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Measuring the Struggle of Small-Scale Businesses in the COVID-19 Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Rosmadi Fauzi

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Mariney Mohd Yusoff

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Abd Rahman Roslan

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Siti Nadira Ahmad Rozlan

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Muhammad Fathi Marzuki

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Mohd Muslim Said

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Kamaruzaman Jusoff

    (Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

Abstract

Small-scale business owners are among those who were very affected when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. This group supports their families solely through daily sales profits. However, when the country began implementing the Movement Control Order (MCO) from March 2020 to May 2020, it was difficult for this group to survive. Some of them were unable to do business at all, while the majority experienced a significant decline in sales. This study aims to measure the ability of small-scale business owners to survive before and after the COVID-19 period. GIS software (ArcMap 10.4.1) was used to map the ability of small-scale business owners to survive before and after the pandemic. Data were obtained through face-to-face questionnaires conducted throughout the state of Kedah. Findings indicated that several districts have successfully managed the pandemic for economic survival. This was achieved through a well-collaborated effort by the government and NGOs to strengthen certain aspects of these small-scale business and revive their growth. Future work should focus on studying the actions taken by successful business owners in coping with the pandemic environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosmadi Fauzi & Mariney Mohd Yusoff & Abd Rahman Roslan & Siti Nadira Ahmad Rozlan & Muhammad Fathi Marzuki & Mohd Muslim Said & Kamaruzaman Jusoff, 2023. "Measuring the Struggle of Small-Scale Businesses in the COVID-19 Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4445-:d:1085354
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