Challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurship Post Pandemic five-year economic crisis – a study of JHANSI District of Uttar Pradesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm2026.v06.n01.002Keywords:
Entrepreneurship, COVID-19, Pandemic, Economic crisis, Entrepreneur, EnterpriseAbstract
Background: This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on enterprises in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Objective: Challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs during the pandemic were analyzed. SWOC analysis for entrepreneurial activities during the pandemic was also conducted. Best practices adopted by entrepreneurs to minimize the impact of shocks generated by the COVID-19 economic crisis. Methodology: The descriptive and exploratory research design has been used in the study. A sampling survey method and case study approach were used. Samples for data collection were selected through snowball sampling through google form online. Ninety-four respondents participated through an open sampling technique and were divided into two equal sub-samples. The first sub-sample consisted of individuals who were employed, and the second included job seekers for in-depth examination. Result: The findings indicate that most entrepreneurs suffered significantly during the crisis. Many entrepreneurs started doing business through e-commerce. Several faced lower production and unavailability of products for sale after the lockdown was lifted. SWOC analysis results showed: strengths—less borrowings, capital incentives; weaknesses—interruptions in the supply chain; opportunities—electronic activities, work from home, greater business flexibility, and government schemes; challenges—closing the economy, economic downturn, and declining purchasing power.
References
Ahmad, N., & Seymour, R. G. (2006). Nadim Ahmad, Statistics Directorate.
Yadav et al. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00337-5
Estrada‑Cruz et al. Future Business Journal 2024, 10(1):52 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093‑024‑00343‑3
Abdelnour, S., Anand, P., Bacq, S. C., Hertel, C. J., Lumpkin, G. T., Raj, P., ... & Soundararajan, V. (2021). Entrepreneurship as a Solution to Social Issues: Fostering New Insights and a Research Agenda. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2021, No. 1, p. 12402). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
Bosma, N., Hill, S., Ionescu-Somers, A., Kelley, D., Guerrero, M., & Schott, T. (2021). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2020/2021 Global Report. Global Entrepreneurship Research Association: London, UK.
Brush, C. G., & Cooper, S. Y. (2012). Female entrepreneurship and economic development: An international perspective. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 24(1-2), 1-6.
Cooper, A. C., Woo, C. Y., & Dunkelberg, W. C. (1988). Entrepreneurs' perceived chances for success. Journal of business venturing, 3(2), 97-108.
Fornahl, D., & Brenner, T. (2003). Cooperation, networks and institutions in regional innovation systems. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship.
Monitor, G. E. (2020). Diagnosing COVID-19 impacts on entrepreneurship: Exploring policy remedies for recovery. Babson Global Sponsor & Shopify.
Jindal, M. K., & Bhardwaj, A. (2016). Entrepreneurship development in India: A new paradigm. In Proceedings of the world congress on engineering (Vol. 2, pp. 724-726).
Stephan, U., Zbierowski, P., Pérez-Luño, A., Klausen, A., Cabañas, M. A., Barki, E., ... & Zahid, M. (2021). Entrepreneurship during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A global study of entrepreneurs' challenges, resilience, and well-being.
Coban, M., & Tomşa, A. (2021). Challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in European economy in the Covid pandemic conditions. In Strategii şi politici de management în economia contemporană (pp. 233-238).
Meccheri, N., & Pelloni, G. (2006). Rural entrepreneurs and institutional assistance: an empirical study from mountainous Italy. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 18(5), 371-392.
Stevenson, H. H. (1983). A perspective on entrepreneurship (Vol. 13). Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School.
Stephan, U., Zbierowski, P., & Hanard, P. J. (2020). Entrepreneurship and Covid-19: Challenges and opportunities.
Patel, B., & Chavda, K. (2013). Rural entrepreneurship in India: Challenge and problems. International Journal of Advance Research in Computer Science and Management Studies, 1(2).
Ratten, V. (2020). Coronavirus (Covid-19) and entrepreneurship: cultural, lifestyle and societal changes. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies.
Hagedoorn, J. (1996). Innovation and entrepreneurship: Schumpeter revisited. Industrial and corporate change, 5(3), 883-896.
Shepherd, D. A., Douglas, E. J., & Shanley, M. (2000). New venture survival: Ignorance, external shocks, and risk reduction strategies. Journal of Business Venturing, 15(5-6), 393-410.
