Bachelor Thesis from the year 2022 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, FH OÖ Standort Steyr, language: English, abstract: This piece of scientific work aims to answer the following research questions. These questions were derived as the primary reasons for this thesis and were motivated due to the current global health and social crisis, the economic disruptions caused by it all over the world, the need to better understand the effects of it on businesses and the need to investigate the best ways to be able to better cope with future disruptions. Main question: How can export-oriented industrial SMEs build resilience in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond? Sub question 1: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the global economy in the context of international trade? Sub question 2: What have been the main challenges faced by B2B export-oriented SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic? Owing to the new and emerging field of business research that the COVID-19 pandemic has created, research has been developing on the topic. Researchers have primarily concentrated on specific issues such as understanding the impacts of the pandemic on the supply chain, import and export flows and trade policies. Often lacking a practical-oriented application of findings for Managers and their organizations and a focus on the challenges faced by export-oriented Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international business operations and especially in Business to Business international sales and marketing focusing first and foremost on SMEs, and to provide a concise overview concerning the topic of international trade disruptions during the pandemic as well as strategies and better practices for responding to and mitigating these risks and threats.

International Business in Times of Crisis classifies studies of crises relevant to international business research following a global pandemic which exposed systems failures and fragilities closely across global economic, financial, political, and social systems.

The international cast of authors in this important book explore how internationalizing small and medium sized enterprises (iSMEs) face major crises, such as COVID-19, and have managed them to reach a stable and desired state post-crisis. Chapter orientations vary from theoretical to empirical. Each focuses on issues related to a major crisis, and present already-deployed success strategies in 14 different country environments. The rich diversity of chapters offers a highly significant and timely contribution to the field.

A series of calamities has, in recent years, had an impact on business performance. This book explores strategies and business responses in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic and the hyper competitive market environment have compelled organizations and industries to redraw the limits of their operational and strategic activities. Organizations in emerging markets are facing a great challenge in keeping their businesses afloat in these difficult times. This book offers an insight into how businesses and markets have been affected globally. Focusing especially on emerging countries and markets, it presents an assessment of how they can adapt their strategies to respond to the current trends and crises. Examining effective management techniques and practices, consumer behavior, supply chain and human resources management from an interdisciplinary perspective, the book draws links between businesses, consumers and academic theories on business management, marketing and consumer studies. This book will be an indispensable resource for managers in different sectors. It will also be of interest to researchers and students of business studies, management studies, marketing, strategic management, global business outsourcing, global business environment, besides being of use to government agencies, practicing managers and research agencies.

The first half of the book presents case studies on how the pandemic has affected businesses, management and communities and share insightful stories on tough decisions during, midst, and after the shock of the pandemic. The second half of the book presents case studies on market positioning and business model transformations which provide us insight on customer loyalty and satisfaction, online reviews, and children as a growing customer group. This book comprises both research and teaching cases that offer new insights on business management.

Much has been written about Covid-19 victims, how scientists raced to understand and treat the disease, and how governments did (or did not) protect their citizens. Less has been written about the pandemic’s impact on the global economy and how companies coped as the competitive environment was upended. In his new book, "The New (Ab)Normal", MIT Professor Yossi Sheffi maps how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted business, supply chains, and society. He exposes the critical role supply chains play in helping people, governments, and companies to manage the crisis. The book draws on executive interviews, pandemic media coverage, and historical analyses. Sheffi also builds on themes from his books "The Resilient Enterprise" (2005) and "The Power of Resilience" (2015) to enrich the narrative. The author paints a compelling picture of how the Covid-19 virus is changing many facets of human life and what our post-pandemic world might look like. This must-read book helps companies to redefine their business models and adjust to a fast-evolving economic landscape. The stage is set In Part 1 of the book, “What Happened,” the author looks at how companies fought to mend the global economic fabric even as the virus ripped more holes in it. Part 2, “Living with Uncertainty,” views the crisis through a supply chain risk management lens derived from Yossi Sheffi’s previous books. This perspective shows how companies create corporate immune systems to quickly recognize and manage large-scale disruptions. The ongoing pandemic is creating a new normal in life, work, and education—covered in Part 3, “Adjustment Required.” Consumer fears about the contagion as well as government mandates require businesses in industries such as retail, hospitality, entertainment, sports, and education to create “safe zones” for workers and customers. Many elements of the book – especially in Part 4, “Supply Chains for the Future” – show how the virus accelerated preexisting trends in technology adoption. China was the epicenter of the pandemic; it also was the first nation to be disrupted and recover. Part 5 of the book, “Of Politics and Pandemics,” explains why reports that companies are abandoning China in favor of other offshore manufacturing centers do not reflect reality. Fundamentally, The New (Ab)Normal is about businesses trying to create a better future in a time of extreme uncertainty – a point emphasized in Part 6, “The Next Opportunities.” The outlook is not necessarily gloomy. The advance of technology is accelerating, a trend that can level the playing field between small and large companies. Nimble small businesses are using a growing array of off-the-shelf cloud computing and mobile apps to deploy sophisticated technologies in their supply chains and customer interfaces. The New (Ab)Normal Another new normal is working from home. Remote working enables individuals to live anywhere and companies to recruit talent from anywhere. Education, especially higher education, faces a major disruption (and major opportunity) that is likely to shake the high-cost model of in-person education in favor of online or hybrid education. Regrettably, the book recognizes one trend accentuated by Covid-19--the growing inequality, and anticipates that the new normal will be more stratified.