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SME Resilience to Covid-19: Insights from Non-Essential Service Providers in Nairobi

Author

Listed:
  • Eltigani Ahmed

    (Department of Leadership, Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya)

  • James Kilika

    (Department of Business Administration, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Clare Gakenia

    (Department of Leadership, Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya)

Abstract

The theory of dynamic resource orchestration explains the differentiated response of homogeneous ecosystem organizations to systemic disruptive shocks. The Covid-19 precautionary measures in Kenya have exempted some essential service providers and government agencies, resulting in a differentiated Covid-19 impact across the national SMEs landscape. This article adopted an extractive thematic analysis technique to draw insights from in-depth interviews and discussions with owners and managers of 6 broad-range SMEs considered non-essential services providers excluded from the Covid-19 cessation of movement waiver. The article advanced insights on SMEs' resilience through dynamic resource orchestration capability. It sought to establish whether the possession and orchestration of dynamic resources capabilities differentiated highly resilient SMEs from non-resilient ones. The article identified business diversification, slack finance, intra-stakeholder collaboration, self-reinvention, positive psychology, technology leverage, and cost management as precursory resilience agents within Kenyan SMEs. Research gaps were identified, and recommendations for future research were proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Eltigani Ahmed & James Kilika & Clare Gakenia, 2021. "SME Resilience to Covid-19: Insights from Non-Essential Service Providers in Nairobi," International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies, Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 10(4), pages 24-39, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:rbs:ijfbss:v:10:y:2021:i:4:p:24-39
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Enwereji Prince Chukwuneme, 2022. "Impact of Covid-19 on SMMEs and the future sustainability measures: a systematic review," HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 111-131, December.

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