Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Professor Noemi SinkovicsORCiD
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Emerald Publishing Limited, 2021.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
© 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: This paper aims to empirically investigate how small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have engaged with international network partners during COVID-19 and how the crisis has changed network relationships and resilience depending on pre-COVID relationship strength and, secondarily, on opportunity outlook in a market. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on 14 qualitative interviews with managers of New Zealand SMEs from diverse industries and four with industry experts. Rather than generalization, the aim of this exploratory paper is to identify contingency factors, which, under duress, strengthen or break business relationships. Findings: Four main patterns emerge from the data, with respect to how SMEs engaged with network partners depending on the nature of their prepandemic relationships and the extent to which their markets had been affected by the pandemic. During crisis, weak ties either break or remain weak, forcing firms to create new, potentially opportunistic, relationships. Strong ties increase resilience, even under a negative outlook, as network partners support each other, including through the development of new ties. Strong ties can also accelerate business model transformation. Research limitations/implications: Future large-scale research is needed to test the generalizability of the authors’ findings. Practical implications: The findings of this paper indicate lessons for business continuation management and future preparedness for major disruptions. Specific insights may help stimulate managerial action to accelerate contingency planning and policy to support SMEs. Originality/value: This paper is an early study on how weak and strong ties influence SME resilience during crisis.
Author(s): Fath B, Fiedler A, Sinkovics N, Sinkovics RR, Sullivan-Taylor B
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Critical Perspectives on International Business
Year: 2021
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Pages: 359-379
Print publication date: 17/05/2021
Online publication date: 08/03/2021
Acceptance date: 12/01/2021
Date deposited: 10/09/2024
ISSN (print): 1742-2043
ISSN (electronic): 1758-6062
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
URL: https://doi.org/10.1108/cpoib-05-2020-0061
DOI: 10.1108/cpoib-05-2020-0061
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
