…Similarly, Ahmad et al (2019) found support for the relationship of economic, social, and psychological empowerment and management aspects towards the effectiveness of microfinance programmes. Furthermore, in response to COVID-19 challenges, studies like Sri Rahayu et al (2023), Mohammad et al (2022), Hamdan et al (2021), and Che Omar et al (2020) have urged the mastery of digital competencies to survive the post-pandemic era.…”

“…Sri Rahayu et al (2023) supported a similar point of view in the context of MSME entrepreneurs in Indonesia optimising digital platforms like social media tools to reach potential and existing customers. In addition, Mohammad et al (2022) underscore the importance of digital technology adaptation among MSME entrepreneurs in preserving their businesses from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Lythreatis et al (2021) systematically reviewed and synthesised 50 articles from 24 countries about the digital divide.…”

“…It deployed a quantitative method through questionnaire distribution, which is consistent with the methodology of previous studies of a similar nature. A research framework was formed based on the results of previous studies related to factors that contribute to the effectiveness of microfinance programmes (Al-shami et al 2014), as well as considering the background of crises such as epidemics and movement restriction orders (Mohammad et al 2022;Hamdan et al 2021). The focus of this study is to examine the relationship between indicators of empowerment of single mother entrepreneurs participating in microfinance and the effectiveness of A.I.M.…”