SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. HOW SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN THE BULAWAYO METROPOLITAN PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE, EXPERIENCED THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

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dc.contributor.authorNani, G.V.
dc.contributor.authorNdlovu, I.
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-15T13:21:24Z
dc.date.available2025-09-15T13:21:24Z
dc.date.issued2022-03-18
dc.description.abstractThe Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) led to the closure of most Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The argument presented in this paper is that SMEs that are still operational have done so due to the employment of survival strategies. The study premised in the interpretivist paradigm, utilising a qualitative approach and a case study design, sought to establish the challenges faced by SME owners in the COVID-19 era and the survival strategies that they used, for the benefit of those still overwhelmed by the pandemic. Data was collected from 30 purposively selected SME owners, using semi structured questionnaires with open ended questions. Thematically analysed data revealed that SME owners predominantly faced the following challenges: a massive reduction in revenue, increased running costs, longer lead times in procurement of raw materials, as well as delivering orders to the customers, importing challenges due to the closure of national borders and travel restrictions as well as loss of lives. Conclusions drawn were that businesses can survive even during pandemics as long as appropriate survival strategies are applied. The study recommended that SME owners be equipped with digital literacy, innovative and environmental analysis skills as strategies to enable them to hedge against unexpected risks.
dc.identifier.citationNani, G.V. and Ndlovu, I., 2022. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. HOW SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN THE BULAWAYO METROPOLITAN PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE, EXPERIENCED THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Journal of Global Business & Technology, 18(1).
dc.identifier.urihttp://196.220.97.103:4000/handle/123456789/1057
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherJournal of Global Business & Technology
dc.titleSURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. HOW SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN THE BULAWAYO METROPOLITAN PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE, EXPERIENCED THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
dc.typeArticle
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