Abstract

SANCHEZ BAEZ, Edgar A.; ROMAN, José M.; BRASSEL, María Paz  and  PARRA, Diego Sebastián. Impact of COVID-19 on Paraguayan SMEs: A Perspective from Company Size, Economic Sector, and Age. Rep. cient. FACEN [online]. 2023, vol.14, n.1, pp.25-34. ISSN 2222-145X.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rcfacen.2023.14.1.25.

The effects of the pandemic on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have proven to be severe in most economies of the world. Thus, the objective of this study is to estimate the impact of the crisis generated by the Covid-19 pandemic on employment, sales and relations with suppliers and clients in Paraguayan MSMEs. To achieve this, a survey was conducted among 227 owners and managers of MSMEs in the Capital and Central Department, in the manufacturing industry, service and other sectors (commerce, construction), during the months of February to April 2021. A quantitative analysis of data was carried out by applying Pearson's Chi-square test and analysis of variance. The results obtained indicate that small and medium-sized companies have been greatly affected by the tightening of payment terms by suppliers. Likewise, customer payment terms have had a negative impact on medium-sized companies. It is also observed that in 2020 compared to 2019, there was a significant decrease in employment without differentiating size, sector or years in the market. However, it is evident that young companies have had a greater capacity to maintain employment. Likewise, the balance of sales evolution has been generally negative in MSMEs, but the results show that during the pandemic, the manufacturing industry sector has had a greater capacity to maintain sales compared to other sectors.

Keywords : impact; employment; sales. MSMEs; COVID-19.

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