Title: Crisis management for SMEs: insights from a multiple-case study

Authors: Paul Hong; Chenglei Huang; Bo Li

Addresses: Department of Information, Operations and Technology Management, College of Business and Innovation, The University of Toledo, 2801 Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA. ' Department of Information, Operations and Technology Management, College of Business and Innovation, The University of Toledo, 2801 Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA. ' Department of Information, Operations and Technology Management, College of Business and Innovation, The University of Toledo, 2801 Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA

Abstract: Research in crisis management involves a variety of perspectives, including crisis impacts, strategic vision and leadership, contingency planning and technical capabilities. However, crisis management mechanisms of small and medium enterprise (SMEs) were rarely investigated for sound theory building and practical guidance for management. The aim of this paper is to explore mechanisms by which SMEs use to manage crisis. This paper presents a general crisis management model that represents crisis management processes in terms of detection, occurrence, recovery and resolution. To validate and refine this model, a multiple-case study is designed to investigate five SMEs' actual crisis management practices. The case study results show that SMEs, in spite of their resources constraints and relatively weak market positions, display resilient market responsiveness. This paper further suggests that effective crisis management of SMEs involve proactive business mindsets for sustainable growth and continuous expansions.

Keywords: crisis management; emergency management; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; crisis impacts; strategic vision; leadership; contingency planning; technical capabilities; practical guidance; detection; crisis occurrence; recovery; resolution; resources constraints; market positions; resilient responsiveness; market responsiveness; resilience; proactive mindsets; business mindsets; sustainable growth; continuous expansion; USA; United States; steel blanking; engineering industry; automobile stamping; MRI; magnetic resonance imaging services; business excellence; SCM; supply chain management; global supply chains; challenges; opportunities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2012.048802

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2012 Vol.5 No.5, pp.535 - 553

Published online: 31 Jul 2014 *

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