This edited volume provides a timely and substantial contribution to our comprehension of how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) manage business uncertainty, especially within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The editors have assembled an impressive collection of 12 chapters exploring various aspects of SME resilience, adaptation, and innovation across different geographical contexts, particularly Australia and India. The theoretical foundation of the book is robust, drawing from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including entrepreneurship, strategic management, and organizational resilience. What makes this volume especially valuable is its thorough examination of internal organizational factors and external environmental conditions that affect the survival and growth of SMEs during times of extreme uncertainty.
The book commences with an analysis of micro, small, and medium enteprises and sustainable development goals in India, where Adapa and Yarram present qualitative narratives linking business creation to value chain activities. This is followed by Yadav’s literature review of SME sustainability during COVID-19, which identifies critical themes around government intervention and digital transformation. Chikweche and colleagues develop an integrated framework for Indigenous Business Enterprises in Australia. Next, Saratchandra and Shrestha examine knowledge ambidexterity in SMEs through digitalization case studies from India and the United Arab Emirates.
The middle sections of the book focus predominantly on pandemic responses. McKeown, Way, and Lazaris analyse Australian SMEs’ innovative behaviours during COVID-19, while Chikweche and colleagues investigate government support mechanisms in Greater Western Sydney. Adapa and Yarram map India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, followed by Jurado’s examination of SME engagement with free trade agreements in New Zealand.
The concluding chapters address specific sector challenges and strategic considerations. Wiltshire, Adapa, and Paul examine innovations in cybersecurity, whereas Kannusamy develops a recovery framework for the restaurant industry. The volume culminates with Saavedra’s analysis of narrative identity among rural female entrepreneurs and Hall’s investigation into business exit decisions amidst periods of uncertainty.
The empirical evidence presented encompasses various methodological approaches, from qualitative case studies to quantitative analyses, providing rich insights into SME responses to uncertainty. The book makes substantial practical implications through evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. It constitutes an essential contribution to scholarship in entrepreneurship and small business management. Its greatest strength lies in merging theoretical rigor with practical relevance. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding how SMEs can progress beyond mere survival to achieve sustainable growth in uncertain times.
I unequivocally recommend this edited volume for scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and students interested in comprehending how SMEs navigate business uncertainty, particularly in the context of significant disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The principal strength of this book lies in its thorough yet targeted examination of challenges and solutions across various geographical contexts and industry sectors. The editors have curated contributions that merge theoretical depth with practical insights, substantiated by robust empirical evidence obtained through a range of methodological approaches.
