Sports entrepreneurship during COVID-19: Technology as an ally to maintain the competitiveness of small businesses
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González-Serrano, María Huertas; Alonso Dos Santos, Manuel; Sendra-García, Javier; Calabuig Moreno, FerranEditorial
Elsevier
Materia
Sports entrepreneurship SME Technology Strategic orientation Business model adaptation
Date
2023-02Referencia bibliográfica
M.H. González-Serrano et al. Sports entrepreneurship during COVID-19: Technology as an ally to maintain the competitiveness of small businesses. Technological Forecasting & Social Change 187 (2023) 122256. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122256]
Abstract
The sports sector, specifically the field of personal trainer entrepreneurship, has been severely affected by the
COVID-19 crisis. However, there are still few empirical studies that analyze how the actions taken before and
during this crisis can affect sports entrepreneurs' performance. This research aims to analyze which combinations
of sports entrepreneurs' personal characteristics and actions performed have been most and least effective in
minimizing the negative impact of COVID-19 on their businesses. A validated online questionnaire was
administered to personal trainer entrepreneurs from May to June 2020 before they reopened their facilities.
Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was performed to assess the impacts. The results show that
both post-COVID measures (adaptation of the business model) and previous strategic orientation seemed
essential. Specifically, high levels of sports entrepreneurs' resilience and innovation/R&D when competing
against their closest competitors before the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased use of technologies (sports
services digitization) during the pandemic have been essential to maintaining the performance of the sports
business. Thus, improvements in the digital competencies of personal trainers' sports entrepreneurs, the devel-
opment of strategic plans and activities related to innovation/R&D and process improvements are important
measures to maintain the competitiveness of small sports businesses during crises.