A Strategic Management Framework for Australian Construction Small-Medium Enterprises in Times of Crisis (COVID-19)

This thesis develops a strategic management framework to enhance the resilience of Australian construction small–medium enterprises (SMEs) in times of crisis. Drawing on an ethnographic action research study within a South Australian construction SME during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, the research demonstrates that the crisis acted less as a creator of new challenges than a catalyst exposing long-standing structural vulnerabilities across resources, stakeholder relationships and risk management. Integrating the Balanced Scorecard with Resource-Based Theory and Stakeholder Management Theory, the study proposes an adaptive Annual Strategic Health Check and conceptual mapping process to embed stakeholder voice and dynamic resource configuration into strategic decision-making, enabling SMEs to build financial sustainability and organisational resilience in uncertain environments.

Author dc:creator

• Thompson, Diane

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Chileshe, Nicholas

• construction SMEs
• COVID-19
• strategic management

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2440/151033

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.adelaide.edu.au:2440/151033