IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v135y2021icp28-39.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mobile apps for SME business sustainability during COVID-19 and onwards

Author

Listed:
  • Rakshit, Sandip
  • Islam, Nazrul
  • Mondal, Sandeep
  • Paul, Tripti

Abstract

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to cope with the business uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines how SMEs in developing economies have used mobile apps to improve their business efficiency during the pandemic. We aim to recognize effective measures and actions taken by SMEs that have turned to mobile-app-based business to improve their sustainability during the crisis. The study bridges a literature gap by extending the Theory of Consumption Values and the Theory of Planned Behavior to SMEs that incorporate mobile-app-based business. Data was collected from 343 SMEs from three Industrial Development Corporations (IDCs) in India. Using the covariance-based structural equation modeling method, we investigated the efficiency of a conceptual model of mobile-app-based business for SMEs. The results revealed that consumer choice behavior, perceived behavior control, subjective behavior control and attitude towards the mobile app all influence SMEs’ decision-making and business strategy. As such, SMEsneed a powerful mobile-app-based business network to succeed in the entrepreneurial business process. Using instrumental variable analysis, we discovered that increased mobile app usage significantly improves SMEs’ long-term efficiency. The analysis provides several theoretical and managerial ramifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Rakshit, Sandip & Islam, Nazrul & Mondal, Sandeep & Paul, Tripti, 2021. "Mobile apps for SME business sustainability during COVID-19 and onwards," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 28-39.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:135:y:2021:i:c:p:28-39
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.06.005
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296321004100
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.06.005?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Richter, Alexander, 2020. "Locked-down digital work," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    2. Laato, Samuli & Islam, A.K.M. Najmul & Farooq, Ali & Dhir, Amandeep, 2020. "Unusual purchasing behavior during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: The stimulus-organism-response approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    3. Suleyman Ozarslan & P. Erhan Eren, 0. "MobileCDP: A mobile framework for the consumer decision process," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-22.
    4. Denicolai, Stefano & Zucchella, Antonella & Magnani, Giovanna, 2021. "Internationalization, digitalization, and sustainability: Are SMEs ready? A survey on synergies and substituting effects among growth paths," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    5. Ho, Mia Hsiao-Wen & Chung, Henry F.L., 2020. "Customer engagement, customer equity and repurchase intention in mobile apps," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 13-21.
    6. Sung, Eunyoung (Christine), 2021. "The effects of augmented reality mobile app advertising: Viral marketing via shared social experience," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 75-87.
    7. Talwar, Manish & Talwar, Shalini & Kaur, Puneet & Tripathy, Naliniprava & Dhir, Amandeep, 2021. "Has financial attitude impacted the trading activity of retail investors during the COVID-19 pandemic?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    8. Paul, Justin, 2020. "SCOPE framework for SMEs: A new theoretical lens for success and internationalization," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 219-230.
    9. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    10. Francisco Liñán & Justin Paul & Alain Fayolle, 0. "SMEs and entrepreneurship in the era of globalization: advances and theoretical approaches," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-9.
    11. Dr. Arif Anjum, 2018. "Impact of Technology Adoption on the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in India," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 857-867:5.
    12. Kautonen, Teemu & Schillebeeckx, Simon J.D. & Gartner, Johannes & Hakala, Henri & Salmela-Aro, Katariina & Snellman, Kirsi, 2020. "The dark side of sustainability orientation for SME performance," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 14(C).
    13. Talwar, Shalini & Dhir, Amandeep & Khalil, Ashraf & Mohan, Geetha & Islam, A.K.M. Najmul, 2020. "Point of adoption and beyond. Initial trust and mobile-payment continuation intention," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    14. Sheth, Jagdish N. & Newman, Bruce I. & Gross, Barbara L., 1991. "Why we buy what we buy: A theory of consumption values," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 159-170, March.
    15. Alexander W. Bartik & Marianne Bertrand & Zoë B. Cullen & Edward L. Glaeser & Michael Luca & Christopher T. Stanton, 2020. "How Are Small Businesses Adjusting to COVID-19? Early Evidence from a Survey," NBER Working Papers 26989, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    16. Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Ndubisi, Nelson Oly & Roman Pais Seles, Bruno Michel, 2020. "Sustainable development in Asian manufacturing SMEs: Progress and directions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    17. Francisco Liñán & Justin Paul & Alain Fayolle, 2020. "SMEs and entrepreneurship in the era of globalization: advances and theoretical approaches," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 695-703, October.
    18. Bodlaj, Mateja & Kadic-Maglajlic, Selma & Vida, Irena, 2020. "Disentangling the impact of different innovation types, financial constraints and geographic diversification on SMEs' export growth," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 466-475.
    19. Ozili, Peterson K, 2020. "Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis: The Nigerian experience and structural causes," MPRA Paper 99424, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    20. Cenamor, Javier, 2021. "Complementor competitive advantage: A framework for strategic decisions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 335-343.
