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SMEs in Covid-19 Crisis and Combating Strategies: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and A Case from Emerging Economy

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  • Hossain, Mohammad Rokibul
  • Akhter, Fahmida
  • Sultana, Mir Misnad

Abstract

The paper intends to understand the research trends in “Covid-19 and SME” through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and extract themes to explore the most affected areas of SMEs during the Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the study attempts to know the struggles of SME during Covid-19 crisis in a developing country . Furthermore, the study provides a critical dynamic resilience strategy framework to manage the SMEs in the crisis period. The authors extracted data from Scopus and Web of science to conduct a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), Extracted data from both databases were merged using R programming get the same tag in R programming. The study adopts a bibliometric analysis to present the research corpus in the domain of “Covid-19 and SMEs”. The cluster method of R programming has been used to usher the significantly affected areas of SMEs. Based on the cluster theme, an open-ended questionnaire was developed and used to interview 23 SMEs in Bangladesh for the case study. NVIVO-13.00 was used to extract the topic from the transcriptions of the interviews. The study reveals that Cash flow shortages and Supply Chain Disruptions are the critical constraints of SMEs. On the contrary, Digital transformation has gained momentum during this crisis. Enterprises that made the best use of digital platforms through technology, digital marketing, and innovations secured the peak of success and profitability. The study also recommends a critical dynamic, resilient strategy model to adopt in the "new normal" for successful navigation of SME business in the future. The study is the first of its kind that integrates SLR and a case study on the hurdles of SME owners during the Covid 19 crisis. Thus, it helps advance the understanding of the subject matter and enables the formulation of resilient strategies by policymakers and SME owners to navigate the business in any potential crisis in the future. The study has significant methodological contribution as it presents how to merge both Scopus and web of science data to conduct bibliometric analysis through R programming. Besides, it also contributes to using R’s clustering method to extract themes for “SME and Covid -19” domain. Finally, the study presents an overview of SMEs in crisis such as Covid-19 and a case study of a rising economy and its response measures. The Case study has been designed to concentrate on Bangladesh’s SME owners and practical implications potentially limited to Emerging Asian Economies.

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  • Hossain, Mohammad Rokibul & Akhter, Fahmida & Sultana, Mir Misnad, 2022. "SMEs in Covid-19 Crisis and Combating Strategies: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and A Case from Emerging Economy," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 9(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:oprepe:v:9:y:2022:i:c:s2214716022000021
    DOI: 10.1016/j.orp.2022.100222
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    Cited by:

    1. Tan Poh Ling & Nurzihan Hassim & Nur Nadira Binti Mohammad Bashir, 2024. "SME Preparedness in Surviving the Health Pandemic in Malaysia," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, May.
    2. Ul Akram, Manzoor & Islam, Nazrul & Chauhan, Chetna & Zafar Yaqub, Muhammad, 2024. "Resilience and agility in sustainable supply chains: A relational and dynamic capabilities view," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    3. Payam Shojaei & Alireza Rashidi Alavije & Kazem Askarifar, 2025. "Supply Chain Resilience Improvement in SMEs: The Role of Industry 4.0 Technologies," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 26(4), pages 865-881, December.
    4. Hery Syahrial & Linda Lores & Dahrul Siregar & Salma Nazwa, 2024. "Crucial Factors Influencing the Success of SMEs in the Digital Transformation Era," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 16(3), pages 181-187.
    5. Poltak T. Sinaga, 2024. "Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience in Coal Mining: A Review of Managing Disruptions ," GATR Journals jber242, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    6. Tamanna Nankoomar & Rosemary Quilling, 2023. "Impact of Coronavirus on digital transformation in private sector organisations in developing countries," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 12(10), pages 01-12, December.
    7. Anel A. Kireyeva & Zaira T. Satpayeva & Gaukhar K. Kenzhegulova & Dana M. Kangalakova & Aruzhan Jussibaliyeva, 2022. "Kazakhstani womenʼs participation in online marketplaces: Benefits and barriers," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(3), pages 343-369, September.
    8. A. F. M. Jalal Ahamed & Niina Nummela & Tiia Vissak, 2025. "When East Meets West in Building Organisational Resilience: An Exploratory Study Among Bangladeshi Exporters," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 65(1), pages 85-113, February.
    9. Debadutta Panda & Rohit Bhardwaj & Tulika Sharma & Sriharsha Reddy, 2024. "Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Navigating Through the Covid Pandemic in India: an Examination Through the Systems Approach," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 483-498, August.
    10. Magdalena Majchrzak & Aneta Ejsmont, 2023. "Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprisesin the German-Polish Border Area in Timesof Extraordinary Threats," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 247-267.
    11. Konstantina Ragazou & Ioannis Passas & Georgios Sklavos, 2022. "Investigating the Strategic Role of Digital Transformation Path of SMEs in the Era of COVID-19: A Bibliometric Analysis Using R," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    12. Aleksandar M. Damnjanovic & Goran Dzafic & Sandra Nesic & Dragan Milosevic & Gordana Mrdak & Sinisa M. Arsic, 2022. "Strategic Management of External Disruptions on Realization of Business Plans—Case of Serbian Manufacturing Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    13. Serge Stéphane Ky & Clovis Rugemintwari, 2025. "Informal Firms' Adoption and Use of Mobile Money Under Uncertain Times: Evidence From Burkina Faso," Post-Print hal-05320021, HAL.
    14. Krystyna Brzozowska & Małgorzata Gorzałczyńska-Koczkodaj & Elżbieta Ociepa-Kicińska & Przemysław Pluskota, 2023. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Financial Condition and Mortality in Polish Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, June.
    15. Hassan, M. Kabir & Aysan, Ahmet Faruk & Kayani, Umar Nawaz & Choudhury, Tonmoy, 2023. "Working capital as a firm performance savior? Evidence from Scandinavian countries," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    16. Badakhshan, Ehsan & Ball, Peter, 2023. "A simulation-optimization approach for integrating physical and financial flows in a supply chain under economic uncertainty," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 10(C).
    17. Muhammad, Syed Sardar & Dey, Bidit Lal & Kamal, Muhammad Mustafa & Samuel, Lalnunpuia & Alzeiby, Ebtesam Abdullah, 2025. "Digital transformation or digital divide? Smes' use of AI during global crisis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    18. Wang, YiZheng & Zhang, ZhenTian, 2025. "Digital development and rural financial inclusion: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PA).
    19. Kerry Brown & Ferry Jie & Thi Le & Jalleh Sharafizad & Fleur Sharafizad & Subhadarsini Parida, 2022. "Factors Impacting SME Business Resilience Post-COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.
    20. Hongshan Lai & Md Altab Hossin & Jieyun Li & Ruping Wang & Md Sajjad Hosain, 2022. "Examining the Relationship between COVID-19 Related Job Stress and Employees’ Turnover Intention with the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support: Evidence from SMEs in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-19, March.
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