Leveraging Knowledge Management and Entrepreneurial Orientation to Enhance Resilience in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Notwithstanding the importance of crisis management for all types of companies, assessing the success of these measures and their contribution to the overall company performance is a challenge, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Forward-looking organizations know that a sole focus on crisis management is insufficient, and they know the importance of knowledge management and entrepreneurial orientation for maintaining sustainable business success. This chapter examines the role of knowledge management and entrepreneurial orientation in improving SME resilience. For this purpose, a structural equation model is developed that allows a measurable and comparable assessment of the importance of crisis management and the two supporting management functions. The effectiveness of the model is tested using a sample of 284 SMEs. By combining crisis management with knowledge management and entrepreneurial orientation, this study offers a new perspective on factors contributing to successful resilience in SMEs. The findings provide valuable insights for improving crisis management practices and promoting SME resilience and sustainability in the face of increasing crises.