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Small businesses and new adaptation capacities in Georgia and Kazakhstan

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  • Fehlings, Susanne
  • Karrar, Hasan H.
  • Rudaz, Philippe

Abstract

In this article, we inquire how small business owners in Georgia and Kazakhstan adapted to global economic disruption such as those brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing on fieldwork in bazaars in Georgia (in 2022) and Kazakhstan (in 2023), we offer examples of adaptation that include the rise in online buying and selling; a sudden increase in the use of cellular phone based financial services or fintech; the use of Instagram to showcase merchandise, and related, branding of small businesses. These are significant in a Global South small business context as they do not rely on social capital. We argue that successful adaptation stemmed from two factors: (1) The independent nature of small businesses whereby proprietors could make decisions quickly; and (2) The globalized nature of small trade, or procurement from varying, frequently distant sources. We also describe why some small businesses, particularly in Georgia, have not followed similar adaptation strategies, although still benefiting from the risk-mitigation capacity that comes from being independently run and globalized.

Suggested Citation

  • Fehlings, Susanne & Karrar, Hasan H. & Rudaz, Philippe, 2025. "Small businesses and new adaptation capacities in Georgia and Kazakhstan," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:191:y:2025:i:c:s0305750x25000786
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.106993
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