Building Organisational Resilience through Organisational Culture and Motivation in SMEs

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic emerged unexpectedly in late 2019 and rapidly evolved into a global health crisis, profoundly affecting nations worldwide. The rapid spread of the virus had significant results, leading to high mortality rates, and compelled governments to impose lockdowns, which in turn triggered widespread psychological distress and disrupted global economic activity. Businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), faced immense complications, which led to the shutdown of corporations since they could not survive the impact of the pandemic. This situation raised questions about the organisation’s resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the role of organisational culture in fostering resilience and sustaining both financial and non-financial performance among SMEs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to evaluate both theoretical and practical aspects of resilience, identifying key cultural and motivational factors that influence organisational adaptability during crisis. The design that was adopted in this paper was the quantitative research design, with data collected through structured questionnaires distributed to SME representatives across the UAE. The analysis revealed that resilient organisations with strong, positive cultures were more capable of maintaining performance despite external pressures. Moreover, findings emphasise the significance of the motivational factors in supporting organisational resilience across diverse cultural settings. This paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on crisis management and organisational behaviour, offering strategic insights for enhancing SME resilience through cultural and structural development. It emphasises the necessity of cultivating a supportive organisational climate as a foundation for long-term performance and sustainability.