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Co-Operative Learning and Resilience to COVID-19 in a Small-Sized South African Enterprise

Author

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  • Alexis Habiyaremye

    (College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa)

Abstract

Constraints imposed by the shrinking resources and the climate change dynamics necessitate a behavioral change to increase knowledge exchange and optimize resource utilization. Existing entrepreneurship and innovation practices are therefore undergoing transformation to adapt production systems to the post-COVID-19 reality of increased risks of calamities within a context of shrinking resources. This paper uses a knowledge-centered crisis management framework to examine how enhanced knowledge sharing through co-operative learning can be applied to induce higher innovation performance and more efficient resource utilization structures during crises comparable to the current pandemic. Using the collaborative learning experiences of a small enterprise producing ecological fertilizers, this study was able to link crisis resilience enhancement to increased knowledge exchange between business entities connected through the agro-ecological value chain. New insights generated through the co-learning process were found to constitute a key input for strengthening the required capability endowments that enable the organization and its partners to weather the COVID-19 crisis and lay the foundation for the sustainability of post-COVID-19 operations.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexis Habiyaremye, 2021. "Co-Operative Learning and Resilience to COVID-19 in a Small-Sized South African Enterprise," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1976-:d:498038
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Alexis Habiyaremye, 2020. "Knowledge exchange and innovation co-creation in living labs projects in South Africa," Innovation and Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 207-222, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Magdalena Gorzelany-Dziadkowiec, 2021. "COVID-19: Business Innovation Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Alexis Habiyaremye, 2023. "Co-learning in university-community engagement for sustainable local food systems in South Africa," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. N. Zupancic, 2023. "Systematic Literature Review: Inter-Reletedness of Innovation, Resilience and Sustainability - Major, Emerging Themes and Future Research Directions," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 1157-1185, September.
    4. Obi Berko Obeng Damoah, 2025. "The effect of organizational resilience on the survival of SME exporters: The Role Of Entrepreneur Resilience And Environmental Turmoil," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 470-501, June.

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