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Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Innovativeness of SME Enterprises in Poland: A Regional Perspective

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  • Tomasz Norek

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine whether the Covid-19 virus pandemic had an impact on the innovativeness of SME enterprises in Poland. The author formulated the following research hypothesis: (H1) The Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the innovativeness of SME enterprises. The author conducted a comparative analysis of key measures of innovation of SME enterprises in three relevant time periods: immediately before the start of the pandemic, during the pandemic, immediately after the end of the pandemic (cancellation of restrictions on the operation of enterprises). The results were aggregated at the regional level. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study is based on an exploratory-descriptive method, involving statistical analysis of collected data in selected analytical contexts. The survey was conducted in three time periods: July 2019, July 2021 and July 2023. The survey covered the same panel of enterprises: 1245 enterprises from all regions of Poland. The data was collected through an online survey. The analysis used measures of innovation effectiveness accepted in the literature and basic measures of descriptive statistics. Findings: The article shows how the Covid-19 virus pandemic has affected the innovation of SME enterprises, with particular reference to the level of: innovation activity of enterprises, innovation expenditures and profits from innovation activities. The study answers the question of whether the restrictions and changes in the operation of enterprises that were introduced during the pandemic had a stimulating or destimulating effect on innovation. Practical Implications: The research conducted can be used in two main areas/groups of stakeholders: (1) national authorities-formulation of economic policies in case of repetition of pandemic threats, formation of regional policies that support innovation, (2) SME business owners-enhancement of the efficiency of innovation activities. Originality/Value: The article presents the results of the Author's own cyclical research. The presented results have not been published and discussed scientifically before.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomasz Norek, 2023. "Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Innovativeness of SME Enterprises in Poland: A Regional Perspective," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 573-584.
  • Handle: RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxvi:y:2023:i:4:p:573-584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Trung Duc Nguyen & Anh Hoang Le & Eleftherios I. Thalassinos & Lanh Kim Trieu, 2022. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Economic Growth and Monetary Policy: An Analysis from the DSGE Model in Vietnam," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Michał Igielski, 2022. "The essence of entrepreneurial management in the SME sector in Poland," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 9(4), pages 106-124, June.
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    5. Lee, Sang M. & Trimi, Silvana, 2021. "Convergence innovation in the digital age and in the COVID-19 pandemic crisis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 14-22.
    6. Henrich R. Greve, 2020. "Learning Theory: The Pandemic Research Challenge," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(8), pages 1759-1762, December.
    7. Jill Juergensen & José Guimón & Rajneesh Narula, 2020. "European SMEs amidst the COVID-19 crisis: assessing impact and policy responses," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 47(3), pages 499-510, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation; determinants of innovation; SME sector; regional policy.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General

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