Business Under Crisis, Volume II

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. 1. Editorial Introduction: Business Under Crises: Organizational Adaptations

   Alkis Thrassou, Naziyet Uzunboylu, Leonidas Efthymiou, Demetris Vrontis, Yaakov Weber, S. M. Riad Shams, Evangelos Tsoukatos

   Abstract

   Though the notion of the changes that crises bring about are understood, their mechanism, characteristics, effects and underlying motivators are less so, and vary across the organizational, industry and market typology. Of course, it also depends on the nature of the crisis, its severity, its length, its timeframe, its geographic spread and other factors. This chapter, thus, brings together incorporate scientific works (chapters) on contextual transformations and reciprocal organizational adaptations that will help delineate the above forces and factors, as well as their interrelationship in differing settings.

3. 2. Losing Your Main Trade Partner: Adapting Trade Networks Amid Commercial Blockages

   Luis Miguel Bolivar, Francisco Javier Maza-Avila

   Abstract

   Globalisation coexists with crises as the rise and fall of trade blocs seem to be the new normal in trade relations worldwide, for reasons such as protectionism or political conflict. Hence, entire industries have had to adapt to the constant creation and destruction of trade barriers as countries reach the extreme of losing their main trade partner. This chapter examines how industries adapt to such shocking commercial blockages by analysing the extreme case of the Colombia-Venezuela broken trade relationship. We use longitudinal social network analysis to depict the transformation of the countries’ egocentric trade network through the snapshot approach and review the manufacturing industries’ response from the Colombian side to reconfigure the country’s trade network. We then provide a set of lessons learnt.

4. 3. Public Hospitals in Crisis: Managerial and Strategic Adaptation

   Lior Naamati-Schneider, Ofer Zaks

   Abstract

   Health systems worldwide function in turbulent local and global ecosystems, affected by economic, demographic, technological, and other changes. Recent reforms of Israel’s public health services that have led to increased competition—together with chronic under-funding, pressure to reduce per capita costs, and increased demand caused by greater health awareness—have created budgetary pressures. The overstressed public hospitals started adopting a strategic and managerial approach, but they are a part of a highly regulated and centralised market with little leeway. The COVID-19 pandemic in Israel—which caused a nationwide emergency—exacerbated the need to find solutions, under conditions of great uncertainty. This chapter reviews business and marketing strategies that Israeli hospitals adopted and adapted to an environment that is constantly changing, especially in a medical crisis.

5. 4. Impact of COVID-19 Crisis, Global Transformation Approaches and Emerging Organisational Adaptations: Towards a Restructured Evolutionary Perspective

   Charis Vlados, Dimos Chatzinikolaou

   Abstract

   The pandemic crisis of COVID-19, despite its unforeseen and explosive spread, constitutes a structural disturbance of global socio-economic balances. Through the fourth industrial revolution and amid the unexpected and profound recessionary economic pressures on a global scale, our world is heading towards a “new globalisation.” Exploring the economic and social implications of the COVID-19 crisis through several theoretical tools for interpreting the current global transformation, we conclude that the global economy is facing a severe threat. A renewed evolutionary theoretical interpretation seems imperative, and any perseverance to simplified and strictly fragmentary past approaches can only be ineffective. In this context, the long-term and sustainable exit of this crisis seems to require multiform organisational adaptations, at all levels of operation and by all actors, that can come only with the joint dynamics of innovation and effective change management.

6. 5. Impact of COVID-19 on Investments by Companies in Research, Development and Innovation: The Case of Lithuania

   Erika Vaiginiene, Rasa Pauliene, Reda Nausedaite, Daiva Mazeikaite

   Abstract

   The economic lockdown caused by COVID-19 revealed the capacities of some innovation-oriented companies to demonstrate growth instead of decline. National and supranational governments focused their efforts on increasing the numbers of companies resistant to the pandemic. This paper aims to analyse motivational factors which foster Lithuanian companies’ intentions to invest in research and development and innovation (RDI) under conditions of COVID-19 disease caused by the pandemic and economic lockdown. Research results also demonstrate the relationship between the propensity to innovate, investment into research, and partnerships with research institutions. A representative CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) survey of Lithuanian companies (N=510) was completed, in order to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on investments in research, development and innovation by Lithuanian companies. Research results revealed differences in motivational factors between the whole sample and companies that consistently invest in innovations. This Research was funded by Lithuanian Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology and by the Interreg project SMART UP BSR

7. 6. Transformations in the Social Sector During the Covid-19 Crisis in India: A Perspective

   Ambika Kulshrestha, Sandeep Kulshrestha

   Abstract

   With India crossing the 3 million mark of Covid-19 cases, there has been tremendous crisis in the Indian Economy, leading to industry-wide disruption. This chapter delves into the social sector in India, which has been in the forefront in handling the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. The focus of this chapter is on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on social organisations, their resilience in meeting and mitigating new challenges, and the changes transpired within this sector as a result of the pandemic. Also highlighted are the Covid-19 affected internal/external environmental variables that have caused an imbalance in the social value creation and proposition from the beneficiary/other stakeholder’s context and the strategic manoeuvres for innovations in various spheres of this sector, towards a paradigm shift.