    21. Lee, Corrinne Mei Jyin & Che-Ha, Norbani & Syed Alwi, Sharifah Faridah, 2021. "Service customer orientation and social sustainability: The case of small medium enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 751-760.
    22. Zaremohzzabieh, Zeinab & Ahrari, Seyedali & Krauss, Steven Eric & Samah, Asnarulkhadi Abu & Meng, Lee Kwan & Ariffin, Zaifunizam, 2019. "Predicting social entrepreneurial intention: A meta-analytic path analysis based on the theory of planned behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 264-276.
    23. Ardito, Lorenzo & Raby, Simon & Albino, Vito & Bertoldi, Bernardo, 2021. "The duality of digital and environmental orientations in the context of SMEs: Implications for innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 44-56.
    24. Falahat, Mohammad & Ramayah, T. & Soto-Acosta, Pedro & Lee, Yan-Yin, 2020. "SMEs internationalization: The role of product innovation, market intelligence, pricing and marketing communication capabilities as drivers of SMEs’ international performance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    25. Bellman, Steven & Potter, Robert F. & Treleaven-Hassard, Shiree & Robinson, Jennifer A. & Varan, Duane, 2011. "The Effectiveness of Branded Mobile Phone Apps," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 191-200.
    26. Camilo Koch & Davit Mkhitaryan, 2015. "Consumer’s Brand Choice Behavior for Luxury Cars in China," International Journal of Management Science and Business Administration, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 1(12), pages 46-57, November.
    27. Dastjerdi, Aliasghar Mehdizadeh & Kaplan, Sigal & de Abreu e Silva, Joao & Anker Nielsen, Otto & Camara Pereira, Francisco, 2019. "Use intention of mobility-management travel apps: The role of users goals, technophile attitude and community trust," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 114-135.
    28. Hsu, Chin-Lung & Lin, Judy Chuan-Chuan, 2016. "Effect of perceived value and social influences on mobile app stickiness and in-app purchase intention," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 42-53.
    29. Asadullah Khaskheli & Yun Jun & Miraj Ahmed Bhuiyan, 2017. "M-Commerce and Mobile Apps: Opportunities for SMEs in Developing Countries," Journal of International Business Research and Marketing, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 2(2), pages 20-23, January.
    30. Eggers, Fabian, 2020. "Masters of disasters? Challenges and opportunities for SMEs in times of crisis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 199-208.
    31. Balushi, Yasmeen Al & Locke, Stuart & Boulanouar, Zakaria, 2018. "Islamic financial decision-making among SMEs in the Sultanate of Oman: An adaption of the theory of planned behaviour," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 30-38.
    32. Ballestar, María Teresa & Díaz-Chao, Ángel & Sainz, Jorge & Torrent-Sellens, Joan, 2020. "Knowledge, robots and productivity in SMEs: Explaining the second digital wave," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 119-131.
    33. Elliott, John E., 1983. "Schumpeter and the theory of capitalist economic development," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 4(4), pages 277-308, December.
    34. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Rakshit, Sandip & Islam, Nazrul & Mondal, Sandeep & Paul, Tripti, 2022. "Influence of blockchain technology in SME internationalization: Evidence from high-tech SMEs in India," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    2. Codruța Adina Băltescu & Nicoleta Andreea Neacșu & Anca Madar & Dana Boșcor & Alexandra Zamfirache, 2022. "Sustainable Development Practices of Restaurants in Romania and Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-24, March.
    3. Sanaullah Irfan & Jamshid Ali & Imdadullah Hidayat-ur-Rehman & Muddasar Ghani Khwaja & Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka & Attila Kovacs, 2023. "Expediting Time to Market: Evaluating the Effects of Change Control Board Performance in Emerging Markets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Biraglia, Alessandro & Bowen, Karen T. & Gerrath, Maximilian H.E.E. & Musarra, Giuseppe, 2022. "How need for closure and deal proneness shape consumers’ freemium versus premium price choices," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 157-170.
    5. Tancredi Pascucci & Giuseppina Maria Cardella & Brizeida Hernàndez-Sànchez & Jose Carlos Sànchez-Garcìa, 2022. "Environmental Sensitivity to Form a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Thamir Hamad Alaskar & Amin K. Alsadi, 2023. "Drivers of mobile commerce adoption intention by Saudi SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Emmanuel Bruce & Zhao Shurong & Du Ying & Meng Yaqi & John Amoah & Sulemana Bankuoru Egala, 2023. "The Effect of Digital Marketing Adoption on SMEs Sustainable Growth: Empirical Evidence from Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-24, March.
    8. Enwereji Prince Chukwuneme, 2022. "Impact of Covid-19 on SMMEs and the future sustainability measures: a systematic review," HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 111-131, December.
    9. Nanath, Krishnadas & Balasubramanian, Sreejith & Shukla, Vinaya & Islam, Nazrul & Kaitheri, Supriya, 2022. "Developing a mental health index using a machine learning approach: Assessing the impact of mobility and lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    10. Luthra, Sunil & Kumar, Anil & Sharma, Manu & Arturo Garza-Reyes, Jose & Kumar, Vikas, 2022. "An analysis of operational behavioural factors and circular economy practices in SMEs: An emerging economy perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 321-336.
