Are SMEs still profitable in an economic crisis? Qualitative research on Romanian entrepreneurship and crisis management

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the Romanian economy, having a significant contribution to achieving the domestic gross product (GDP); they represent an important source of workplaces, have a considerable number of employees, whose labour productivity is very high as compared to the one in the large enterprises and, last but not least, they are much more flexible in adapting organizational strategies to the conditions generated by the business external environment. That is why we consider of high importance the analysis of the entrepreneurial behaviour of the Romanian small and medium-sized enterprises that provide services, particularly in a situation of the financial crisis and taking into consideration the ever-changing Romanian economic environment. In order to achieve the goal of this paper, namely to identify and analyse the entrepreneurial behaviour of the SMEs in the Romanian Central Development Region, we made an option for the qualitative research method called a semi-directive in-depth interview. The discussion group was made up of 7 managers of SMEs in the Central Development Region. At the same time, we had in view to study the influence of the business environment and the legislative framework upon the economic development and profitability of the SMEs providing professional, scientific and technical services. Our research shows that the implemented strategies and the entrepreneurial behaviour adopted by the participants led not only to their remaining on the market but also to an increase in the business volume and consequently to an increased turnover.