8. 7. Business Adaptation in Canada: Contextual Sectoral Transformations and Cross-Fertilisation in the Garment and IT Sectors

   Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay, Amina Yagoubi

   Abstract

   In the difficult economic context related to the COVID-19, many businesses and sectors are faced with major challenges. This chapter determines what strategies could be the best for various industrial sectors. We have studied various sectors including the garment and textile industry and also the IT sector; over the years we have come to look at possible combinations and innovations between the two sectors. This is put forward in this chapter. The idea here is to highlight the challenges businesses will be confronted with in the coming years and to identify measures for future development. In our view, innovative organisational adaptations will be crucial for firms to adapt to the post-pandemic context and it appears that cross-fertilisation can contribute to innovation.

9. 8. Approaches to the Digital Transformation of High-Tech Companies in Russia Under the Crisis: Problems and New Opportunities

   Tatiana V. Kokuytseva, Oksana P. Ovchinnikova, Maxim M. Kharlamov

   Abstract

   In modern conditions of the fourth industrial revolution and the increase of digitalization, companies open up new opportunities. Digital transformation is not just automatization, but a holistic change in the company’s approaches to the management of business processes, to building relationships with suppliers and consumers, to human resource management, and more. The chapter analyzes approaches to digital transformation in high-tech industries in Russia in comparison with world practices and characterizes the main problems and prospects that digital transformation opens up under the crisis. In conclusion the authors reveal the key elements of digital strategy and present the recommendations for digital transformation, which will allow companies to build their own effective strategies of digital transformation to overcome crisis and post-crisis phenomena in the economy.

10. 9. Impact of Big Data on Tourism and Hospitality: Challenges and Organisational Adaptation

    Mustafeed Zaman, Rajibul Hasan, S. M. Riad Shams

    Abstract

    This chapter aims to underline how Big Data is shaping the tourism and hospitality industry. From a destination management perspective, this chapter illustrates (1) the different sources of internal and external data in tourism; (2) the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality firms in the era of Big Data, and (3) how Big Data is changing the role of the Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and their organisational structure in order to meet the need of the local stakeholders. Drawing upon studies of Li et al. (Big Data in Tourism Research: A Literature Review. Tourism Management, 68, 301–323 (2018)) and Sheehan et al. (The Use of Intelligence in Tourism Destination Management: An Emerging Role for DMOs. International Journal of Tourism Research, 18(6), 549–557 (2016)), this chapter proposes a conceptual framework of destination management in the era of Big Data. This chapter also provides insightful information for tourism and hospitality professionals and directives for overcoming the challenges faced by tourism stakeholders of destinations. It also encourages both DMOs and other stakeholders to collaborate in collecting, mining, and analysing Big Data required for the success of their businesses.

11. 10. Customs Under Crisis in the New Era: Strategic Analysis of Surveillance Network Project

    Ozgur Ozmen

    Abstract

    All countries are responsible for having an efficiently working customs and borders system in order to protect the state, companies and people. Unfortunately, the system always cannot work perfectly due to many reasons such as organised crime groups, pandemics, limited economic resources and so on. Therefore, governments tend to benefit from high-tech solutions. Turkey is a long-term sufferer of customs crisis, because it is a big market and a geographical bridge between Europe and Asia which leads to huge numbers of import-export and transit transactions. This research aims to provide a strategic analysis of Turkey’s new Artificial Intelligence based Surveillance Network Project which is being developed for identifying all potential risks of all vehicles and containers passing through customs without any traditional physical inspection.

12. 11. Structural Change with the Help of a Strategic Performance Cycle: How Can More Women Reach Top Management Positions During and After the COVID-19 Crisis?

    Bettina C. K. Binder

    Abstract

    The COVID-19 pandemic struck unexpectedly and affected the entire world, from personal to public life to global economic activity. Companies might tend to focus on immediate concerns, but strategic objectives such as increasing diversity on boardrooms should not be forgotten. The main contributions of this chapter are twofold: it reviews some of the most recent publications on the effects of the pandemic and it develops a model aimed at helping companies to increase the number of women in their workforce and benefit from the complementary skills of both male and female personnel. We suggest that it is during such crisis times that companies should build on both men’s and women’s leadership skills.

13. 12. Post-COVID Business Transformation: Organizational Constraints and Managerial Implications for SMEs in Cameroon

    Zhanna S. Belyaeva, Petiho Numbu Levis

    Abstract

    This chapter aims at offering insights into the current health crisis and its impact on small businesses in Cameroon. The study pinpoints the paradox of cultural, digital and organizational readiness of small and medium businesses in Cameroon to mitigate pandemic risks and what type of government intervention could be helpful to SMEs. A survey has been distributed in the country's ten regions and provides the database for this study. The sample is selected from the list of small businesses having at least a total of 20 employees, with 50 respondents from each region. Analysis is carried using SPSS. ANOVA, regression analysis, linear regression and T-Test will be used in order to define the relationships that best describe the problem under study. The results show that COVID-19 has a negative effect on SMEs in Cameroon and government aid plays a very mild role in minimizing this.

14. Backmatter