The COVID-19 impact on MSME earnings: evidences from Saudi Arabia

Small businesses are more prone to market a movement which gets aggravated in an uncontrollable scenario such as COVID-19. The objective of the study is to understand the impact of COVID-19 and the subsequent government's policy support, on the earnings of MSME firms in Saudi Arabia. Based on a selected study period (March–May 2021), a survey of MSME owners and managers was conducted (41% response rate) using a 33-item questionnaire. Linear regression analysis and moderation analysis was used for data interpretation. One of the key findings of the study is that firm's size and the government's economic support moderates the relationship of MSME operations with MSME earnings. Copyright © 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.