COVID-19 -The New Ecosystem and Resilience Challenges: A Qualitative Survey of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Eastern Morocco

The COVID-19 pandemic has largely exposed vulnerabilities in national and global systems, necessitating a reassessment of organisational resilience. This study examined the impact of the pandemic on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Eastern Morocco over two years. It focused on the strategies these companies employ to maintain operational stability during the crisis and examined the role of the emerging ecosystem in promoting resilience. In addition, the research aimed to identify innovative practices adopted by companies during the pandemic that could be integrated into standard management approaches. Using a qualitative methodology, the study involved interviews with 15 SMEs in Eastern Morocco, which were analysed, using Nvivo software. The study suggested ways to improve the resilience of SMEs in the face of disruptions such as COVID-19 and to integrate new operational methods into usual business practices.