Overview

Original Research

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC CRISIS ON MICRO ENTERPRISES IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA

VIKNESWARY TIRUMALAISAMY 1, ASOKAN VASUDEVAN 2, TOONG HAI SAM 3, WALTON WIDER 4, ANNIE WANG PEI LING 5, and MANIAM V A 6.

Vol 17, No 08 ( 2022 )   |  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6955742   |   Author Affiliation: Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia 1,2,3,4,5; Faculty of Business, Nilai University, Persiaran Universiti, Putra Nilai, 1, Persiaran Kolej Bbn, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan 6.   |   Licensing: CC 4.0   |   Pg no: 32-42   |   To cite: VIKNESWARY TIRUMALAISAMY, et al., (2022). ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC CRISIS ON MICRO ENTERPRISES IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA. 17(08), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6955742   |   Published on: 01-08-2022

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the impact of the pandemic on micro-enterprises in the manufacturing sector in terms of business operations and production in Klang Valley. Design/Methodology: An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed randomly to 121 micro-enterprises focusing on Klang Valley's manufacturing sectors. The questionnaire is developed based on previous research conducted on the impact of Covid-19 on business. The qualitative content analysis approach was adopted to analyze the results. Findings: Based on the results, the female contributes 57% in the micro-enterprises compared to male. The study focuses on the food manufacturing microenterprises, which comprises about 43%, followed by textile, about 13%. During the pandemic period, 44.3% of the micro-enterprises faced minor difficulties in managing their production and their business operations, in which the majority of them agreed there is a significant increase in the consumer demand for specific products. Although movement control order being enforced, there was an adequate supply of the raw materials to the essential based micro-enterprises. However, about 59% of the micro-enterprises verified no planning on the new recruitment, and they look forward to increasing their engagement in the e-commerce platforms. Micro enterprises are also expecting special government grants to help them to boost their business operations and production during the pandemic period. Research Limitation: The study has small sample size, and therefore it can be extended by increasing the number of respondents in other sectors in micro-enterprises and geographical areas. Practical Implications: This research provided the policymakers with the appropriate policies to aid the difficulties faced by the micro-enterprises in their business operation and production. The policymakers should consider providing benefits in digital platforms to stimulate consumption among the consumers instead of targeting the other perspectives.

Keywords

Covid-19, Manufacturing Sector, Micro Entrepreneurs, E-commerce, Pandemic