Purpose

Crises of any type have become an integral part of business activity and responses to them could make the difference between survival and failure. This applies in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Taking the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a starting point, this study aims to investigate how Peruvian SMEs have been coping with COVID-19 so far. Based on that a conceptual framework is proposed which highlights the practice of SMEs trying to deal with a new type of crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an exploratory qualitative research design involving 25 semi-structured interviews conducted in Peruvian SMEs.

Findings

The findings demonstrate how the Peruvian firms studied to adapt to the new situation and initiate responses to increasing the chance of survival. Furthermore, the role of the companies’ decision-makers, as well as the role of crisis management and other related approaches in the companies are shown.

Research limitations/implications

The paper expands the underdeveloped body of knowledge regarding crisis management in Latin America in general and crisis management in SMEs by providing insight into how Peruvian SMEs perceive and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical implications

The findings presented in this paper have implications for both managers and managerial staff of SMEs but also for the people in charge of the curricula at universities and other teaching-focused institutes.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study of crisis management on the impacts of COVID-19 with a dedicated focus on SMEs from Latin America. It provides fresh insight into current reactions to the Pandemic.

中文翻译：

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秘鲁中小企业和 COVID-19：是时候重新开始了！

目的

任何类型的危机都已成为商业活动不可或缺的一部分，对危机的反应可能会影响生存与失败。这尤其适用于中小型企业 (SME)。本研究以冠状病毒 (COVID-19) 大流行为起点，旨在调查迄今为止秘鲁中小企业如何应对 COVID-19。在此基础上，提出了一个概念框架，突出了中小企业应对新型危机的做法。

设计/方法/方法

该研究基于探索性定性研究设计，涉及在秘鲁中小企业中进行的 25 次半结构化访谈。

发现

调查结果展示了秘鲁公司如何进行研究以适应新情况并启动响应以增加生存机会。此外，还显示了公司决策者的作用，以及危机管理和其他相关方法在公司中的作用。

研究限制/影响

本文通过深入了解秘鲁中小企业如何看待和适应 COVID-19 大流行，扩展了有关拉丁美洲危机管理和中小企业危机管理的欠发达知识体系。

实际影响

本文提出的研究结果对中小企业的经理和管理人员都有影响，也对大学和其他以教学为重点的机构的课程负责人有影响。

原创性/价值

据作者所知，这是第一次关于危机管理对 COVID-19 影响的实证研究，专门关注拉丁美洲的中小企业。它为当前对大流行的反应提供了新的见解。