Strategic flexibility and organizational resilience of women entrepreneurs in Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose-The focus of this paper was on role of strategic flexibility in the actualization of organizational resilience of women entrepreneurs' in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology-In this study, the content bothered primarily on the experiences of women entrepreneurs within Africa -their constraints, challenges and set-backs as well as their opportunities and resilience in this COVID-19 crisis period. Scenarios were drawn from three key nations in Africa -(a) South-Africa, (b) Sudan, and (c) Nigeria. These three offered detailed evidence of the contextual factors and values that shape women entrepreneurs' actions and tendencies within their various societies and communities. Findings-Supportive evidence also showed that the strengthening of networks, relationships with stakeholders and the emphasis on information technology advanced the organizations options and provided women entrepreneurs with various advantages in terms of information access, funding, support (social and financial) and knowledge sharing. Conclusion-On the basis of this observation, it was affirmed that strategic flexibility is essential for the actualization of organizational resilience. Its change driven value for learning and relationships are imperative for the survival and success of women entrepreneurs in Africa.

Strategies among Women Entrepreneurs to cope and Sustain Businesses: A systematic literature review

“…Two articles were published in 2013 (Loh & Dahesihsari, 2013;Ramani et al, 2013), one in 2017 (Kaciak & Shamah, 2017), and four in 2019 (Kanapathipillai & Azam, 2019;Abdul Rani et al, 2019;Orobia et al, 2020;Rekarti, 2019). Most of the articles analysed were published in 2020 (Sultan & Sultan, 2020;Manolova et al, 2020;Naeem, 2020;Agarwal et al, 2020;Hamdan et al, 2020;Onoshakpor et al, 2020;Kaberia and Muathe, 2020;Omar et al, 2020). 2019) discussed how businesswomen in Ghana survive their business despite their economic conditions.…”

“…Seven articles articulated how one's personal development could boost the women entrepreneurs' business, especially during the economic turbulence, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (Sultan and Sultan, 2020;Loh & Dahesihsari, 2013;Onoshakpor et al, 2020;Parvin et al, 2012;Agarwal et al, 2020;Abdul Rani et al, 2019;Ramani et al, 2013). The personal development theme is divided into two sub-themes: self-drive motivation and education and training.…”

“…Loh & Dahesihsari (2013) stated that most Indonesian women's secret to success is their self-determination and optimism. Onoshakpor et al (2020) mentioned that most women entrepreneurs strive for their businesses' survival and afford their households affected by the COVID-19.…”

“…Nearly half of the articles reviewed mentioned how entrepreneurship training and educational seminars on business and entrepreneurship could provide the advantages for women entrepreneurs (Parvin et al, 2012;Sultan and Sultan, 2020;Loh & Dahesihsari, 2013;Abdul Rani et al, 2019;Agarwal et al, 2020;Onoshakpor et al, 2020;Ramani et al, 2013). In their studies, Parvin et al (2012) mentioned that access to entrepreneurial training could be one of the driving factors of women's involvement in entrepreneurship and business.…”

“…Ramani et al (2013) suggested in their paper that the government policies organise entrepreneurship training benefitting growth and economic development. Meanwhile, In their article, Onoshakpor et al (2020) mentioned that access to education and training could lead to the success of women entrepreneurs in business.…”