Synthesizing the resilience elements of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic crisis: a systematic review

This study aims to synthesize research designs and the key components that support the resilience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during the COVID-19 crisis through a systematic literature review (SLR). Data were systematically extracted from the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases, encompassing the interval from 2013 to 2023, with the concluding search executed in January 2024. The criteria for selection were concentrated on scholarly articles that scrutinize the resilience capabilities of SMEs, with quality evaluation performed utilizing the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for empirical studies and AMSTAR-2 for review articles. Through the analysis of 49 articles that exemplify a variety of contexts, geographical locales, and research methodologies, this research adopted a narrative synthesis technique to amalgamate the findings. The outcomes delineated four pivotal components that exert a significant influence on SME resilience: Entrepreneurial Orientation, Networks, Digital Literacy, and Adaptability. Although this research is not without limitations, such as the diversity in definitions of resilience that may result in interpretive ambiguity and the lack of comprehensive sector-specific analyses that could impact contextual relevance, the findings present a framework of four key capabilities grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. This framework addresses gaps in SME resilience literature while providing guidance on both digital and relationship-based responses that SMEs can implement despite their resource constraints. This contribution bridges theory and practical application, particularly within the context of developing countries.