The impacts of covid-19 on muslim entrepreneurs and their survival strategies

The recent global catastrophe is the spread of the Coronavirus, which has greatly affected all aspects of the economy. Lockdown, isolation, restricted travel order, and social distancing are some protective steps adopted by the government to secure public health. Though noting the importance of national order in preventing the virus's massive dissemination, the researcher contend that there are some undiscovered impacts of Malaysia's control order policy on Muslim Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The objectives of this study are to scrutinize the impacts of the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) on Muslim SMEs' businesses and to identify the survival strategies used, based on the four major business functions, from viewpoints of the entrepreneurs. The study employs a qualitative approach, with in-depth interviews and phone interviews conducted with the entrepreneurs of 13 chosen Muslim SMEs that are from ten different industries. The results of in-depth interviews provide insights on impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on SMEs’ entrepreneurs in the service sector, their business continuity strategies used and business recovery strategies planned for post-Covid-19 pandemic period. The paper recommends few suggestions for future research work, business development agencies and entrepreneurs. This study will hopefully contribute towards the creation of effective support mechanisms through associated entrepreneurial development organizations for SMEs to thrive during and after a crisis.