In this commentary, we examine both the positive and negative potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We conceptualise the firm as a system of various resource components (strategic, physical, financial, human and organisational resources) and firm growth as the expansion of this resource system. Based on qualitative data drawn from Canadian high-growth SMEs, we discuss the potential impact of the crisis on these resource system components. We demonstrate how virtuous growth spirals of these resources co-evolve through various feedback and feed-forward loops. Furthermore, we discuss how a temporary growth setback, due to the crisis, can in fact provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to realign, and regain the balance and fit within their firm’s resource system. This realignment enables the firm to take on the next phase of growth.

中文翻译：

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资源体系视角下的全球危机对中小企业增长的影响

在这篇评论中，我们研究了COVID-19大流行对中小企业增长的正面和负面影响。我们将公司概念化为一个由各种资源组成部分（战略，物质，财务，人力和组织资源）组成的系统，并将公司增长作为此资源系统的扩展。基于从加拿大高增长中小企业获得的定性数据，我们讨论了危机对这些资源系统组成部分的潜在影响。我们展示了这些资源的良性增长螺旋如何通过各种反馈和前馈循环共同发展。此外，我们讨论了由于危机而造成的暂时性增长挫折实际上如何为企业家提供机会，使其能够重新调整，重新获得平衡并适应其公司的资源系统。