Dr. Carin Strydom, Prof Stephan Van Der Merwe
Abstract
SMMEs struggled to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns and various reasons, however, in the Western Cape of South Africa, several SMMEs not only survived but thrived. This study aimed to ascertain their specific reasons for survival and to research the possibility of a framework that can be developed for survival of a pandemic, based on their actions.
A qualitative research methodology approach was followed, applying snowball sampling to obtain the 16 participants who were interviewed via semi-structured interviews. Once the data was collected and coded, a manual qualitative data analysis method was applied. Limitations were imposed via the POPI Act of South Africa in terms of identifying the participants.
The results and findings of this study enabled the creation of a framework to be developed for survival as SMME during a pandemic. The study contributed to knowledge by expanding on the challenges experienced by the SMMEs during the pandemic, the mentorship role and motivational factors that resulted in establishing the SMME, which personal skills, attributes and characteristics are required to survive a pandemic as well as which leadership styles are best to survive a pandemic. The views of success pre-Covid and post-Covid provided perspective on how entrepreneurs’ views were impacted. In addition, the Western Cape Government’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and whether this contributed to the SMME survival were investigated. The SMMEs’ actions and their advice assisted in reaching this study’s objectives. The framework developed contributed to how entrepreneurs should establish self-constructed support for the continuity of their SMME.
A qualitative research methodology approach was followed, applying snowball sampling to obtain the 16 participants who were interviewed via semi-structured interviews. Once the data was collected and coded, a manual qualitative data analysis method was applied. Limitations were imposed via the POPI Act of South Africa in terms of identifying the participants.
The results and findings of this study enabled the creation of a framework to be developed for survival as SMME during a pandemic. The study contributed to knowledge by expanding on the challenges experienced by the SMMEs during the pandemic, the mentorship role and motivational factors that resulted in establishing the SMME, which personal skills, attributes and characteristics are required to survive a pandemic as well as which leadership styles are best to survive a pandemic. The views of success pre-Covid and post-Covid provided perspective on how entrepreneurs’ views were impacted. In addition, the Western Cape Government’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and whether this contributed to the SMME survival were investigated. The SMMEs’ actions and their advice assisted in reaching this study’s objectives. The framework developed contributed to how entrepreneurs should establish self-constructed support for the continuity of their SMME.