Bachelor Thesis from the year 2022 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, FH OÖ Standort Steyr, language: English, abstract: This piece of scientific work aims to answer the following research questions. These questions were derived as the primary reasons for this thesis and were motivated due to the current global health and social crisis, the economic disruptions caused by it all over the world, the need to better understand the effects of it on businesses and the need to investigate the best ways to be able to better cope with future disruptions. Main question: How can export-oriented industrial SMEs build resilience in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond? Sub question 1: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the global economy in the context of international trade? Sub question 2: What have been the main challenges faced by B2B export-oriented SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic? Owing to the new and emerging field of business research that the COVID-19 pandemic has created, research has been developing on the topic. Researchers have primarily concentrated on specific issues such as understanding the impacts of the pandemic on the supply chain, import and export flows and trade policies. Often lacking a practical-oriented application of findings for Managers and their organizations and a focus on the challenges faced by export-oriented Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international business operations and especially in Business to Business international sales and marketing focusing first and foremost on SMEs, and to provide a concise overview concerning the topic of international trade disruptions during the pandemic as well as strategies and better practices for responding to and mitigating these risks and threats.

International Business in Times of Crisis classifies studies of crises relevant to international business research following a global pandemic which exposed systems failures and fragilities closely across global economic, financial, political, and social systems.

This book is a timely guide for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) researchers, policy makers and strategists. SMEs are the most important sources of job creation and local development especially in knowledge-based economies. As turbulence in the globalized economies expands SMEs will have to learn to sustain competitiveness by developing their ‘dynamic capabilities’. Based on the findings of a 4-year European and Latin American research project, this book provides a theoretical framework, practical instruments and cases on how SMEs in diverse economic, social and cultural contexts can develop crisis resilience, increase agility, innovate and thus successfully compete in turbulent times.

The international cast of authors in this important book explore how internationalizing small and medium sized enterprises (iSMEs) face major crises, such as COVID-19, and have managed them to reach a stable and desired state post-crisis. Chapter orientations vary from theoretical to empirical. Each focuses on issues related to a major crisis, and present already-deployed success strategies in 14 different country environments. The rich diversity of chapters offers a highly significant and timely contribution to the field.

This book provides an in-depth introduction to crisis management and leadership in SMEs, as well as methods, approaches and cases against the background of different crises; external ones in particular. Featuring contributions from research and practice, this book covers a plethora of SMEs from different sectors to match the diverse nature of small business practice. The combination of a sound theoretical framework for small firm crisis management along with practical instruments/methods and cases, help to improve the organizational resilience of SMEs. The authors also guide the reader to resources beyond the book, including an online “Crisis Toolkit” comprised of material such as further publications, crisis management blueprints, guidelines, checklists, and company cases on crisis management-related issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of the modern world, and its impact is felt by all. The pandemic particularly has had a large impact on businesses as they were forced to close, supply chains were disrupted, and new health and safety precautions were adopted. As such, many businesses, especially small businesses, were faced with losses they could not afford. Governments and stakeholders across the world have thus needed to formulate various strategies and interventions to mitigate the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as they relate to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Handbook of Research on Strategies and Interventions to Mitigate COVID-19 Impact on SMEs is a comprehensive reference source that encapsulates the overall effect of COVID-19 on SMEs and a variety of strategies to overcome the negative effects and create more sustainable policies and organizations moving forward. The book offers a thorough overview of interventions and tactics to help organizations, entrepreneurs, and institutions of higher learning overcome the negative impact of COVID-19 while preparing policies for a more effective post-pandemic world. Covering topics that include sustainable practices for development, interventions to lessen the impact of COVID-19, and psychological resilience for SME employees, this book is Ideal for entrepreneurs, managers, executives, small businesses, family firms, academicians, scholar-practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and students.

This book assesses the resilience of enterprises and their abilities to adapt to changing circumstances and new business environments in the time of crises. Entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, and large corporations proved to be capable of utilizing innovation and technology to survive the economic and financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many enterprises have succeeded in turning the pandemic crisis into viable business opportunities, dominating local and regional markets, and putting them at the heart of technological transformation. The book also emphasizes the role of innovation, digitalization, and technology in developing new business models and innovative strategies that contributed to enhancing business resilience and market adaptability during the pandemic. The implementation of the new business model and working methods has not only made companies more competitive, but it also ensured the sustainability of the flow of goods and services in the time of the crisis. The analysis is provided through a detailed examination of key sectors, including small and medium enterprises, logistics and supply chain, food security, and labor market. While acknowledging the unprecedented economic and financial consequences of the pandemic on enterprises and markets, this book stresses the importance of the lessons learned from this experience that are critical for supporting the business sector and strengthening market fundamentals to withstand similar crises in the future.

A series of calamities has, in recent years, had an impact on business performance. This book explores strategies and business responses in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic and the hyper competitive market environment have compelled organizations and industries to redraw the limits of their operational and strategic activities. Organizations in emerging markets are facing a great challenge in keeping their businesses afloat in these difficult times. This book offers an insight into how businesses and markets have been affected globally. Focusing especially on emerging countries and markets, it presents an assessment of how they can adapt their strategies to respond to the current trends and crises. Examining effective management techniques and practices, consumer behavior, supply chain and human resources management from an interdisciplinary perspective, the book draws links between businesses, consumers and academic theories on business management, marketing and consumer studies. This book will be an indispensable resource for managers in different sectors. It will also be of interest to researchers and students of business studies, management studies, marketing, strategic management, global business outsourcing, global business environment, besides being of use to government agencies, practicing managers and research agencies.

In a world of unprecedented disruption and market turbulence, business transformation revolves around the need to generate new values, unlock new opportunities, drive new growth, and deliver new efficiencies.The world is witnessing volatility in the environment, in technology, in the economy and in society. 'Business as usual' is no longer acceptable, and the pertinent question is how long can humanity continue pursuing consumption and growth predicated on ever-increasing efficiency. The Coronavirus pandemic has amplified concerns about the highly digitized, interconnected, and vulnerable state of the global economy, the relationship with nature, and the prospects for each living being on this planet, including people, to survive and to thrive. To navigate and survive the coming decade of transformative change, every business will need to harness all the ingenuity, creativity and imagination they can muster. Corporate leaders and entrepreneurs will be required to steer their businesses towards a new model of prosperity, based on green and regenerative principles. It is time for leaders in business to overhaul their purpose, plans and strategies for this new context and explore different futures, engage with new partners and create space for experimentation. The only way to prepare for the future is to explore how companies, especially medium and small enterprises as well as women led businesses can transform their future strategies to be more compatible with challenges such as cyber security, human security, ethical principles and financial transparency.This book presents a collection of empirical and original research papers on evolving business strategies within a dynamic global environment to provide valuable insights to scholars, academicians, practitioners, policymakers and students.