Survival of the fittest during pandemics: The role of market orientation, entrepreneurial thinking, strategic flexibility and supply chain integration

Business survival remains the point of discussion among the policymakers, researchers, and regulators around the world since the emergence of COVID pandemic. The present study intends to evaluate the role of strategic skills and competencies in SMEs survival during the COVID-19. SMEs operating in manufacturing sector have been selected for data collection by using survey based questionnaire. Structural equation modeling technique has been used to evaluate the association among the independent and dependent latent constructs using the SmartPLS software. The findings of present study show that market orientation, entrepreneurial thinking, strategic flexibility significantly contribute towards the survival of SMEs. Strategic flexibility significantly and positively mediates the relationship between market orientation, entrepreneurial thinking and survival of SMEs. The supply chain integration moderates the relationship between strategic flexibility, entrepreneurial thinking and survival of SMEs. The findings of current study outline the implications for the owners/managers of SMEs and regulatory authorities in understanding the significance of market orientation, entrepreneurial thinking, strategic flexibility, and supply chain integration towards the survival of SMEs.