Title: Towards sustainability in SMEs post recovery from COVID-19 crisis: the influence of intellectual capital and cost strategy

Authors: Zaid Jaradat; Omran Ahmad Al-Ibbini; Mohannad Obeid Al Shbail; Ahmad Adel Jamil

Addresses: Department of Accounting, School of Business, Al al-Bayt University, P.O. Box 130040, Mafraq 25113, Jordan ' Faculty of Business, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130 Amman 11733, Jordan ' Department of Accounting, School of Business, Al al-Bayt University, P.O. Box 130040, Mafraq 25113, Jordan ' Faculty of Business, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130 Amman 11733, Jordan

Abstract: A framework to determine the key factors impacting the economic sustainability post COVID-19 crisis recovery is proposed in this study for SMEs. The study was supported by resource-based-view (RBV) theory. Questionnaires were distributed to the study sample comprising of SME financial managers and heads of accounting departments, in which 190 returned copies were valid for analysis. The impact of human capital, social capital, and relational capital on the economic sustainability in SMEs appeared strong, positive and significant. A significant positive relationship was demonstrated between cost leadership strategy and economic sustainability, and between differentiation strategy and economic sustainability. SMEs could benefit from the study framework as it can guide SMEs in identifying early survival strategies in COVID-19 crisis recovery. For regulators, the framework could assist them in dealing with SMEs post COVID-19.

Keywords: sustainability; COVID-19; intellectual capital; cost strategy; resource based-view; RBV; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2023.130870

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2023 Vol.39 No.1, pp.97 - 119

Received: 29 Mar 2021
Accepted: 15 Jun 2021
Published online: 13 May 2023 *

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