SMME Crisis Resilience Strategies During COVID-19: A Botswana Perspective

Abstract

This study investigated the resilience strategies utilised by SMMEs in Botswana during COVID-19. It sought to establish the extent of usage in general and across SMME sectors, and the associations between resilience strategies and the key challenges previously described. Data was collected from SMMEs in Gaborone, Francistown and surrounding areas. It was found that a range of resilience strategies were used. The most utilised were, in order, strategic resilience strategies, technological resilience strategies, communication resilience strategies, and operational resilience strategies. The most used resilience strategies, per category, were monitoring of the competitive environment, investing in digital tools, transparency with stakeholders, and flexible staffing solutions respectively. Resilience strategy usage exhibited one-to-many and many-to-many patterns. The former may enhance focus and efficiency in resource utilisation.  Access and usage of government initiatives was only 38.29%.  The reasons for this need further investigation to help improve future uptake of government initiative among SMMEs. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59857/UGKW6202