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Surviving the COVID‐19 pandemic: The antecedents of success among European SMEs

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  • Chit, Myint Moe
  • Croucher, Richard
  • Rizov, Marian

Abstract

We research the antecedents of relative success among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in avoiding temporary or permanent closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate the roles of firm-specific resources and state support policies in influencing SME fortunes, in a sizeable group of European countries covered in the World Bank Enterprise Survey. Using resource dependency, Varieties of Capitalism and Systems theories, we find that innovative capacities, institutional connectedness, governance, and management experience were major antecedents of success across all SMEs. Significant differences in outcomes were found between SMEs operating in old and new EU member states, and non-EU countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Chit, Myint Moe & Croucher, Richard & Rizov, Marian, 2023. "Surviving the COVID‐19 pandemic: The antecedents of success among European SMEs," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 20(1), pages 113-127.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:272922
    DOI: 10.1111/emre.12525
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Chit, Myint Moe & Croucher, Richard & Rizov, Marian, 2023. "Surviving the COVID‐19 pandemic: The antecedents of success among European SMEs," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 20(1), pages 113-127.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hebah Shalhoob & Noha Alessa & Mbarek Rahmoune, 2025. "The “G” in ESG: the challenges and obstacles affecting SMEs’ sustainability in Saudi Arabia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(11), pages 28355-28377, November.
    3. 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.
    4. Md. Nazmus Sakib & Md. Mahbubur Rahman, 2024. "Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on SMEs Through Government Policy Intervention: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Adrian R. Mendoza, 2025. "Survival strategies and the robustness and resilience of exporters amidst wild card COVID-19 shocks," UP School of Economics Discussion Papers 202506, University of the Philippines School of Economics.
    6. Sharmin Nahar & Mohammed Shamsul Karim & Vania Sena, 2026. "How Do Unexpected Networks Help Female Entrepreneurs in the Global South Survive in Adverse Contexts? A Case Study of Bangladesh," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 132-163, January.
    7. Jessika Luth Richter & Sahra Svensson‐Hoglund & Carl Dalhammar & Jennifer D. Russell & Åke Thidell, 2023. "Taking stock for repair and refurbishing: A review of harvesting of spare parts from electrical and electronic products," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 868-881, June.
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    9. Ivelin Rizov & Gerhard Ruehl & Maren Langhof & Jonas Kathage & Emilio Rodriguez-Cerezo, 2018. "Best practice document for the coexistence of genetically modified potato with conventional and organic farming," JRC Research Reports JRC109645, Joint Research Centre.
    10. Yulian ANGELOV & Ivo DRAGANOV, 2018. "Some Guidance In The Designing Of A Roller For The Automotive Testers," Transport Problems, Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Transport, vol. 13(3), pages 97-108, September.
    11. repec:bcp:journl:v:8:y:2024:i:9:p:1358-1373 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Bipasha Mukherjee & Debanjana Das & Antarip Sinha & Chaitali Mondal & Pallab Kanti Haldar & Asis Bala, 2022. "Recent Advancement on Experimentally Proven Phytopharmaceuticals that Inhibit Vasculature Development, Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 44(5), pages 35888-35920, June.
    13. Chit, Myint Moe & Croucher, Richard & Rizov, Marian, 2023. "Surviving the COVID‐19 pandemic: The antecedents of success among European SMEs," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 20(1), pages 113-127.
    14. Mimica R. Milošević & Dušan M. Milošević & Ana D. Stanojević & Dragan M. Stević & Dušan J. Simjanović, 2021. "Fuzzy and Interval AHP Approaches in Sustainable Management for the Architectural Heritage in Smart Cities," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-29, February.
    15. Kodama, Wataru & Morgan, Peter & Azhgaliyeva, Dina & Trinh, Long & Kim, Kunhyui, 2024. "Family business during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia: Role of government financial aid and coping strategies," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    16. Zhang, Qi-Ling & Wu, He-Gao, 2017. "Embedment of steel spiral cases in concrete: China's experience," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1271-1281.
    17. Prav Roman, 2019. "Monitoring of the development of information infrastructure in Ukraine," Technology audit and production reserves, 3(47) 2019, Socionet;Technology audit and production reserves, vol. 3(4(47)), pages 12-18.
    18. Fehlings, Susanne & Karrar, Hasan H. & Rudaz, Philippe, 2025. "Small businesses and new adaptation capacities in Georgia and Kazakhstan," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).

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