Rethinking crisis management for unexpected events at SMEs Investigation of Swedish SMEs crisis management in comparison with the RESPIRE model
| dc.contributor.author | Hallesius, Sara | |
| dc.contributor.author | Hörnfeldt, Ebba | |
| dc.contributor.author | Jungbjer, Kajsa | |
| dc.contributor.author | Nyvall, Josefin | |
| dc.contributor.author | Stevrell, Jennifer | |
| dc.contributor.author | Tinghall, Julia | |
| dc.contributor.department | Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för teknikens ekonomi och organisation | sv |
| dc.contributor.department | Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Technology Management and Economics | en |
| dc.contributor.examiner | Löwstedt, Martin | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Kurvde, Martin | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-08-16T08:52:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-08-16T08:52:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.date.submitted | ||
| dc.description.abstract | The COVID-19 pandemic impacted society worldwide, spanning national and global companies. As it reached the manufacturing sector, uncertainties abounded. Demand, delivery, supply chains, and transportation underwent significant shifts. This highlights the critical importance of crisis management. Currently, many companies lack specific tools and comprehensive understanding of crisis management and its consequences. To extract generalized insights into their operational approaches and additionally defining and delineating the consequences of crisis management, can facilitate broader application and dissemination of knowledge across companies through an examination and characterization of companies’ crisis management strategies. The aim of this study is therefore to examine Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs) proactiveness during crisis management, and explore whether there is a potentially more effective way to prepare for a crisis and improve their crisis management. It will also present ways to elevate their resilience and flexibility for future unexpected events that significantly affects their operations. The thesis consist of a literature study and an interview study, as well as an analysis on the complied information. The applied research approach was predominantly deductive in nature. The systematic literature study provided a theoretical understanding and a deeper knowledge about different business management perspectives, concepts, and approaches. Hence, the literature explains the importance of, how to evaluate, and assessment within crisis management, business continuity management and resilience management. The perspectives is fulfilled with insight in implemented measures due to COVID-19 and other crises. A further addition to the literature is the considerations of environmental sustainability in crisis management. The literature was complemented with twelve interviews of CEOs in Swedish SMEs in the manufacturing sectors steel, plastic, wood, and electronics. The interview data was transcribed and sorted within a research model for analysis; RESPIRE and the three phases preparation, response, and recovery. The interviews together with the literature provides answers of the research questions to fulfill the aim. The outcome of this study is that the crisis management differ among Swedish SMEs within the same sector. Companies are proactive with known crises but less so with the unexpected. Some use methods to forecast future events, but more effective approaches are needed. Improving business continuity involves reviewing internal and external connections, integrated into daily operations. With better analysis of the surrounding heightens awareness of changes and risks. Leveraging past crisis management models aids in addressing new challenges and external support like the RESPIRE model complements internal strategies. With continuous focus on business continuity, it enhances the flexibility with clear plans for various scenarios. Thus, faster, more precise decisions can be made. Emphasizing a solution-oriented mindset fosters responsiveness and may result in competitive advantages. This can be achieved with the help of a scenario-based training and gained knowledge from other companies refine preparedness. | |
| dc.identifier.coursecode | TEKX18 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12380/308410 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | TEKX18-VT24-13 | |
| dc.setspec.uppsok | Technology | |
| dc.subject | Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) | |
| dc.subject | manufacturing | |
| dc.subject | crisis management | |
| dc.subject | COVID-19 | |
| dc.title | Rethinking crisis management for unexpected events at SMEs Investigation of Swedish SMEs crisis management in comparison with the RESPIRE model | |
| dc.type.degree | Examensarbete på kandidatnivå | sv |
| dc.type.degree | Bachelor Thesis | en |
| dc.type.uppsok | M2 |