    11. Huawei Tian, 2023. "Does consumer social responsibility augment corporate social responsibility: A reciprocal analysis of external stakeholder from stakeholder theory perspective," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 968-978, March.
    12. Davazdahemami, Behrooz & Kalgotra, Pankush & Zolbanin, Hamed M. & Delen, Dursun, 2023. "A developer-oriented recommender model for the app store: A predictive network analytics approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    13. Luz Natalia Tobón Perilla & Elena Urquía Grande & Elisa Isabel Cano Montero, 2022. "Economic and Organizational Impact of COVID-19 on Colombia’s Tourism Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rakshit, Sandip & Islam, Nazrul & Mondal, Sandeep & Paul, Tripti, 2022. "Influence of blockchain technology in SME internationalization: Evidence from high-tech SMEs in India," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    2. Hsu, Sheila Hsuan-Yu & Tsou, Hung-Tai & Chen, Ja-Shen, 2021. "“Yes, we do. Why not use augmented reality?†customer responses to experiential presentations of AR-based applications," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    3. Khorshed Alam & Mohammad Afshar Ali & Michael Erdiaw-Kwasie & Md Shahiduzzaman & Eswaran Velayutham & Peter A. Murray & Retha Wiesner, 2022. "Impact of ICTs on Innovation and Performance of Firms: Do Start-ups, Regional Proximity and Skills Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Taneja, Shilpa & Ali, Liaqat, 2021. "Determinants of customers’ intentions towards environmentally sustainable banking: Testing the structural model," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    5. Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih, 2023. "Excessive Food Buying in Saudi Arabia Amid COVID-19: Examining the Effects of Perceived Severity, Religiosity, Consumption Culture and Attitude toward Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Lütjens, Henk & Eisenbeiss, Maik & Fiedler, Maximilian & Bijmolt, Tammo, 2022. "Determinants of consumers’ attitudes towards digital advertising – A meta-analytic comparison across time and touchpoints," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 445-466.
    7. Marina Sheresheva & Marina Efremova & Lilia Valitova & Anna Polukhina & Georgy Laptev, 2021. "Russian Tourism Enterprises’ Marketing Innovations to Meet the COVID-19 Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, March.
    8. Mohammed Anam Akhtar & Khurram Ajaz Khan & Hung Cuong Hoang, 2023. "Role of Social Networking Sites in Financial Product Choice: An Investigation Through the Theory of Planned Behavior," Business Perspectives and Research, , vol. 11(1), pages 44-62, January.
    9. Kumar, Sushant & Shah, Arunima, 2021. "Revisiting food delivery apps during COVID-19 pandemic? Investigating the role of emotions," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    10. Natasa Djalic & Milan Nikolic & Mihalj Bakator & Zivko Erceg, 2021. "Modeling the Influence of Information Systems on Sustainable Business Performance and Competitiveness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-24, August.
    11. Gupta, Parul & Chauhan, Sumedha, 2021. "Firm capabilities and export performance of small firms: A meta-analytical review," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 558-576.
    12. Sejin Ha & Michelle Childs & Christopher T. Sneed & Ann Berry, 2021. "Consumer Sustainable Shopping Practices for Small Business during COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-19, November.
    13. Tandon, Anushree & Kaur, Puneet & Bhatt, Yogesh & Mäntymäki, Matti & Dhir, Amandeep, 2021. "Why do people purchase from food delivery apps? A consumer value perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    14. Kautish, Pradeep & Paul, Justin & Sharma, Rajesh, 2021. "The effect of assortment and fulfillment on shopping assistance and efficiency: An e-tail servicescape perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    15. Zhang, Qi & Ariffin, Shaizatulaqma Kamalul & Richardson, Christopher & Wang, Yuling, 2023. "Influencing factors of customer loyalty in mobile payment: A consumption value perspective and the role of alternative attractiveness," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    16. Valero-Gil, Jesús & Suárez-Perales, Inés & Garcés-Ayerbe, Concepción & Rivera-Torres, Pilar, 2024. "Navigating toward the promised land of digitalization and sustainability convergence," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    17. Ali Zackery & Joseph Amankwah-Amoah & Zahra Heidari Darani & Shiva Ghasemi, 2022. "COVID-19 Research in Business and Management: A Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-32, August.
    18. Debora Bettiga & Lucio Lamberti & Emanuele Lettieri, 2020. "Individuals’ adoption of smart technologies for preventive health care: a structural equation modeling approach," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 203-214, June.
    19. Mäntymäki, Matti & Salo, Jari, 2013. "Purchasing behavior in social virtual worlds: An examination of Habbo Hotel," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 282-290.
    20. Farooq, Ali & Laato, Samuli & Islam, A.K.M. Najmul & Isoaho, Jouni, 2021. "Understanding the impact of information sources on COVID-19 related preventive measures in Finland," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:135:y:2021:i:c:p:28-39. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.