Today, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are required to adopt an entrepreneurial configuration that enables them to respond effectively to hazardous events that can significantly impact their business operations and performance. In this context, business continuity management (BCM) emerges as a pivotal tool for enhancing organizational resilience (OR). This is more important for SMEs, as such challenges are amplified by their limited organizational and financial resources. Framed within these premises, the paper aims to show how BCM can improve OR for entrepreneurial SMEs.
The study proposes a conceptual framework that integrates OR and BCM in a Deming Cycle, introducing an operational approach to measure OR and evaluate BCM effectiveness. Adopting a mixed-methods research design, the proposed framework has been applied to the identified SME operating in the manufacturing industry through a qualitative single-case study supported by a quantitative analysis of questionnaire data.
The research evaluates the improvement in OR achieved through implementing a BCM program in an entrepreneurial SME. The evidence collected shows the effectiveness of a set of BCM initiatives by comparing OR performance before and after BCM program implementation.
The paper provides elements of novel contribution to advance the debate of academics and practitioners operating in the domain that intersects managerial and organizational issues related to business continuity and OR of an entrepreneurial SME.
