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Digitalization risks in supply chains (SCs) are increasing, not least due to the COVID 19 crisis. Due to a lack of know-how and scarcity of resources, these are particularly difficult for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage. The increase in cyberattacks, e.g., also increases the risk of unintentionally disclosing critical firm knowledge. The aim of this article is to investigate digital risks with a special focus on knowledge risks. The study data were collected in SMEs using semi-structured interviews and an online questionnaire. The analysis of the results shows that there is already awareness of this type of risk in the enterprises studied. This article emphasizes that risk management (RM) must also be firmly anchored in SMEs and that awareness of current and potential risks must be created in the enterprise.
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We examine how individual characteristics of employees such as digital self-efficacy, workforce agility, innovativeness, and commitment to change influence technological readiness in different stages of a crisis, i.e., before a crisis and during a crisis. We carried out a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on data from 2892 employees representing companies across several sectors and countries. Our results show that specific characteristics of employees can be beneficial for reaching technological readiness in organisations before a crisis and during a crisis. Our results, e.g., show that digital self-efficacy has a differential impact on technological readiness prior to a crisis and during a crisis while workforce agility is essential for both phases.
ABSTRACT
The breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the appearance of many additional technical knowledge risks in organizations. Cyber risks in particular are becoming a great challenge for organizations. At the same time, academic research on cyber risks, their costs, consequences and ability of overcoming them is still scarce and fragmented. In order to fill this gap, the paper is aimed to identify different types of cyber risks that organizations face and to examine the organizations' ability to handle those risks. The paper presents research results from a sample of 60 organizations, addressing questions such as: (i) What are the costs of cyber risks the organization has faced? (ii) What is the company ability to address these risks?, and (iii) What is the organization doing to minimize the impact of such risks? Data was collected by means of a questionnaire. This research study has allowed to identify the state of the art concerning cyber risks, which can bear severe consequences for organizations. The findings clearly show that not all organizations suffer from the same level of cyber risks but it is much related to their field of operations. Consequently, also the ability to manage these cyber risks is quite diversified among the examined companies. Research results are limited to a sample of 60 organizations and thus the findings should be taken with caution. The study provides useful insights for managers and owners of organizations in need of dealing with the cyber threats/attacks and other technical knowledge risks threatening their organizations. The paper is enriched with a number of sample solutions that they may apply to mitigate those risks.The paper lays the ground for a better understanding of technical knowledge risks, primarily cyber risks, to which organizations are increasingly exposed today. As such, the paper offers food for thought for researchers dealing with the topic of technical knowledge risks and organizational risk management in general. © 2022, Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has shown how fragile our societies and economies are. Supply chains have particularly been affected. We all had to learn again that the basic supply of some goods is not as crisis-proof as we thought. Moreover, the strong division of labour and the concentration on a few companies in certain areas present considerable weaknesses in the case of a new external crisis such as the pandemic. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been affected by the current pandemic, particularly as they are highly sensitive to external threats. Using data collected between December 2020 and January 2021 through semi-structured interviews conducted with owners and/or managers of SMEs located in six different European countries (i.e., Austria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Portugal), the chapter aims to provide fresh perspectives on how SMEs address supply chain risk management in times of an external and dynamic crisis. © 2021, IGI Global. All rights reserved.
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Purpose This essay aims to draw attention to the idea of a new research approach to knowledge management (KM) labelled responsible KM (rKM) as a possible answer to not only address the consequences of the pandemic but also other present and upcoming societal challenges. Design/methodology/approach This essay has been prepared by a KM researcher who shares their own personal views and opinion regarding past and current societal developments and based on that offers a potentially new KM direction. Findings Switching the focus to rKM may help address current and upcoming social challenges that can only be addressed jointly by the global community and which would also involve a new consideration of the "knowledge" resource. Originality/value The essay proposes a new alternative approach to KM called rKM that is based on ideas that to the author's knowledge have not been discussed in this way in the contemporary literature on KM.
