The survival of Moroccan VSEs facing COVID-19: an integrated analysis using logistic regression and fsQCA

What is it about?

This article explores how Moroccan very small enterprises (VSEs) survived the COVID-19 crisis. We studied nearly 400 VSEs to understand which factors, such as social networks, adaptability, and entrepreneurial skills, influenced their resilience. Our results show that businesses with access to strong networks and the ability to adapt quickly were more likely to survive. However, VSEs remain more vulnerable than larger companies to external shocks. We also highlight the importance of entrepreneurs' social skills, which enable them to better mobilize support from their networks. By combining two methods of analysis, we demonstrate that there is no single universal survival strategy but several possible paths, depending on the resources available and the context. This work offers recommendations for supporting VSEs in times of crisis, particularly by strengthening their access to finance, developing their social networks, and providing appropriate training to enhance their resilience. These measures can help protect jobs and stabilize the economy in the face of similar crises in the future.

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