The Impact of COVID-19 on the Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): The Mediating Role of Intellectual Capital, Organizational Atmosphere, and Innovation Culture

Mahmoud Mousavi Shiri () and Mahdi Salehi ()
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Mahmoud Mousavi Shiri: Department of Management, Economics and Accounting, Payame Noor University, Tehran 1659639884, Iran
Mahdi Salehi: Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the mediating role of intellectual capital, organizational climate, and a culture of innovation on the relationship between COVID-19 and the performance of SMEs. This study’s statistical population included the accountants and auditors of SMEs in Mashhad, selected according to Cochran’s formula. The research sample size was 305 participants. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used in this research to collect data. The validity of the questionnaire has been assessed in two ways, namely, divergent and convergent validity. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and combined reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed to investigate and calculate the relationships between variables. The main scientific problem of this study is the insufficient understanding of the factors that can improve the performance of SMEs under critical conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that the conditions in question significantly impacted the performance of SMEs. Intellectual capital had a significant effect on the relationship between COVID-19 and the performance of SMEs. Organizational climate substantially impacted the relationship between COVID-19 and SMEs’ performance. Finally, the culture of innovation significantly affected the relationship between COVID-19 and the performance of SMEs. The findings of this study can contribute to the formulation of managerial strategies and supportive policies in similar conditions.

Keywords: intellectual capital; organizational atmosphere; culture of innovation; COVID-19; SME performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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