Title: The similarities of judicial reorganisation process of SMEs in financial distress: cross-cultural analysis of France and Morocco during COVID-19

Authors: Samia Sabounji; Joshua Onome Imoniana

Addresses: IESEG School of Management, Université Catholique Lille, 3 Rue de la Digue, Lille, 59000, France ' University of São Paulo, Prof. Luciano Gualberto Ave. 908, FEA 3 Building Room 238, São Paulo, 05508-010, Brazil

Abstract: The SMEs are the cornerstone of the development and mainstay of any economy. This study examined the similarities of judicial reorganisation of SMEs in France and Morocco. It is a qualitative study drawing on the interpretivist and constructivist perspectives toeing discourse analysis. Thirteen SMEs constitute the data corpus based on interviews, recorded, and later transcribed. Also, archival documents relating to the regulation of French and Moroccan laws were explored. Thematic coding was performed to reorganise and present the analysis. The study concludes for several similarities ranging from commercial codes to administrative procedures of organisation of the two countries. Notwithstanding, the study observed several imperfections in the process of reorganisation. Findings also show that the COVID-19 pandemic crisis had accelerated the difficulties of SMEs that were having hindrances to structural pedigree. Finally, this study shows an implication in the literatures as it throws more light into theories and practice thus serving as a support for the policymakers, practitioners, and academia in view of decision making.

Keywords: judicial reorganisation; small and medium sized enterprises; SMEs; cross-cultural; France; Morocco; COVID-19.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAUDIT.2022.129454

International Journal of Auditing Technology, 2022 Vol.4 No.4, pp.292 - 338

Received: 20 May 2022
Accepted: 12 Oct 2022
Published online: 09 Mar 2023 *