Purpose

This study determines the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their support providers during three phases: pre-conflict environment, during conflict environment, and the post-conflict (uncertain) environment with the reference to institutional theory in the northwest region of Pakistan where there is ongoing unrest between the authorities and the insurgents.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, a total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted, 19 with the owner-managers of small manufacturing firms and 4 from small business support providers in the region.

Findings

The authors theorise the changing role of support agencies as differing institutional gaps, while conflict is destructive for SMEs and support agencies; paradoxically the crisis results in stronger relationships between the support providers and SMEs which was weaker in the pre-conflict environment. Such stronger relationship enhanced the cognitive pillar of institutional theory where entrepreneurship is supported by various groups including government agencies and SMEs to alleviate unemployment in the region which is one of the potential reasons of terrorism in the country.

Practical implications

The study may have value for policymakers who need to know more about how small businesses and support providers develop a support network in difficult regions and give a comprehensive framework to other conflictual regions who face similar circumstances.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the previous literature in several ways. First, the study reveals the impact of conflict environment on small businesses and support providers where a little research has been undertaken. Second, the study shows the support mechanism in three different intervals pre-conflict, during the conflict and post-conflict and how the Talibanization in the region has a positive impact by strengthening the support structure among small businesses and support providers. Finally, the study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship in conflict environments.

中文翻译：

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从制度理论的角度了解冲突环境下支持机构与中小企业之间的相互作用

目的

这项研究参考了西北的制度理论，确定了三个阶段中的中小企业（SME）及其支持提供者之间的关系：冲突前环境，冲突中环境以及冲突后（不确定）环境。巴基斯坦与当局和叛乱分子之间持续不断的动荡地区。

设计/方法/方法

使用定性方法，总共进行了23次半结构化访谈，其中19次与小型制造公司的所有者-经理进行对话，另外4次来自该地区的小型企业支持提供商。

发现

作者认为，由于不同的机构差距，支持机构的作用正在发生变化，而冲突对中小企业和支持机构则具有破坏性。矛盾的是，危机导致支持提供者与中小型企业之间的关系更加牢固，而在冲突前的环境中这种关系则较弱。这种更牢固的关系增强了制度理论的认知基础，在该理论中，企业家精神得到了包括政府机构和中小型企业在内的各种团体的支持，以减轻该地区的失业，这是该国恐怖主义的潜在原因之一。

实际影响

这项研究可能对那些需要更多地了解小型企业和支持提供者如何在困难地区建立支持网络并为面临类似情况的其他冲突地区提供全面框架的决策者具有价值。

创意/价值

这项研究以多种方式为先前的文献做出了贡献。首先，该研究揭示了冲突环境对进行了少量研究的小型企业和支持提供者的影响。其次，研究显示了冲突前，冲突后和冲突后三个不同间隔中的支持机制，以及该地区的塔利班化如何通过加强小企业和支持提供者之间的支持结构而产生积极影响。最后，该研究为冲突环境下有关企业家精神的文学不断发展做出了贡献。