Naslov
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the SME Sector and the Policy Response in Croatia and North Macedonia

Autori
Has, Maja ; Krstinovska, Ana ; Alpeza, Mirela

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Skup
12th INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM REGION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, DEVELOPMENT

Mjesto i datum
Osijek, Hrvatska, 15.06.2023. - 16.06.2023

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Covid-19 Pandemic, SME Sector, Policy, Support Measures, Sustainability.

Sažetak
The global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic marked 2020 and 2021 and created numerous social and economic changes. Epidemiological measures to contain the pandemic led to a reduction of economic activity and a decline in sales in companies that were directly or indirectly subject to these measures. In order to overcome the challenges, many countries have implemented measures to mitigate the economic consequences of the pandemic, with a special focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which make up a dominant part of national economies of most countries. The aim of the paper is to provide a deeper insight into the impact of the pandemic on the SME sector in Croatia and North Macedonia, to provide an overview and critical review of the measures taken by governments to support the sustainability of SMEs during the pandemic. Empirical research conducted includes primary and secondary sources. Secondary research relates to the collection of quantitative data on the performance of the SME sector in the prepandemic 2019 and pandemic 2020, and the comparison of indicators to identify the impact of the pandemic on sector performance. Publicly released (secondary) sources were also used to identify measures taken by the governments of Croatia and North Macedonia to support the sustainability of the SME sector. A pool of entrepreneurs and economic analysts were used as the primary source of information for a critical review of government measures to support SMEs during the pandemic. Data and reflections on the adequacy of the measures were also collected through reactions of the representatives of associations of entrepreneurs in the media, and previous research. The concluding part of the paper identifies positive aspects of the government measures to support the SME sector during the crisis and identifies recommendations in the form of lessons learned that can be useful to policy makers.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA