Open AccessCrisis Management Practices in Tourism SMEs During COVID-19
Author(s) -
Tanja Planinc,
Marko Kukanja,
Marijana Sikošek
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tourism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1849-1545
pISSN - 1332-7461
DOI - 10.37741/t.70.1.8
Subject(s) - business , market liquidity , benchmarking , tourism , marketing , crisis management , covid-19 , finance , economics , medicine , management , disease , pathology , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
This study examines theinfluence of tourism micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs)business characteristics and liquidity and their managers’ demographiccharacteristics and expectations for assistance regarding crisis managementpractices (CMP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted in theRepublic of Slovenia, where the majority of businesses are classified as SMEs.This study focuses on tourist agencies, lodging, and food and beveragefacilities. Overall, 572 valid online questionnaires have been obtained fromSME managers. The research model included five research constructs: CMPs, SMEsbusiness characteristics, liquidity, managers’ demographic characteristics, andtheir expectations for assistance. Results show that managers primarily rely onlabour CMPs; liquidity, assistance from stakeholders, and governmental aid indealing with the crisis. Results also indicate that SMEs’ businesscharacteristics, managers’ demographic characteristics, and liquidity do notinfluence CMPs. The amount of provided governmental aid positively influencesmanagers’ expectations for assistance from other stakeholders of the businessecosystem, while the amount of SMEs’ liquid assets negatively influencesmanagers’ expectations for governmental aid. The use of selected indicatorsenables an internationally comparable benchmarking process and facilitates theimprovement of crisis management in tourism SMEs. The conclusion providesrecommendations and useful information for researchers, policymakers, andmanagers.