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Crises means a particular threat to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The pandemic is no exception;on the contrary, it reinforces this threat. This study provides insight into crisis management in SMEs over a period of time. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in Peruvian SMEs at two points in time. The findings provide insight into how the Peruvian firms studied adapted to the new situation, and initiated responses to cope with the crisis covering the period April–December 2020. By having studied the phenomenon of crisis management in SMEs at different stages, the study contributes to the further development of still underdeveloped fields of research, namely, crisis management in Latin America in general, and crisis management in SMEs in particular. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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The paper aims to present a systematic literature review in the field of human resource management in times of crisis since 2008. In that way gaps in the current body of knowledge can be established that justify future research guidelines. The study consists of an analysis of 56 articles published in journals indexed in the Web of Science database. The majority of the papers were published in recent years, indicating a growing interest in the field. To be included, the papers had to be (1) peer-reviewed papers, (2) empirical papers that report on HRM practices in firms, (3) written in English, and (4) published in the period 2008–2021. Four themes were identified: economic crisis and HRM, health crisis and HRM, natural disasters and HRM, and political instability and HRM. The findings provide valuable knowledge and understanding of the present situation of HRM in crises. A number of future research guidelines are presented, which may encourage more research in this crucial field of study. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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Purpose: Knowledge risks are increasingly becoming a great challenge to a variety of organizations. At the same time, academic research on such types of risks, their consequences, and potential ways of overcoming them is still scarce and fragmented. To fill this gap, the paper aims to find out do companies manage their knowledge risks, what are the possible knowledge risks they face and have they observed an increase of knowledge risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper is aimed to present insights on different types of knowledge risks that organizations face, and the ways organizations handle them. The paper also proposes some potential countermeasures organizations might use to mitigate the consequences of knowledge risks. Methodology: The study presents the results of a quantitative survey performed among 60 professionals dealing with management and knowledge risks in organizations. In the study, the authors also have examined what tools and methods are used to manage these risks. The study also explores the level of readiness organizations have to address potential knowledge risks. Findings: The theoretical study has allowed us to identify a variety of knowledge risks, which can bear severe consequences for organizations, such as knowledge loss, knowledge leaking, knowledge hiding, or risks related to cybercrime. All these risks may potentially reduce the productivity in organizations, thus leading to the degradation of organizational performance. Research limitations: Research results are limited to the convenience sample that was selected for the study and thus may not give a comprehensive overview of the state of the art. Practical implications: The study provides useful insights for managers and owners of organizations in need of dealing with the knowledge risks in their organizations. The paper is enriched with a number of sample solutions that they may apply for the sake of their organization. Originality/value: The paper lays the ground for a better understanding of the knowledge risks that organizations need to face nowadays. As such, the paper offers food for thought for researchers dealing with the topic of knowledge risks, knowledge management, and organizational risk management in general. © The Authors, 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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The need for preparing for the digital transformation has been a recurrent theme in public and academic debates, and the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed considerably to actions as well. © 2021, Management Revue. All Rights Reserved.
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Purpose: Crises of any type have become an integral part of business activity and responses to them could make the difference between survival and failure. This applies in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Taking the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a starting point, this study aims to investigate how Peruvian SMEs have been coping with COVID-19 so far. Based on that a conceptual framework is proposed which highlights the practice of SMEs trying to deal with a new type of crisis. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on an exploratory qualitative research design involving 25 semi-structured interviews conducted in Peruvian SMEs. Findings: The findings demonstrate how the Peruvian firms studied to adapt to the new situation and initiate responses to increasing the chance of survival. Furthermore, the role of the companies’ decision-makers, as well as the role of crisis management and other related approaches in the companies are shown. Research limitations/implications: The paper expands the underdeveloped body of knowledge regarding crisis management in Latin America in general and crisis management in SMEs by providing insight into how Peruvian SMEs perceive and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical implications: The findings presented in this paper have implications for both managers and managerial staff of SMEs but also for the people in charge of the curricula at universities and other teaching-focused institutes. Originality/value: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study of crisis management on the impacts of COVID-19 with a dedicated focus on SMEs from Latin America. It provides fresh insight into current reactions to the Pandemic. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.